Visit The Sinai Peninsula
At the heart of the peninsula is Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments were revealed to Moses. The mountain also overlooks the valley where Moses encountered the Burning Bush, and it was on this site that the Byzantine Empress, Helena, founded a monastery in 337 AD. The monastery was fortified against raiders, and dwindling numbers of monks received a boost when the remains of St Catherine, an early Christian martyr, were found nearby at the summit of Egypt’s highest mountain. Today the monastery is open to visitors who can admire the 6th century Church of St Catherine, the medieval monks’ quarters (still used) and a descendant of the Burning Bush. The dramatic location and preserved historical state of the monastery make a visit truly inspiring. It is best to spend a night here: this allows you to climb Mount Sinai and see the dawn if you wish, and also make the most of the short visiting hours at the monastery. There are two routes to the summit, the most punishing being the 3750 "Steps of Repentance", carved by a remorseful monk. It is also worth paying the extra local charge to see the monastery's collection of icons, some of which are both breathtakingly old and beautiful.