Egypt - Amazing five-star holiday

Think of Egypt and a mythical land steeped in history and plentiful with ancient treasures immediately springs to mind. However there is also so much more to this diverse and exciting country. Just five hours flying time from the UK. Egypt has everything; from its fantastic year-round climate and abundance of ancient sites to explore, to the modern resorts on the Red Sea Riviera with their unbelievably clear blue waters which provide spectacular snorkelling and diving opportunities.

In fact, Egypt's position as one of the world's top tourist destinations was guaranteed around 5,000 years ago, when a succession of ruling pharaohs built ever-increasingly impressive cities and structures the like of which weren't seen again until as recently as the 20th century. Today, the list of breathtaking ancient sites that are still standing today reads like a sightseer's dream.

Things to see and do

The Red Sea Riviera beaches are world-renowned, with long stunning stretches of golden sands that sweep down to the shimmering crystal-blue waters. But Egypt’s natural beauty doesn’t stop at the water’s edge; far from it, because below the water line this region has long been regarded as one of the world’s premier snorkelling and scuba-diving sites, with an underwater environment perfect for viewing brightly coloured fish and stunning coral reefs.

Sharm El Sheikh is the jewel in the Red Sea Riviera’s crown, with a countless number of glitzy casinos and clubs, a fantastic array of hotels for all budgets, and a central shopping area that can keep even the most dedicated shopaholic happy for days on end. In fact Sharm is an ideal place to try out your haggling skills, with excellent bargains to be had from the street markets and stalls - particularly if you’re looking for leather goods or locally-crafted ornaments.

Alternatively if haggling isn’t your thing, then take a refreshing stroll through the many modern air-conditioned shopping malls, where swish boutiques and glitzy department stores display a dazzling array of fashion lines and accessories.

10 of the best

1. Take a trip to Luxor's Karnak temple
2. Explore the Luxor Museum
3. Enjoy a cruise down the Nile
4. Book a day trip to Abu Simbel's rock-carved temples
5. Enjoy the sights and sounds of a bazaar
6. Be amazed in the Valley of the Kings
7. Be even more amazed in the Valley of the Monkeys
8. Take a desert safari by four wheel drive jeep
9. Take a desert safari by four footed camel!
10. Enjoy the sunset over the Nile, with a fruit cocktail or two