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| Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt |
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Sample the Jewel by the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh is a charming resort town located on the Sinai Peninsula. While Sharm El Sheikh is well-known as a luxurious spot in which to lounge on the beach and soak up the sun, many of the visitors who flock here do so for the fabulous diving. The area is considered to be one of the best diving spots in all of the world and indeed attracts divers from all over the globe. The nearby desert also provides plenty of adventure for those who want to top off their holiday with an extra dash of excitement.
Just a few years ago Sharm El Sheikh was quite a sleepy fishing village; however, all of that has changed in recent years. Since the 1980s, the area has begun to develop as a luxury resort town, the population has expanded and development has led way to a number of luxurious hotels, shops, restaurants and clubs.
Hotels & Resorts
When booking a hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, you will want to consider how close you would like to stay to the Naama Bay. You will find a number of hotel options throughout the area, ranging in price and quality. If you plan to take advantage of the fabulous diving, you may wish to save yourself the taxi fare and book one of the nice hotels right along Naama Bay. The Sofitel is within easy walking distance of the Bay and is well known for providing privacy for visitors looking for a getaway. The hotel offers numerous amenities, including three private beaches and private terraces from which you can enjoy the amazing view. The Savoy is noted for offering very modern and spacious rooms while the Sierra is located within close proximity to the airport.
In addition to these hotels, there are also a few very high class resorts located in Sharm El Sheikh, including the Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh, which offers a spa and water sports centre.
Restaurants
When you are not browsing through the many shops in Sharm El Sheikh or sampling the diving in the fabulous waters off the beach, you will certainly want to try one of the many fabulous restaurants in the area. Many of the local restaurants and cafes take pride in offering fresh guava juice with meals and snacks; a delicacy that should certainly be tried. Throughout the city you will find an abundance of cafes, coffeehouses and fine dining establishments. Il Mercato offers a dizzying array of more than 200 different coffeehouses and restaurants.
Attractions
Diving is certainly the main attraction in this jewel by the sea. The warm water of the Red Sea beckons divers to slip below the tranquil sea and experience an underwater life that is full of spectacular color and sea life. The reefs of Ras Mohammad and Tiran are widely regarded to be two of the best diving spots in the entire world. They can be easily reached by taking a boat from Sharm El Sheikh. A number of day trip boat charters operate in the city. Horseback riding and camel trekking are also popular activities along the fringe of beach and through the desert.
Dining & Nightlife
Dining and nightlife options in Sharm El Sheikh abound. From the moment you step off the plane, you will notice a number of airport cafes offering everything from coffee to Egyptian sweets. Inside Sharm El Sheikh a number of different restaurants cater to a variety of tastes including an authentic Lebanese restaurant to a number of different seafood restaurants. For a quick bite to eat before you head off on your next adventure, you can sample one of the many street side cafes.
Alcohol is sold in most all of the cafes and restaurants while there are a also a number of nightclubs and dance clubs as well. Panch Club is noted as one of the most well known and popular of all the dancing clubs in the city and is usually quite active.
Historical Attractions
The Monastery of St. Catherine is one of the most picturesque and oldest sites in the area. This is one of the few remaining early Christian buildings in the area that has not been either reconstructed over the years or else completely destroyed. Throughout the Sinai dessert there are also several other monasteries including the Monastery of Seventh Daughters. Toward the north, the ancient temple of the Egyptian goddess Hathor Sirabit El Khadim is situated, dating back to the reign of King Amenophis IV.
Getting Around in Sharm El Sheikh
The Sharm El Sheikh Airport is the largest in the area and is by far the most popular method for arriving in this picturesque port town. Those visitors traveling by car or by bus may reach the area by driving down the east coast from Israel or the west coast from Cairo. A daily bus travels both routes.
Once in the city, many visitors prefer to take advantage of one of the many taxis that operate throughout the city. If you are interested in visiting one of the outlying areas, you may inquire about taking a bus from the local bus station. |
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