Egypt Travel Guide

Egypt is perhaps best known as the home of the ancient Egyptian civilization, with its temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and - visible above all - its pyramids. Less well-known is Egypt's medieval heritage, courtesy of Coptic Christianity and Islam - ancient churches, monasteries and mosques punctuate the Egyptian landscape. Egypt stimulates the imagination of western tourists like few other countries and is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations world-wide.

Near Cairo you'll find the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara and the ancient capital at Memphis, while in Upper Egypt there's the Valley of the Kings; the temples at Luxor, Karnak, Deir el-Bahri (Hatshepsut), Edfu, Dendera, Kom Ombo and Philae; the awesome twin temples of Abu Simbel, and a wealth of vast statues, temples and monuments in between.

In fact, just when you think you've seen everything, the sands and seas give up some new wonder: a valley of golden mummies, Cleopatra's palace, a new cache of statues, or yet another tomb.

There's the promise of new man-made attractions, too - the foundation stone has just been laid for a huge new Egyptian museum near the Pyramids and a re-creation of the great library of ancient Alexandria is about to open.

Luxurious new resorts are being built alongside established tourist areas, ever-expanding the choice for holidaymakers.

For watersports, fantastic beaches and some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world, head for the Red Sea resorts - Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Nuweiba, Taba, Dahab and Marsa Alam.

Looking for adventure? The Sinai Peninsula offers the remote St Katherine's Monastery, site of Moses' Burning Bush, the Coloured Canyon, camel and jeep safaris and camping out in Bedouin-style tents. And if you really want to get off the beaten track, there are the oases of the Western Desert to explore.

But perhaps the country's best asset is its people: you'll find the Egyptians warm and welcoming whichever area you visit, and always keen to share their culture and incredible heritage.

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