"Sharm El Sheikh" a Sharm El Sheikh Travel Page by gabriellefox

I decided to go to Sharm el Sheikh for my first taste of Egypt. Although I love culture and history anyone who knows my pages knows I love nothing better to spend some time by a beach and when it is cold and rainy in England. I planned my trip to Egypt in 1 week as I wanted to get away from the depressing English weather.

Sharm is a natural choice for a short relaxing break as it is about 5 hours from the UK with only a 2hour time difference..

The simplicity of sun, sea and sand has an astonishing effect on me. Add to that the luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment and I am in heaven.

Sharm el-Sheikh, is one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai peninsula. All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, mountains and sea. There are small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains, plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom.

I guess I spent every day either on, in or near the water. It is clear and cool in January. Snorkelling was fantastic I did not get to scuba on this trip as my friends is nervous of scuba diving but you can see so many fish and so deep that I doubt we missed too much.

We saw several fish including a lion fish and rock eel from walking down the jetty from our beach.

It has been said that this is a must visit for all diving enthusiasts. There are many diving sites along the 10 mile beach between Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Nusrani.

Na'ama Beach is the center of tourist activities. Located just north of Sharm, this area is fast developing into a resort town of its own. Most hotels at Na'ama Bay have their own, private beaches with comfortable amenities such as chairs, shades and even bars.

Shark's Bay is also nearby, and again is a growing resort community with more and more to offer, along with several diving centers.

Any trip to Egypt would not be complete without trying Shesha. It is served in many cafes along with tea coffee and a variety of soft drinks. It consists of burning fragranced tabacco I think which is smoked through water. I loved the apple and the melon but there are many flavours to try.

For those who live to shop, the Sharm El-Sheikh mall provides shops with both foreign and local products, including jewelry, leather goods, clothing, pottery and books.

Don't forget to haggle. Sharm is very expensive by Egyptian standards.