This cradle of civilisation has never ceased to mesmerize visitors with its ancient ruins, bustling cities and amazing coastal resorts. Cairo is a megacity that never sleeps; the largest in the Arab World with an agglomerated population of 16 million. Apart from the consistent hectic movement of its citizens, the city is admired for its beautiful mosques, overwhelming souks and as a point of depart for stupendous Nile river cruises No visitor can miss a trip to the Egyptian museum or the 1,100 year old Al-Azhar University. The latter being the second oldest higher learning institution in the world. The Giza Necropolis' Pyramids and Sphinx are the last surviving wonders of the ancient world. These tombs to the pharaohs have left tourists and historians in awe for centuries and are seconded by relics and artwork from a period spanning three millennia. Further down the Nile is Luxor, the ancient power base of Upper Egypt with its own spectacular open-air models, statues and temples. Alexandria was the Roman Empire's third most powerful city, after Rome and Constantinople. While a shadow of its former self, it's a great place to retrace history by visiting the Graeco-Roman Museum and the reconstituted library.