The Temple of Karnak

Luxor has long been infamous among grave robbers, pillagers and the British government as a treasure trove and contains more ancient booty than anywhere else on the planet.

While their bodies rot irreverently in the Eyptian Museum in Cairo, the once-magnificent tombs of the pharaohs can be found in the Valley of the Kings.

However, there is little remaining to appreciate apart from the underground architecture, ornate wall paintings and the odd sarcophagus. Even the notorious tomb of Tutankhamen, for which there is an additional charge, is disappointingly desolate.

On the other side of the valley is the expansive temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which belies its 3,500 years by appearing incredibly modern.

Luxor is also home to two of the most magnificent temples in Egypt. Lose yourself among the ruins at Karnak, though beware of the light-and-sound show which deserves recognition as a cure for insomnia.

In the smaller Luxor Temple, Christian reliefs and a medieval mosque co-exist among the countless statues and wall carvings.

Whether you rush through Luxor in a day or spend a lifetime decrypting the undiscovered mysteries of ancient Egypt, it's not hard to see why Luxor has a Las Vegas casino named after it.