We asked Chef Concierge Wazabanga Mbagira at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt to gather the savviest sightseeing suggestions he could find—not just his own but also those of other local connoisseurs, including some he works with every day at the Hotel. Enjoy the majesty of the desert and the extraordinarily rich life of the Red Sea.
Tiran Island
Set sail from Naama Bay to Tiran Island in the Gulf of Aqaba. On the way, stop at Gorden Reef and Jackson Reef for a quick dive or snorkelling adventure to see some of the area’s natural underwater beauty. Tiran is perfect for picnics, and known for its rare birds—look for White Cheeked and Lesser Crested Terns, and White Eyed Gulls. The island also is fronted by exquisite lagoons including the beautiful White Lagoon. Coral banks around the island are ideal for snorkellers and divers, and because of the extraordinary depth of the surrounding gulf (some 1,800 meters), the water is crystal-clear.
Desert Camp
Think of the desert as a vast stage. On an overnight camping trip, journey by car or camel to a Bedouin camp where everything—food cooked over an open fire, dancing in original costumes and music from traditional instruments—is traditional and vividly authentic. The manners you observe will give you a real respect for the rigours of the nomadic life.
Kids Club
The Hotel’s Kids for All Seasons Club provides a glimpse of ancient Egypt by making sure everyone participates in at least one Pharonic Day. Children have fun while learning about local traditions by making pyramid hats, moving to the rhythm of Middle Eastern music in belly dancing lessons and learning to spell their names with Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Underwater Adventures
What you see on land in Sharm is only half of the entire adventure you’ll take. Let an experienced marine biologist show you the other half, the pristine silent, underwater wilderness of hard and soft coral gardens. The Seascope Semi-Submarine lets everybody—even non-divers—descend beneath the surface and see the wonders of the underwater world together. Panoramic windows give full access to bright coral and unusual fish that become part of a greater learning experience for all, and particularly for the school-age set.
For pure recreation, beat the heat at Cleopark in Naama Bay, the Pharonic Water park, with water slides for all ages.
Spa Specialties
Step into the Spa and Wellness Centre and discover the many levels of relaxation to choose from, including massages. Let a skilled yoga instructor guide you through Pranayama, a controlled breathing exercise to foster discipline, realign your native harmony and bring you to closer to your most centred sense of being. Aqua yoga can also cultivate your inner energy under the guidance of an instructor. Salute the sun in the tranquillity of the spa’s yoga centre, complete with Red Sea view. Feel your prana (life energy) restored, your strength renewed. Namaste! (A Sanskrit blessing; “I salute the divinity within you!”)
Must-Try Dishes
Middle Eastern cuisine is all about spices and seasonings, and you’ll find the full flavour of them at the Arabesque restaurant. Start with a local favourite: Chicken Molokhiyya, a traditional Egyptian soup with okra. Then, the roasted baby lamp chops are prepared with nuts, raisins, oriental rice and yogurt sauce for true Middle Eastern flavour. And don’t leave the area without trying Koshari, a mix of rice, lentils, chickpeas and chopped vermicelli with a spicy tomato-chili-garlic sauce, topped with crisp fried onions.
Have an aperitif first, or a nightcap after—or both—in the Observatory Lounge, with its perfectly framed vista of Tiran Island.
Photography courtesy Four Seasons, Peter Vitale
