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Egypt by Dale Nolan

Historic and bedazzling Egypt is a land that needs little introduction and has been readily attracting visitors for thousands of years. Home to one of the oldest civilisations on the planet and blessed with its only surviving Ancient Wonder, Africa and Arabia’s brightest star is a fascinating and chaotic destination, which defies all superlatives. Exotic and mysterious; unforgettable; majestic and monumental - the list goes on. But one thing everyone agrees on is that this incredible nation has much to offer. With bustling cities and palm-fringed oases, awesome temples and pyramids, stunning beaches and reef and the sparkling, felucca-flecked Nile, modern Egypt is a difficult destination to top and perfectly placed for relaxation and exploration alike.

Egypt’s history is a tale as long as its river and it quickly matured into the planet’s first nation state. In around 3000BC, Narmer – the nation’s first Pharaoh – united the peoples of upper and lower Egypt and established its first capital at Memphis. Over the next three thousand years, over twenty royal dynasties ruled over the region building great temples, pyramids and monuments to worship their gods heralding a rich period of development, which eventually inspired and consumed the Greeks and Romans that came later. By the Seventh century, Egypt was overwhelmed by successive waves of Turkish and Arabic forces resulting in a switch to Islam. During the Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries, Egypt fell under French and then British control and didn’t regain its independence until a fiery coup in 1952 resulted in the creation of the new Republic of Egypt.

Today, this fascinating nation can be partitioned into three main focal points – busy Cairo, the breathtaking Nile and the super modern resorts of Egypt’s captivating Red Sea Riviera.

Cairo is the republic’s unequivocal capital and has long been one of Africa and the Middle East’s busiest and most important cities. Boasting a cacophony of sights and experiences and awash with faded Arabic charm, the city has been a mecca for visitors for centuries. The capital boasts medieval districts and alleyways, colourful souqs and traditional awha cafes, beautiful mosques and churches, pleasant riverside walks and is within touching distance of the country’s most famous ancient sites. The most memorable places to take in during a trip to the capital include the beautiful Al-Azhar Mosque, the stunning panoramas of the Citadel and the fabulous Egyptian Museum – an Aladdin’s cave of curiosities and priceless antiquities.

Yet Cairo’s premier draw remains the awe-inspiring Great Pyramids of Giza, which lie a just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lying at the edge of baking desert, these world-renowned stone monuments are an impressive and unforgettable testament to the ingenuity of the Pharaohs and the past glories of Egypt. For the perfect experience of them, enjoy a Camel ride at sunset or squeeze onto one of the many escorted tours through the striking Pyramid of Khufu taking in the now iconic Sphinx statue.

Other areas to explore within the climes of Cairo include the historic bars, catacombs and colonial charm of Alexandria, the early Egyptian remains of Saqqara and Dahshur, the World War Two Allied cemetery at El Alamein and the pleasant, relaxing waterways of the fertile Nile Delta.

Stretching south from the Delta and cutting a lush path through the heart of the nation is the world’s longest river, the breathtaking Nile. For many writers, visitors and historians, the river is Egypt - and this isn’t far from the truth. For five thousands years, Egyptian culture has developed alongside it and some of the country’s most wondrous monuments of old and new occupy the green banks of the Nile.

Snaking nearly seven thousand kilometres from its origins in Ethiopia to the Mediterranean, the impressive Nile sparkles with life and the images of felucca sailboats dressed in white gliding past palm groves and historic monuments conjures images of bygone days. A relaxed cruise along the sublime Nile reveals a host of attractions including the breathtaking ruins of Ramses’ Great Temple, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, lovely Aswan with its superb Nubian Museum and the refreshing shores of Lake Nasser.

For something a little different, head west from the Nile and visit the deliciously cool oases of Al-Fayoum and Farafra, which offer the chance to sleep under palm trees and stars, eat freshly picked dates and take in the strange formations and sand dune landscapes of the nation’s endless desert country.

Despite the lure of the Nile and the cool Oases of the west, the nation’s premier visitor attractions now lies along the turquoise waters of the Red Sea and Sinai Peninsula.

Over the last two decades, Egypt has taken advantage of its great climate, white sands and colourful reefs and has established a series of luxury coastal resorts - such as Sharm El-Sheikh, Na’ama Bay, Dahab and Hurghada - and this now make up Egypt’s much-loved Red Sea Riviera.

The nation’s stunning Riviera offers outstanding opportunities for active and relaxing stays and is bathed in the eternal glow of the Egyptian sun. Most people come to the resorts to lie on its idyllic, white beaches but there is much more to see here. Some of the great excursions on offer from the resorts include Bedouin camel trips, desert jeep safaris and guided tours of mangroves and the biblical Mount Sinai. But the greatest attraction by far is the crystal clear waters and coral reefs of the mesmerising Ras Mohammed National Park. Spread across the Red Sea, this beautiful marine park offers some of the most spectacular and exhilarating diving and snorkelling to be found anywhere on the planet and includes sheer coral walls, shipwrecks and a myriad of rainbow-flecked fish providing a fitting climax to any stay in the nation.

Timeless Egypt is a treasure trove of adventure and wondrous sights and has long remained in the hearts and souls of its visitors. From its vibrant mix of Egyptian, Bedouin and Nubian cultures to its familiar images of belly-dancing, long-dead kings and sweeping sands, Egypt’s popularity is as unquenchable now as it has ever been making it truly one of the world’s premier destinations.