Life Overseas

People have been taking holidays in Egypt for many years, a few thousand of them actually, and for very good reason. Not many countries can offer the world’s longest river as a day trip, or the only remaining original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as an excursion. Where else will you see 4000 year old ancient temples, standing majestically as the sun breathtakingly rises and sets behind them? Modern technology has permitted light shows to enhance the natural beauty of mighty tombs, and the hypnotic call to prayer seems to play endlessly in the background.

So powerful is the archaeological heritage of this magnificent country that its physical beauty is sometimes overshadowed. The stark white deserts and stunning red mountains of the Sinai Peninsula are just a hint of the beautiful colours you can expect to see in the underwater world that opens up beneath the sparkling Red Sea.

The magnificent River Nile flows from Africa up through Egypt and out into the Mediterranean Sea and has been the life blood of Egypt since early civilizations began. Ancient Egyptians relied on the river to survive, and lived possibly quite unaware that they were helping to develop a land that would attract people to take holidays in Egypt for many many years to come. The papyrus they created from reeds growing along the banks is still made and used today, mainly as souvenirs but hundreds of Egyptians still make their living this way, despite methods probably being slightly more advanced.

You can take a wonderful cruise along the great river, stopping off at many fascinating places including the Aswan Dam, Esna, the Valley of the Kings and the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. You are usually accompanied by an Egyptologist who will enthral you with fascinating myths, stories and facts at every stage of your journey, making sure you get the full benefit from everything you are seeing.

A trip to Cairo would be the perfect excursion. The capital of Egypt and largest city in North Africa, its close proximity to the Pyramids at Giza place it firmly on many tourists’ itineraries.  It is a city full of noise and colour, a perfect blend of old and new and a ‘must see’ on all holidays in Egypt, just like the Pyramids. Their beauty is breathtaking and it’s hard to imagine how these huge structures were erected without modern machinery and tools.

Many people prefer the natural beauty though and spend their holidays in Egypt relaxing on one of the many fine beaches in the Red Sea region. Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh and Taba are the major resorts here, all with superb beaches and wonderful diving and snorkelling opportunities. The coral reefs, shipwrecks and amazing aquatic life that live beneath the surface here are something to really behold and even if you have never dived before, there are plenty of PADI instructors to get you started.

In the north of Egypt on the Mediterranean coast is the beautiful resort of Marsa Matruh, one of the oldest cities in Egypt yet relatively new to the package holidays world, its 7km of sandy beaches and stunning sheltered bay will ensure it becomes a firm favourite when looking for holidays in Egypt.

From the ancient to the modern, no other country on earth can offer the diversity that holidays in Egypt provide today, and probably will for the next 4000 years.