Cairo, the Capital of Lower Egypt, and an enormous city – with the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara, the Sphinx, and the wonderful Egyptian Museum. Also, vibrant bazaars, Old Coptic Cairo, Nile dinner cruises and the famous Gazira Sports Club.

Alexandria – gateway to the Mediterranean with a glorious past, but modern, cosmopolitan feel. Also gateway to the Nile Delta region

Memphis, ancient capital city, with its necropolis, and the pyramids of Dashur – off the traditional tourist trail and far quieter than Giza

Middle Egypt – usually passed by for those just doing Cairo and Upper Egypt, but for those with longer to spare the area has some fascinating tombs and temples.

Upper Egypt – the Egypt that everyone knows from the books and movies – with the great temple of Abu Simbel, the temples, Obelisks and tombs of Luxor, and smaller more accessible Aswan, for millennia the Egyptians’ gateway to Africa. Layer upon layer of history and sublime artifacts makes this area the highlight of a trip to Egypt, along with the Pyramids.

Western Desert – covers much of Egypt. Harsh and deserted there is spectacular desert scenery in the White and Black Deserts, and five famous oases in this land which symbolised death to the Ancient Egyptians. A quieter different side to Egypt.

Red Sea Coast from Suez to Sudan – an up and coming area for beach resorts offering year round sun and great diving and snorkeling.

Sinai – a harsh brutal desert peninsula famous for Mount Sinai and the ancient Monastery of Saint Catherine, Bedouin culture and stargazing, not to mention some of the best diving in the world.