For many years, the resorts of Turkey and Egypt have been the most popular among Russian tourists. These two destinations are renowned for their moderate hotel prices, great beaches, entertainment and sightseeing programs. What do they have in common and what are the differences and which resort to choose for a unique vacation?
Territory
Turkey is considered a European state, although most of the territory belongs to East Asia. Its territory is mainly located on the Anatolian Peninsula and partly on the Balkan Peninsula. Despite the fact that this is an Islamic state, in large cities and resorts, the population is Europeanized.
Egypt is called a country of two continents. Geographically, it is located in the northern part of Africa and on the Sinai Peninsula. This is an Arab-Asian state with its own special culture and traditions. Even in large cities, they are very strong.
Resorts
In Turkey, the main resorts are located in the southwestern part of the country, washed by two seas: the Mediterranean and the Aegean. There are about 40 resort areas here. In the top five: Kemer, Alanya, Side, Belek, Antalya.
In Egypt, the main resorts for visitors are located on the shores of the Red Sea. Mediterranean resorts are considered the privilege of local wealthy people. There are even resorts on the banks of the Nile, but they are not very popular. In total, there are about 20 of the most visited resorts in the country. In the top five: Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Makadi, Marsa Alam.
Climate
The resort areas of Turkey are characterized by a Mediterranean type of climate. It is characterized by hot summers and mild mild winters. The holiday season starts in May and ends in October. The average air temperature from May to September is 29 ° С, water - 25 ° С. In May and October, the air temperature is about 25 ° С, the water temperature is 21 ° С. But in winter it is not higher than 15 ° C and it rains.
In Egypt, unlike Turkey, the holiday season is much longer. The climate on the shores of the seas is Mediterranean and subtropical. The main season is from March to November. In July - August, the air warms up to 36-38 ° С. The best months for a comfortable stay are from March to May and from mid-September to November. During this period, the average air temperature is about 27 ° С, water - 24 ° С. Throughout the winter, the temperature in resort areas, with the exception of Cairo and Alexandria, does not drop below 20 ° C. Many tourists celebrate the New Year in the resorts of Egypt.
Nature
On the coast of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, depending on the areas, the terrain changes its appearance. For example, in Kemer, mountains of stunning beauty, a lot of greenery, beautiful pines grow, flowers are fragrant. Beaches in the Kemer region are pebbly. Antalya has a very beautiful hilly area overgrown with greenery. The beaches are covered with fine-grained sand. Manavgat has a mountainous area with magnificent lakes and a waterfall. The beaches are both pebbly and sandy. Each resort area in Turkey is unique.
The nature of the Egyptian resorts is not very diverse. All the beauty in the form of palm trees, flowers and exotic plants is concentrated in the territories of the hotels. Behind their gates, as a rule, there is sand, heaps of rubbish, and very little greenery. The most beautiful green oasis in Egypt is the Nile Valley. Fields and plantations stretch along its banks for kilometers.
Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is the largest of the seas. By the way, the Aegean Sea is distinguished as its integral part. The water is very salty. In comparison with the Red Sea, it certainly loses out in the diversity of the underwater world.
The Red Sea of Egypt is special. It does not receive water from the land side, so it is the cleanest. The Red Sea is the saltiest in the world after the Dead Sea. It has the richest marine flora and fauna thanks to its numerous coral reefs. Here is the best diving in the Northern Hemisphere.
Beaches
The beaches of the Turkish coast of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas can be sandy, pebble, or mixed.
The beaches of the Red Sea coast can be sandy, coral, or pontoon. There are a lot of coral beaches in Sharm El Sheikh. It is simply impossible to enter the water without special shoes. In Hurghada, most of the beaches are sandy, although there are also coral ones. Pontoons are available at all resorts. But in the north of Egypt, off the Mediterranean coast, there are sandy beaches with white sand.
Sports, SPA, active entertainment
Sports in the resorts of both countries are presented in approximately the same way. On the territory of almost all hotels there are gyms with exercise equipment, tennis courts, volleyball courts, swimming pools. In the morning, exercises are carried out, closer to lunchtime, water aerobics classes. And be sure to offer massage at all resorts.
Of course, Turkey is famous for its Hammam. The Turkish bath is a whole art. In Egypt, there is something similar, but still not the same. In Turkish resorts, as well as in Egyptian ones, there are many similar active entertainment: a water park, ATV trips, horseback riding, windsurfing, parasailing, boat trips on yachts, fishing and much more. Great diving in the Red Sea. Turkey has great rafting. Turkey also offers an excellent vacation for lovers of active winter entertainment. For a detailed overview, see the article Ski resorts in Turkey.
Club entertainment, restaurants
All major resorts in Egypt have a variety of clubs and restaurants. Clubs can be located both on the territory of hotels and in the resort towns themselves. Incendiary music, funny DJs will not let anyone get bored. Restaurants specialize in certain types of cuisine: Arabic, European and even Russian.
Turkish resorts in this are not much different from Egyptian ones. A variety of nightclubs, all kinds of cafes and restaurants will help make your evening unforgettable.
Shopping
Turkey is famous for its shopping. Here you can buy excellent quality items. It can be textiles, leather and fur. Turkey is famous for the production of clothing and accessories. Quality jewelry can also be purchased here. A wide variety of souvenirs will not leave anyone indifferent. Particular attention should be paid to oriental sweets.
Egyptian shopping is significantly inferior to Turkish. Local products are of very poor quality. This applies to clothing, souvenirs and food. Every thing must be carefully checked for marriage. Jewelry is very cheap, but you can run into a fake. Good quality things are mostly imported and cost the same as in Russia. Eastern sweets can be expired.
Sights
There are many interesting places in Turkey that deserve attention: the Great Roman Bridge in Adana, the Museum of Anatolian Civilization in Ankara, the Church of St. Sofia in Istanbul, the sarcophagus of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Demre, etc.
Egypt is famous for the legacy of the pharaohs: the Cairo Museum, the pyramids of Giza, Luxor, Mount Moses and many other monuments worth visiting. I recommend reading an article about one unique attraction - the Abu Simbel Temple - an unofficial Wonder of the World.
Vacation with children
Resorts in Turkey and Egypt offer a variety of activities for children. There is also children's animation in the hotels. If the parents need to leave, it is possible to leave the child in a small kindergarten, where he will be looked after. There is a children's menu in the restaurant of any hotel. In addition to the main pool, many hotels also have a children's pool. The depth in it is shallow and the water heats up perfectly. I recommend paying attention to the Julian Club Hotel 4 * in Marmaris.
Depending on the season, preferences in recreation and entertainment, you can choose any of these countries and have a wonderful vacation.
