Egypt

Egypt is situated in the northeast of Africa, linking the continent with the Middle East. It is bisected by the famous River Nile that runs the length of the country. It also offers access to the beautiful waters of the Red Sea, famed for the incredible variety of marine life. Its most famous historical monuments are located on the banks of the River Nile, including the famous pyramids, the Great Sphinx and the temple of Karnak. Its capital, Cairo, is situated on the Nile and lies just a few kilometres from the pyramids above. It is a large country with a population of more than 95 million.

The weather in Egypt varies from surprisingly cold to very hot. This desert-like weather means there is little rain, and visitors need to be more concerned about the sun’s heat. Inland places like Cairo and Luxor can get very hot during the summer months, with temperatures that regularly exceed 30 degrees. The same is true of the coast, though there, visitors can cool off in the azure waters of the Red Sea. The best times to visit are April and May, and September and November, when it is hot without being extremely hot.

The country’s history is long and rich, dating back further than that of most countries. It is intrinsically linked to the fertile land around the River Nile, with the Ancient Egyptians realising that if they planted their crops close to it, then they would grow thanks to its regular floods. This made the Egyptians richer and more powerful than the vast majority of societies in the ancient world, allowing them to build many of the incredible monuments they are now famous for. Egyptians created a language in the form of hieroglyphics and built incredible monuments to their pharaohs, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the only remaining ancient wonder of the world. Egypt was eventually conquered in 330 BC by Alexander the Great and came under the influence of his Ptolemy following the wars of the successors. They ruled for the next 300 years, with the last and most famous in the dynasty being Cleopatra, who charmed both Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. By then, Egypt was a Roman protectorate, a state of affairs that lasted until the end of the empire, after which it fell under Arab rule following the Muslim conquests. It then passed to the Ottomans, then to the British Empire, before gaining independence.

Its varied history influenced by the many places that it has either controlled or been controlled by has played a huge part in its gastronomy. It has been famed since ancient times for its ability to produce cereals, with bread and rice crucial to the Egyptian diet up until this day. The most popular dish is Koshary, which is made out of rice, macaroni and lentils and is coated in a special tomato sauce. Ful Mudamas is also very popular and combines a variety of beans that are mixed with spices and other things. Fiteer is Egypt’s version of pizza, where they layer filo pastry on top of each other and can be ordered either sweet or savoury depending on your preference; Ful wa Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel), the Egyptian version of fast food; Kushari, a dish that contains pasta, rice, humous and beans all cooked together; Kabab wa kofta (Grilled meats), served with Mediterranean garnishes and a whole host of other delicious dishes. No trip to Egypt would be complete without tasting Falafel, which is best enjoyed with bread and can be bought from many street vendors throughout the country.

With a plethora of incredible family activities the younger members of the family are sure to enjoy exploring. Foremost of these are the vast array of amazing historical sites, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Temple of Karnak and many, many more. Young children are also sure to enjoy the Ancient Egypt Museum in Cairo, which houses an incredible range of exhibits, including the famous Tutankhamun burial mask and mummies. The coastal area offers a myriad of great watersports and is famed for the quality of its snorkelling, making it ideal for active families who want to spend time on the beach.

Its nightlife is generally very good, considering it is a relatively strict Muslim country. However, visitors should always be mindful that many local people do not consume alcohol. The best nightlife is generally found along the coast, with places like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh especially famous for their high-quality clubs. In Cairo, some districts have fantastic nightlife, whereas in others, there are no bars or clubs in sight.

No trip to Egypt would be complete without a visit to one of the many fantastic bazaars, where shoppers will find a chaotic mix of shops selling anything that you could ever want. The most famous of these is the Khan El Khalili Market in Cairo, a 500-year-old maze selling everything under the sun. Cairo and coastal towns like Sharm El Sheikh also have plenty of international stores selling goods from around the world, ensuring there is something for everyone to buy in Egypt. Haggling over the price of a good is common in Egypt, and the majority of shops won’t expect you to pay full price (although they won’t complain if you do). As a general rule, you should aim to pay around 70% of the asking price and not offer lower than 50%.

There is no limit to the number of fascinating places and world-famous monuments to see in Egypt. At the top of the list are the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The scale and stature of these man-made marvels never cease to amaze. Visit Karnak to pore over the intricate hieroglyphs from one of mankind’s earliest written languages carved along the circumference of 134 massive columns. The tombs and chambers in the Valley of the Kings are also adorned with intricate inscriptions that reveal the somewhat macabre funerary rituals of the time. The Egyptian Museum and its Royal Mummy Room are must-sees for visitors to Cairo. Of course, Egypt is also home to breathtaking landscapes, such as the Siwa Oasis and the Red Sea coastline, that offer great activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Cruising from Luxor to Aswan and back again, you will have the chance to explore some of Egypt’s most important sites, including the Valley of the Kings, Philae Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple and the Aswan High Dam. All our Cruises include excursions and are full board, with meals provided; the only extra cost you need to allow for is drinks. Below is a sample seven-night itinerary. Shorter itineraries of three and four nights are also available, and additional excursions, including the Luxor and Aswan Sound & Light Show and Abu Simbel, can be pre-booked via our Reservations team.

It’s hard to find a better place to dive than the Red Sea. Add to that the region’s year-round sunny climate, high-quality accommodation, and an array of activities on land and in the water, and you can see why divers and tourists alike flock here year after year. The friendly locals are always ready to extend a warm welcome, and for UK divers, it’s all a mere 5-hour flight away. Easily accessible dive sites, excellent underwater visibility, and the calm waters in parts of the region make ideal conditions for learning to dive. At the same time, qualified divers will find plenty of excitement on the more challenging sites, such as the SS Thistlegorm wreck and the Ras Mohammed National Park.

Since the first course opened in Egypt in the late 19th century, golf has continued to grow in popularity with courses peppered along the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and the Sinai coasts. Courses on the Red Sea and Sinai coastlines offer stunning vistas as a backdrop to your game, and there are courses to suit all tastes and all standards. Whether you’re racking up the hole-in-ones or would love to learn but have barely touched a putter in your life, our Egypt golf holidays will delight fans of the sport. Cyplon Holidays has extensive experience arranging golf holidays in Egypt and will help you find the best course to enjoy a round and perfect your swing.