EGYPT:
MOTHER OF ALL NATIONS

The antique land of all antique lands, Egypt has held travelers in its thrall for at least 2,500 years when Herodotus, the "Father of History," detailed its already-ancient glories. Not only did Egypt give birth to one of the world's oldest and most enduring civilizations, it's also had a profound impact on the development of Greek, Roman, Christian, and Islamic cultures. When you're traveling in Egypt, every day yields discovery upon breathtaking discovery in the form of pyramids, temples, tombs, churches, mosques, or any other numerous vestiges of the wealth of pharaohs, caesars, and sultans. There are few other places on earth where a sense of the past is so palpably present, so it's no surprise that Egypt is always high on people's lists of must-see destinations. Make it high on your list, too.

The following sample itinerary is for a classic 14-day excursion, including a Nile cruise, through Egypt's multiple layers of history and culture stretching back 5,000 years and beyond.

❊ - indicates a UNESCO World Heritage Site