Chaotic Cairo is a lively mix of ancient and modern

Photo: Graeme Israel

On the surface, Cairo is everything you might expect of a city of 16 million people crammed into a relatively tiny area: chaotic, dirty and overburdened.

A camel safari through the desert around Aswan

The end of the line for many Nile cruises, Aswan is a peaceful city set among the rocky banks of the river amid floating feluccas and luxurious hotels.

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.