Allow your senses to be assaulted in the throbbing Egyptian capital. Strung out along the banks of the River Nile, this is a metrolpolis that’s existed for millennia. Don’t miss the famous Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, in the city’s suburbs, but there’s plenty to see in the centre. Ascend the Cairo Tower to get your bearings before visiting sights like the City of the Dead, the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar and of course the Egyptian Museum.

Explore one of Egypt’s most interesting towns in the far south of the country. This laid back place is a world away from bustling Cairo: hire a traditional felucca and sail along the world’s longest river, where only a narrow strip of palms separates you from the vast Sahara Desert. Just out of town, visit the Temple of Philae, almost lost to the construction of the Aswan Dam but painstakingly reconstructed brick by brick so it wasn’t lost for good under the water.

Travel back in time in this sprawling Nile-side city in which modern buildings jostle for space alongside ancient monuments. Examine the past as you visit the area’s many historic temples, tombs and museums or explore the popular souks that offer jewellery, spices, and other local treasures.