Cairo

Since the Arab Spring began in 2011, Egypt has been going through some dramatic changes. The tourism industry has taken a hit, but those tourists brave enough to venture there will always have their efforts rewarded. There’s a sense of coming out the other side, of reaching the light at the end of the tunnel, and Cairo buzzes with optimism and excitement for the future.

The whole city is covered in dust and fog. Beautiful buildings from the heydays of the 1930s sit dilapidated, but this somehow adds to their beauty. The traffic is mental, the people are pushy but still friendly, and there’s no escaping the hustle and bustle. This is all part of the Cairo experience.

The markets and bazaars must be visited. You can’t stroll through them, you’ll be jostled through instead. But the bargaining, fabulous souvenirs, and uniquely ‘Cairo’ sights will always make you smile. Visit at least one mosque, and the Hanging Church cannot be missed.

No visit to Cairo is complete without witnessing The Great Pyramids of Giza, and this should be complemented with a visit to the Egyptian Museum to see some of the most important archaeological finds of the ancient Egyptians and the largest single collection of mummies.