Egypt has plenty going for it when it comes to holidays. As one of the greatest civilisations the world has ever seen, the ancient Egyptians left their legacy in the form of the massive pyramids which continue to baffle historians and amaze visitors to this day.

But there's more to Egypt than mummies; one of the biggest draws to this African country in recent years is its incredible Red Sea coral reefs, which make it one of the best scuba-diving sites in the world and the closest tropical reefs to Europe.

Contrary to its name, the Red sea is in fact a deep blue colour and is extremely rich in sea life. It's the conditions which make the Red sea such a haven for divers; the water temperatures average 22C in summer making it ideal for diving, the visibility is very good and there is little wave action. And there's also plenty to see too with over 1000 species of invertebrates, over 1000 species of fish and around 200 types of coral, which in places stretch out to sea forming an elaborate system of underwater caves, gardens, lagoons and plateaus.

Egypt offers hundreds of superb diving sites and Sharm el Sheikh is one of the best known areas to see incredible aqua life. Take a visit to Jackfish Alley, an ideal spot for an afternoon dive of exploring submarine caves and observing the massive schools of glassfish, which sweep back and forth with the currents; while it's also possible to see titan triggerfish, manta rays, sting rays and white tips. Or how about the famous Eel Garden, a sandy submarine beach that is home to an impressive colony of garden eels which emerge from their holes and sway with the current as they search for plankton.

Backed by desert sands and sun bleached mountains, Sharm el Sheikh enjoys miles of exquisite soft white sands, with a fantastic range of quality accommodation from all-inclusive luxury resorts to bed and breakfast hotels. There is also plenty to keep visitors occupied after dark with dozens of shops, clubs, bars and discos along with traditional 'sheesha' cafes and food markets.

Egypt's blend of ancient history, rich culture, world class diving and fantastic beaches means that more and more Brits are making the journey out to this African gem, and with plenty of tour operators offering cheap holidays in Sharm el Sheikh, it's likely to remain one of Egypt's most popular holiday destinations for some time to come.

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