| The summer just doesn't feel right without trips to the | | | | the bounty of beaches are used all year round and the |
| beach, endless barbeques and noticeable tan lines, but | | | | waters have been discovered by enthusiastic scuba |
| once again the British climate has failed to provide the | | | | divers and snorkelers to be among the finest in the |
| appropriate conditions. Many will write off the year as | | | | world. |
| a waste, but others will be looking for holidays abroad | | | | Another popular Egyptian destination is its capital and |
| to take in some much-needed autumn sun. | | | | largest city, Cairo. Being diverse as it is, Cairo offers a |
| Whilst many nearby European countries will suffer the | | | | great deal for tourists. Landmarks such as the Cairo |
| same fate - or at least have the courtesy to wait until | | | | Tower - a free-standing concrete tower that stands |
| after the summer to have their cold spells - nations on | | | | at 187 metres - and the Hanging Church - which dates |
| the northern edge of Africa, which are still reachable | | | | back to around 3AD - offer great sights for tourists to |
| with a flight of only a few hours, enjoy sunshine all | | | | visit. Africa's major river, the Nile, flows through Cairo |
| year long. Booking an autumn break to one of these | | | | and is something that should be seen - at least in part - |
| countries is often beneficial for Britons who might fail to | | | | by anyone visiting the country. Of course, the Great |
| cope with a genuine July sun - Egypt, for example, | | | | Pyramid of Giza is around 9 miles away and no trip to |
| sees average temperatures of around 32o C during | | | | Egypt is complete without seeing the traditional |
| the summer months which drops off to a cooler, but | | | | monuments. |
| still balmy, average of 24o C in September and | | | | Egypt is replete with locations of historic significance, |
| October. This is mainly thanks to the number of hours | | | | and the cities of Luxor and Aswan form part of many |
| of sunshine in the country - even the cooler months | | | | Nile river cruise holidays. Aswan is famous for its stone |
| (such as November and February, both of which see | | | | quarries, which provided the building materials for many |
| 8 hours each day) are better off than the UK's | | | | of Egypt's landmarks, including the Pyramids, and the |
| summer. | | | | city nowadays is the major travel hub of the south of |
| Tourists are also catching on to the fact that Egypt | | | | Egypt. |
| has more to offer than the iconic monuments that are | | | | Luxor, on the other hand, is situated atop the site of |
| known the world over - the Pyramids and the Sphinx - | | | | the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes and has frequently |
| but also provide the perfect place to go and relax. | | | | been referred to as the 'world's greatest open air |
| Whilst barbeques don't fit in with the local cuisine, there | | | | museum'; the ruins of the temple complexes of Luxor |
| are plenty of beaches and the opportunity to get a | | | | and Karnak stand within the modern city surroundings. |
| holiday tan is always available. | | | | Nearby, across the Nile and forming part of the West |
| One place that is becoming increasingly popular is | | | | Bank (also referred to as Theban) Necropolis lies the |
| Sharm el-Sheikh, which is found on the coastal strip | | | | Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, as well |
| between the Red Sea and Mount Sinai. Previously | | | | as numerous temples and monuments, which draw |
| used primarily as a port, environmental restrictions | | | | thousands of visitors each year. |
| have had a huge effect on commercial shipping and | | | | So, while it may seem as if the British skies are trying |
| tourism has taken over as lead industry. As a result, | | | | to thwart your attempts to bronze yourself, booking |
| Sharm el-Sheikh is now a beach resort and is home to | | | | Egypt holidays for you and your loved ones could help |
| a large number of hotels, restaurants bars and | | | | you forget about the dismal weather back home and |
| shopping opportunities, which range from malls to local | | | | leave you with memories of an incredible culture that |
| souks. What's more, with rain rarely clouding the sky, | | | | will last a lifetime. |