Hi Kate
Not done the Red Sea but i saw a Whale Shark off Kenya one time, very large and sooooooo impressive, the kind of experience you just don't forget. The Wahoo looked scarier than probably anything else i have seen in warm water.
As for Italian Divers, we had one who is working over here guest dive with us a month or so ago. Nice bloke and a very good diver, he coped well on his first UK dive in 3-4m of vis on UB109 in 25m. Very good skills in all areas, but a very dodgy Goatee Beard and hair style.
Have a good safe trip, oh and watch "Deep Blue" (i think?) i gather that is far more realistic on Red Sea type sharks and how they behave
Dive Safe
Paul