Cairo, Cruises and Coral: Sail the Nile and Dive the Red Sea

This morning, meet your expert guide and head out to discover the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, awe-inspiring royal tombs that showcase ancient architectural ingenuity (and we're talking 4,000 years ancient). Once you've had time to take it all in, you'll also visit the iconic Sphinx, believed to date back to the reign of Khafre and closely linked to his pyramid.

Next, refuel on lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Home to over 100,000 historic artefacts, the GEM is the world's largest museum dedicated to a single civilisation, taking you through Egypt's past through immersive exhibits. Be sure to stop and marvel at the museum's Tutankhamun collection, which boasts all 5,000 of the famous pharaoh's sparkling treasures.

After all that exploring, round off your day with one final dinner in Cairo - our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems.

Check in and take the rest of the day to relax, whether you'd rather sun yourself on the terrace, lounge by the pool or simply soak up the views over the Nile with a cocktail in hand. The next leg of your adventure begins tomorrow…

Built in 1885, the Steam Ship Sudan is one of the oldest (and most magnificent) cruise ships still operating on the Nile, serving as the inspiration for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile.

After settling into your cabin and enjoying a delicious gourmet lunch on deck, disembark for an afternoon at the Temple of Philae. This island-based temple complex is one of Egypt's most significant, built as a shrine to the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis.

Come evening, spend some time exploring Aswan's vibrant souqs. Take in the aroma of fragrant spices, try your hand at haggling and secure some souvenirs before heading back to the ship for a delicious dinner and your first night onboard.

When you arrive, disembark and spend the morning exploring the beautiful Kom Ombo Temple, set on the banks of the Nile and dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god.

Later, enjoy another leisurely lunch (perhaps with a glass of something cold) against the backdrop of the passing Nile as you cruise further north to explore the Temple of Edfu. Despite only having been uncovered in 1860 after centuries hidden in the sand, this impressive structure dates back to the Ptolemaic era, reflected in its grand architecture and intricate reliefs.

Back on the boat, dine under the clear starry sky - there's no light pollution here - as you begin the overnight journey to Esna.

After reaching Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, venture ashore to visit the sprawling site of Karnak. Constructed over a whopping 2,000 years, Karnak is a labyrinth of temples, towers and chapels, including the vast temple of Amun, dedicated to the God Amun, patron of the New Kingdom Pharaohs.

As the sun starts to set over the river, visit the vast Temple of Luxor, which is lit up spectacularly at night. Snap some Instagram-worthy shots before heading back to the ship for sundowners and dinner. A magical way to end a day on the Nile.

After fuelling up on a hearty lunch, step back onto dry land for a visit to the Temple of Dendera. Dedicated to Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of love and joy, this is one of the most famous and best-preserved monuments in the country, complete with Hathor-headed columns, hidden corridors and beautiful terraces.

Later, return to the boat for another delicious dinner before retreating to your cabin for a good night's sleep.

One of the oldest sacred cities of ancient Egypt and an important pilgrimage site, Abydos is dedicated to Osiris, the god of resurrection. Spend time exploring its wealth of ancient temples, making sure to stop at the temple of Seti I - this wonderful memorial contains the Abydos King list, a visual collection of colourful and fine bas-reliefs marking the birth of Ramesside art.

Spend the afternoon soaking up the sun on deck as you cruise back to Luxor. Come evening, enjoy one last delicious dinner onboard, toasting to the memories made on your captivating cruise.

As you wander through this vast limestone valley, you'll have the chance to discover the burial sites of some of the most famous Pharaohs, their wives and daughters. Along the way, visit the Valley of the Kings, where the magnificently decorated tombs reveal the afterlife journey of the Pharaohs, from Ramesses III to the famous Tutankhamun.

Next, continue onto the Valley of the Nobles before ending your visit with a stop at Deir El-Medina, where the craftsmen who built these intricate royal tombs were buried themselves.

Later, bid a fond farewell to the Steam Ship Sudan as you're privately transferred to your hotel in Luxor, a 40-minute drive away. You'll likely be tired after the excitement of the morning, so spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the rooftop terrace.

After lunch on your second day, grab your bags and meet your private driver for the journey to Hurghada, one of Egypt's premier diving destinations. The drive takes around four and a half hours, but the journey will fly by: simply stick on our expertly curated destination playlist and gaze out of the window as Egypt's diverse landscapes roll past.

It'll be evening by the time you arrive at the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, so drop your bags and quench your thirst with a cocktail - the diving begins tomorrow.

The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh not only boasts a PADI-certified dive centre, but also a thriving house reef, so you can dive to your heart's content just steps from the shore. Fancy heading further afield? Your itinerary includes a whopping two boat dives a day, so you can visit your choice of Hurghada's 40 dreamy dive sites.

The marine life here is extremely diverse, so keep your eyes peeled for everything from large pelagics, including barracudas, turtles and rays, to smaller critters, like seahorses and nudibranchs hidden in the seagrass.

When you resurface, spend your time relaxing on the sand, indulging in a treatment at the spa or tucking into delicious beachfront dinners. Pure bliss.