Egypt - activities - Countries Guide

Diving
The Egyptian Red Sea offers some of the world's best scuba diving with superb visibility, countless varieties of hard and soft coral, and incredibly diverse underwater topography, with spectacular wall and shipwreck dive destinations. The Red Sea has an abundant and diverse fish life including various types of grouper, stingray, parrotfish, angelfish, butterfly fish and turtles. The comfortable water temperature (64-79°F/18-26°C) means that diving is popular year-round, however visitors should note that outside temperatures can reach 104°F (40°C) in July and August. The Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab are popular bases for divers, situated near the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and offering easy access to some of the best dive locations including Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran. Other resorts popular with divers and snorkellers are Hurghada, El Gouna, Taba Heights and Makadi Bay.

Cairo Weddings
A wedding in Egypt can be extraordinary, steeped in romance, culture and history. Legal marriage was born in Ancient Egypt and is a tradition that has stood the test of time, making this historic land a wonderful location for weddings today. In Egyptian tradition the marital couple is met before the wedding ceremony by a Zaffa, which is a group of singing drummers and belly dancers. The marriage rites take place while the couple are seated in throne-like chairs facing their guests; all very regal! When contemplating a wedding in Egypt, imagine a couple exchanging their vows with the pyramids, the Sphinx or the Nile River in the background... Egyptian Wedding AttractionsWhile in Egypt for the wedding, sightseeing and diving are two splendid ways to spend quality time together; visit the Pyramids of Giza and the West Bank in this beguiling land of the Pharaohs to see artefacts of ancient history, or go diving in the Red Sea and experience an entirely different yet equally phenomenal underwater world. Egyptian Wedding FormalitiesThe legal procedure for foreign weddings in Egypt is quite complicated and couples are advised to consult a lawyer or notary, well in advance, for requirement details and other necessary information. About.com also has some useful advice.

Nile Cruise
There is no better way to discover Egypt than aboard a Nile cruise as nearly all the country's attractions are situated along the river. Cruises take visitors past ancient Egyptian sites such as the Temple of Karnak, the main place of worship in Theban times, and the West Bank's Valley of the Kings, home to the Tomb of Tutankhamun and Ramses II, Colossi of Memnon and Hatshepsut's Temple. A Nile cruise is a truly unique and luxurious way to discover and explore the land of the Pharaohs.On-board most cruise liners, guests will find fantastic amenities in the way of opulent cabins, banqueting halls, lounge bars and swimming pools. Exquisite food and outstanding service come standard on these river vessels, reminiscent of 'moving hotels', and visitors will find it easy to sit back and enjoy this unique sightseeing experience.Most voyages are between Aswan and Luxor, where disembarking passengers can explore local markets, visit the papyrus museum and traditional perfume shops of Luxor, or dine on the exotic cuisine of Egyptian restaurants. There are also opportunities to witness rural Egyptian lifestyle while the boat is moving between tourist destinations.There are various Nile cruise operators offering top-class trips through Upper Egypt, as well as package deals including flights, hotel accommodation, guided tours and, of course, the cruise. A smaller sail boat, known as a Felucca, is another option if looking for a cheaper way to traverse the Nile River. The best time to cruise is from October to May when the weather is a bit cooler.

. Cities & Regions: Cairo | The Nile Valley | The Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea