Egypt has been seducing travellers for thousands of years.

While just about every great empire has conquered Egypt, it is the eternal treasures left by the Pharaohs some 5,000 years ago that continue to capture the imagination of visitors and dominate the mostly desert landscape.

Bordering Israel and Gaza to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Libya to the west and Sudan to the south, Egypt's massive tourism industry is the mainstay of its economy.

Many visitors join the army of tour buses and cruise ships that travel relentlessly up and down the country, mainly following the course of the Nile. For independent travellers, an extensive knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization goes a long way towards appreciating the sights. Alternatively, enlist the help of a knowledgeable guide.

Ancient ruins are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Egypt's attractions. Many travellers skip them altogether and head north for the beaches of the Mediterranean coast or east to dive the technicolour coral reefs of the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Dahab.

Then there's the mosques, souks and coffeehouses of frenetic Cairo, the monasteries, mountains and awesome desert of the Sinai peninsula, the feluccas and buffalo of the fertile Nile Delta, the palm groves and sand dunes of the Western Desert Oases and the excellent fishing on crocodile-infested Lake Nasser.

Modern Egypt is a predominantly liberal Muslim country full of very accommodating and good-humoured people who know how to enjoy life - delve into the scrumptious falafel, fava-bean paste and sweet pastries for a taste of what everyone's smiling about.

Survival guide 

The most comfortable time of year to travel in Egypt is between October and May (winter).

The currency is the Egyptian pound.

Travellers to Egypt should first learn a bit about the culture and traditions. Arabic is the official language although English is spoken widely in tourist areas. Because Egypt is a Muslim country, modest dress is an absolute must. Alcohol is widely available, except during the holy month of Ramadan.

If you are invited to share a meal with an Egyptian, keep in mind that it is customary to refuse an invitation the first time it is extended; only after the invitation is repeated should it be accepted.

While homosexuality is not officially illegal in Egypt, in recent years a crackdown has seen many gay people arrested, tortured and convicted for "debauchery" and "abuse of religion".

In recent years, a number of tourist areas in Egypt have been the target of devastating terrorist attacks. Security in tourist areas is extremely tight although you should check foreign office advisories before travelling.

Trains in Egypt are run by the state-owned Egyptian National Railway. Most tourists arrive in Egypt's via Cairo International Airport but international flights also service Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sham El-Sheikh. EgyptAir is the national airline and has domestic services to popular destinations such as Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Alexandria and Mersa Matruh.