At its south-eastern tip lies Sharm el Sheikh, a paradise for divers and sun-worshippers alike. Environmentalists and scientists have defined the Red Sea as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. And indeed this sea, combined with the beautiful mountains sloping down to the sea, and the year-round sunshine, makes Sharm a perfect holiday destination.

Sharm offers some of the world’s best scuba diving, at the Shark and Yolanda reefs in the Ras Mohammed national park. A short boat trip will also take you to the Tiran Straits, dotted with wonderful diving spots that offer thrilling encounters with turtles, sharks, deep-sea fish and wrecks. Just a few metres offshore is the famous WWII shipwreck, the S.S. Thistlegorm, which lies waiting to reveal its secrets to the more curious divers.

Around one hour away from Sharm is one of the most spectacular sites of the Sinai desert, St. Catherine’s monastery. This place, at the foot of Mount Sinai, is where Moses is thought to have seen the burning bush. A very popular excursion is to climb Mount Sinai to watch its spectacular dawns, finishing up with a visit to the monastery. St. Catherine’s monastery dates back to the 6th century and houses numerous works of art. Its manuscript collection is second only to that of the Vatican.

The entertainment industry in Sharm is also developing at a fast pace: international guests, DJs and artists have put Sharm firmly on the map as a nightlife capital. In addition to the casinos and shows, a wide variety of music can be enjoyed in the various clubs and outdoor bars. Concerts and parties in the desert are a great way to experience the beauty of the Sinai, and have recently become a tourist attraction in themselves.

Situated at the tip of the Sinai peninsula, they offer unforgettable diving: the spectacular coral wall of Shark Reef goes down 800 metres deep, plunging into the deep channel of water that runs the length of the Red Sea. Barracudas, groupers, round batfish, carangidae and surgeonfish gather in this small fragment of sea every summer. Stop and admire all the well-fed schools of coloured groupers; position yourself in the middle of a school of barracudas until you feel like an insignificant speck; and keep an eye on the depths, where sharks lie in wait. Take your time to admire the coral gardens of Yolanda Reef, where you’re bound to come across at least a ray, moray eels and perfectly camouflaged scorpion fish. Without forgetting the notorious cargo that fell off the ship Yolanda, before sinking into the abyss.

The islands of Tiran and Sanafir belong to the park. The dry, desert landscape made up of sand dunes, gravel plains, fossilized corals and granite mountains is home to many rare animal species: the Dorcas gazelles, Nubian Ibex and red fox among them. It’s easy to spot the resident birds, such as terns, herons, seagulls and ospreys. Thousands of white storks travel through Ras Mohammed every year, as they migrate south in September/October, and back north in April/May. The park is home to around 85 species of flora, including mangrove trees. The stark contrast to the apparently desolate desert panorama around it, the underwater marine ecosystem is a magnificent explosion of life: around 200 species of coral (125 of which are soft corals), 1000 species of fish, 40 species of starfish, 25 species of sea urchin, 100 species of molluscs, 150 species of crustacean and 2 species of turtle: the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle. Its stunning beaches, incredible coral reefs and thrilling diving spots make Ras Mohammed a truly unforgettable destination.

It is traditionally thought to have been built on the site of the burning bush. Today’s monastery stands on the ruins of the fortress built by Emperor Justinian in 530 AD. Justinian also gave the monks a gift of 100 Egyptian slaves and 100 Romans with their wives and children. Thanks to the work of these slaves the monastery prospered, and their descendents still live in this area. The monks provided hospitality both to Christian and Muslim travellers. As a result, the monastery was not affected when the nation converted to Islam. Most of the monks living in the monastery, then and now, came from Greece or from Cyprus. At the beginning of the 20th century there were around 300 or 400 of them, while now they number only around fifty, twenty of them living in the monastery. The monastery is surrounded by walls, 12 to 15 metres high and 1.65 metres thick, with an almost square floor plan. The south-west walls are still original, while the others were rebuilt after being destroyed by an earthquake in 1312. The most important building in the monastery is the Basilica of the Transfiguration, with a tall, square bell tower divided into three floors. The bells wake up the monks with 33 rings, symbolising the number of years that Christ lived. The base of the basilica lies 4 metres lower than the entrance, and it is reached via a beautifully carved door from the 6th century AD. The basilica is divided into three naves: on the left of the central nave is a pulpit from 1787, while on the left is an Episcopal throne depicting the monastery as it was in the 18th century. A series of chapels were added in the aisles, dedicated to saints of the Orthodox Church. The central nave is enclosed towards the altar by a beautiful wooden iconostasis dating from 1612. The apse is decorated with splendid mosaics made in 565, which have been perfectly preserved. St. Catherine’s remains are held inside a marble tomb in the choir. Behind the apse is the chapel of the burning bush, which is even lower than the basilica, and is the most ancient part of the building. Opposite the church there is a small mosque with a separate minaret. It was built in the 12th century for Muslim travellers, on the site of a 6th century inn.

Petra is an astounding city dug out of the rock. Forgotten for around a thousand years, and only rediscovered in 1812, Petra has gained renown as the setting for the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It has been home to a large number of Bedouin families; today, it is visited by about 3000 people each day. Petra is situated inside a deep canyon. It is made from sandstone, and takes on a deep rust colour, with stripes of grey, yellow, and every shade in between. The most famous monument in Petra is the Khazneh: its wonderfully carved facade is the first thing you see when you reach the end of the road leading to the canyon. The monastery is equally imposing, and if you climb up to its top you’re guaranteed jaw-dropping views of the landscape. There’s also an amphitheatre with a capacity for 8000 spectators, and the Temple of the Winged Lions, which is still being excavated.