Hammamet:

Hammamet has been Tunisia's most famous holiday venue since the 1960s. Sophisticated low-rise hotels separate the vast sandy beach from a lively town of whitewashed, bougainvillaea-draped buildings, brimful with discos, restaurants and colourful shops. You can play golf or bargain in the souk. The town lies on the fertile Cap Bon peninsula, famous for citrus farming and wine production. Tunisia's tourist hub, Hammamet offers everything but seclusion.

Monastir:

To the south of the Gulf of Hammamet, Monastir offsets fine Islamic architecture with modern holiday facilities. Eight kilometres from its old walled medina is the resort of Skanes, with a restaurant-lined marina and beachside hotels offering tennis, golf and nightlife.

Port el Kantaoui:

Tunisia's answer to the chic marinas of the northern Med, this cosmopolitan, purpose-built resort is a quiet place to relax. Hotels border the long, sandy beach and the yacht-filled dock offers quality restaurants and shopping. There are two 18-hole golf courses and a few hotel discos.

Sousse:

Tunisia's third-largest city and a major port, Sousse is a modern resort built around an ancient centre. It's among the country's most popular tourist destinations, with a long beach spearing resort hotels. The town retains a strong North African tradition mixed with a thrilling nightlife and fabulous French restaurants.

Egypt

Egypt's newest tourism frontline, the Red Sea, comprises two main areas: the western coastline and the Sinai resorts. Both offer some of the world's finest diving, with numerous certified dive schools and constant water temperatures year-round.

Sharm el Sheikh:

Despite some plush hotels, the town itself lacks charm, but the nearby diving grounds are superb and Sharm is cheaper than the adjacent luxury resort of Na'ama Bay. Divers are drawn by reefs at Ras Umm Sidd - also the name of the hotels and villas that run northwards along the coast. Beyond Na'ama, tourist villages now line the coast. The once-secluded Shark Bay also offers large resorts and a fine beach.

Dahab:

Just one hour north of Sharm airport, Dahab offers a magnificent mountain backdrop and great diving. Named after the Arabic word for "gold", it comprises two parts: El Qura bay and the Bedouin village of Asilah.

Nuweiba:

Described as "a cut-price Na'ama Bay", Nuweiba was originally one of the big oases of south Sinai, with dramatic scenery and beaches. During the 1970s Israeli and Western backpackers flocked here to party; nowadays the resort attracts a more conventional crowd of Egyptians and package tourists.

Hurghada:

Over the past 20 years Hurghada has evolved from a humble fishing village into a booming town dependent on tourism. Despite its spacious boulevards and prime location between sea and mountains, it's not particularly pleasant, with a careless jumble of modern buildings. You can hide in a resort or holiday village, but the chief attractions remain offshore: numerous coral islands and reefs are a few hours' boat ride away, while live-aboards access more remote dive sites. Hedonistic Hurghada attracts a cosmopolitan clientele and best suits those who like diving and discos.

Marsa Alam:

Three scenic hours' drive south of Hurghada, and only just opening up for tourism, Marsa still offers unspoilt natural surroundings, few hotels and fine diving - although it's increasingly popular since Hurghada's airport opened.

El Gouna:

North of Hurghada, set on a cluster of islands beneath serrated mountains, scenic El Gouna borders turquoise lagoons. Much of the resort is built in traditional Egyptian style, around inner courtyards. The lively downtown area has pastel-coloured buildings, shops, galleries, cafes, bars and discos.

Morocco

With similar temperatures and sunshine hours to the Canary Islands, Morocco is an obvious winter choice, with the added bonus of its exotic culture.

Essaouira:

The country's most charming coastal resort (chosen by Orson Welles for his 1949 film, Othello), Essaouira is a fishing port with fortified walls and empty, golden sands, situated below hills of olive and argan trees. Its labyrinthine medina hides smart boutiques, traditional workshops, art galleries and stalls. Conditions are perfect for surfing and windsurfing: Essaouira bills itself "Wind City, Afrika" and hosts international contests. Despite increasing numbers of package visitors and new chain hotels, this relaxed resort is still far from spoilt, with riad-style inns and whitewashed, blue-shuttered houses.

Agadir:

Morocco's premier beach resort offers year-round sunshine and is a great base for exploring spectacular scenery inland. Ten kilometres of breezy golden beach border a modern, well-planned resort, offering water sports, camel rides and golf. Agadir has an atmosphere unique within Morocco, with palm-lined boulevards, open squares, well-tended gardens and fixed-price shops (though you can still haggle in the souk). At sunset, people pack the beachfront bars, preparing for a night on the town.

The Gambia

Sharing its time zone with Britain, The Gambia offers high temperatures, negligible winter rain and no jet lag. The country has a slow pace, an intriguing culture and empty beaches. Its population (mainly Muslim) is renowned for its hospitality.

Atlantic Coast Resorts:

Most tourist hotels are sited around the Kotu and Kololi areas along a 10km stretch of beach. Many are mini-European enclaves, offering water sports, golf and poolside bars. On the beach, expect plenty of friendly interaction with locals selling fruit, nuts and handicrafts. The government has introduced training, uniform and ID cards to reduce the number of so-called "bumsters" trying to sell their services as guides. Away from hotels (for example, in the markets of Serrekunda and Bakau), this tiny country offers authentic Africa. Restaurants serve a variety of cuisines, from Gambian to Italian or Lebanese.