In the 5th century BC Herodotus wrote of Egypt that 'nowhere are there so many marvellous things...nor in the world besides are to be seen so many things of unspeakable greatness' - and not too much has changed. The Sphinx, the Nile, ancient Luxor, the pyramids - Egypt's scope is glorious.
It's not just the Pharaonic monuments that have drawn travellers to this country since long before the birth of Christ - it's the legacy of the Greeks, Romans and early Christians, and the profusion of art and architecture accumulated from centuries of successive Islamic dynasties.
With an impressive history dating back over 5000 years, and enormous enigmatic pyramids and other monuments to its grand past, Egypt offers a very different type of tourist experience.
But there's more to Egypt than 'just' its history. Resorts on its coasts take advantage of its warm sunny climate, providing another reason to consider Egypt for a vacation.
Visiting Egypt is like traveling through time, with stops at some of the most remarkable milestones of history. One of the oldest civilization on the planet, this self-proclaimed "mother of the world" was first unified under one king more than 6,000 years ago. In that time, Egypt has been ruled by Pharaohs and Romans, Turkish khedives and Muslim caliphs, British and French colonizers, all of who left their unique marks on the country and its people.
But Egypt is much more than its capital, boasting spectacular Pharaonic monuments in Upper Egypt, to world-class diving in the Red Sea and Biblical landmarks in the Sinai desert. More importantly, Egyptians are friendly, generous hosts who have been entertaining tourists for centuries. So whether you opt for the archaeology tour or a relaxing beach getaway, expect to be charmed by the sights and the people.