1. Luxuriate in the rays

Since the 1950s, Egypt’s Red Sea has been a magnet for international divers. The expeditions of Jacques Cousteau and others have since led the way for a more contemporary kind of discovery – the Red Sea’s sunshine-soaked resorts, which include Sharm El Sheikh, Taba and Dahab. The vitamin D-deprived can be assured of year-round rays and average highs that go from 21°C in January to 35°C in August

Best for: sun worshippers

2. Unravel Egypt’s past

Where Luxor stands now, was once Thebes – the grand capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom. It’s been described as the world’s greatest open-air museum, and for good reason. Here you’ll see the most monumental remains of Egypt’s ancient splendour.

Best for: culture vultures

3. Go wild in the water

Sharm El Sheik, and the whole of Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, is made for those who like to get active beach-side. Because it sizzles in summer and remains gloriously warm throughout the year, there’s nothing to hold you back from exploring the coral habitats of Ras Mohammed National Park or indulging in some serious watersports.

Best for: active adventurers

4. Cruise along

A Nile Cruise provides the perfect balance when you want a holiday to be all about unwinding, but you don’t want to miss out on the sights either. Choose a languid boat tour to witness Egypt’s natural and historical grandeur, without giving up your deck chair.

Best for: the laid-back but curious

5. Beat a retreat

Mount Sinai has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries (it’s significant to Christians, Jews and Muslims, and believed by some to be the place where Moses received the 10 Commandments). Whatever your beliefs, there’s a meditative air about the place. If you’re the kind of traveller who wants to balance body, mind and soul, take the chance to contemplate as you climb Mount Sinai to witness sunrise over the desert. Or try one of the silent retreats offered by local Bedouin.

Best for: soul searchers

What’s your secret to the perfect Egyptian holiday? If you’ve done something fantastic in Egypt, why don’t you share it with us? 

1. Dine at La Boqueria in Barcelona

You’ll notice that in Spain locals know how to eat well on a budget. My most memorable meal there was also one of my cheapest – in ‘La Boqueria’, the public market on Las Ramblas. Like so many visitors to Barcelona, I was there to tick tourist attractions off my list. But, among the fruit sellers and fishmongers, I noticed some stalls with high benches and bar stools, where sharply dressed Catalans were tucking into several courses. I joined them, for an unforgettable meal tapas and a small beer (pints – ‘una pinta’ in case you do want to order one – are unusual in Spain, where locals tend to opt for smaller volumes).

2. Get your retail therapy in Egypt

Egypt is cheap by global standards, so it’s a great place to shop for luxury goods. Seek out Bedouin markets and fair-trade outlets where you can pick up silver jewellery, Egyptian cotton, or beaded and embroidered clothes and textiles – and bring a little affordable luxury home.

3. Pamper yourself on a Thai beach

Although it might cost you more to get to some further flung destinations, the cost of living there is often much cheaper, helping to balance the overall cost of your holiday. Some tlc is just the ticket to revive you after the long haul south. You’ll be amazed at how little it costs to get an authentic Thai massage anywhere in Thailand, or to treat yourself to a manicure, all while soaking up the restorative rays of the sun. I had my shoulders pummelled and my toes painted on a Koh Samui beach, and felt like a million bucks for next to nothing.

4. Unwind over a cocktail in Venice

A visit to the birthplace of the Bellini – Harry’s Bar, in Venice – could set you back a little (although who says you can’t treat yourself to one, as long as you don’t get carried away!). As a world-famous bar, Harry’s can charge a premium. But every little Venetian backstreet seems to have a wine bar, and most are inexpensive. Bartenders all over the city are dab hands at mixing this gorgeous peach and prosecco cocktail – and it’s sublime on a summer night.

5. Sip a banana licuado in San Telmo

In Buenos Aires’ oldest neighbourhood, the prices are low – so everyday luxuries come cheap. To indulge in some true refreshment, try a banana licuado, while watching tango partners dance their hearts out nearby. Banana licuados are Latin America’s take on the banana smoothie, but longer and cooler because it majors on the crushed ice and milk. It’s a great energy hit for a weary traveller, and also an unbeatable hangover cure, I’m told.

Any ideas on affordable treats at your favourite destinations, let us know!

One of the best holidays of my life was a solo trip. My husband and I had planned a Spanish cycling tour (we were newly married and I was 27).  But, at the last minute, a work conference came up that he couldn’t miss. I decided to go it alone.

Along the way – as I cycled along a Vía Verde (‘green way’) from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Costa Brava – I met locals who were welcoming and helpful. But still they asked: “Aren’t you worried about travelling alone?” But the experience made me realise that successful solo travel depends on a mixture of things:

1. Know your comfort zone

I admit it: I’m a free spirit and stubborn to boot. So I was determined to enjoy my holiday, even all the solitary bits. But if you’re at your best in a buzzing social scene, yet curious to go solo, consider package tours and popular destinations where you’ll always be at the heart of the fun.

2. Do your research

Before I left on that trip, I knew where I’d stay each night, and I’d either booked my accommodation or made contact in advance. I’d also looked into back-up plans. (Where else could I stay if my plans changed? What were other transport options?) I had all the maps, contact details and information I needed in print. Planning ahead gave me immense peace of mind.

3. Use your common sense

Cheap holidays to Spain are perfect when you need to get away on your own, but you want to save the big bucks for something with family or friends. Spain’s a truly tourist-friendly destination. Still, as a solo female traveller, I used my head about where to hang out. Truck-stop cafés for dinner? Definitely not. If I felt uncomfortable, I kept moving. And I was careful with my belongings. When I stopped in pretty Sant Feliu de Guixols for a swim, I locked my bike and secured my luggage at the local bus station. In a country I’m less familiar with – Egypt, for instance – my common sense might tell me to join a tour instead of going totally solo.

4. Get active

My trip was action-packed all the way. I made friends by joining fellow cyclists partway and greeted family groups who took to the path on Catalonia’s ‘National’ Day. There were meditative times among spectacular scenery, brilliant stopovers (the old town of Girona was a highlight), village visits for market shopping and chats with curious Catalans. I never felt lonely. But on another solo trip, to Barcelona’s big, bustling metropolis, I felt completely alone. If you’re somewhere where people are too busy to stop and chat, plan to avoid the blues by booking up some of your time – with cooking courses in Turkey, yoga retreats in Goa or climbing tours in Sardinia, to name just a few possibilities.

Have you ever travelled solo? What was it like for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts below.

1. Gerald Durrell’s Corfu

Some books conjure up such unforgettable settings that they inspire us to follow in the characters’ footsteps. In My Family and Other Animals (1956), Gerald Durrell captured the landscape of 1930’s Corfu in such tantalising detail that it helped to bring tourism to this Greek island. Birds, Beasts and Relatives and The Garden of the Gods complete Durrell’s Corfu trilogy, based on his childhood there.

Best for: A glimpse of unspoilt Corfu

2. Carl Hiaasen’s Florida

Crime fiction might be at the low end of the literary spectrum, but it’s typically at the top of my holiday reading pile. My murder-mystery favourite, Carl Hiaasen, hails from Florida, US, and sets his fast and funny novels there. I love Tourist Season (1986) and Double Whammy (1987), which both feature dark deeds in Florida’s Everglades wetlands.

Best for: A fantastic ride on Florida’s wild side

3. Louis de Bernières’ Kefalonia

There’s something about Greek islands that attract literary sorts. Louis de Bernières’ inspiration for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (1994) was the World War II occupation of Cephalonia (Kefalonia). Yet, the thing I remember best from the book is its poetic evocation of daily lives (and loves) on the island.

Best for: An insight into Kefalonia’s history and traditions

4. Alaa al-Aswany’s Egypt

The Yacoubian Building (2002), an international best-seller for Egyptian author, Alaa as-Aswany, centres on one Cairo apartment block. But the stories that unfold there have a big sweep, making this book relevant to anyone who wants to understand Egypt today.

Best for: A provocative look at contemporary Egypt

5. Richard Zimler’s Goa

When in Goa, India – amid its crumbling colonial remains – Richard Zimler’s Guardian of the Dawn (2009) provides a compelling link with history. It’s set at the close of the 16th century, back when Goa was an outpost of Portugal.

Best for: The backstory of Old Goa

The choice is yours! It all depends on your destination and the kind of holiday you’re after.

Secure your peace of mind

Hiring a guide or joining a tour can help you relax, as you put worries to rest and make the most of your holiday. Knowing that your itinerary is settled in advance takes all the pressure off of planning, so you can go with the flow.  In places such as Egypt, for example, having someone to show you around the major sites can help make your trip considerably easier as it can be tricky to obtain rental cars to go it alone. And this can be true wherever you go – even in places like Goa where most travel is trouble-free.

On the other hand, there are many destinations where you can feel confident about exploring on your own. This is especially true on Cosmos’ cheap holidays to Florida, Spain, Greece and Cyprus – to give just a few examples.

Remember these tips when deciding on a guide or tour:

• Guided travel is sometimes a must. If you want to travel off road in Egypt, for example, you need to hire a qualified guide and obtain the relevant permits from the Ministry of Interior

• It’s a good idea to check the latest travel advice about your destination on the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at www.fco.co.uk

• For maximum peace of mind, you should choose guides and tours that are recommended by Cosmos or your travel operator

Make more of your adventure

It’s a misconception that intrepid travellers avoid guides and tours.

• An expert or local guide can make your holiday experience richer and more exciting as they’ll have a wealth of local knowledge to share with you. In some countries, reputable guides are licensed by local tourism authorities after obtaining a qualification or training in history, local culture and other key topics. You can pick their brains about local traditions, politics and even religion… if you all feel comfortable broaching the subject!

• Whether you’re interested in nature,  culture, cuisine or even extreme sports, a good guide will take you off the well-worn tourist trail and get you closer to the action

• You don’t necessarily have to stick to a rigid schedule. Your guide might have an itinerary but be able to flex it for you, depending on the group size and rate you’re willing to pay. Make sure you ask the question before you confirm your booking

• Travelling with a local can help you in all kinds of situations – markets are a good example. If don’t know the value of an item or how hard to realistically haggle, your guide will likely have some good ideas

• Tours and guides needn’t break your holiday budget either. Take advantage of the low cost package holidays to Greece, for instance, and then add value with tours that come highly recommended by Cosmos. A day trip by boat around the island of Corfu, leaving from Kontokali, is one great option

Be your own guide

With a little research and planning, you might decide to take a DIY approach to guided travel. To plan your own self-guided adventure:

• Consult online travel guides, blogs and  tourism board websites. There’s a wealth of information freely available online. Google is your friend in this regard!

• There are lots of clever sites online to help you plan your itinerary, such as Tripit.com, Yahoo Trip Planner or BootsNAll. You could simply plot your own route on a Google Map and share it with friends and family

• Ask questions and share experiences with other travellers online – Facebook is a good place to start! Review sites like Trip Advisor could come in handy too. Expat community forums are also excellent sources of information, direct from people living in the destination

• Ask friends for their tips and advice – and make sure you take a look through their online photo albums for inspiration!

• You don’t necessarily have to reinvent the wheel. Some people cheat a bit by borrowing itineraries so they can make sure they hit all the highlights

• Consider following in the footsteps of your favourite travel writer. There is lots of information online, but there are also excellent travel sections in libraries these days full of travel guides, inspirational biographies and travel journals

• Last but not least, don’t forget your  weekend newspaper, travel magazines (Wanderlust, Lonely Planet and Sunday Travel are worth a look)

• When you get home, why share your adventures and make everyone jealous!

 What do you think – do you prefer your trip to be planned for you, or like to DIY?  Do you have some tips to share?