Red Sea Resorts and Petra in December/January

richardw

Thinking of a trip that includes a red sea resort and a trip to Petra in Jordan.

Any thoughts on Taba Heights and Aqaba would be appreciated.

bcl999

It's a few years since I wnet to Taba Heights and it may have changed but there was nothing there and it is in the middle of nowhere. I have been to Egypt a half dozen times staying sometimes in near hovels and that was the only time I was ill. It was rampant in the hotel (Hyatt Regency).

I have stayed at the Hilton at Taba village (before the bomb) which is right on the Israeli border and was easy to get into Eilat. I think the rules have changed since they started using the Taba airport and you now have to buy an Israeli visa. Going to Petra by land will be a bit of a rigmarole, although on an organised trip it will all be done for you. I have aslo stayed at the Hilton at Nuweiba, where the ferry and jetfoil leave for Aqaba. I loved the hotel - they had enormous bungalow rooms situated round one of the pools- but it is now in a lot of brochures as an all-inclusive, so may be quite different to when I was there.

I went on the jetfoil to Aqaba, stayed one night there and then shared a taxi to Petra. Had two nights there and then back to Aqaba for the jetfoil back to Nuweiba and then to St Catherine's. In Aqaba, I stayed at a non-descript 3* I got from the Rough Guide, there are quite a few. At Petra, I stayed at a very basic B&B but there's a 4* hotel near the entrance to the site, I think it's a Movenpick but could be wrong. Jordan seemed quite expensive compared to Egypt. They all want baksheesh but where in Egypt there was 10EGP to £1 so one pound egyptian was nothing, a Jordanian dinar was worth about £1.20.

I did this trip when I went on a month-long independent visit to Egypt. I can say that Petra, and especially the the view of the Treasury at the end of the Siq, really took my breath away. It is just like the photo you always see of it, where the Treasury is glimpsed through the gap in the rock. Whereas I found Abu Simbel a great disappointment. The only other thing which compared to Petra was seeing Nefertari's tomb, which was spectacular.

Anyway, it's 5 or so years since I did that trip but if I can help with any info, give me a shout.

richardw

Thanks didn't really fancy Taba Heights.

The aim of the trip is to visit Petra and have a bit of a relaxing holiday, not sure if going to Amman or Tel Aviv or Red Sea is going to be simplest or best value.

heleen

I backpacked through Israel and egypt 10 years ago so any info would be outdated, but I do want to warn you that tel Aviv airport is a total nightmare. The security is excessive and you need to really be there hours in advance. Betetr to go to a more touristy place.

Also, they were less than amused when they asked why I'd come to Israel and my answer was to get to nice places in Egyopt. Obviously they will be equally not amused if you say you've only gone to Tel Aviv to get to Petra (aka "the enemy").

I would LOVE to go to PEtra and considered the boat from Egypt but it didn't fit in my schedule in the end.

If it were me, and it was affordable, I'd go to Amman.

jon2432

Were off to the Hilton , Nuweiba in 3 weeks time. Makes it six times in 4 years. AI gives you no worries as theres nothing else there to spend your money on anyhow.

You can get a small boat/ferry from Taba, that goes to Aqaba avoiding the Israeli customs etc,

The price from the Hilton to Petra was about £120 for a longgggggggggggggg days trip.

The Hilton hasnt changed much still an oasis in the desert with not alot to do but relax.

richardw

Is there a boat from Sharm El Sheikh to Aqaba?

bcl999

Try this page under Princess Super Fast Ferry - www.jordansinaihotels.com/transptrips.htm

No idea how accurate or up-to-date the info is.

One thing to remember at Petra if you are going Nov, Dec, Jan time - take a sweater or fleece with you and long trousers. It's surrounded by mountains/hills and can be on the cool side when out of the sun.

From my experiences in Egypt, Jordan and Israel, I would say Red Sea in Egypt will be cheapest and if you want anything remotely resembling a Med resort, you will need to go to Naama Bay, which is purpose-built, has a paved pedestrian prom along the beachfront and the hotels off it. I have stayed at the Hilton Fayrouz and the Sonesta Beach there and both are fine. There is not much at Taba (border village really), Nuweiba (ferry terminal where lots of people doing the hajj cross over to Jordan en route to Mecca), Dahab ("Egyptian riviera resort"), or, in Jordan, Aqaba (ferry terminal, quite bustling but not much actually in the town for the tourist). I quite liked Eilat but it is more expensive and there is the kosher thing about not having dairy and meat at the same meal. I haven't been to Tel Aviv or Amman, though I've heard the people are very friendly in Amman. I think Amman will be quite cold at that time of year, whereas Nov to Feb is my favourite time for visiting the Red Sea. March to October is generally too hot for me.

If the times on the ferry webpage are correct, you could visit Jordan from Sharm for either 3 (Thurs -Sun) or 4 (Sun - Thurs) nights. Spend the 1st night in Aqaba, on the 2nd day spend time in Aqaba before making for Petra later in the day( I've heard there is a son & lumiere at night), spend full day at Petra on the 3rd day. Head back to Aqaba on last day and catch ferry at 2pm. If you opt for 4 nights, you could spend more time at the Petra site or/and visit Wadi Rum.

Or, as jon2432, says, you could do Petra on a day trip. You will still see all the main sights and can say you've "been there".

richardw

Thanks bcl999 good information, looks a good way of doing things, will definitely check it all out. Flying to SSH or HRG is going to be much cheaper.

bherts

Here's an idea. Eilat is great - world class hotels, and food as well as great activities including top-notch diving. How about flying to Tel Aviv - Thomsonfly have started low-cost flights from Luton and Manchester - and whilst the airport did used to be a nightmare - it is now world-class with a new terminal which has been voted best in category. The airport is about 40 mintues to Jerusalem - visit there, see Tel Aviv, and cross the border for a day or two to see Petra. I have to say that I dont think a visit to the region is complete without a visit to Jeruslaem. Just a thought.

djbd1973

richardw wrote: »

Thanks didn't really fancy Taba Heights.

The aim of the trip is to visit Petra and have a bit of a relaxing holiday, not sure if going to Amman or Tel Aviv or Red Sea is going to be simplest or best value.

Hi Richard - did you book to go to Aqaba for December/January in the end?
Someone suggested a trip there to me this evening so I am looking into it myself. Thanks

richardw

Thanks, but the others wanted to do Miami this year so that is what was booked. This trip has been added to the trips to do bank, which was getting a bit low, so will do it in the near future.