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If you want to make sure you start practicing on time for the Virgin London Marathon in april 2011, book your flights to Sharm now and take part in the half marathon that will be held the 5th of November 2010. The international event called SharMarathon will start at 9.00am in Sharm-El-Sheikh, and the route will lead runners and joggers through Ras Mohamed National Park. The 21.1 km long track passes by Hidden Bay, the salt lake and back to the coast by Yolanda Bay and features sand dunes, rough mountains and mangroves. Even if you're not in shape yet, you don't want to miss out on this stunning setting for a marathon route. If your family is not impressed with your time, just tell them you were distracted by the view.

Afterwards, the prize ceremony will be held in Sharm el-Maya (Old Sharm).The Old Market in Old Sharm is where you should go shopping if you intend to bring home dried herbs and spices, traditional carpets, Egyptian cotton clothes, leather bags or jewellery. These stall owners take pride in their work and try to deliver top quality products. However, a friendly attempt at haggling will often help you get a discount. If you're looking for oriental slippers or leather poufs, you're better off shopping in Na'ama.

After your dose of (watching) sports, you might find yourself longing for a hit of culture. Like everything in Sharm, culture goes hand in hand with gorgeous surroundings. For example, if you want to visit one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world, you should take a 90 minute trip from Na'ama over to the foot of Mount Sinai where you'll find St. Catherine's Monastery. This Greek Orthodox monastery is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but a highly spiritual place. It is said that Emperor Justinian ordered the monastery it to be built on this location between 527 and 565 because this is where Moses witnessed the burning bush. But even if the religious atmosphere eludes you, the site has plenty of other merits to keep you entertained, such as a library, working kitchens, a huge collection of early manuscripts, mosaics and the oldest icon to be preserved.

When you return to Sharm in the evening, you will find that the city really comes alive with its assortment of diners, discos, casinos and bars. There is a mind-bogglingly wide choice of restaurant including seafood places and traditional Egyptian eateries, as well as Italian, Lebanese, Indian, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese restaurants. No matter where you choose to dine in Sharm-el-Sheikh, good food can be enjoyed at a very low price.

You haven't properly experienced Egypt without having tasted the unique taste of the healthy local dishes. Egyptians cook their rice with a variety of nuts, onions, vegetables and sometimes meat. They serve this savoury rice with seafood such as squid, shrimp, scallops and eel, prepared in a variety of ways. Desserts, such as baklava and stuffed pancakes, are often drenched in honey syrup. Try the Turkish coffee here and ask for an arabica blend if you like your coffee a bit sweeter and more chocolaty than the traditional Turkish variety.