20 photos to inspire a trip to Egypt

No destination in the world stirs the same feelings of mystery and wonder as the ancient sands of Egypt, one of the most advanced early civilizations on Earth. From the Great Pyramids to ancient temples and a modern Nile cruise, here are 20 photos to inspire a trip to magical Egypt.

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Most trips to Egypt start in Cairo and begin with arguably the most impressive ancient structures in the world, the Great Pyramids. Located on the fringes of the modern mega-city of Cairo, the pyramids sit as they have for over four millennia. Move among the 20 million people who now call the city home, and be sure to check out one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.

Everyone’s familiar with Egypt’s famous Great Pyramids, but these are only six of the hundreds of temples and structures scattered throughout the Nile River bed. Other hotbeds of Egyptian civilization include Luxor and Aswan, each holding their own treasures and spectacular temples.

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About 400 miles down the Nile from Cairo is the city of Luxor. In ancient times the city of Luxor was called Thebes, the greatcapitalof Upper Egypt. Along the river now lies an impressive set of ruins, including an elaborate temple complex. At night the Luxor temples are beautifully lit with soft lights bringing out detail and ambiance that’s not visible during the day.

Another impressive stop is the city of Aswan and the scattering of temples in the region. Among the most beautiful and impressive is the Abu Simbel. This spectacular temple is guarded by the four imposing 60-foot stone figures of Rameses II. One of the statues may have lost his head centuries ago, but it only adds to the character of the temple.

One of the best ways to explore the southern stretches of the ancient Egyptian empire is by a Nile River cruise. Luxury ships run the southern length of the Nile, bringing its many stories temples to Egypt enthusiasts.

A trip to Egypt and the main temple and architectural wonders lives up to the expectations of the would be Indiana Jones in all of us.

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Tagged: Middle East, Photo essay