Sharm El Sheikh Holidays

Sharm El Sheikh Holidays - Destination Profile

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.

The most popular resort is Naama Bay which has a wide selection of bars and restaurants, including the Hard Rock Cafe as well as a good range of top quality hotels. With the combination of year round tropical sun, modern, high quality hotels, fascinating excursions and a warm welcome.

Sharm El Sheikh Holidays - Things to see

Camel Trek & Bedouin Evening: An evening not to be missed, enjoy a spectacular sunset in the Sinai desert from the back of a camel. Arrive at a traditional Bedouin tent, relax and get ready for a typical dinner including entertainment, aromatic tea and soft drinks. This is a great opportunity to discover the real local life of the Bedouins.

St Catherine's Monastery & Dahab: Depart for St Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai. The spectacular setting of this Monastery, built in AD330 around the site of Moses' Burning Bush, has remained largely unchanged over the centuries. Still inhabited by monks, you will have the opportunity to see the library, museum and Chapel of Burning Bush. Afternoon at leisure in Dahab - Lunch included.

Boat Trip to Ras Mohammed National Park: For the joy of those who love uncontaminated nature, Ras Mohammed is without doubt an ideal spot. This is a fabulous boat trip with the opportunity to snorkel in one of the most amazing coral gardens and is always a popular choice. Relax, unwind and get a fantastic tan - Lunch & soft drinks included on boat.

Cairo Excursion: No visit to Egypt is complete without a visit to Cairo. The pyramids at Giza are the world's oldest tourist attraction and the Great Pyramid is one of the wonders of the ancient world. The day will include a tour of the Giza plateau to visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Also, just as famous the Egyptian Museum and the Tutankhamen treasures will be included. An Egyptologist will be on hand throughout the day to guide you around the museum and explain some of the history and legends behind the famous boy king and the other Egyptian pharaohs. Don't miss the chance to explore the souk area of the Khan el Khalili bazaar in the centre of the Cairo and enjoy lunch overlooking the river Nile.

Luxor by Flight: See the great temples of Karnak & Luxor, spectacular tombs in the Valley Of the Kings, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut and more on this amazing day in the ancient city of Thebes. Lunch, flight, transfers, guide & entrance fees included.

Petra by Flight: Visit the magical lost city of Petra where Raiders of the Lost Ark was filmed. This is a world heritage site and is not to be missed, flights, guide and lunch included.

Boat Trip to Tiran Island: Another great day sailing the Red Sea to 3 very different sites. If you are lucky, you may get the chance to see dolphins in the wild. Snorkel equipment can be hired. Lunch & soft drinks included on boat.

Aquascope Submarine: Fantastic underwater sights from large panoramic windows as you cruise under the sea. All the wonders of the underwater world, tropical fish and beautiful corals without getting wet.

Cleopark: Head to Sharm only Pharonic style Waterpark for a full day of fun for all the family. Numerous slides, a lazy river, children's area and wave machine!

Dahab Jeep Safari: Explore the best of the Sinai. Drive off road through the desert, enjoy a camel ride ,snorkeling and swimming at the Blue Hole, lunch and shopping in Dahab.

Nabq Quad Safari: Spend half a day in the desert and Nabq National Park exploring by quad bike, swimming and Barbecue. Over 16s only

Mangrove Safari: Four wheeled fun, get dusty and dirty in the Nabq National Park, swim in the crystal clear water and enjoy a wonderful barbecue or spend 2 hours in the desert late afternoon.

For more information or too book any of the above excursions please contact your Olympic Holidays representative.

Things to do on a Holiday in Sharm El Sheikh

Mount Sinai: Mount Sinai, just south of the Monastery of St Katherine, is of great religious importance to Jews, Christians and Muslims. According to the Old Testament this is where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Throughout the centuries the mountain has drawn thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. You can ascend to the summit (2285 m, 7497 ft) to experience the ultimate spiritual high; either by climbing some 4000 steps built by monks or by following an easier but longer path. Both lead to an open area known as Elija's Basin where you walk up the remaining 750 steps to the top. At the summit you will find the Chapel of the Holy Trinity that was built in 1934 on the site of a much earlier chapel built in 363 AD. The climb takes about three hours but the view from the top is truly breathtaking, especially at sunrise.

Scuba Diving: Sharm el Sheikh, along with Hurghada, is where it all started. These where the first two destinations of the nearly 20-years-old diving history of the Red Sea. Diving sites in Sharm are world famous. A paradise for a perfect Red Sea diving holiday, Sharm has it all: hard and soft coral, turtles and dolphins, mantas and moray eels, napoleons and tuna, hammerheads, barracudas, reef and pelagic sharks, and much more, including the legendary World War II wreck of the Thistlegorm.

Snorkelling: Snorkelling is the watersport par excellence in the Red Sea. With the wealth of underwater life in all destinations, snorkelling is an easy and very enjoyable way to spend some time and discover the wonders of the marine life. Whether you go out from your resort beach, or you spend a day or half a day on a snorkelling boat, you will collect unforgettable memories.

Watersports: The Red Sea Riviera is not only scuba diving! The sea here is a paradise for a number of watersports, and some destinations are particularly famous because of their perfect conditions for one activity or the other.

Eating/Drinking During Sharm El Sheikh Holidays

There are a variety of ways to eat while you are in Egypt: local, either in homes or restaurants; tourist, restaurants that have a local flavour but cater to the tourist market; five-star, where you can choose to eat Western or "Egyptianised" cuisine; or western-style takeaway, yes, McDonald's is in Egypt!

So, what are some of the dishes you can hope to enjoy while you are in Egypt? Probably one of the first things you will try is grilled chicken or pigeon with salad.

Felafels, Shish Kebab and Kofta are almost staples in tourist restaurants as are Hommus, Tahini and Baba Ghannouj. Vegetarians will thrive in Egypt, most restaurants offering good vegetable soups, a variety of fresh salads, and wonderful dishes such as stuffed aubergines and zucchinis.

If you think that you can't possibly give up Western food while you are away, don't despair as most restaurants serve pizza, hamburgers and spaghetti. Hot chips are available absolutely everywhere!

But what do you drink in Egypt? Egypt is an Islamic country so alcohol is not widely available. The exception to this is Stella beer. This beer is made in Egypt and is available absolutely everywhere. An ice-cold Stella is great after a hard-day's sight-seeing. Bottled water is available everywhere, as are Western soft-drinks, including the diet varieties.

Tea is also available everywhere and no trip to Egypt is complete without a cup of Kakade (or Hibiscus tea), a deliciously refreshing beverage that can be served hot or cold. Coffee and Turkish coffee are widely available and the fruit juices are a must-try. Stalls in the bazaar or souk will sell you a refreshing glass of sugar-cane juice (this has to be the most refreshing drink ever invented).

Sharm El Sheikh Holidays Shopping

One of the great delights of Egypt is the shopping! However, there are many pitfalls: from learning how to bargain to knowing where the best places are to buy certain goods.

You will be truly amazed at the range of goods, from souvenirs to treasures, that you can purchase and package to take on the plane flight home with you. Everything from exotic spices to exquisite jewellery; gorgeously textured shawls and scarves to brilliantly coloured papyri; handcrafted brass and copperware to quality reproductions of antiquities; and delicately glowing alabaster to fabulously designed carpets and rugs.

The souks and markets of Egypt have an excitement and flavour that is all their own and quite unlike anything that you will experience elsewhere. The range of wares on display is mind-boggling and the friendliness and hospitality of the shop owners is unrivalled. The sights, smells and sounds will overwhelm your senses at the same time that the exotic atmosphere created by the place and its people will dazzle your imagination.

Weather and climate information

5 Day Forecast - Sharm el Sheikh Holidays