A family holiday from Cairo to the Coast

Sprawling, consuming and bursting with life, there are many facets to Cairo. Most famous for the iconic pyramids of Giza, standing like mysterious sentinels just beyond the city limits, you'll almost certainly want to visit either on a walking or horseback tour, before ending with private dinner under the stars. Back in the city, dive into the religious history on a stroll amongst Coptic churches and grand mosques, including the oldest in Africa, Ibn Tulum, and get to know Pharaonic Egypt at the Great Egyptian Museum: it houses over 120,000 exhibits including Tutankhamun's famous gold mask. As for souvenirs, the Khan el-Khalili souq has everything you could possibly hope to squeeze into your suitcase.

One of Ancient Egypt's most prominent cities, Luxor is a treasure trove of historic and cultural relics. Split between the West and East Bank, the highlights are many and the city is regarded as one of the greatest open-air museums on Earth. Venture to the sprawling Valley of the Kings, a maze of intricately-painted tombs (including Tutankhamun's), and wake early to visit the formidable Colossi of Memnon at sunrise. Across the river, the ancient Karnak Complex is an incredible collection of temples and obelisks. If you fancy a different perspective, enjoy a felucca sail or hot air balloon ride above this fascinating corner of Egypt.

At first, you could be on a beach in Greece... and then you spot the mosques and camel trains, and the magic of Hurghada is revealed. Beneath the clear, calm waters, there are almost 500 species of coral in surreal formations, ready to explore on diving and snorkelling excursions. A highlight is the Dolphin House Reef where aquatic mammals birth their young. For the really adventurous, night dives are also available. Take the time to laze on the beach (at some resorts, you'll have the sand all to yourself), before tucking into Hurghada's fabulous seafood. If there's a few hours left over, explore the desert on camel or quad bike, or peruse Old Hurghada's bizarre bazaars.