Cairo

'With the marvels of both Islam and early Christianity, Cairo abunds with places to see and things to do.'

A modern busy metropolis and one of the largest cities in Africa, Cairo is home to more than 16 million people. Overseen by the pyramids at Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx, the area we now call Cairo has been a major city since the time of the pharaohs, with each segment retaining much of its history and culture. Any visit to Cairo has to take in the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir square, home to the treasures of Tutankhamun and much more. Later, enjoy an evening visit to the Khan El Khalili market, full of colour and bustle and where replicas of ancient treasures have been made and sold for as long as travelers have been visiting this great city. Perhaps the following day, an expedition to see the worlds first pyramid at Saqqara, still standing on the desert escarpment or go exploring some of the mosques and churches in the Coptic area. After all this, it is easy to see why Cairo is regarded as one the world's greatest cities and richly deserves the praise of travelers since the beginning of time.

The Pyramids of Giza - few monuments throughout the world are as instantly recognisable or as well known. Built at the beginning of Egyptian history, the pyramids still stand, high on the Giza plateau overlooking Cairo. Close by is the sphinx, enigmatic survivor of harsh desert winds, sandstorms and Napoleon's troops, who used the head for target practice. No trip to Egypt would be complete without at least one visit to these monuments.