Holidays in Egypt uncovered

The Egyptian tourist board has launched its new website to show-off the many attractions the north African country has to offer.

Visitors to the new site will be able to gather information on Egypt, such as its ancient structures, beaches and holiday resorts, before going on or booking their holiday.

When it comes to Egypt, the immediate thought that springs to mind is that of the Sphinx and pyramids. While there is much of ancient Egypt to explore, there are plenty of attractions in the country's beaches, nightlife and sporting facilities.

Some of Egypt's finest beaches can be found on the country's north coast, such as Agami, which neighbours Alexandria and opens out into the warm Mediterranean sea.

But there are plenty of sandy delights to be found around the famous Red Sea as well, which are favoured especially by snorkellers.

The Red Sea's technicolour coral reefs are a big draw, while the beaches of Marsa Alam and Taba also attract thousands of sun-seeking tourists every year.

Sports-wise, Egypt is a golfer's paradise, offering the unique opportunity to tee-off and hit a birdie in the shadow of the pyramids.

Popular golf courses include the 18-hole Dreamland Golf Resort in Cairo and the Royal Valley course in Luxor.

Indeed, Luxor has much to offer the visitor to Egypt. A sprawling mass of museums, tombs and temples, Luxor benefits from its positioning on the ruins of Thebes.

Holidays in Luxor provide the opportunity to visit the mazey Karnak Temple in the north, while the Temple of Luxor sits dramatically in the area's centre, with its well-preserved colonnaded courts.

And this is all before one has taken in the Valley of Kings, the most prolific area in Egypt for turning up important archaeological finds. A chamber for mummifying pharaohs was discovered there as recently as February this year.

Once visitors to Egypt have taken in the sights, relaxed on the beach or played a round of golf, there is a lively array of bars, nightclubs and restaurants to take in, provided you still have the energy.

Cairo is the place to be for the night-owl, with its myriad live-shows, casinos and discotheques, while for a more relaxed evening, there are endless coffee houses to kick back and relax in with a fruity, bubbly shisha pipe.

To see the Egyptian tourist board's new website, visit www.egypt.travel