For your convenience, The Ritz-Carlton has provided the following information to help you plan for and enjoy your stay with us.
What is the origin of the name "Sinai"?
The name "Sinai" is said to originate from "Sin," a moon goddess worshipped by the ancient inhabitants of the desert. Formations of many different colored rocks are evidence of the turbulent movements that gave Sinai its characteristic imprint and produced mountains including the Saint Catherine Mountain and the awe-inspiring Moses Mountain. Guests can experience traditional Bedouin dinner parties in the desert and camel safaris.
Why is Saint Catherine famous?
A visit to the legendary Monastery of Saint Catherine, which was built in the sixth century, is a must. The Byzantine church built in 542 AD, is a perfectly preserved sacred site, housing some of the richest collections of icons and precious manuscripts in the world. Central Sinai is sparsely populated. A few Bedouins and the monks of the monastery share the enchanting mountains with wolves, wild goats, gazelle and eagles. The Ritz-Carlton arranges day-trips to Saint Catherine Monastery (just a few hours from the hotel) or a night excursion where the guests climb the mountain to experience the incredible sunrise.
What is the Garden Tour?
The Ritz-Carlton, Sharm El Sheikh, today regularly offers its guests and plant lovers special tours of a unique garden oasis that it has grown in the Egyptian desert which would make even the great ancient pharaohs proud.
On property that just seven years ago was a barren site of coral and sand, the resort's landscape engineers have miraculously transformed this 50,000-square-meter area into a $2.5- million garden oasis that features 50 types of plants from 20 different species.
The garden's colorful and aromatic vegetation displays a wide array of cactus and palm trees, evergreen shrubs and vines, and a profusion of multi-colored plants and flowers that include lantana, primrose jasmine, oleander, periwinkles, and bougainvillea.
Maintenance of this exotic landscaping masterpiece entails annual expenditures of $300,000 and a team of 50 gardeners and engineers.
The garden's design was inspired by the "pleasure gardens" of the pharaohs, which, according to ancient wall carvings, existed as far back as 7,000 years ago.
Putting on Bedouin Shoes?
The legends of Arabia have always intrigued travelers from allover the world. Today, The Ritz-Carlton, Sharm El Sheikh captures the aromas, echoes, visions, textures and flavors of Sinai, the land of the Ten Commandments, in one exciting experience that will allow guests to delve deep into "Tent Cooking", the root of Egyptian cuisine.
Bedouin women show guests how they bake "Khobz and Fateer", or Bedouin bread and cookies. Lunch and dinner reveal a nomadic way of life that relies heavily on bread and dates, lamb, mutton, goat and occasionally camel meat, and the milk of these animals, along with wild berries found in the desert. Despite this seeming simplicity, Bedouin cooking is often delicate, aromatic and rich with natural flavors. Favorite recipes are handed down by mother to daughter, from father to son. Traditionally each tribe has its own secret recipes.
What is a "souk"?
The "Souk", or Bedouin market, is a colorful gallery where Bedouins trade handmade items including their jewelry, garments, embroidered bags, pottery and camel leather shoes. The rules of courtesy and hospitality that surround traditional Bedouin dining are also rich. Tea and coffee are an experience in themselves. Bedouins serve cardamom-flavored coffee in a few drops at a time and they guests cup is automatically refilled. On the other hand, mint-flavored tea is served in small glasses heavily sugared.