The town of Baalbek is located in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, approximately 85km northeast of Beirut and 75km north of Damascus (Syria). Nowadays the town is famous for its exquisitely detailed Roman ruins which attract thousands of tourists to the country each year and also plays host to the annual Baalbek festival.

This monumental temple complex was built by King Ramses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.E.) in what was once known as ancient Nubia, as a demonstration of both his worldly and divine power. He was the most prolific pharaoh in terms of building works, and a highly accomplished military leader.

Throughout history, Tanis has been known by many names. The ancient Egyptians called it Djanet and the Old Testament refers to the city as Zoan.

The High Dam at Aswan is one of the most impressive feats of engineering design in the whole of the African continent. Construction on the High Dam began in 1960 with the view to it being a replacement for the already existent Low Dam which was built by the British from 1889-1902.

Dakhla is located around 350km from the Nile Valley between the oases of Farafra and Kharga.

There is no city in the world like Cairo. It has been the largest city in Africa and the Middle East for 750 years and has been attractive to tourists throughout the ages.

Farafra is the smallest oasis in the Western Desert of Egypt with an estimated population of around 5,000, all living within its single village. It is located approximately midway between Dakhla and Bahariya.

Dahab is only a few hours drive north of Sharm el Sheikh, but hidden in its nearby waters lie several world-class dive sites.

Dahab (Gold in Arabic) is a small tourist town located on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Dahab was once a small Bedouin fishing village, but the arrival of international hotel chains has meant that Dahab is now a thriving tourist resort.

Beirut is the capital of Lebanon and has a population of approximately 2.1 million. The city has a history dating back more than 5000 years and has been under the rule of many empires.

The only remaining structure of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. The Great Pyramid of Khufu in Giza, Cairo is the oldest structure in existence and it is so advanced, even using modern technology, it can’t be duplicated today.

Hurghada has transformed in recent years from a small Red Sea fishing village into a vibrant tourist hot-spot. Sandwiched between shimmering blue seas and empty desert, its smart hotels, fabulous restaurants and golden sands make Hurghada a perfect place for some serious sun drenched R&R.

Mount Sinai, located within the Sinai Mountains of Egypt, stands at 2,285m high. The mountain is known by many names, such as Mount Horeb, Mount Musa and Gebel Musa, but is probably better known as ‘Moses’ Mountain’.

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is one of the most ancient cities in the world, with archaeological finds dating as far back as the Neolithic Period, finds at Ain Ghazal in Eastern Amman date back to around 8,500BC.

Israel is one of the most historically important places in the world. It intersects countries, continents and religions, situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe and home to three of the world’s greatest and most important religions.

Jordan is a fascinating country to visit. A hugely significant country in many religions and cultures, it has a rich history for you to explore and some wonderful places to visit.

Guide to attractions you can see on an Egypt Uncovered tour of Egypt, including the Pyramids, Sphinx, Luxor and a felucca cruise along the Nile.

Luxor is one of Egypt’s most popular tourist destinations and is one of the world’s greatest open air museums. The town is located on the banks of the river Nile, approximately 670 km south of Cairo.

Many tourists today, come to visit the city of Jerash to see the ancient ruins of the city of Gerasa, one of the Roman’s Decapolis cities.

Edfu Temple is one of the stop-offs when doing a cruise down the Nile either on a cruise boat or a felucca. Most people are transferred from their boat by bus but it is possible to make the short journey on horses using a Hantoor carriage ride.

The town of Kom Ombo is located 30 miles north (or downstream) from the city of Aswan. Most people visit the temple from either a cruise or a felucca boat.

Aqaba is known as Jordan’s window to the sea, as it is the countries only seaport. Aqaba is a contrast to the rose coloured deserts to the North, and is home to pristine sandy beaches and spectacular coral reefs.

Bahariya – the Northern Oasis is located around 300km from Cairo. The oasis consists of many villages; the largest of these is Bawiti.

The Coptic monastery of St Paul lies in Egypt’s eastern desert far from any other ancient ruins. St Paul is said to have been born to rich parents, however by the age of 16 both of his parents had died.

Until very recently, Siwa was Egypt’s most inaccessible oasis despite it being one of the most interesting. Siwa’s rich history includes a visit from Alexander the Great in 331 BC; he came here to consult the Oracle of Amun.

Aswan is Egypt’s southernmost city, and the ancient frontier town lies in one of the most beautiful settings on the first cataract of the Nile. This is also where the desert meets the Nile, amidst sparkling blue waters and granite bedrock.

For those wanting something a little more off the beaten track there is Dahab – a place that makes you feel after a week like you’ve been away for a month.

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as “The Pearl of the Mediterranean”, has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km from Cairo.

At first glace Madaba appears to be a typical East Bank town, but there is one major difference. Under almost every building, you will find a fine Byzantine mosaic.

Heading south from Madaba on the King’s Highway, you will come across Kerak, the ancient capital of the biblical kingdom of Moab. Kerak is perched on top of a steep hill and is dominated by the largest and best-preserved crusader castle in the area.

Hurghada was once little more than a small fishing village; it is now one of the Red Sea’s premier resorts. Hurghada stretches for more than 35km along the banks of the Red Sea.

The Philae Temple dedicated to the Goddess Isis in Upper Egypt is situated in one of the most idyllic settings in Egypt although this is more from necessity than by natural design.

Located 12km west of Madaba, Mount Nebo stands at around 817m above sea level and is one of Jordan’s most revered holy sites. The site is believed to be the location of Moses’ death and burial place.

St Anthony’s Monastery stands at an oasis spring in the Red sea mountains around 100 miles from Cairo, it is the worlds oldest active monastery. It was founded around 356 AD just after the death of St Anthony, on his burial site.

Not on many tourist trips, Wadi Rayan is best known locally for its swimming beaches and waterfalls, but is also close to Egypt’s first natural World Heritage Site, the ‘Valley of the Whales’, in Wadi El Hitan.

Described as ‘one of the most precious cultural properties of mans cultural heritage’ by UNESCO and designated as a world heritage site in 1985, Petra truly is an amazing site to see.

Wadi Rum is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southwest Jordan. It is the largest ‘Wadi’ in Jordan. There is only one road into Wadi Rum, which runs off of the Desert Highway, 42km north of Aqaba.

Israel has an incredible past and is shaping up to have an amazing future. It has much to offer travellers from all walks of life.

If ever there was an ‘Am I Still on Planet Earth?’ sort of a desert, it’s Wadi Rum. Mention Jordan to 20-to-30-something adventurers, and many will tell you that the country begins and ends right here.

Known in the 4,000 year-old City of Jerusalem as ‘Haram Esh-Sharif’ and ‘Western Wall’, your guide will explain all this stonework – the remains of the original Fort Antonia.

Built in the 6th century BC as a capitol for the Nabataeans, Petra is your reward for a horse or camel-ride through the Siq, a narrow corridor of cliffs.

Cairo is Africa’s city of 15 million – they don’t come with more residents on the entire continent. It is hot, hot-headed and frenetic with bustle, bazaars and traffic chaos.