Remarkable  River Nile cruises & holidays

The site of ancient Egyptian capital Thebes, Luxor has been called an ‘open-air museum’ thanks to its impressive array of historic sites. Stroll the Avenue of Sphinxes, lined by over 1,000 statues, connecting the unmissable temples of Karnak and Luxor. At Karnak, lose yourself in a labyrinth of honey-stone columns and hieroglyphic-covered walls, before discovering the giant statues and ancient reliefs of Luxor temple, transformed at night by atmospheric lighting. Across the river lies the astonishing Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were buried for centuries, including the ornate tomb of Ramses VI and Tutankhamun’s famous final resting place.

Once buried by desert sand, Edfu is home to one of the best-preserved monuments in all Egypt – the temple of Horus. Today, its roof remains almost intact, while its discovery in the mid-19th century allowed archaeologists and Egyptologists to solve many more mysteries of Ancient Egypt, thanks to its undamaged carvings and hieroglyphics. The impressive gate (known as the Pylon) stretches 36 metres high, while you can discover carved scenes from Ancient Egyptian mythology, as well as spectacular decoration inside the halls – make sure you look up in the huge Inner Hypostyle Hall to the ceiling painted with stars.

This fascinating island is home to a temple dedicated to two gods – falcon-headed Horus and crocodile god Sobek, the god of the Nile. Believed by Ancient Egyptians to be the creator of the world, Sobek was worshipped for his strength and fertility and over 300 mummified crocodiles have been unearthed at Kom Ombo over the years. Some are now on display in a small museum by the temple. Built during the reign of the Ptolemies, there’s also a chance to discover more about Roman rule in Egypt, both in the reliefs in the temple and from some nearby ruins.

There’s more to a Nile river cruise than simply seeing Ancient Egyptian sites, with a chance to enjoy a taste of daily life on Herdiab Island. Herdiab village is one of the oldest on the Nile, and still continues the traditional methods of farming which would have been familiar to those living along the banks in centuries past. Save time to stroll around the island, seeing locals going about their day, as well as a chance to relax on the sandy beaches. The island is one of the few places where it’s safe to swim during Nile holidays.

Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile in this laid-back city, where you can discover impressive feats of both ancient and modern engineering. The imposing 111m-high Aswan High Dam has transformed the face of the Nile, so after marvelling at its construction, visit the Temple of Philae, painstakingly relocated by UNESCO to protect it from flooding caused by the new dam. You can also discover the Nubian Museum, showcasing Nubia’s history, art and culture, relax on a felucca before visiting botanical gardens on Kitchener’s Island, or travel to the astonishing temple of Abu Simbel, with its monumental statues.