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The
route to the Promised Land, where Isis sought Osiris and the Pharaohs
found gold. Where Moses witnessed the Burning Bush and Bedouins
camped by Crusader forts. A meeting point for three great religions,
at the crossroads of Africa and Asia.
After 8,000 years at the heart of history, experience the continuing
contrasts. Sinai, where rock meets coral reef and the desert only
stops at the sea. Where the grandeur of granite meets the golden
beaches of the "Red Sea Riviera," of tropical fish and rare birds,
spectacular sunsets and clear starry nights.
One of the few remaining places on earth almost untouched by modern
civilization, Sinai "the Land of Turquoise", is a rocky triangle
of holy places, pilgrim trails and military outposts. Modern visitors
follow in the footsteps of legendary gods and goddesses, ancient
warriors and biblical heroes.
Sinai embraces a number of cities characterized by their beautiful
scenes as well as their charming turquoise seas.
Sharm El-Sheikh:
Sharm El-Sheikh, the simplicity of sun, sea and sand, the luxury
of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment.
The town of Sharm El-Sheikh is located southeast of the Sinai
Peninsula and is made up of three areas. Na'ama Bay, with its
concentration of hotels and diving centers, is the main tourist
spot. The fishing and diving boat jetty, which can be found in
the port area of Sharm El-Moya. And the third area, on top of
the cliff, contains apartments and recently constructed condominiums
and villas.
Na'ama Bay and Ras Mohammed happen to be the best diving sites
containing the clearest waters and gorgeous reefs.
The Strait of Tiran in Sharm el-Sheikh is among the finest diving
sites in the Sinai and the Red Sea. It lies at the mouth of the
Gulf of Aqaba. There are four main coral reefs in this region;
Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef and Gordon Reef. All
named after the English officers who drew the first marine map
of this region. This area is full of infinite number of corals,
reef and pelagic.
Ras Mohammed:
Ras Mohammed is simply about diving into the world's most famous
paradise of coral reefs and tropical fish.
Ras Mohammed happens to be Egypt's first marine national park.
Established in 1989 and administered under the Egyptian Environmental
Affairs Agency, Ras Mohammed's marine park is located approximately
25mtr southwest of Sharm El-Sheikh.
It lies in the narrowest strip between the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba,
and is easily accessible by car or taxi. The park contains a variety
of stunning geological features, such as uplifted coral reefs,
alluvial plains, wadis, granite, Sandstone Mountains, and soft
dunes.
Ras Mohammed is home to many terrestrial species including foxes,
gazelles, reptiles, ibexes and migratory birds such as the White
Stork. There are also magnificent mangrove trees that provide
a valuable breeding area and habitat for both migrating and resident
birds.
Dahab:
Dahab is the Arabic word for Gold. It is said that the Bedouins,
who likened the shimmering sands to gold dust, gave Dahab its
remarkable name.
Located approximately 100km northwest of Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab
remains to be one of South Sinai's most treasured diving spots.
It is famous for its golden beaches and deceptively deep diving
sites, such as the Blue Hole, the Canyon and the Lighthouse.
The area is divided into two areas; the tourist center where the
major hotels are found and the Bedouin village of Assalah, which
a lot of budget travelers find attractive because of its numerous
restaurants and cheap accommodation.
El-Arish:
Capital and main city of North Sinai Governorate, highlighted
by shady palm-lined beaches, Mediterranean waves and the glowing
colors of Bedouin crafts.
El-Arish is situated on the Mediterranean coast, 214 miles East
of Cairo. It is noted for its beautiful palm-shaded beaches. The
coast here is also a paradise for windsurfers.
The Sinai Museum in town offers a fascinating insight into Bedouin
life, with displays of handicrafts, utensils and clothing. The
town also hosts a Bedouin market every Thursday morning.
Mount Sinai:
Mount Sinai in the South rises to 2,285mtr. It is the place where
God is believed to have revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses.
That, at least, is the overwhelming belief, that has drawn pilgrims
for over a thousand years.
Even though there had been no archaeological evidence to back
up the presence of Moses' on the mountain exists, there are abundant
relics of faith, which have accumulated throughout the eons. Ancient
chapels and structures honouring various saints and the Virgin
Mary appear all along the main route, called Sikket Saydna Musa
("The Path of Moses"). These include a stone-hewn arch where,
long ago, a monk once sat to hear the confession of the pilgrims.
Nearing the summit, one encounters the natural amphitheatre where
the 70 wise men waited while God spoke with Moses. Finally at
the top is a small chapel and mosque.
St. Catherine's:
Mount Sinai and its monastery of St. Castherines constitutes the
highest summit in Sinai, where on a clear day it is possible to
see the whole of Sinai. St. Catherine, who was tortured and beheaded
by Romans for her Christian beliefs, lends her name to Sinai's
center of religious tourism. A Sinai monk once had a vision of
her body at the top of a nearby mountain, where her remains were
discovered.
The Monastery of St. Catherine is one of the best-known monasteries
in the world - a Greek Orthodox holy place at the foot of Mount
Sinai, believed to be the mount Horeb of the Torah (also called
mount Moses) where Moses received the 10 commandments during the
exodus of the Jews from Egypt. The Monastery is famous for its
Byzantine-style basilica, which was built together with its protective
walls in 527 A.D. The basilica has three naves, and its dazzlingly
ornate interior contains works of art spanning fifteen centuries.
Among the more distinctive pieces are the many lamps, which hang
from the ceiling in a silvery, glittering constellation, and the
impressive mosaics. Lying next to the main alter is a sarcophagus
which allegedly holds the remains of St. Catherine herself.
The monastery is also famous for its Library, which by any standard
is extraordinary. It contains the largest collection of Christian
manuscripts and icons outside of the Vatican Museum. In 1844,
a German scholar visiting the library discovered -- and then arguably
stole -- the Codex Sinaiticus, an extremely important 4th- century
version of the Bible that now rests in the British Museum. Similar
incidents throughout the years have forced the monastery to allow
access only to visitors who have obtained written permission from
the Archbishop of Cairo.
Taba:
Taba is an international border town. Majestic mountains overlook
the only tourist facility, the Taba Hilton Resort. The coastline
in this area is the most picturesque in Sinai, with bays, coves,
lagoons, a fjord and an island.
In Taba, you can take a boat trip to Pharaoh's Island, crowned
by a historical fortress.
The most significant sight of this area is the Salah El-Din fortress
on the Pharaoh's Island, which has been restored by the Egyptian
Antiquities Organization.
Nuweiba:
Nuweiba embraces most major sea and desert sports, camel and Safari
treks, diving and snorkeling.
Nuweiba, 85km north of Dahab, lies between the Gulf of Aqaba and
the high desert mountains. In the past, this holiday village functioned
as an important port for Muslim pilgrims on their way to Mecca.
Other than the main town, Nuweiba is divided into two centers,
Nuweiba Tarabin (two kilometers north of the town) and Nuweiba
Muzayana (seven kilometers to the south). All in all, this small-secluded
resort is famous for its magnificent beaches.
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