Friday, November 28, 2008

Sharm, Egypt: Night Life and White Sand Beaches

Sharm, or more formally, Sharm el Sheikh, is one of the hottest travel destinations in the Arab world, and for good reason. It's quickly being recognized as 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 wasn't much more than a tiny fishing village. But during Israel's occupation, Sharm began to transform into a travel destination as the land was developed. It now contains most of the amenities that you would expect to find in a travel destination, except that it has also 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's your cup of tea! 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 will take you out.

If scuba diving is not for you, there are plenty of other beach activities that you can participate in. Hurghada and Sharm beaches have luxuriouos white sand and the water is crystal clear. It's virtually impossible to take a bad picture here!

Most of the hotels in Sharm, are located in the Na'ama Bay region, a long sandy bay with a beautiful, palm-fringed boulevard. Other popular neighborhoods include Ras Um Sid and Sharm El Maya, which is near the older Sharm el Sheikh development.

Egypt hosts more than five million travelers every year, and in recent years, over one quarter of them have visited Sharm. The locals are very accommodating and friendly with tourists, but there are still some taboo customs that you should be aware of if you're planning a holiday. To get the most out of your vacation, look into Egypt packages, which will help you plan your visit.

Sharm's reputation was sullied somewhat in 1995 when a (suspected) group of radical Egyptians bombed several areas, taking aim square at the thriving tourist industry of Sharm. But it's also important to note that many Egyptians died trying to stop those terrorists, and for the most part, Sharm is a very safe city to travel in. 

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

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