For Irish investors, there are some awe-inspiring locations with all the enchanting components that make for the ideal holiday home. Locations such as Hurghada - a one-time unadorned fishing village, but now a budding tourist hub with its sparkling waters, 20km of unspoilt beach, breathtaking reefs and historical town centre with bazaars, mosques and night life - are so different to the standard offering in many EU locations.

Hurghada is fast gaining a reputation as a centre parexcellence for windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, snorkelling and diving.

The duly named 'Red Sea Oasis' development is an ideal 'buy to let' option, but if you're greedy and want it all to yourself, it'll also make for a fantastic holiday home, as well as a good long-term investment.

It's five minutes from the airport of Hurghada and just a short distance from fabulous sandy beaches.

Below the apartments there are eight commercial units.

These will be turned into a mini-market, pharmacy and other commercial premises.

The scheme consists of 15 apartments spread over five floors and boasts a rooftop pool, barbecue and bar, fitness room, lifts to all floors, internet connections, air conditioning, satellite TV and 24-hour security. Prices are incredibly competitive compared to most other overseas property hotspots, with a two-bed apartment costing as little as Euro66,000 and a three-bed for Euro74,250.

You will need a 30% deposit, with the remainder due when the property is complete in May of this year.

Simple Overseas Properties Tel: 1850 200 711; email:

info@simpleoverseas. com