b'Cairo to Bahariya Oasis, EgyptAncient monuments and bustling modernity coexist in the Egyptian capital. Islamic Cairo is filled with treasures like the Alabaster Mosque on a hilltop citadel, and the Al-Azhar and Sultan Hassan mosques. The Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the worlds finest, deserves an entire day. In Coptic Cairo, visit the ruins of an ancient Roman fortress and churches, including the 4th-century Hanging Church. Wander the delightful Khan el-Khalili bazaar in the historic centre, moving to Tahrir Square and downtown Cairo, where European-style facades stand beside Egyptian cafs.About 370 kilometres southwest of Cairo in Egypts Western Desert, along a historic caravan route, lies the captivating Bahariya Oasis, a green refuge of lush palm groves and hot springs. In the Black Desert, en route, youll find towering volcanic escarpments, and in the White Desert, wind-sculpted chalk formations dot the landscape. Camp beneath the desert sky to experience Bedouin traditions, and visit the Valley of the Golden Mummies, a vast Greco-Roman necropolis discovered in 1996. hayesandjarvis.co.uk/egyptWhite Desert near Bahariya OasisMosque of Ibn Tulun, CairoTRUE VOYAGES \x1a11'