Secreted amidst the arid Red Sea Hills, Egypt's oldest monasteries - dedicated to St Paul and St Anthony - trace their origins back to the infancy of Christian monasticism, observing rituals that have scarcely changed over sixteen centuries. This tangible link with the primitive church gives them a special resonance for believers, but you don't have to be religious to appreciate their tranquil atmosphere and imposing setting - there's also scope for bird-watching in the vicinity.