Property and local area description
Close to a fine array of good shops, restaurants and tourist attractions
The apartment is set within a gated community comprising private villas, private apartments and hotel accommodation. Apartment guests have full access to the amenities of the hotel and to the evening entertainment.
The Red Sea Riviera/Sinai region
The life and culture of Egypt has, for millenniums, been concentrated around the River Nile and its valley, the lifeblood of the country.
From the Sudanese border to the shores of the Mediterranean, the Nile Valley and its Delta are flanked by mountainous deserts. .
Today, the attractions of the country are not only the cities and monuments of the Nile Valley, such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, but the natural wonders of the Red Sea, Sinai and the fantastic coral reefs teaming with tropical fish.
The Sinai peninsular offers superb diving and snorkeling and all along the gulf of Aqaba the coast line has attracted a development of up-market hotels to cater for the increase in tourism.
At the bottom tip of the Sinai peninsular, between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, lies Sharm El Sheikh.
Although technically one destination, it comprises several different areas taking in Old Sharm, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Ras Umm Sidd and Nabq.
CLIMATE:
Egypt is known for its extremely hot and sunny climate, and the weather in Sharm el Sheikh is by no means an exception to this. Located on the most southernly point of Egypt's Sinai peninsula and standing alongside the red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh has a very arid desert climate with two main seasons, both of them dry. With hot summer sunshine blasting down from April through October, even the winters in Sharm el Sheikh are extremely warm, with plenty of sunny weather to go around. The Winter months are between November to March.
The hottest months of the year are July and August when the average high temperature is around 90 degrees and the average low temperature hovers around eighty whilst the coolest month of the year is December, when the temperature stays somewhere between sixty degrees and seventy five degrees throughout the day. During the winter months, the evenings can get cool and visitors may find a jumper or jacket necessary.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
* RAS MOHAMMED NATIONAL PARK
About 20 km south of Sharm El Sheikh, on a slim peninsula towards the most southern tip of Sinai, lies Ras Mohammed, the first and best kept national park in Egypt. The area can be accessed from both resorts and live-a-board diving cruises and is a 'must see' for any visitor.
It is said that the name is from a wind-carved cliff in the area, which resembles the features of Prophet Mohammed, believed to have visited here in the 7th century.
Surrounded by fringing coral reefs that emerged after a change in the coastline 70,000 years ago, the park is characterised by vertical overhangs at least 100m deep. Due to its location on the Sinai Peninsula at the juncture of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, the combining waters of varying salinity from each gulf has resulted in a spectacular array of reef and pelagic fish, diverse coral reef and luxuriant sea walls; ideal for some unforgettable Red Sea scuba diving on the Sinai Peninsula.
Because of its exceptional beauty and scientific significance, the Egyptian government declared Ras Mohammed a protected area in 1983, at the time with an area of only 97 km². The park has since been extended to 480 km² and is a success today because of local awareness and the rangers who patrol the grounds and surrounding seas. Diving is allowed in designated areas only and visitors must leave the park by sunset. It is believed to be one of only a few popular tourist areas in the world that has no effluent discharge in to its waters.
The following dive sites in Ras Mohammed Marine Park require special mention:
Shark Reef & Yolanda Reef -
Surely the prize of Ras Mohammed, this on the Sinai Peninsula reef offers an opportunity to spy every single species of fish in the Red Sea. Watch out for scorpionfish, rarely seen on other dive sites, as well as the wreck of the Yolanda.
Anemone City -
Get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this busy underwater metropolis with sprawling highways and by-ways of hard and soft corals. Prolific anemone's harbour a permanent populace of anemonefish, but with plenty of other fish species to give it a truly cosmopolitan feel.
* TIRAN ISLAND
Tiran Island lies in the Gulf of Aqaba, right between Ras Mohamed and Saudi Arabia. Mostly attracting divers it offers plenty of opportunities for brilliant views and underwater safaris. However, a boat trip to this national park area is an amazing experience, providing breath-taking views. Most probably one will be passing the Gordon Reef and Jackson Reef, which are perfect as well for snorkeling. Even for those visitors, that are neither into snorkeling nor diving, this trip offers incredible views.
* ST. CATHERINE'S MONASTERY
St. Catherine's Monastery is an Orthodox monastery on the Sinai peninsula at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt. One of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, St. Catherine's incorporates the burning bush seen by Moses and contains many valuable works of art such as Arab mosaics, oil & wax paintings, sacerdotal ornaments, marbles, reliquarie and the second largest collection of illuminated manuscripts. Above the monastery is Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Because God spoke to Moses in these places, this area is sacred to three world religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
* THE BLUE DESERT
The Blue Desert, which lies western and very close (only a few kilometers) to the monastery of St. Catherine's, has an extension of ca. 15 km². In 1980-81, the Belgian artist Jean Verame painted many boulders with a blue colour. It was - with the permission of the late president Anwar El Sadat - meant to symbol the end of the war between Israel and Egypt. It is a definitely extraordinary place which is worth visiting when close to St. Catherine.
* MOUNT SINAI
Mount Sinai (also Jebel Musa, Gebel Mousa, Mount Moses or Mountain of Moses) is considered to be that biblical peak. It has religious significance to the Islam as the place where Mohammed's horse, Boraq, ascended to heaven. The 7.497 foot mountain has 3.750 steps hewn out of stone by monks of St. Catherine's Monastery. This place is a must for every Sinai visitor.
* CAIRO
A one or two day tour from Sharm (by bus or plane) to see the main highlights of Cairo, including The Egyptian National Museum, The Sphinx, The Valley Temple and The Khan, El Khalili Bazaar.
* THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA
Just North of Cairo, lies the most famous ancient sites within Egypt, or for that matter the world - the Great Pyramids at Giza. These massive stone structures were built around 4500 years ago on a rocky desert plateau close to the Nile. They are one of the seventh wonders of the world and without question, the icon most associated with Egypt. But these Egyptian pyramids were more than just tombs for kings. The mysteries surrounding their symbolism, design and purpose have inspired passionate debate. They have been both the main destination for tourists, and a source of imaginative thought to the world for over three thousand years.
• LUXOR
A one day tour from Sharm by plane, to see the Valley of the Kings containing tombs of the pharaohs including Tutankhamun, the spectacular Temple of Queen Hatchepsut, The Colossus of Memnon, the Temples of Karnak and the city of Luxor. This is a breathtaking experience leaving you awe struck at the skill of the Egyptian people over 3000 years ago.
* PETRA
Inhabited since prehistoric times, this Nabataean caravan-city, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges. It is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.The giant red mountains and vast mausoleums of a departed race have nothing in common with modern civilization, and ask nothing of it except to be appreciated at their true value - as one of the greatest wonders ever wrought by Nature and Man. Although much has been written about Petra, nothing really prepares you for this amazing place. It has to be seen to be believed.
Petra, is without a doubt Jordan’s most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled here more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome.
The Sharm El Sheikh / Nabq Bay area
The area of Sharm El Sheik is divided into a variety of distinct locations each very different from the other but all easily accessible within a short, local taxi or bus ride.
Sharm El Sheikh lies in the very south of Sinai. In 1970 this place was hardly worth mentioning. However, with the arrival of tourism, the area soon expanded and today there are more than a million visitors each year and the number one holiday destination in Sinai.
NABQ BAY:
The success of Naama Bay has prompted the Sinai Government to develop Nabq Bay as a cosmopolitan resort in its own right. It is now represented by all the major hotels and has a thriving nightlife of shops, bars and restaurants including International restaurant chains such as, TGI Friday's & the soon to be completed Hard Rock Cafe.
It also boasts a large Metro supermarket, which is particularly useful for self-catering, selling fresh meat, vegetables and fruit as well as charcoal for BBQ's.
Good views over to Tiran Island.
NAAMA BAY:
Is a busy and bustling centre of bars, restaurants, shops nightlife and entertainment to suit all ages and tastes. So whether
you choose to relax and enjoy the local cuisine or sit back, smoke a sheesha and watch the world go by there is something for everyone. The main pedestrian area is a thrilling buzz of activity , shops, bars and restaurants including the world famous Hard Rock Cafe as well as The Camel Bar, a favourite haunt of the diving fraternity, whose roof-top terrace provides stunning views over the Naama Bay area. For a quieter ambience visit the promenade of beach side bars and restaurants on Naama Bay itself.
SOHO SQUARE:
Soho Sqaure at White Knights Bay has a range of entertainments including shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. An unusual feature for Sharm is a fantastic ice-skating rink and bowling alley. The Culturama Centre will take you on a journey through time showing the history of Egypt from 3000BC to the present day.
SHARM OLD TOWN:
Old Sharm or Sharm El Maya as it is rightfully known, is home to many of the Egyptian workers. It is famous for its large market, port and marina. Old Sharm is the place to buy non-tourist goods such as Egyptian cotton sheets or lace.
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* TRAVEL:
When getting around Sharm El Sheikh, visitors will not need a car. The transport routes are easy and accessible and the options diverse; from camel rides and quad bikes to local taxi's or buses. Exploring these local means of transport (albeit being a little hair-raising at times) is certainly a part of what makes the 'Charming Sharm' experience complete.
TAXIS:
The local taxis are blue and white and can be hailed from the street. Generally they are relatively cheap by UK standards but it is necessary to barter the price. The exception, are the airport taxis, which appear to have formed a cartel and charge double. As a guide, a taxi from the villa to Naama Bay should be 50LE (daytime) and 70LE (night).
LOCAL MINI BUS:
An alternative to the taxi is to use the same transport as the locals and flag down one of the many blue mini-buses.
These can take up to 15 passengers in amusingly cramped conditions, frequently stopping to pick-up or disembark passengers on-route. The fare during the day is a flat rate of 5LE p/p (tourist rate). Expect to pay a bit more (20-40LE) at night.
The blue mini-buses can be hailed directly from outside the hotel complex