Egypt

The Egyptian Red Sea offers some of the world's best scuba diving with superb visibility, countless varieties of hard and soft coral, and incredibly diverse underwater topography. The coastline boasts some spectacular wall and shipwreck dive destinations. The Red Sea has abundant and diverse fish life including various types of grouper, stingray, parrotfish, angelfish, butterfly fish and turtles. The comfortable water temperature (64 to 79°F/18 to 26°C) means that diving is popular year-round. However, visitors should note that outside temperatures can reach 104°F (40°C) in July and August which is anything but comfortable for some, even on a beach holiday.The Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab are popular bases for divers. Situated near the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, they offer easy access to some of the best dive locations, including Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran. Other resorts popular with divers and snorkellers are Hurghada, El Gouna, Taba Heights and Makadi Bay. Although the Sinai region has become dangerous for tourists the main resorts are still safe. Travellers are advised to be very cautious when travelling outside of these resort areas.

There is no better way to discover Egypt than aboard a Nile cruise as nearly all the country's major attractions are situated along the river. Cruises take visitors past ancient Egyptian sites such as the Temple of Karnak, the main place of worship in Theban times, and the West Bank's Valley of the Kings, home to the Tomb of Tutankhamun and Ramses II, Colossi of Memnon and Hatshepsut's Temple. A Nile cruise is a truly unique and luxurious way to discover and explore the land of the Pharaohs.On-board most cruise liners, guests will find fantastic amenities in the way of opulent cabins, banqueting halls, lounge bars and swimming pools. Exquisite food and outstanding service come standard on these river vessels, reminiscent of 'moving hotels', and visitors will find it easy to sit back and enjoy this unique sightseeing experience.Most voyages are between Aswan and Luxor, where disembarking passengers can explore local markets, visit the papyrus museum and traditional perfume shops of Luxor, or dine on the exotic cuisine of Egyptian restaurants. There are also opportunities to witness rural Egyptian lifestyle while the boat is moving between tourist destinations.There are various Nile cruise operators offering top-class trips through Upper Egypt, as well as package deals including flights, hotel accommodation, guided tours and, of course, the cruise. A smaller sail boat, known as a Felucca, is a cheaper option for cruising the Nile River. The best time to cruise is from October to May when the weather is a bit cooler.