Egypt is considered the cradle of civilization, the beacon of religion and the gateway to Africa. Cairo is the foremost capital on the African continent and lies at the centre of all routes leading both to and from, the capitals of the three continents; Asia, Africa and Europe.

Egypt however, is much more than Pyramids and monuments. It is also Red Sea scuba diving, hot night spots, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises down the Nile on festive river boats, a night at the grand opera and it is a cultural experience like none you have ever experienced. Egypt is a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and excitement. More than anything else, we want you to think of Egypt as exhilarating. For thousands of years, it has been the playground of emperors and kings, and we hope you will take the time to find out why.


Cairo
Prepare to be amazed, overwhelmed and fall in love, all at the same time. Chaotic, jam-packed with cars tooting their way through the traffic, filled with people milling this way and that, Cairo is an exciting and beguiling city in which to spend a few days. There are few other cities in the world that can claim such ancient sights such as the pyramids and sphinx, which by the way, have to be your first stop in Cairo.

Back in the city, the Egyptian Museum is a must. Home to a mind-boggling collection of pharaonic artefacts, it’s best seen with a guide who will pick out the best bits for you.

The Citadel – a Crusader-style fortress dating from the 1200s – almost passes for modern in this ancient city. Go inside to visit the stunning alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. If at any point you’re flagging you’ll find respite in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where you can buy anything from t-shirts and papyrus to jewellery, carpets and perfume. Haggle before buying – it’s all part of the fun.

Luxor
Luxor is situated some 340 miles along the Nile from Cairo and is endowed with more than its fair share of ancient sights. The main reason to visit is for the temples and tombs of the pharaohs. In the town itself is the mighty Temple of Karnak, a magnificent structure with a giant hypostyle hall (Agatha Christie fans will recognise it from the film Death on the Nile) with 134 massive columns. A little way down from Karnak is Luxor Temple, worth a visit for its statues and hieroglyphics.

Across the Nile, on the river’s West Bank, is the Valley of the Kings, where you can climb down into the tomb chambers. KV2, built for Ramses IV, and KVII, where Ramses III was buried, are among the best. The bodies and treasures have long gone, but the colourful frescoes have survived the weathering of centuries.

Also on the West Bank are the Colossi of Memnon – two giant statues sitting in a field, sole survivors of a temple destroyed over the years by numerous earthquakes – and the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Aswan
Aswan is beautiful, with fabulous views across the desert from the left bank of the river. A tour will usually include a visit to the unfinished obelisk to see how the huge granite stones were cut, the High Dam and Kitchener’s Garden, but the highlight is the Temple of Philae, set on an incredibly picturesque island.

If time in Aswan allows take an excursion to the Temple of Abu Simbel, about three hours’ drive away. An early start is rewarded by the sight of four 60-foot statues of Ramses II guarding his temple, which was moved to escape rising water levels when the Aswan Dam was built.

Nile cruises
Cruise boats sail from Luxor to Aswan or vice-versa in three or four nights, or from Luxor to Aswan and back in seven nights. Whichever option you choose you’ll get to take in the top sights in Luxor, a host of temples en route up or down river and still have time to relax and watch riverside life go by.

Red Sea
If Classical Egypt is all about history and culture, the Red Sea is all about fun in the sun – above and below the water. Twenty years ago the area was little more than a desert; today there are resorts big and small with top-class hotels at prices that won’t break the bank – all good for snorkellers or scuba divers or those simply looking for some relaxing winter sun.
The region splits into two areas. Sharm el-Sheikh and a host of smaller resorts are in the Sinai while Hurghada and some smaller resorts are located on the west bank of the Red Sea, on the ‘Egyptian mainland’