Preparations are underway for the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting on the Middle East, which is due to convene in Sharm El-Sheikh next month. The high-profile event which takes place in Egypt for the first time will be held from 20 to 22 May.

A state-of-the-art conventions centre has been constructed in Sharm El-Sheikh in anticipation of the event. The centre which was built within the span of less than eight months will accommodate some 1,500 or so global leaders who are expected to attend. The theme of this year's meeting is entitled "The promise of a new generation" and brings to the fore for debate and discussion a variety of political, social and economic topics related to the Middle East.

Hed Kandi comes to Pacha on Saturday 22 of April 2006, for their 1st time in Egypt. This is a truly sexy stylish night of great hip and happening music. Hed Kandi cool deco, and disco divas, they very name conjures up imagines of Kandi Art, hot stylized babes and fresh funky vibes; Hed Kandi is not just a label but dance legend.

Get groovy with Phil Faversham one of Hed Kandi's resident DJs, and move the beats to their clever compilations 'Beach House' sun drenched summer listening, 'Twisted Disco' - deliciously dark and dirty disco, and 'Nu Cool' released in Jan 2006 by Phil.

A world of its own

Extreme landscapes have always had a special allure for mankind. The Sinai Peninsula boasts such a landscape. It is the geographical link between Africa and Asia. The Pharaohs already sent expeditions to this area to gather gold, copper and turquoise.

We have set up two surf centres in Dahab, at the foot of mountain ranges shimmering in yellow and brown hues and rising steeply from the turquoise water, where the azure-blue sky contrasts with the deeply lined desert mountains. Here, you can let yourselves be carried away by a surfing vacation with plenty of wind and lots of thrills. A completely different world – and only a 4-5 hour flight from Europe.

The Club Mistral Hilton centre in the lagoon is positioned right inside the Dahab Hilton complex. The wind blows side-offshore here. We call this location our "Fun Park", because it offers as many as three spots in one. Within the lagoon, in front of the centre, there is the flat-water spot for beginners, intermediate-level windsurfers and freestylers. The perfect spot for practising from morning till night. Directly behind the sand bank of the lagoon, the wind is very strong and constant, creating ideal conditions for flat-water blasting, which will appeal to race freaks.
If you prefer more movement under your board, head for
The Club Mistral centre is about 1 km outside the lagoon. Here you will find perfect sideshore conditions. This location is a real insider tip. The temperature differences in the desert ensures thermal reinforcement of the wind in summer, making Dahab one of the windiest spots. What is more, the centres, which have been equipped with great attention to detail, invite you to linger for a while and relax in one of their many sitting nooks.

Delicious meals can be enjoyed in the nearby village. Along the extremely beautiful beach promenade, you will be served traditional Egyptian or Western fare. There, you will also have an opportunity to browse the numerous bazaars. Because Dahab is, overall, not yet very touristy, you will experience the traditional Egyptian lifestyle here. Or visit the Bedouin village of Ras Abu Galum. You can go to superb, deserted beaches and snorkel at the countless reefs around Dahab. Simply let yourself hang loose. You will feel really far away from all civilization when you spend a night in the traditional Bedouin tent or, if you prefer, right under the skies. These starry skies, the unique wind conditions, the locals' hospitality and many other attractions are definitely not to be missed.

Our insider tips:

• Dinner at one of the numerous restaurants in Masbat and Assala, e.g. at the "New Blue Moon" or "El Fanar"
• Snorkelling and relaxing in Eal Garden
• For Friday night, we recommend a trip to the fantastic "Nessima" open air discotheque or to the "Tota".
• A fabulous excursion to the Bedouin camp of Ras Abu Galum, which can be reached by a 2-hour hike from the Blue Hole. There, you can visit a superb, deserted bay for snorkelling.
• A visit to St. Catherine's Monastery and a climb up Mt. Moses.
• Diving at the well-known reefs of the Red Sea.
• A ride through the desert (on a camel or on horseback)

Expeditions into the Sinai Desert, which range from an afternoon or late night meander up Mount Sinai to a multi-day or week trek, are increasingly popular in Egypt. All treks through this relentlessly dry desert east of the Nile must be done with a Bedouin guide. Many Bedouin are excluded from the tourist industry, which is dominated by migrants from the Nile Valley; although as natives of the desert, Bedouin know the terrain and how to safely navigate it better than anyone. If you are having difficult locating a Bedouin guide, try contacting the following organizations for leads: Centre for Sinai is one outfit that seeks to promote knowledge of the local culture and is a good place to look for a guide; and Man and the Environment (MATE) Dahab is an environmental education center that helps arrange treks with Bedouin guides.

domina hotel group is adding one more hotel to its egyptian portfolio.
the domina makadi bay hotel & resort in hurghada has opened its doors to guests on 11th march 2006, making it the 3rd resort for the group in egypt.

located on the southern crest of makadi bay, domina makadi bay hotel & resort is at only 35 km from hurghada international airport and 43 km from hurghada city, 'capital' of the red sea riviera.

On the morning of March 29th, 2006 a total solar eclipse will take place in the African skies. The path of the eclipse (denoted by the red lines on the map) will go through Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Libya and Egypt. The maximum eclipse will be in Libya and last 4 minutes and 7 seconds. There are plenty of guided tours (listed below) that will make it easy for you to experience this sight of a lifetime. It will be 2017 before one comes to the US, so there's no use just waiting around. This guide will help you find the best places to see the total solar eclipse in Africa, how to see it without blinding yourself, photo tips and more.

On Saturday march 11th 2006, comes a whole new concept into Sharm – Sinai Kids Day. This is an event that has been organized with the aim of providing Sinai Families, with a day full of fun, challenging and exciting games, and also setting forward the path to a number of community events in the Sinai. With the help of the schools, and organized by Ramy and Ranya, the Sinai Community is looking forward to one big playground with organized games and competition. Children under the age of 4 and granted entrance for free, and are more than welcome to come and cheer the siblings or friends along. Click here for more info…