Introduction

Although famed as the cradle of civilisation, Egypt is also one of the world’s oldest vacation spots. For 3,000 years people have flocked here to enjoy the year-round sunshine, warm hospitality, incredible value for money and convenient proximity to Europe.

The country’s biggest attractions are the astounding temples and relics of Egyptian antiquity. The pyramids of Giza are still magnificent thousands of years on from construction, and even though its nose is out of joint, the inscrutable Sphinx retains its beguiling quality. Although looted by grave robbers and over-zealous archaeologists over the centuries, the wealth of treasures rescued from the pyramids and exhibited in Cairo’s spectacular Museum of Antiquities is one of the most important collections of ancient artefacts on earth.

Egyptian life has always centred on the Nile, the source of life and irrigation for the vast majority of the population. Today feluccas (traditional dhows) offer short pleasure trips from Cairo while cruise ships travelling between Luxor and Aswan allow visitors to imagine the peaceful rhythms of traditional Egyptian life.

Away from the Nile, in the naturally irrigated oases of the Western Sahara, visitors can gain further insight into Egyptian life away from the influences of tourism. Egyptian people are renowned for their hospitality and irrepressible friendliness.

Cairo is one of the world’s great capital cities with 18 million inhabitants bringing together centuries old culture and ultra-modernism. Second-city Alexandria is less frenetic and more European in outlook but still offers plenty of Middle Eastern charm.

Further afield, Red Sea diving is a rapidly growing boom industry with low rates for learning divers and good quality visibility for exploring the richly coloured coral. Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh are ideal places to begin your diving holiday.

Quite simply Egypt is a spellbinding destination offering visitors a spectacular portfolio of sights and sounds ranging from the ancient splendour of the temples to the contemporary pleasures of diving and cruising.

Weather

Traditionally Egypt has been seen as a winter destination, with most visitors arriving between September and April. At this time of year, Cairo and Lower Egypt (the area towards the Mediterranean) are pleasantly cool, with average maximum temperatures in the low twenties celsius.

Upper Egypt (around Aswan and Luxor) tends to be a few degrees warmer, but still very pleasant. There may be some rain in Lower Egypt, but it is light and sporadic.

The summer season from May to September is very hot and best avoided, especially in Upper Egypt where temperatures can hit 50C.

Average Weather Guide:

Temperature in Degrees Centigrade

Rainfall in Millimetres

The tables above are intended as guidelines only.