2010, Britons are not going to repeat the mistakes of summer 2009. Holidays this year are going to be overseas. Staycations are a distant memory or for some bad dream, as lousy weather, expensive hotels and sheer boredom ruined their only chance at escapism. Of course, holidaying in the UK isn't all bad. If you want a city break then Britain can more than satisfy on that level, but sunshine... we aren't exactly blessed with endless days of summer. So, 2010 is a summer abroad. But there is one small problem, money.

The recession has forced Britons to tighten the purse strings and get a little more creative with their holiday plans. They refuse to give up their annual dose of sun, sand and sea, but on the other hand they can't afford as much of it as they could a few years ago. So what are the options left open to British holidaymakers looking for value without a high-value ticket price?

Firstly, going a little further a field can mean your money goes a little further too. The Pound is not exactly the cream of the currencies at the moment, so look for places it does still have some sway. Outside of Europe is a good place to start.

Also, many developing countries which are exotic, lush and tropical are actually very affordable once you have arrived. So to balance the cost of the flight with living costs look for a medium-haul destination. Egypt is a perfect example.

It is only five hours away from Heathrow, the temperature is hot-hot-hot, sunshine is guaranteed and your pound will currently get you around eight Egyptian Pounds. This can buy you lunch if you look outside the main resorts!

However, if you really want to keep the cost down book an all-inclusive package so you can arrange the complete cost of a holiday before stepping foot on the plane. Many resorts in Egypt include free non-branded alcoholic drinks too, so you don't have to spend a penny once you have arrived. Seeing as you often get activities and snacks included, all-inclusive packages now represent outstanding value for money.

Egypt also offers a wide range of sites and activities. You can dive in the Red Sea, visit the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids, go quad biking in the desert or souk shopping in Cairo. From culture and history to nature and activity Egypt appeals to those looking for affordable adventure.

Because of all this, Egypt is now the most popular holiday destination for 2010 according to Lastminute.com. What’s more, Thomas Cook are currently offering Egypt holidays from only £228 for a 7 night trip to Sharm-El-Sheikh.

School is arguably the most important period in a child's life, but, let's face it, although we don't want to take our kids away from this learning process paying for a trip abroad during the school holidays is something we like even less. Many schools are introducing fines to deter parents from taking their kids away during term time but, with fines of only £50 to £100, the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs.

However, seeing as we all need to set a good example to our kids and we don't want to jeopardise their eduction, here are some tips on how to have an affordable 'school holiday' holiday.

Firstly, look for destinations that don't have such a definite 'peak season'. Africa and the Middle East are perfect, in fact, due to high temperatures, July and August are often low season, so a May half-term break would wor k perfectly. If you do want to get away in August, look for regions by the coast such as Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt. The temperature at this time of year is around 30 degrees centigrade, but bear in mind you will spend most of your time in the water, either the sea or the resort's swimming pool.

Travel to destinations outside the Eurozone. The Pound to Euro exchange rate is quite shocking right now so the price of a cup or coffee, let alone a family hotel room, is rising. In the past few months bookings to Turkey and Egypt have risen by 21% as holidaymakers seek out better value for money at short haul distances.

Choose a holiday that includes activities. We all know that kids get bored just lying on a beach, but that is all you want to do after hard months spent slaving away in the office. Many resorts offer kids clubs and some even allow free rental of kayaks, windsurfers and dinghys.

Finally, if you are really budget conscious and looking for value for money, book an all-inclusive holiday and set your holiday price in the UK. Have you ever been on holiday and gotten frustrated at constantly putting your hand in your pocket? Well with all-inc holidays you won't have to.

If the kids get hungry at 3pm they can get a snack and if you fancy an afternoon cocktail make sure you book an all-inclusive package that includes drinks. Many include un-branded 'local' spirits for free. According to Abta, all-inclusive family holidays now represent 32% of the market for family bookings as they are the best way to avoid over spending. Thomas Cook offer a range of all inclusive holidays to various destinations, including Egypt and the Red Sea.

Egyptian culture balances the traditional with the contemporary. Tourists planning to book <a href="http://www.thomascook.com/destinations/egypt/">holidays to Egypt</a>
are taken aback at how easily this balance is achieved...

By Dr Joann Fletcher

Whilst the concept of a career choice for women is a relatively modern phenomenon, the situation in ancient Egypt was rather different. For some three thousand years the women who lived on the banks of the Nile enjoyed a form of equality which has rarely been equalled.

Some believe the Great Pyramid was built by the survivors of a lost civilisation, others that it was the work of visiting extra-terrestrials. Kevin Jackson traces the strange cultural history of the awe-inspiring structure.

 By Kevin Jackson

By Dr Joann Fletcher

Beyond the hype

Although the recent discovery of a 2500-year-old Persian mummy has proved to be a fake, the word 'mummy' is generally believed to derive from a Persian word, mummiya, meaning 'bitumen', used to describe the blackened state of ancient Egyptian bodies. The term is now generally applied to all human remains which retain their soft tissue, either by natural means or artificial preservation.

The Nile River has always been the backbone of Egypt. The mighty river flows for some 4,000 miles from the mountains of Equatorial Africa (Blue Nile) and Lake Victoria (White Nile) before it empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

Egypt lies at the North Eastern tip of Africa, bordering Sudan to the south, Libya to the west and Israel to the east. The northern coast borders the Mediterranean sea and the eastern coast borders the Red sea. Egypt has only two real seasons....

When in Egypt, you had better negotiate like an Egyptian. Be sure to leave your cowboy hat at home since the rules are very different in the Middle East.

Nuweiba is a remarkably beautiful Egyptian beach resort situated on the eastern coast of Sinai Peninsula between Dahab and Taba. It stretches for 7 km along the Red Sea coastline with the backdrop of steep, stunning mountains.