Archive for November 19th, 2008

Nov 19th 2008 Sharm, Egypt: Rising Resort Star in Egypt

Sharm, or more formally, Sharm el Sheikh, is one of the hottest travel destinations in the Arab world, and for good reason. It has quickly become one of the finest diving destinations in the world, and the variety of activities available to the traveler is mind boggling.

Forty years ago, Sharm Egypt was little more than a small fishing village. But during Israel’s occupation, Sharm began to transform into a tourist destination as the area was developed. It now contains most of the amenities that you would expect in a tourist destination, except that it’s been able to maintain its historic roots.

Sharm and nearby Hurghada are located on the Red Sea coast, and just offshore there is a wide spectrum of aquatic life and beautiful coral, including sharks and dolphins, if that interests you! Sharm caters to scuba divers of all levels, so even if you’re new to the activity, you’ll find a reputable dive operator who can accommodate you.

If scuba diving is not for you, there are plenty of other beach activities that you can take part in. Hurghada and Sharm beaches have beautiful white sand and the water is crystal clear. Bad pictures are almost impossible to take here!

While some areas in Egypt are known more for their historic value, Sharm has a reputation as more of a resort or beach destination. Here you’ll find hotels in all price ranges, including some world-class properties, and you’ll also find an active nightlife, which is not especially common in Egypt. But do expect to pay dearly for alcoholic beverages, even in this more liberal area.

Egypt entertains over 5 million travelers per year, and in recent years, over one quarter of them have visited Sharm. The locals are very friendly and accommodating with tourists, but there are still some taboo customs that you should familiarize yourself with if you’re planning a vacation. To get the most out of your holiday, look into Egypt packages, which will help you plan your visit.

For the most part, most of Egypt is generally safe. There is very little violent crime, with the most common infraction being petty pick pocketing, but security is stationed in many public areas to protect the tourists’ interests. 

Sharm is a beautiful city in an amazingly historical city. If you plan a vacation to Sharm, whether on its on or as part of one of the available Egypt packages, you will not be disappointed, and you will leave with some fantastic memories (and hopefully photographs) that will last a lifetime.

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