Sharm El Sheikh Holidays - Take the Plunge

As exotic locations for holidays go, Egypt is right up there but aside from the typical tourist locations like the Pyramids and Cairo there is another City proving more and more popular in recent years: Sharm El Sheikh.

Sharm El Sheikh is located on the southern tip of the Sinai peninsular overlooking the Red sea and is much more than can be expected in the searing, desert landscape that Egypt is associated with. With anything from shopping malls to yacht clubs to large chain hotels Sharm El Sheikh has a lot more to offer holiday makers than meets the eye.

One of the most popular attractions in Sharm El Sheikh is deep sea diving in the Red sea, near to the city is Shark's Bay and Naama Bay with many diving centres offering chances to experience the amazing coral reefs on the edge of the Sinai peninsular. 30 Million years in the making the Red sea was formed when Arabia drifted away from Africa and the resulting rift was filled with the surrounding seas and formed the Red sea.

The diving business has boomed in this part of the world with many people organising diving holidays last year in the area; it was surprisingly popular last month over Christmas! The courses offered range form beginners all the way up to instructor level and if a day is not enough to get your fix of the underwater world there are even "underwater safaris" where you live on a boat for a few days and can see rarely visited reefs in small groups away from the usual spots.

Once you're done with sight-seeing under the sea it'll be time to get back on dry land, when near the coast many hotels have attractive private beaches and accommodation ranges from modern smaller hotels to larger chain hotels offering all modern perks. There are even golf resorts, casinos and night clubs. You'd be forgiven for thinking you'd gone to Las Vegas and not Northern Africa only 200 miles from the real pyramids!

The beauty of Sharm El Sheikh and the surrounding area is that the Egyptian tourist board has marketed it as an all year round resort. Obviously very hot during the summer months, it is pleasant and warm during the winter months too. Locations near to Sharm El Sheikh have become popular spots for beach holidays such as the previously mentioned Naama Bay, a lot of tourist friendly businesses have cropped up around this area that up until 1968 was a quiet fishing community.

Those seeking a quieter more historic trip are not left out too; there are many national parks with mountains and valleys to visit as well as locations such as St.Catherine's Monastery.

The city is often called the City of Peace or the City of The World as it has attracted many visitors from all around the world, due partially to its afford ability and surge of cheap holidays in the area. It is an ideal getaway for people who want something different from their usual holiday destinations whilst still having the usual beach resort comforts in a breathtaking location that many have gone back to again and again!

By Andy Adams