Why the Recession is Great News For Cheap Holidays
The ancient country of Egypt holds a fascination for most travellers, famed for its ancient civilisation and some of the most iconic images to ever seize the human imagination.
With its location on the edge of North Africa and the Middle East, it faces out on to the Mediterranean Sea, with the Red Sea to the east, and enjoys glorious sunshine and hot weather.
Many people taking Egypt holidays touch down first at the capital city Cairo, a lively place which is still one of the world's biggest cities - boasting a 10 million-strong population.
It has many attractions, the most famous of which are the Great Sphinx and the famous Pyramids of Giza.
However, it also has a wealth of bustling marketplaces and nightspots for the more adventurous tourist.
To the south lies the city of Luxor, a magnificent place steeped in history.
For visitors that want their Egypt holidays to be educational as well as enjoyable, the entire place is like a huge open-air museum, with ancient temples, statues and palaces in abundance.
One of the most famous attractions is the Karnak Temple, which is remarkably well-preserved and never fails to impress with its vast columns and walls decorated with friezes and thousands of hieroglyphics.
On the other bank of the River Nile lies the Valley of the Kings - a gigantic necropolis, featuring streets of spectacular tombs housing the remains of the ancient pharaohs.
The Nile is, and always has been, the heart of Egypt - bringing water, agriculture and trade to parts of the country that are otherwise isolated and parched.
A trip down the river is essential for most people visiting the Egypt for the first time.
As the boat winds its way along the river, there is a constant procession of villages and ancient monuments on the banks.
Egypt holidays are not just for aficionados of ancient history though.
As the Egyptian economy modernises and its tourism industry grows, there is a new generation of modern resorts aimed at the sun worshipper who wants to get away from it all.
The city of Sharm el-Sheikh is the most well known of these resorts.
The rugged and beautiful scenery, warm and dry climate 12 months a year and its lucky position as the intersection of a number of wonderful natural beaches, means that Sharm el-Sheikh is becoming an increasingly popular getaway.
The clear sea plays host to tourists enjoying water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving around its coral reefs, which house over 1,000 different species of fish.
All these factors have contributed to the city's success story, with the number of holiday resorts in the area increasing from just three in 1982 to some 91 by the start of this century.
With its location on the edge of North Africa and the Middle East, it faces out on to the Mediterranean Sea, with the Red Sea to the east, and enjoys glorious sunshine and hot weather.
Many people taking Egypt holidays touch down first at the capital city Cairo, a lively place which is still one of the world's biggest cities - boasting a 10 million-strong population.
It has many attractions, the most famous of which are the Great Sphinx and the famous Pyramids of Giza.
However, it also has a wealth of bustling marketplaces and nightspots for the more adventurous tourist.
To the south lies the city of Luxor, a magnificent place steeped in history.
For visitors that want their Egypt holidays to be educational as well as enjoyable, the entire place is like a huge open-air museum, with ancient temples, statues and palaces in abundance.
One of the most famous attractions is the Karnak Temple, which is remarkably well-preserved and never fails to impress with its vast columns and walls decorated with friezes and thousands of hieroglyphics.
On the other bank of the River Nile lies the Valley of the Kings - a gigantic necropolis, featuring streets of spectacular tombs housing the remains of the ancient pharaohs.
The Nile is, and always has been, the heart of Egypt - bringing water, agriculture and trade to parts of the country that are otherwise isolated and parched.
A trip down the river is essential for most people visiting the Egypt for the first time.
As the boat winds its way along the river, there is a constant procession of villages and ancient monuments on the banks.
Egypt holidays are not just for aficionados of ancient history though.
As the Egyptian economy modernises and its tourism industry grows, there is a new generation of modern resorts aimed at the sun worshipper who wants to get away from it all.
The city of Sharm el-Sheikh is the most well known of these resorts.
The rugged and beautiful scenery, warm and dry climate 12 months a year and its lucky position as the intersection of a number of wonderful natural beaches, means that Sharm el-Sheikh is becoming an increasingly popular getaway.
The clear sea plays host to tourists enjoying water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving around its coral reefs, which house over 1,000 different species of fish.
All these factors have contributed to the city's success story, with the number of holiday resorts in the area increasing from just three in 1982 to some 91 by the start of this century.
