Sinai is the part of Egypt where Africa meets Asia, where the Middle East starts, shaped almost like a heart Sinai borders with Gaza, Israel and is surrounded by the Red Sea. Officially Sinai is not part of Africa, its classed as Asia/Middle East. The Gulf of Aqaba on the East Side with views of Jordan and Saudi Arabia and the Gulf of Suez on the West leading to the famous Suez Canal. To the North of Sinai is the Mediterranean Sea and to the Southern Point is the popular resort town of Sharm El Sheikh and the beautiful Ras Mohammad National Park.
Sinai is much different to the rest of Egypt, not only by the landscape and its location but also by the Bedouin Tribes who have lived in the region for hundreds of years.

Tourism in Sinai started over 2000 years ago when pilgrims started to seek out the elusive Mount Sinai. Then the building of St Catherines Monastery in 527AD helped the area to become a place for tours of the holy lands.
But there is much more to see and do in Sinai, whilst a visit to the monastery and to climb Mount Sinai is an adventure in itself there is much more to do Sinai that makes it worth a visit of at least 2 weeks.
In St Catherines town itself many visitors miss out on a lot of other interesting things in the area. For example there are some great treks up in the high mountain region of Sinai. Hidden water sources hide an abundance of plants and wildlife that only a three – five day trek can help you discover the wonderland surrounding the Monastery and the high mountains. By tracking with a local Bedouin guide you can discover the secrets of survival in the Sinai (Oasis, Springs, Water wells, Caves and Valleys full of trees, plants and herbs).
The herbs that grow in the Mountains of Sinai have unique properties which the Bedouins here have been using for medicine for hundreds of years. St Catherines has a herbal medicine doctor called Ahmed, who you can visit and he can prescribe you with anything from herbs to reduce blood sugar in Diabetics, to herbs that can fix stomach problems. Also visit the new organic gardens and see the herbs as they grow naturally, staying overnight at the on site Eco Lodge known as El Freish.

Also at St Catherines is Fansina Handicrafts, a project started by Salima a local Bedouin woman which now provides employment to over 400 local ladies. They make a wide range of bags, accessories and gifts using traditional Bedouin motifs cleverly translated into modern designs. They have a new showroom right in the middle of St Catherines town.

Many visitors to the Monastery are not aware of the other interesting things to see in the area, they have a whistle stop tour of the Monastery and Mountain and then return to their hotels in Cairo or in Sharm El Sheikh.
Sinai is also home to other beautiful towns and landscapes, take Ain Khudra for example which is a small Bedouin village inside a palm tree Oasis and it is just 40 kilometers from St Catherines. Or Wadi Fieran (also mentioned in the bible) is another small oasis town nestled between the high mountains. The colored canyon is also an amazing site, truly a work of art formed over thousands of years. Then there is Nuwebia, now a busy port town serving ferries to Jordan, but is also home to many small and peaceful Bedouin camps and sandy beaches. Perfect for some peace and quiet with amazing views of Saudi Arabia.

Wadi Gnay Oasis 5kms South of Dahab
Just north of Nuweiba are several old crusader castles including Castle Zamman, Castle Saladin and Pharaohs Island with a castle in the Middle of the Gulf of Aqaba. All are worthy of a visit. Also north of Nuweiba is the Fjord an area of turquoise sea, nestled between rugged Mountains.
Just South of Nuweiba is the resort town of Dahab, originally a Nabatean Trading Port and Bedouin fishing village. It is now a centre for water sports in Sinai especially diving (for learners or adventure divers), wind surfing and kite surfing. The town is also a great base for exploring Sinai, with St Catherines 120km’s away, Sharm El Sheikh 100kms and Nuweiba 90kms.

Dahab has been a popular backpackers destination since the 1960’s, it is relaxing and small enough that you can get around most of it by foot, or by camel : ) It has a unique mix of Bedouin and Egyptian Cultures and a slight European resort feel. Now it has accommodation to suit all budgets and is becoming the alternative resort for those who prefer to stay somewhere quieter and less touristic than Sharm El Sheikh.
North of Dahab is Ras Abu Gallum, a Bedouin fishing village where you can stay in a hut on the beach made from the leaves of palm trees, without electric and really experience the quietness and beauty of the desert, mountains and the sea. Snorkeling here is great and turtles and rays are often spotted.

But even Sharm El Sheikh is changing these days, it is set to become the entertainment and shopping captial for Sinai. Featuring multinational food and clothing chains (McDonalds, KFC, Gap, Morgan etc), but also a new nightlife center called Soho Square will set Sharm apart from its neighboring quieter resorts. Featuring a new night club called Pangea, the Queen Vic pub, an Ice Skating Rink and multi screen Cinemas, Soho Square is changing the face of Sharm El Sheikh and of Sinai. So gone are the days of camels and Bedouin tents in this part of Sinai.
As for diving Sinai offers the best in adventure diving from the amazing wrecks of the Ras Mohamed National Park, to the depths of the Blue Hole and Canyon in Dahab. For the experienced advanced or technical diver Sinai is a divers paradise.

There’s a lot to more Sinai than meets the eye, the old traditional nomadic living of the Bedouin communities here contrasted by the glitz of the nightlife, casino’s and shopping in Sharm El Sheikh. The small oasis towns contrasted by the huge swimming pools of the 5 star resorts. But there is something for everyone here, especially for those who want some adventure and to experience some nomadic culture during their holiday.