LOCATION
The Sinai Peninsula is a part of Egypt connecting the Continents of Asia and Africa. Surrounded by the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Israeli Negev desert.
THINGS TO DO
Sinai Desert has something to offer to all its tourists with varying interests. Whether it is visiting the awesome Sinai canyons, spending time with a Bedouin tribe, learning desert survival skills or visiting the ancient biblical sites, Sinai Desert is a treat to explore. There are some great beaches here.
DESTINATIONS IN SINAI DESERT
Mount Sinai
The 2285-meter long Mount Sinai is famous throughout the world as the site where God had spoken to Moses and given him the 10 commandments. It is this belief itself that has drawn pilgrims for over a thousand years to this place. The mountain is also popular amongst adventure buffs who try climbing it in order to have a fantastic view of the sunrise.
St. Katherine's Monastery
A three-hour journey from Sharm el Sheikh, St Katherine's Monastery lies at the foot of Mount Sinai, about 100 kilometres inland. The surroundings of St. Katherine's are spectacularly rugged and starkly beautiful. The Monastery of St Katherine was built over 1400 years ago by the Roman Emperor Justinian to protect the monks and hermits residing in the area. It is the oldest Christian monastery in continuous existence. The walled complex houses the ornate chapel as well as an amazing collection of religious icons and jeweled crosses assembled from all over the Orthodox world.
Colored Canyons
Located about 12 km north of Nuweiba, the Canyon lies in a limestone mountain chain named "El Tih", where, it is said, Moses was lost for 40 years. As the name suggests, the canyon has been stained in a variety of attractive ways transforming the cliffs to a spectacular multi-colored stone, due to the sandstone getting mineralized. Surrounded by 60-meter cliffs, the area can be only reached through 4-wheeled vehicles. The Colored Canyons are a perfect place for trekking and climbing.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh is known as the jewel of the Sinai, with history going back thousands of years, cultural tours and year round sunshine. The simplicity of sun, sea and sand is a perfect combination that lures tourists to this beautiful city. One of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai Peninsula, it has all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. Water sports rule the roost with diving, snorkeling and windsurfing being the favorite activities.
LOCATION
Sharm el Sheik is an Egyptian city situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. The city is framed with the Red Sea on one side and the Sinai mountains on the other.
HOW TO REACH
It can be accessed either through the Sharm el-Sheikh Airport or by driving down the eastern coast from Eliat via Nuweiba and Dahab.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Na'ama Bay
Located just north of Sharm el Sheikh, the Na'ama Bay, with its beautiful beach is a hub of tourists. The seafront boasts a beautiful paved walkway, lined with bougainvillea and oleander, following the full length of the bay. The shoreline is dotted with resorts and hotels, which have their own private beaches. This is where one will find many shops, restaurants, bars and the famous 'Sheesha' cafes.
Ras Um Sid Cliff
This is the cliff top area that links Na'ama Bay and the bay of Sharm El Maya. Ras Um Sid is centrally situated and offers a spectacular view of the port. The place is known for its for its coral reefs.
Sharm El Maya
The picturesque bay is a natural harbor and home to many small boats. The beautiful sandy beach has an abundance of palm trees providing natural shade for the sun loungers. It is also functions as a prime diving location. It has accommodations for boats including a Yacht Club with rooms.
LOCATION
Sharm el Sheik is an Egyptian city situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. The city is framed with the Red Sea on one side and the Sinai mountains on the other.
HOW TO REACH
It can be accessed either through the Sharm el-Sheikh Airport or by driving down the eastern coast from Eliat via Nuweiba and Dahab.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Na'ama Bay
Located just north of Sharm el Sheikh, the Na'ama Bay, with its beautiful beach is a hub of tourists. The seafront boasts a beautiful paved walkway, lined with bougainvillea and oleander, following the full length of the bay. The shoreline is dotted with resorts and hotels, which have their own private beaches. This is where one will find many shops, restaurants, bars and the famous 'Sheesha' cafes.
Ras Um Sid Cliff
This is the cliff top area that links Na'ama Bay and the bay of Sharm El Maya. Ras Um Sid is centrally situated and offers a spectacular view of the port. The place is known for its for its coral reefs.
Sharm El Maya
The picturesque bay is a natural harbor and home to many small boats. The beautiful sandy beach has an abundance of palm trees providing natural shade for the sun loungers. It is also functions as a prime diving location. It has accommodations for boats including a Yacht Club with rooms.
Port Said
Port Said was founded by Said Pasha in 1859 as a camp for laborers. After the Suez Canal was built, Port Said became an important docking yard for trading vessels. The city stands on the banks of the Lake Manzala.
The city has seen much destruction that resulted from war, and subsequent reconstruction, but has always managed to find its feet again. This city became the winter destination for well heeled Europeans in the 19th century, and you can see many colonial style bungalows still standing in the quiet, shady streets of Port Said.
The Suez Canal offers a picturesque backdrop to the city. Tourists can often be spotted taking pictures of the trading vessels or luxury liners docking into the port. The Sharia Palestine Street is lined with banks and other commercial establishments. The Military Museum also stands on the Sharia Street. It houses weapons from ancient Egyptian eras.
The National Museum is a repository for old Egyptian coins, textiles, parchment rolls and garments. The museum pieces belong to the Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic periods of Egyptian history. A little known fact about the city is that the Statue of Liberty, now gracing the New York harbor, was originally housed at Port Said.
Shopping at Port Said is tax free, so you can go ahead and shop till you drop!
The city has seen much destruction that resulted from war, and subsequent reconstruction, but has always managed to find its feet again. This city became the winter destination for well heeled Europeans in the 19th century, and you can see many colonial style bungalows still standing in the quiet, shady streets of Port Said.
The Suez Canal offers a picturesque backdrop to the city. Tourists can often be spotted taking pictures of the trading vessels or luxury liners docking into the port. The Sharia Palestine Street is lined with banks and other commercial establishments. The Military Museum also stands on the Sharia Street. It houses weapons from ancient Egyptian eras.
The National Museum is a repository for old Egyptian coins, textiles, parchment rolls and garments. The museum pieces belong to the Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic periods of Egyptian history. A little known fact about the city is that the Statue of Liberty, now gracing the New York harbor, was originally housed at Port Said.
Shopping at Port Said is tax free, so you can go ahead and shop till you drop!
Luxor
Luxor was one of the religious centers for Pharaohnic Egypt. The temples and religious monuments dotting the city have earned the city the sobriquet of "open air museum". Luxor is a grand holiday destination for those who wish to know more about Egypt's mysterious past.
Luxor is divided into three parts: Luxor on the Eastern bank of the Nile River, Karnak, and Waset. The last two are old cities dating back to the Pharaonic Era, not inhabited anymore.
Luxor is a popular tourist destination owing to its Mediterranean climate and the many mysterious monuments found in all corners of the city. The Luxor Temple is the biggest Luxor tourist attraction. The Temple complex has large, sprawling gardens. The Luxor Temple is at least 2000 years old, built at the peak of the Egyptian Pharaohnic rule.
Most government buildings in Luxor are designed around traditional architecture. The El Mekashkesh mosque, the Franciscan Church, the Nile Corniche and the Mummification Museum are some of the other noteworthy Luxor tourist attractions.
The Temple of Karnak, with a statue of Ramses II, is another one of the major Luxor sightseeing destinations. Also visit the Valley of Kings, across the Nile. The Valley has tombs that hold the remains of the Pharaohs of the 18th and 19th dynasties.
Luxor is divided into three parts: Luxor on the Eastern bank of the Nile River, Karnak, and Waset. The last two are old cities dating back to the Pharaonic Era, not inhabited anymore.
Luxor is a popular tourist destination owing to its Mediterranean climate and the many mysterious monuments found in all corners of the city. The Luxor Temple is the biggest Luxor tourist attraction. The Temple complex has large, sprawling gardens. The Luxor Temple is at least 2000 years old, built at the peak of the Egyptian Pharaohnic rule.
Most government buildings in Luxor are designed around traditional architecture. The El Mekashkesh mosque, the Franciscan Church, the Nile Corniche and the Mummification Museum are some of the other noteworthy Luxor tourist attractions.
The Temple of Karnak, with a statue of Ramses II, is another one of the major Luxor sightseeing destinations. Also visit the Valley of Kings, across the Nile. The Valley has tombs that hold the remains of the Pharaohs of the 18th and 19th dynasties.
Hurghada
Hurghada, one of the quieter towns of Egypt, offers visitors a chance to enjoy a beach holiday; for Hurghada is synonymous with pristine, white sanded beaches. The reefs just off the coast make for a diving paradise, while the water sports lovers will love the facilities for scuba diving, fishing, boating and canoeing that are available here.
Hurghada, unlike other Egypt tourist attractions, does not have many ancient ruins or artifacts. But as a tropical paradise, Hurghada is matchless. The entire stretch of the beach has hotels and beach resorts that cater to holidaymakers and sightseers.
The beaches are quiet, and not crowded like most beach resorts. Ideal for slinging a hammock and spending your time reading or watching the fleet of fishing vessels dock in the evening glow that lights the harbor!
Adventure sports lovers will be delighted with the fishing, diving and boating facilities at Hurghada, Egypt. The coral reefs, dazzling in their many colors, attract many enthusiastic divers. In the evening, you can dine at the many restaurants and cafes dotting the town, or enjoy music and dancing at a nightclub.
The Red Sea, on whose coast Hurghada stands, has many islands that are ideal for a day trip. The Giftun Island is ideal for a daylong sightseeing tour. Other islands near Hurghada include Shadwan, El Erg, Umm Gammar and Abu Ramada.
Hurghada, unlike other Egypt tourist attractions, does not have many ancient ruins or artifacts. But as a tropical paradise, Hurghada is matchless. The entire stretch of the beach has hotels and beach resorts that cater to holidaymakers and sightseers.
The beaches are quiet, and not crowded like most beach resorts. Ideal for slinging a hammock and spending your time reading or watching the fleet of fishing vessels dock in the evening glow that lights the harbor!
Adventure sports lovers will be delighted with the fishing, diving and boating facilities at Hurghada, Egypt. The coral reefs, dazzling in their many colors, attract many enthusiastic divers. In the evening, you can dine at the many restaurants and cafes dotting the town, or enjoy music and dancing at a nightclub.
The Red Sea, on whose coast Hurghada stands, has many islands that are ideal for a day trip. The Giftun Island is ideal for a daylong sightseeing tour. Other islands near Hurghada include Shadwan, El Erg, Umm Gammar and Abu Ramada.
Heliopolis
Heliopolis was one of the most ancient cities of Egypt. The ancient city stood five miles east of the Nile north of the apex of the Delta. In ancient times it was the principal seat of sun-worship thus its name, which means town of the sun in Greek.
LOCATION
The ancient site of Heliopolis lies in the northeastern extreme of greater Cairo in a district known as Mataria.
DESTINATIONS IN HELIOPOLIS
The Obelisk
It is a monolithic tapered shaft that symbolizes the primordial mound upon which the rays of the sun shone first. Made up of red granite, it was built during the reign of Sensuret I to mark the thirtieth year of his reign. The oldest surviving obelisk, it weighs about 21 tones.
Tree of the Holy Virgin
An important site of Christian pilgrimage, it is said that at AI-Matariya, the Holy Family sheltered under a tree known nowadays by the tree of the Virgin Mary. There Lord Jesus gushed forth a spring of water from which he drank, and blessed it. Also, a church was consecrated at AI-Matariya after the name of Virgin Mary. An ancient church, it is visited by people eager to receive a blessing
LOCATION
The ancient site of Heliopolis lies in the northeastern extreme of greater Cairo in a district known as Mataria.
DESTINATIONS IN HELIOPOLIS
The Obelisk
It is a monolithic tapered shaft that symbolizes the primordial mound upon which the rays of the sun shone first. Made up of red granite, it was built during the reign of Sensuret I to mark the thirtieth year of his reign. The oldest surviving obelisk, it weighs about 21 tones.
Tree of the Holy Virgin
An important site of Christian pilgrimage, it is said that at AI-Matariya, the Holy Family sheltered under a tree known nowadays by the tree of the Virgin Mary. There Lord Jesus gushed forth a spring of water from which he drank, and blessed it. Also, a church was consecrated at AI-Matariya after the name of Virgin Mary. An ancient church, it is visited by people eager to receive a blessing
Dokki
Dokki is one of the residential areas in the northeastern part of Cairo, the Egyptian capital. The area lies close to the Nile, and is known more for its posh residential apartments than sightseeing destinations.
The Pyramid Road from Dokki leads to the Great Pyramids. The Great Pyramids are a unit of three pyramids that were the last resting place of the pharaohs of Egypt. The Khufu pyramid is the largest of the great Pyramids.
Also close to Dokki are Saqquara and Memphis, old Egyptian cities that are home to tombs and temples dating back to the Pharaonic Era. The Muquattam Hills and many Coptic Churches, Mosques and Monuments are found in the areas surrounding Dokki.
The Pyramid Road from Dokki leads to the Great Pyramids. The Great Pyramids are a unit of three pyramids that were the last resting place of the pharaohs of Egypt. The Khufu pyramid is the largest of the great Pyramids.
Also close to Dokki are Saqquara and Memphis, old Egyptian cities that are home to tombs and temples dating back to the Pharaonic Era. The Muquattam Hills and many Coptic Churches, Mosques and Monuments are found in the areas surrounding Dokki.