Cairo

With the never-ending ‘beep beep' of traffic, riverside clubs and bars, markets and an unbelievable amount of history and culture combine to make bustling Cairo a city, not to kick back and relax in, but to grab by the neck and rinse a huge amount of adventure out of. So donning comfy shoes and adopting an ‘I-will-haggle-you-to-the-death' attitude is essential.

A mish-mash of styles crowd the length of the Nile, with colonial former ambassador's residences, tower blocks and grandiose steamboats that once chugged along the river - but now serve as restaurants - sitting next to one another.

And while the Egyptian museum sits stoically amidst the traffic and tourist chaos, head out of town for the ‘things to see before you die', must-visit Great Pyramid, Sphinx, and ancient city of Memphis.

While you're there
Go Inside The Great Pyramid
Completed around 2560BC, and even bigger than you expect, the structure sits impressively amid a vast sandy dustbowl. Inquisitive and fit (though certainly not claustrophobic!) visitors can pay to enter and climb up inside to King's Chamber, but be aware that only 150 visitors are allowed in the morning and 150 in the afternoon.

Haggle... over everything!
To really polish up your skills, head to the market at Khan el-Khalili, where, although the goods amount to little more than for-the-tourists' tat, the incredible architecture (look skywards) and shouty bustle, give an incredible taste of Cairo from back in the day.

Visit The Egyptian Museum
With over 120,000 artefacts, the museum is a must-visit. Top of your list should be the thrillingly creepy ‘Mummy Room' where the inhabitants still possess their teeth, nails and hair!