El Quseir Egyptian Excursions

El Quseir holidays are a great base for exploring Ancient Egypt. This port once saw pilgrims on their way to Mecca and it was a stop on the Spice Trail bringing spices from India to Britain. Nowadays, it is a respected international diving centre and is becoming popular with people who want an unspoilt Egyptian holiday. It offers much - mangrove swamps, warm, clear waters, harbours, unspoilt bays and many ancient buildings, many of which are being restored under UNESCO Heritage plan. Colourful bazaars line the narrow streets and you might be able to haggle for a interesting souvenir.

Cairo is well within reach for those on El Quseir holidays. There are many excursions to this vibrant city and there is just so much to see. Obviously the Great Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx must feature on your holiday itinerary. Notice the missing nose of the Sphinx, rumoured to have been shot off by Napoleon himself. Try and visit the Egyptian Museum. As well as housing a lot of the artefacts from Tutankhamen's tomb, it also host an amazing 250,000 other relics from the Land of the Pharaohs. Well worth a visit although it can become crowded. Also try and see the colourful spectacle of the Khan El Khalili bazaar - a veritable feast of sound and sights.

Luxor holidays are synonymous with a visit to the Valley of the Kings. Luxor is easily accessible from El Quseir with many excursions either by plane or overland by bus. You will be taken to see the immense Colossi of Memnon and the awe-inspiring Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, from where the queen is said to have started her journey to the mythical Land of Punt. The Valley of the Kings needs no introduction but it is a place you must see before you die. It houses the tombs of the great Pharaohs, including Ramses the Great and Tutankhamen, the boy king, which was unearthed by Howard Carter in 1922 after having lain undisturbed for over 3000 years. The Temple of Karnak begun by Ramses ll at Thebes is one of the largest religious sites in the world and comprises a collection of ruined temples and exquisite carvings. Unfortunately the terrain can be very uneven so it is not recommended for elderly people or those with walking difficulties.

Eighty miles south of Luxor lies Aswan. There are many excursions to Aswan as it is a lovely peaceful resort with sandy beaches, clear seas and lots of historical buildings and of course, the Aswan Dam. It is well worth a visit to fully appreciate the size and design of the structure. Also in Aswan is another colossal structure, the Unfinished Obelisk. It has been estimated that if it had ever been completed, it would weigh an amazing 12,000 tons. The Philae Temple is a big tourist attraction in Aswan. Dismantled and reassembled on Agilika Island to make way for the dam, it still attracts thousands of sightseers every year. Interestingly, Aswan is one of the driest places in the world and in some of the settlements they do not put roofs on new houses.