"The Mother of the Earth"

Cairo is Egypt's capital, Africa's largest metropolis, and the political, economic, and cultural center of the Middle East. It is Egypt's most important transportation hub, the seat of the Egyptian government, parliament, all central state and religious authorities, and diplomatic missions. Experience the fascinating contrasts of this multicultural melting pot – with its vibrant, burgeoning city on the one hand and its millennia-old history on the other.

A visit to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square is an absolute must during any stay in Cairo. Its undisputed highlight is the tomb of Tutankhamun, including his richly decorated mask and gilded sarcophagus. Cairo boasts several hundred mosques. The Ibn Tulun Mosque and the Al-Azhar Mosque are particularly worth visiting. The Mohammed Ali Mosque (Alabaster Mosque) is an impressive sight with its multi-tiered domed roofs and twin minarets. The souks revel in the aromas of the Orient and offer a vast array of goods. Cairo's historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Crossing the Nile in Cairo takes you from one metropolis to the next: On the west bank lies Giza with its world-famous pyramids – among the most recognizable structures in human history and the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Even before the pyramids were built, there stood the famous guardian of the dead: the Sphinx. This colossal monument depicts a reclining lion with a human head.