I answered some of you Cairo questions on the IC pages.

A couple of highly subjective opinions on the Egypt trip. Given the shortish time available, I'd limit my visits to Upper Egypt to Aswan - a trading city packed with charm on a very picturesque part of Nile: Abu Simbel can be reached from there by an air or road excursion. You can get to Aswan by air, or by overnight train (much cheaper, plus saves a hotel night).

Luxor is tourism central, and the Valley of the Kings (across the river from Luxor) is a horror prospect for June. If you WANT to visit Luxor, you can get there from Aswan by road (an hour or so) or by a longer felucca trip on the river (thats the local sail boat - you negotiate the trip with any of the felucca captains in Aswan: moving WITH the river, its an easy trip).

Taba is a bit weird, almost on the Israel border, no town to talk of, just hotel life. There's an IC there, nice AND cheap, but no real reason to make the treck unless you enjoy swimming pools. There may well be diving, but I thought under-water life centred on Sharm.

For touring in and around Cairo you could negotiate a taxi for the day - the hotel doorman will help here, but might inflate the price: just insist you want a taxi and not a hotel car, and make sure you understand the deal.

Pyramids are easy. You'll see them from the Semiramis if it's a clear day. Picking the right time of day to visit is trickier. I'd suggest getting a guide or joining a tour: it will save hassle. An alternative is spending one night at the Mena House, across from pyramids, which will mean very easy access first thing in the morning (the best time to visit), and constant views of the Pyramids.

Siwa is not do-able on your itinerary, and I know nohing of Hurghada so will not comment.

And please - get yourself a map!!!