We´ll (2 grownups +1 kid 10yo) be diving/snorkeling for a week in the sharm el sheik area week 45. We have quite good experience with backpacking in asia from before, never been to egypt though. We´ll be lodged in a full service hotel about 20 min by taxi from markets/shopping. Wondering what to not miss out during the visit.
We´re thinkin at least one day on camel/horseback in the desert as change of scene but we`re open for ideas.
Thinking of doing some shopping but for what? Pirate stuff, electronics, dvd-s, handycraft?? I have no clue.
Maybe some of the more experienced egyptian visitors can fill me in.
thanks beforehand.
jannett
1
catw
Sharm el Sheikh is not Egypt, it is an entirely artificial resort built especially for Western families, and you won't see more of Egypt there than if you werevacationning in Las Vegas...
Backpackers go to Dahab or to the hippie beaches of Ras Shaitan, they never set foot in Sharm, and so do expatriates living in Cairo.
For your information, Egyptians are forbidden to go to Sharm, except if they have a specific work permit for the area, or if they can prove they are rich enough to take vacation there, which is not common.
2
jannett
I know´t´s not egypt, it´s prob´ly some disneykindof plastic fake for what the western package tour visitor would expect to be egypt. We bought acheap, last minute package tour trip mainly for the snorkeling/diving. Just wondering if there would be something else doable whitin a oneday timespan. And if there´d be something to shop around for as a souvernier or as a useful item at home.
Still expecting somethin useful.
3
krmanion
Sharm isn't Egypt but it's still a cool place to visit, ESPECIALLY if you're going to dive. It's world class as I'm sure you know. As for shopping, go for casual clothes since Egypt exports lots and lots of clothes. They're relatively inexpensive and decent quality if you shop right. Anything imported is desperately expensive due to duty/taxes added.
As for trips, St. Katherine's (not sure on the spelling) monestary, where God is said to have delivered the Ten Commandments, is a few hours away and is still a working monestary. Very busy but worth the trip if you're into that kind of thing. The Burning Bush is there also.
Pro tip
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