The Egypt of today is a fascinating mixture of ancient and modern, rustic and contemporary, from the hustle and bustle of Cairo to the serenity of the outlying desert and the gentle shores of the Red Sea; there are plenty of reasons to consider an Egypt and Red Sea holiday as the perfect getaway.

There are far too many places to mention of historical interest in the Egypt and Red Sea area, but the pyramids near Cairo and the wonderful city of Luxor are the must see attractions for most people.

In Cairo visit the pyramids and see the only remaining example of the seven wonders of the ancient world, truly a breath-taking sight to behold in the early dawn. Luxor, built on the site of ancient Thebes, boasts the incredible Temple of Karnak and conjures up a fascinating insight into the Egypt of antiquity.

If the pyramids are one of the wonders of world, the fantastic coral reefs and turquoise waters of the Red Sea are most certainly an underwater wonder in their own right. Backed by desert landscapes and rocky red mountains the beaches of the Red Sea attract sun worshippers and water lovers all year round.

On the northern shoreline of Egypt lies the Mediterranean Coast, a relative newcomer on the Egyptian holiday scene yet one that’s aiming to rival Sharm el Sheikh in popularity. Over 500km of sands vie for your attention and as you’d expect in such an ancient country, the city of Alexandria provides the history lesson and it’s easy to see why it’s known as the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean.’

Did you know? It is believed, but not confirmed, that the Sphinx guarding the Pyramids at Giza, lost its nose due to an act of vandalism by an Islamic clerk in 1378.