The beach resort that’s 25C in February and a direct flight from Manchester Airport

Giftun Island with white sandy beaches and umbrellas, which you can reach  via a boat trip from Hurghada
-Credit:Getty Images


With weeks of winter stretching ahead of us, summer feels like a distant dream. If you’re feeling the chill then a holiday away in the sun might just be the answer.

Many turn to the Canary Islands for a winter sun holiday, while others jet off to Dubai for a slice of glamour. For those willing to make the journey, long haul destinations like South-East Asia and the Caribbean are popular too.

Yet Manchester Airport serves another winter sun destination that’s perfect for restoring your Vitamin D levels. You can fly direct to several locations in Egypt from Manchester Airport, including the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

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It’s known for pristine white beaches that could rival those in the Maldives and crystal clear waters. At around a five and a half hour flight away, Hurghada is quicker to get to than the Middle East, making it manageable for a week away.

Hurghada Marina
Hurghada Marina -Credit:Alexander Vasenin / Creative Commons

In February it can reach toasty highs of 25C, much warmer than the 7C we can expect here in Manchester and with nine hours of sunshine a day, guaranteed to put a smile on your face .

Although it can get cool on an evening, it’s a brilliant time to visit if you want to escape the blistering heat of the summer months and the temperatures are ideal for exploring everything it has to offer.

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A must-do in the area for beach-lovers is visit Giftun Island, one of the Red Sea’s ‘hidden gems’. It can be reached by an hour-long boat trip from Hurghada and the island’s shallow waters are perfect for snorkelling.

A palm-tree lined beach in Hurghada
Hurghada is known for its amazing beaches -Credit:Getty Images/iStockphoto

If you want to see some of Egypt’s famous sites, you can visit Luxor and Cairo in a day trip from Hurghada, but there is an alternative. It’s home to the ‘Mini Egypt Park’, a variation on a model village where you can see Egypt’s famous landmarks in miniature, including the pyramids.

Or stop by the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, one of Africa’s largest, which gives you an insight into the marine life of the Red Sea and is home to rare specimens like tiger sharks and eagle rays.

Skyscanner shows flights from around £150 one way from Manchester Airport to Hurghada in February, not including seat allocation or baggage allowance. EasyJet also has offers in March from as little as £119 one way.

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