Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh entered the headlines in 1967 when the then Egyptian president, Nassar, closed the strait of Tiran and thus blocked Israel’s access to the Red Sea. This act lead to the brief conflict known as the Six-Day War. Given the exceptional strategic important of the place, situated where the Suez and Aquaba gulf... Read on

Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh entered the headlines in 1967 when the then Egyptian president, Nassar, closed the strait of Tiran and thus blocked Israel’s access to the Red Sea. This act lead to the brief conflict known as the Six-Day War. Given the exceptional strategic important of the place, situated where the Suez and Aquaba gulfs meet, Israeli soldiers took up position here and, a year later, built a colony called Ophira, on the rocky spur of Ras Umm Sidd, where the old city of Sharm el Sheikh stands. When the Camp David agreement returned Sinai to Egypt, the trenches and bunkers were destroyed and the military buildings were modified to become hotel residences.

Sharm el Sheikh is one of the greatest tourist successes of recent years. Hotel complexes of the highest standard have been built, equipped with all the comforts and requirements needed to offer the visitor a long, pleasant stay and the bay that was once a favorite spot for fishermen has become a luxury holiday resort, a paradise for those who seek the sun and sea. Without doubt, the city has a unique charm of its own, with the rocky range of the Sinai behind, and the incredible blue of the Red Sea in front. All around are sandy dunes, rare oases, camels and bedouin encampments. And a visitor would certainly find it hard to be bored. Even with no more than a simple mask, divers and swimmers can enjoy the sight of fish gliding tranquilly through an enchanting world, not at all disturbed by the presence of humans. But there is also horse or camel riding, excursions through rocky Sinai where breath-taking sights remind one of biblical times, boat trips, walks along the sandy beaches, or hours spent just sunbathing or visiting the shops that sell local crafts and Egyptian and Bedouin clothing.

Evenings in Sharm el Sheikh are magical – the lights come on, the streets are crowded with people, and the tables outside bars fill up. One can smoke narghilé, drink Arabian coffee, eat ‘Italian’ ice-cream and the night clubs begin to vibrate with music. Sharm el Sheikh’s endless night begins.

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