Three and a half hours of summer, and from January you find yourself in late May. I’m talking about Egypt, a country that I visited for the first time this winter.
Three and a half hours of summer, and from January you find yourself in late May. I’m talking about Egypt, a country that I visited for the first time this winter.
Best Sharm hotels
We rested in one of the best hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh, Stella Di Mare Sharm Beach Hotel & Spa 5 * (which was not mentioned by tourist brochures, but by local guides who know the pros and cons of all hotels). By the way, on non-holiday days, a seven-day tour to this hotel for two will cost from $540.
Translated from Italian, Stella Di Mare means “starfish”. Of the most important advantages of the hotel, I would name a great location (in Naama Bay, protected from the winds typical of January), green area, wonderful SPA, good service. In general, everything helps to fully relax and gain new strength.
The kitchen in the hotel is top-notch. Perhaps you would like more seafood on the buffet, but if you go to and a la cart restaurant, which, by the way, is free, you will find seafood and the most tender sea bass. And I, as a sweet tooth, was struck by the abundance of desserts (especially for dinner, when according to all my rules – no, no …). So, I recommend you enjoy the incredible tiramisu and brownies. And don’t miss the oriental pastry rack. These oriental sweets just melt in your mouth!
The main advantage of Sharm el-Sheikh is the warm sea all year round with the magical beauty of coral reefs and fish. Therefore, in most hotels, the entrance to the sea is from a pontoon, so it is convenient to swim along the reefs. Stella Di Mare also has a small bay for entering the sea from the shore – this is sure to be appreciated by mothers with children. For them, there is a children’s pool and a jacuzzi with warm water at any time of the year.
The main Egyptian entertainment – snorkeling, boat trips, quad biking, I, due to personal circumstances, postponed until my next visit to this country. But the guys who were resting with me said that the hotel reef was impressive in its beauty, and if you sail on a yacht into the open sea, then the emotions are simply indescribable!
For myself, I outlined a program of complete relaxation: sleep until 10.00 (it could have been longer, but I wanted to be in time for breakfast), the beach (the sun, as for me, is quite safe, I did without protective equipment), after sunset – sauna and hammam. And since it gets dark very early in Egypt in winter, already at 19.00 it was possible to go to the evening promenade in Naama Bay and the Old City.
By the way, there is a world chain hotel in Sharm – Movenpick. Its architecture and interior have absorbed the best features of the Arabic style: domed roofs, arches, intricate patterns of oriental ornaments, wrought iron lamps, and all rooms with sea views – I advise you to pay attention!
Naama Bay And Old Town
There are many entertainments in Naama Bay: cafes, restaurants, nightclubs of world chains, shops, markets. This is such a mix of the East and Las Vegas. Here you should definitely visit colorful cafes, try coffee and local hookah, and then go to one of the chic nightclubs.
I will tell you about the marriage and salaries of the Egyptians next time.
The Egyptians have great respect for religion. There are many mosques of incredible beauty, from which calls to prayer are heard. During a sightseeing tour with TEZ TOUR, we visited the El Mustafa mosque.
There is also an Orthodox church in Sharm el-Sheikh – Coptic. For two years, it was painted by a famous Egyptian artist. Inside there are benches, as in Catholic cathedrals. They are used during church school for Bible study. Services here are held in Coptic. And all Orthodox Egyptians have a tattoo in the form of a cross on their wrists.
After visiting the architectural sights, you can go to local establishments. If you want to try a real oriental hookah, visit the Farsha cafe. The establishment is located on the side of a mountain, so there are incredible views of the Red Sea from there. In the evening, when hundreds of lanterns and torches with live fire are lit, and the air is filled with the aromas of hookah and spicy teas, you seem to be transported into a real oriental fairy tale.
Also, be sure to check out the Fares fish restaurant and try the milk soup with seafood. A cult place, where mostly only locals rest, will surely sink into your soul.
You should go to the Old City to feel the color of Egypt. Here you can buy delicious mangoes, hibiscus tea, essential oils, leather bags that look like world-famous brands, and many souvenirs.
But do not forget that it is necessary to bargain in the East, so allocate more time (at least 3 hours) and the go-ahead for new Egyptian impressions. With the right bargaining, you will be reset at least half of the original amount. My tactic was as follows: I go into the store, look at the item I like with interest, ask how much it costs, hear the price of $ 75, sadly say that it’s expensive, head to the exit, and then the seller rushes after me, reducing the amount. After 20 minutes of pleasant conversation, knowing the names of his sisters, parents, wife, and children, I had a handbag in my hands, bought for … 25 dollars.
What Can You Buy Cheaply In Egypt:
– Suitcases (yes, they are not of the highest quality, but seeing how my orange Delsey was abandoned at the airport, I regretted that I did not buy him a 20-dollar replacement).
— Bags-replica brands (those that sell in Kyiv from 1500 UAH and more can be found in Egypt at least three times cheaper).
– Swimwear, shawls (the choice is great, the quality is excellent), the price is from 3 dollars.
What To Buy In Egypt:
– Pomegranate sauce (it is great for meat: both as a sauce for a finished dish and as a marinade). Its price is 18 pounds (1 dollar).
– Mango (take greener ones, so they lie longer with you). Price: 1 kg – 1 dollar.
– Teas (if you buy hibiscus, it is better to choose it in the market, and not in the supermarket. In large stores, tea resembles a husk, and from merchants in the market, these are large beautiful flowers.) Price: 1 kg – $ 5.
– Essential oils (coconut, eucalyptus – this is a must-have. I add them to the bath, to the aroma lamp. It smells great!) Price: 100 ml – $ 15.
Lifehacks:
- A visa is not required for Sharm el-Sheikh. You pay $25 if you fly to Hurghada. On the territory of Sinai, only a stamp is enough, which is put at the airport, just say “Only Sinai”.
- When I flew to Egypt, I had a million T-shirts, shorts, skirts in my suitcase and only jeans and a jacket. Do not repeat my mistake: it can be cool in the evening, so if you are going for a walk, even a demi-season jacket will come in handy.
- When choosing excursions, do not use the services of local companies, no matter how nice and smiling their employees are. Choose a trusted operator (in our case, Tez Tour), it is safe and comfortable with them. Tez Tour has free wi-fi on the bus, all guides are certified professionals, and the choice of excursions is maximum.
- You should not fly to Egypt with a full first aid kit of medicines. You can buy them in Sharm, they are inexpensive and of high quality. But you need to buy medicines not in hotel pharmacies, but in state ones.
- At the airport, get ready for hour-long queues. The Egyptians have tightened security measures, so do not be surprised if you are asked to show the contents of your suitcase, bags and cosmetic bags (maybe several times), they will conduct a full search and you will jump into the shuttle to the plane in the last minutes before departure (the time from the entrance to the airport to exiting the gate can take up to three hours!). And, if you are already riding in the shuttle slightly exhausted after all the checks, then another surprise awaits you near the plane. All your suitcases will be there and only after you find yours yourself, carry it and load it onto a luggage cart, it will be sent to the plane. This measure was taken specifically to enhance security.
