Sharm el Sheikh holidays are becoming increasingly popular and if you're going this summer but don't know what to pack, fear not! Here's a helpful guide for what to pack if you're one of the thousands flocking to Sharm el Sheikh for your next holiday.

Sharm el Sheikh holidays promise lots of hot, sunny days perfect for swimming and snorkelling in the sea and lounging on the beach, and for those planning Naama Bay holidays, nights out in restaurants and bars. This means you'll need to fit swimwear, beachwear and party-wear into your 15kg luggage allowance - and something more appropriate for day trips where you'll need to cover up. It needn't be a challenge, though: the most important rule to remember is to pack in outfits rather than taking your favourite individual items. So for every pair of shorts or skirt that you take, take three different tops, and make sure everything fits into a colour scheme so that you can mix and match!

Anyone planning excursions to Cairo, Jerusalem, St Catherine's Monastery or anywhere else where you will need to cover up should ensure they have packed some lightweight trousers and something to cover shoulders and arms. An excellent tip here is to travel in these clothes - then they won't take up any room in your suitcase. Take a foldaway bag so that if you are heading out for the day you can pop your spare clothes in and that way you will have them with you if you stumble across something worth exploring.

There will be plenty of opportunity to go swimming and snorkelling during Sharm el Sheikh holidays, so take your swimmers and look out for snorkelling equipment here at home as the quality of that available in Sharm el Sheikh may not be very high. Also bear in mind that the reef can be sharp and cut you feet, so you may want to being some swimming shoes or stock up on plasters!

Your skin can be damaged by the sun without turning you red, so even if you don't consider yourself to be someone who burns in the sun, it is essential to take sun-cream and apply liberally. Choose a good quality waterproof one that you only need apply once a day to save room in your suitcase, and don't forget the after-sun! If you run out, many hotels will sell sun-cream or will be able to point you in the direction of a local shop. For toiletries, look out for free samples and travel sized bottles, and don't forget that most hotels will provide towels, so don't waste space with these.

Last but not least: don't forget your camera! You are likely to want to capture lots of shots during your Sharm el Sheikh holidays, from beautiful sunsets to fun moments with your friends in Naama Bay. If possible, look for a waterproof camera so that you can take some underwater photographs of the reefs and the sea-life when you go swimming and snorkelling.