On Sunday, March 17, 2013 2:25:18 PM UTC, David Horne wrote:
Surreyman wrote:



On Saturday, March 16, 2013 9:36:20 PM UTC, David Horne wrote:

[]

If you're still reading, we're closer to an itinerary. No hotels booked



yet (availability seems fine) but probably Tel Aviv for the first 3



nights (we arrive on the Thursday and travel on the sabbath is



problematic) then fly to Eilat, but stay in Taba (Sinai) 3-4, then to



Jordan, finally to Jerusalem. So, St. Catherine's is definitely on the



list, then Petra and Wadi Rum. We're looking into staying in a tent at



Wadi Rum.

[]

Looks good - envy you! Taba's on the Egyptian border, of course. Nothing

there apart from a resort hotel or two (unless it's expanded since I was

last there). Eilat or Aqaba could have been more interesting, & the

distance differences are negligible. But your choice, of course.



We'll be in Taba Heights which is about 15km further south- yes, just

resorts but we wanted a few beach days and it made a slightly easier

base from which to St. Catherine's. We really didn't fancy either Eilat

or Aqaba... hope we made the right decision.



Around

the St. Catherine's area there's a delightful Wadi Gazella area if you can

persuade your guides to divert a little! When I was last at St.

Catherine's they were just starting to build a hotel complex nearby. I

assume that's finished now. Again, depending on your own tastes, that

could centre you amongst glorious desert scenery rather than in the less

dramatic coast resorts - but I'm getting subjective again! Above all,

enjoy! Look forward to hearing from you afterwards.



Many thanks!



D



--

(*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate

www.davidhorne.net (email address on website)

"[Do you think the world learned anything from the first

world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009)

Yep, fair enough. Your thinking is spot on.
It's just that isolated beach resort hotels are the last places we'd choose ourselves, but that's purely subjective.
Must admit we did drop down into them now and then to re-fill with safe water! :-))

One last thought - it's apparently 'the thing' to overnight at St. Catherine's (or leave your hotel xxxxxx early a.m.) and to climb Mount Sinai to see the dawn - not a vicious ascent, I'm told. I haven't done it, but if it appeals, your local guides will obviously advise.

Whatever, you've a great time ahead.