Egypt is probably still considered one of life’s great luxury holidays, even though the price of accommodation and flights has drastically reduced in recent years.

Luxor is a real must-see destination if you’re planning a trip to Egypt.  The city of Luxor stands on the banks of the river Nile.  Just four miles over the bridge up river from Luxor is the Valley of the Kings, where the kings of Egypt were buried.  The last king to have built his tomb here was Ramesses XI, although it is not proved whether he used it.  There are a total of 62 tombs that have been discovered in the valley, including that of King Tut, although not all the tombs belong to kings, despite the name.

The most famous tomb, and the one most people have heard of, is that of Tutankamen, discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter, a British archaeologist.  Most other tombs had already been looted a long time ago, so this one was a notable find.

The chambers are a fabulous sight.  Floor-to-ceiling images decorate the chambers to show the king’s soul a guide to the afterlife.  These images are based on the Book of the Dead, the amduat and the Litany of Re.

The tombs open at 6am, so arrive early if you wish to avoid the crowds.  You cannot buy tickets at the site though, so you need to buy them from the West Bank Ticket Office.  Also, you need a ticket for each tomb, group of tombs or temple.  You can easily get to the Valley of the Kings from Luxor by a short taxi ride, take a boat across the Nile or use a private motorboat.

Bear in mind as well, that Egypt is still a traditional culture.  Women should cover their shoulders and knees in public and be completely covered in mosques.  Everybody must remove their shoes before they enter a mosque.

The locals are friendly, but it is a huge honour to be invited to their home, so if you are lucky enough for a local to invite you, you should take a good gift as they will roll out the red carpet for you.

Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most developed, tourist places in Egypt. Situated on the Sinai peninsula, it is a hive of activity from dawn til dusk. Naturally, you could choose Sharm el Sheikh for a beach holiday but it’s so much more than that. Plus, with all the tourist interest in the area, you can now visit this popular area of Egypt at a bargain price.

Hotels in Egypt are usually of a high standard and there are many to choose from, all with multiple swimming pools and modern amenities. You can find a hotel to suit your every need, whether you’re searching for a small, intimate type or a large, modern complex. The area is still relatively untouched and you’re surrounded by bedouins, colourful tents, mountain ranges, sand and sea.

Being right on the coast of Egypt adjacent to the Red Sea, Sharm el Sheikh first found popularity amongst the world’s divers and is a haven for watersports lovers. You can learn to dive here, go snorkelling, windsurfing and all manner of water activities.

For those who have only heard of Sharm el Sheikh through the diving community and think there’s nothing else, think again. There are nightclubs, casinos, huge golf resorts, health spas, horse riding, camel riding (who could go to Egypt and not ride a camel?) and even desert safaris. You could even take a romantic hot air balloon ride over the pyramids. Nobody could ever be bored in Egypt. It’s an ideal cheap holiday for all the family, but will feel like luxury.