Egypt | I need holidays

Sharm El-Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh
Those who visited Sharm El-Sheikh just thirty years ago will remember it as a quiet fishing town and would hardly believe its modern-day transformation. This luxury resort is now buzzing with tourists enjoying the beautiful beaches and endless sunshine, whilst partying in the local bars and discos until dawn. This resort lies on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula and is sandwiched on a coastal strip between the Red Sea and the impressive 7,497 feet-high Mount Sinai where the ancient Monastery of St Catherine is located.

Once a strategic port and naval base, environmental laws passed in the 1990s now strictly govern its commercial use.

Sharm El-Sheikh actually means “Beard of the Sheikh” in Arabic and if you look at its position on the point of the promontory, it is easy to see how it got its name. Now often abbreviated simply to “Sharm” it has attracted many five star hotels and international chains such as Starbucks, MacDonald’s and KFC to this very un-Muslim-like oasis. There are plenty of popular bars and nightclubs which add to the party-lifestyle of this leading Red Sea resort.

With its middle eastern influences, great prices and some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world, this colourful resort is a favourite with European tourists. The waters of the Red Sea are clear and calm, offering perfect conditions for scuba divers to explore the extensive coral reefs and colourful marine life. These warm waters are home to 250 types of coral and 1000 species of fish including shoals of barracudas and sharks. Other watersports such as windsurfing, kite surfing, parasailing and jet skiing can also be enjoyed here. Camel trekking, horseback riding and quad bike trips make the most of this stunning destination.

Sharm El-Sheikh is a popular holiday destination all year round. In the winter months temperatures average 21-27C (71-81F) and rarely drop below 15C (60F). In the heat of the summer, temperatures can exceed 38C (100F). Rainfall is almost unheard of in this desert region.

Holidays in Egypt

Egypt is on the continent of Africa, at the eastern end of the Mediterranean and close to Israel and Jordan. It has a hot, dry climate making it a great destination for sunshine vacations. The official language of this east-meets-west country is Arabic, but English is widely spoken in the main resorts. The currency is the Egyptian pound, but the accommodating traders will often take dollars, euros or sterling – at their own favourable exchange rates, of course!

There are several international airports at Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh and Burg Al-Arab, making it easy to get to your chosen destination. A tourist visa is required and can be obtained in advance from the Egyptian Embassy or at points of entry on arrival.

To some, a holiday in Egypt conjures up dusty camel trains, felucca sailboats on the Nile, royal tombs, magnificent temples, mummified bodies and ancient pyramid architecture. To others it depicts blazing sunshine, soft sandy beaches and diving in crystal-clear waters. Both images are perfectly correct; Egypt offers the best of both worlds!

Red Sea Resorts

The beaches along the Red Sea coast are the perfect place to enjoy a sunshine beach vacation, with luxury resorts and great diving opportunities. The palm-fringed beaches are set against the unfamiliar desert backdrop, with crimson coloured mountains contrasting with golden sands and brilliant blue waters. Explore beneath the surface of the sea and marvel at the brilliantly colourful gardens of corals and anemones, shoals of brilliant fish, turtles and dolphins. Resorts such as Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada are also perfect for shopping and haggling in the bazaars, eating delicious local cuisine beneath the stars and partying till late.

Ancient Egyptian Civilizations

The flip-side of Egypt is the awe-inspiring wonders and rich treasures of Ancient Egypt; the mysteries of the pyramid builders, the wonders of beautifully carved obelisks, massive temples, falcon-headed gods and sacred tombs, still retaining their colourful painting and decorative hieroglyphs. The easiest ways to access these unparalleled wonders is from the River Nile, the lifeblood of the country. Most Egyptians today still live close to the fertile Nile Valley and use it as a source of water and for transport. It rises as the White Nile in the Great Lakes region of central Africa and flows through the Nubian Desert to Abu Simbel and the mighty Aswan Dam. It then meanders through Upper Egypt, past Edfu, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings at Karnak, down to the capital city of Cairo and ends in the Mediterranean at Alexandria. These magnificent cities are well worth a stop-over as part of your Egypt beach vacation.

What to Pack for Your Egypt Vacation

During the summer, Egypt can get incredibly hot, so pack plenty of cool, loose cotton clothes, a shady hat and plenty of sunscreen! The climate is ideal for winter vacations too, with temperatures ranging from 13-21C (55-70F). You may need a jacket as the desert temperatures drop quickly at night, but this is one vacation where you can leave your umbrella behind! As the region is predominantly Muslim, loose trousers and tops with longer sleeves are useful for visiting the sights and temples, to show respect to their more modest culture. Sandals are perfect and can be multipurpose for both sightseeing and for the beach.