Egypt has everything, from fantastic ancient history to delicious food; a vibrant culture, a buzzing city life and some historically awesome scenery. Whether you want sun, sea and sand, or art, architecture and Arabic lessons there's sure to be something here for you. Now all you need to think about is booking those flights and getting hold of your travel insurance.



To move onto more exciting topics, however, here's a quick rundown of a few things you may or may not know about some of Egypt's hotspots and highlights:

Sharm El Sheikh: One of the reasons for the city's speedy return as a holiday hotspot following the attacks of 2005 is the immense coral reef situated on the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in an area where the water is marvellously clear. These perfect conditions, coupled with the wonderful weather, have made Sharm El Sheikh one of the world's most prized locations for scuba diving, with pros and amateurs flocking to this coast every year to try their hand at the sport.

Cairo: Several of the world's most famous mosques are to be found within Cairo, resting alongside the vast and breathtaking remains of the polytheistic culture of the ancients, most famously the great pyramids in Giza and the Sphinx. Of course, the Ottoman Empire also had a somewhat hefty hand in developing the Egyptian capital as it stands today. So whether you choose to visit the Islamic Quarter or the Ancient Capital of Lower Egypt, Athribis, it seems likely that Egypt will be able to proffer up something substantial with which to quench your cultural thirst.

Alexandria: Many of Alexandria's main attractions, like many of the Egyptian cities, hark back to ancient days and the rule of the Pharaohs. For many years it seemed that Alexandria was indeed the centre for intellectual progression within the ancient world, but its notability declined in later years, as Napoleon remarks that when he moored there he found only a simple fishing village. Nowadays it is bustling and vibrant, a haven for the culture vulture but also for those enjoy the hedonistic pleasures of modern city life.

Cuisine: Traditional meat dishes include the kebab and kofta, both of which are usually made with lamb grilled over charcoals for a special smoky flavour. Shawerma is the Egyptian equivalent of the sandwich, featuring shredded meat and traditional tahini sauce (an oil paste of sesame seeds) rolled up in a flat bread. Falafel and traditional eastern mezze dishes also feature heavily on Egyptian menus.

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To move onto more exciting topics, however, here's a quick rundown of a few things you may or may not know about some of Egypt's hotspots and highlights:

Sharm El Sheikh: One of the reasons for the city's speedy return as a holiday hotspot following the attacks of 2005 is the immense coral reef situated on the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in an area where the water is marvellously clear. These perfect conditions, coupled with the wonderful weather, have made Sharm El Sheikh one of the world's most prized locations for scuba diving, with pros and amateurs flocking to this coast every year to try their hand at the sport.

Cairo: Several of the world's most famous mosques are to be found within Cairo, resting alongside the vast and breathtaking remains of the polytheistic culture of the ancients, most famously the great pyramids in Giza and the Sphinx. Of course, the Ottoman Empire also had a somewhat hefty hand in developing the Egyptian capital as it stands today. So whether you choose to visit the Islamic Quarter or the Ancient Capital of Lower Egypt, Athribis, it seems likely that Egypt will be able to proffer up something substantial with which to quench your cultural thirst.

Alexandria: Many of Alexandria's main attractions, like many of the Egyptian cities, hark back to ancient days and the rule of the Pharaohs. For many years it seemed that Alexandria was indeed the centre for intellectual progression within the ancient world, but its notability declined in later years, as Napoleon remarks that when he moored there he found only a simple fishing village. Nowadays it is bustling and vibrant, a haven for the culture vulture but also for those enjoy the hedonistic pleasures of modern city life.

Cuisine: Traditional meat dishes include the kebab and kofta, both of which are usually made with lamb grilled over charcoals for a special smoky flavour. Shawerma is the Egyptian equivalent of the sandwich, featuring shredded meat and traditional tahini sauce (an oil paste of sesame seeds) rolled up in a flat bread. Falafel and traditional eastern mezze dishes also feature heavily on Egyptian menus.

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