Egypt is nothing short of spectacular. Everywhere you look, your senses will be indulged.

I recently spent nearly six weeks touring Egypt, and even with that much time was unable to take it all in. If you plan to do anything more than a basic Egypt tour, plan for at least two weeks. Although, even then, your exposure to the country will be limited. The ideal length for any Egypt tour is four weeks.

You should also know that Egypt is a great place for budget travel, which makes it even easier to spend an extended length of time there. As long as you are not going for only top end options, you can easily get by in Egypt on $30 per day, including food and accommodation.

Based on my recent tour of the country, I've compiled some tips and highlights to help you make the most of your Egypt travels.

CAIRO

Cairo should be the start of any Egypt tour. Allow for at least five days in Cairo to adequately explore the city. In Cairo, and virtually anywhere in Egypt, you can hire a taxi for the entire afternoon - essentially your personal chauffeur for the day - for under $20. Simply flag down a taxi, ensure the driver speaks enough English to understand you, and explain your intentions. He'll usually quote you a reasonable fare and be happy to take you exploring for the rest of the day.

Your first stop should be to the various ancient Egyptian pyramids that surround the city. The Giza pyramids are the largest and most famous, but there are other pyramids of note like the ones at Saqqara and Memphis. Once you have visited the pyramids, remember that any trip to Cairo would not be complete without a trip to the Egyptian Museum. You may also need more than a day there to do it justice. Next, touring Islamic Cairo and the City of the Dead (which is literally old graves now lived in by people) will give you a real glimpse into the lives of many Egyptians. However, to respect the locals, dress modestly and do not conspicuously take photographs in these areas. Females may also consider wearing a traditional scarf over their hair, as I did. While in the area, visit Khan El Khalili Bazaar to explore its winding alleys and booths that sell anything and everything under the Egyptian sun.

A final day in Cairo can be spent wandering Cairo's chaotic streets and discovering its magnificence amidst the chaos. You'll discover many beautiful, gated palaces like Abdeen Palace. Be careful not to lean on any of the fences, or sit on the steps, though. The guards

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