From Cairo to Hurghada: Egypt’s Historical & Diving Highlights

Today, for the first full day of your Egyptian adventure, you'll visit the pyramids with an expert private guide. See iconic landmarks such as the Sphinx, the Giza necropolis and the majestic temple of the valley. Delve into the mysteries of the past and stand in awe before the legendary pyramids of Khufu, Chephren and Mycerinus.

Come lunchtime, savour the flavours of Egypt with lunch at a local restaurant, where you'll indulge in authentic dishes like hummus, falafel and shawarma. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Islamic Cairo, where historic mosques and bustling souqs await. Marvel at architectural wonders such as the citadel of Saladin and the Great Mosque of Mohamed Ali, before wandering through the enchanting streets of Khan el-Khalili, Cairo's most picturesque souq.

Wake up with an Egyptian coffee - be warned: they're strong, so be sure to order it arrih (sweet) - before enjoying a slow morning at your hotel or popping out for some souq souvenir shopping. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy a private introduction to hieroglyphics, learning about this ancient form of writing that decorates the temples and walls of Egypt.

In the late afternoon, you'll be collected from your hotel and driven back to the airport for a one-hour flight to Hurghada. You'll land in the early evening and will be driven 25 minutes to your luxury hotel. Settle into your private villa and enjoy a meal under the stars on your private patio.

Over the next two days, you'll experience all that the Red Sea has to offer, with two boat dives each day. With access to more than 40 dive sites, you'll be overwhelmed with options when it comes to marine life, kaleidoscopic corals and daring drift dives. Depending on what you fancy, your dive guide will take you to the suitable sites - there truly is something for everyone here. Drift over corals that come in every hue while encountering turtles that are enjoying the sun's rays piercing through the clear waters. If you're lucky, you'll come across a shark or two. If wrecks are your thing, opt for a day trip to the world-famous Thistlegorm and Giannis D.

Stay close to shore today with a morning and afternoon shore dive from the hotel. Explore the glassy waters of the hotel's house reef; glide over colourful hard and soft corals from which moray eels poke their heads; enjoy gentle drifts in the currents while keeping pace with slow-moving turtles; and, if you can tear your eyes away from the colours in the shallows, look out to the blue for the occasional sighting of a dancing dolphin.

After a day of delights beneath the surface, enjoy a sundowner poolside as you watch the sky turn from blue to blood orange over the Red Sea.

The final full day of your Egyptian escape is yours to enjoy at leisure. Will you take advantage of the hotel's spa treatments? Or pop into the old town of Hurghada to wander the Al Mina Mosque? If you're an animal lover, you could enjoy a camel ride in the desert or for the golfers among you how about a couple of holes at the nearby course? However you choose to spend your day, make sure to end it with a private dinner under the stars on the pier.

Almost too quickly, it's time to head back to the airport. After a final breakfast under the warm sun, you'll be driven back to the airport for your midday flight from Hurghada to Cairo. Steal those last glances of the Egyptian landscape, and during your layover, scroll back through your phone's (now full) photo album. From Cairo, head home, hopefully with your hand luggage full of souq souvenirs and a dive book bursting with entries.