Just north of Sharm (roughly 35 kilometres), this protected area mixes desert, mangroves, and coral reef into one quiet stretch of coastline. You’ll spot mangrove trees growing straight out of the sea, and if you’re lucky, herons, foxes, or even a gazelle in the dunes. The offshore reef is solid for snorkelling, and the seagrass beds sometimes attract turtles.

The Town Musicians Express is a great way to get to know Bremen, especially on days when the weather is not so favourable. Climb aboard this environmentally-friendly road train and travel past all the tourist attractions on your way to the New Harbour district. There are daily tours departing from Bremen market square with multilingual audio guides all year round.

Barbados Boardwalk stretches nearly 12 kilometres along the southern coast of Bridgetown, from Rockley Beach to Coconut Court Beach. Visitors and locals alike enjoy jogging or walking the wooden floorboards by the ocean. If you feel the need for a bite or a drink, you will find plenty of little shacks and bars along the boardwalk.

Built between 527 and 565 AD at the foot of Mount Sinai for Emperor Justinian, this monastery later took its name from St Catherine of Alexandria, whose remains are said to rest here. It’s more fortress than church, with thick stone walls guarding the Church of the Transfiguration, the chapel of the Burning Bush, and a monks-only library packed with ancient manuscripts. Inside, you’ll find mosaics, religious ornaments, and some of the oldest illuminated manuscripts in the world on display. Outside, don’t miss Moses’ Well and the garden with centuries of history. The place is open most mornings but closed on Fridays, Sundays, and Orthodox feast days. Still active today, the monastery holds importance across Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and continues its Greek Orthodox traditions uninterrupted.