Desert resort a real oasis of relaxation; In the second part of her trip to Egypt, Mieka Smiles is simply spoilt rotten.

IMAGINE the perfect holiday resort: clear blue skies, crystal waters and white sandy beaches. Add to that a choice of top-notch yet affordable restaurants, a wide range of activities and clean, modern accommodation and you're pretty much close to describing El Gouna.

El Gouna - quite literally translating as The Lagoons - is where my husband and I stayed throughout our second week in Egypt. Coming from a Nile cruise - which centres around the mystery and intrigue of ancient civilisations - it was quite a culture shock.

At just 20 years old the resort hasn't got much of a history. But it was the perfect contrast to the early morning wake-up calls and long days of sightseeing in the first part of our Egyptian break.

We stayed at the fabulous M|venpick Resort & Spa. The five-star Swiss hotel was family friendly and although the rooms are already modern and spacious, M|venpick is not resting on its laurels.

The hotel is currently undergoing work which will see a swish new central dining area as well as revamped suites.

Boasting a range of restaurants and bars as well as plenty of sports and recreation facilities, there's no need to step foot out of the impressive M|venpick resort.

M|venpick is home to the new Angsana Spa, boasting 12 lavish treatment rooms as well as a private pool. A full body massage comes highly recommended.

The M|venpick is also home to The Dive Tribe who organised our first foray into snorkeling. If you don't think scuba diving is your thing then snorkeling could be the ideal compromise; there's no need for lengthy training sessions or intimidating equipment and you can still marvel at the beautiful underwater world that the Red Sea is famous for.

Kite surfing is the latest trend for adrenaline junkies. M|venpick has its own kite surfing station where we had a go at controlling a kite on land. But for those wanting to try it in the water they must take part in a three-day course as safety here is always of paramount importance. But my highlight at M|venpick would have to be our night at the hotel's El Sayadin restaurant, which has tables overlooking the Red Sea. Eating fresh lobster while looking out over glimmering, moonlit waters was the perfect start to a relaxing break.

Although the M|venpick resort had more than enough to keep us entertained, we ventured further afield to discover more of El Gouna, the ambitious vision of Egyptian millionaire Samih Sawiris. Around two decades ago Samih, chairman of Orascom Hotels & Development which is El Gouna's parent company, located the perfect spot to build his dream resort, situated just north of Hurghada on the west coast of the Red Sea.

From little more than a patch of desert Samih has created a spectacular destination perfect for a range of holidayers - from honeymooners and families to playboys to adrenaline junkies. Today's El Gouna is home to 14 hotels built along 10 kilometres of beachfront and spreading across islands interlinked by lagoons.

Neighbourhoods of private holiday villas and apartments are also a key part of the resort, which is aimed at a more upmarket clientele than neighbouring Sharm El Sheikh.

The two main central areas of the resort are Downtown and the Abu Tig Marina which both boast shops, bars and restaurants. For this reason I would recommend boarding on a bed and breakfast basis to give you a chance to explore some of the resort's culinary delights.

Kiki's restaurant, a family-run Italian restaurant, Le Deauville and La Scala all come highly recommended for that special meal out. Jobo's Sports Bar is ideal for a lighter lunch-time snack while Maison Thomas pizzas are the stuff of legends.

Other attractions around town include a golf course, go-kart track, a paintball arena, tennis courts, horse stables and a football stadium.

A golf lesson with El Gouna Golf Club's professional Naser Gergawy A. Alazez is definitely worth the effort. My confidence with the clubs rocketed after an hour with him.

Parasailing is another must-try and nowhere near as scary as it looks. A bird's eye view over El Gouna is one that won't be quickly forgotten. The Orange Concept organised our double flight, meaning my husband was sitting alongside me to enjoy the breathtaking view.

No visit to Egypt is complete without a camel ride and a belly dance. And we got our chance to experience both at El Gouna's Oasis Night.

El Gouna Oasis is about 10 minutes away from El Gouna. It features a natural grove of date palms, a well, thatched roofed huts and a garden producing tomatoes, citrus fruits and melons.

After a fun camel ride a cool tent offered a delicious three-course buffet followed by a traditional Egyptian show.

As a holiday resort, I couldn't fault El Gouna. No, it's not steeped in history. But it's certainly where to go if you're after sun, sea, sand and a whole lot more.

El Gouna's motto is 'Life as It Should Be' and I, for one, couldn't agree more.

HOLIDAY OF THE WEEK MALTA - BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF PRICE, FROM pounds 379pp BUSTLING modern resorts, hidden coves, a rugged hinterland, a dramatic citadel capital, and above all the warmest of welcomes for British visitors - Malta has it all!

Join us in this wonderful island destination, in the heart of the blue Mediterranean.

Included in the price: Return flights from Durham Tees Valley airport to Malta.

Return airport to hotel transfers. Seven nights bed and continental breakfast at the 3* Sunflower Hotel in Qawra (hotel upgrades available at a supplement) Tour representative. Single-room supplement applies Please quote promotional code GTQYSS when booking by telephone or online.

These unbelievable prices on the few remaining seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.

For a complimentary colour Malta brochure telephone The Journal Reader Travel Department on [phone] or log on to www.newmarket.travel/nec Or call into our Front Reception, Groat Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE1 1ED.

Departs November 3, 2009, flying from Durham Tees Valley Airport.

For more information visit: * www.elgouna.com * www.movenpick-elgouna.com * www.divetribe.com * www.thediveconcept.com Seven nights aboard the five-star Royal Viking for a full board Nile cruise including 10 excursions with an Egyptologist followed by seven nights at the 5-star M|venpick Resort & Spa El Gouna on a bed and breakfast basis will cost around pounds 1,298 per person with a pounds 40 supplement from Manchester. This price includes return flights and transfers and is based on a November date.

This tour can be done from Newcastle via Heathrow for pounds 1,549 per person. For up-to-date booking and pricing information visit www.discoveregypt.co.uk or ring Discover Egypt on 08448 800 462.

TEE TIME The golf course.

CAPTION(S):

PARADISE The resort and spa. You can laze all day or take part in numerous activities COMFORT AND JOY A deluxe room at the M|venpick Resort and Spa. MOONLIGHT MARINA The Abu Tig Marina, o ne of the central areas of the resort, which boast shops, bars and restaurants