It is easy to forget that Egypt is part of Africa, but in the north east of the continent it has played an important role for over 4500 years and is home to Africa's most iconic river, the Nile. Its flood plains create a narrow ribbon of fertile land running north to south where 99% of Egypt's population live.
Cairo, its capital, may at first seem relentless, but welcomes you when you enter its back streets of bustling markets, coffee houses and local neighbourhoods. Cairo's Egyptian Museum, Khan al Khalili bazaar, Citadel, mosques and of course Giza Pyramids and Sphinx offer plenty to enjoy.
Further south, along the Nile is Luxor, ancient Thebes, that the pharaohs once made their capital and built enormous temples to appease the gods. Many still stand today, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Menidat Habu, Ramesseum and dramatic Hatshepsut's Temple. Many pharaohs were buried in deep decorated tombs in nearby Valley of the Kings on and this is where Tutankhamen was famously discovered in the 1920s. One of the best ways to enjoy the Nile and antiquities in Luxor is in a hot air balloon.
Laid back Aswan is gateway to the south deserts of ancient Nubia. Discover Nubian culture in Aswan's museums and villages. The Old Dam and current High Dam are worth visiting, holding back Lake Nasser and creating an artificial lake where the island temple of Philae can be visited by boat.
Aswan is also jumping off point for a 2 night cruise on the Nile. Enjoy a luxury cruise boat or a traditional felucca sailboat with friendly Nubian crew and sleep under the stars.
The Western Desert offers oases, old fortified desert towns and the beautiful sand, rock and chalk formations in the White Desert. Alexandria on the northern coast is a breezy, meditteranean city with pharonic, roman and colonial influences and a thriving, forward thinking population.
To the east you hit the Red Sea, a playground for snorkellers, divers and sun-seekers. On the Sinai Peninsular at Dahab, there's the added bonus of jeep safaris, Bedouin culture and famous St Catherine's Monastery, below Mount Sinai. Climb this for magnificent panoramic views at sunrise and sunset.