Siwa Villa

Beautifully renovated mud-brick house overlooking the ruined citadel in this small oasis, which sits on the edge of the Western Desert (sleeps 4-9)

Siwa is magical, one of the loveliest places in Egypt, and if you’ve never heard of it, dig a little deeper; its day is soon to come. It’s one of the 5 oases that dot the Western Desert, and nowhere are the sands more beautiful (or more accessible) than at Siwa. Duncan and Penny’s fabulous mud-brick house overlooking the shali (the ruined citadel in the centre of town) is an ideal base for exploring the wilderness - you’ll find Roman tombs, salty lakes, fossils littering the desert floor, even splinters of meteorite. As for the vast dunes that mark the edge of the Great Sand Sea, just hire a sandboard in town and slip down them; everyone does.

The house - recently renovated in Flintstone-style - is as good as it gets: nice and stylish, generously priced, and extremely comfy. The roof terrace is enormous and includes a vast fireplace where you sit at night and reconnect with your primal vision. Downstairs, cosy bedrooms are just the ticket and come in sandy colours. There’s a good kitchen and a fancy shower, too. Unmissable.

Highs

• This is a well-placed and comfortable base for journeying into the sands
• The roof terrace has a vast fireplace, with the ruined shali as a backdrop
• The position in the old town just above the square is stunning
• A housekeeper is on hand to look after you in style
• Siwa has the vibe - it’s a super-cool place and never crowded

Lows

• Siwa is a long way from anywhere, but don’t be put off: the journey is worth it
• There’s only one shower but it works perfectly, which isn’t that common in Egypt
• There’s no pool at the house, but there are hot springs in town
• Siwa is a dry town, so pick up some wine and beer in Cairo on your way through
• The heat in summer (May-September) can be stifling, though 3 of the bedrooms have air conditioning