Egypt could be the ultimate holiday destination when it comes to soaking up history and culture abroad - and sailing up the Nile on a cruise holiday might well be one of the best ways of doing so.
We know much about the ancient Egyptian civilisation thanks in part to what it left behind - impressive monuments like the Pyramids and a host of temples, tombs and other structures.
One of the most famous of these is the Temple of Karnak, a sprawling complex devoted to the gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu and packed with sanctuaries, rooms, enclosures and precincts that measures a staggering 1.5km by 800m.
Karnak was built, dismantled, rebuilt and expanded in the space of 2,000 years, with a number of pharaohs making various additions and changes to the site to turn it into the largest complex of its type in the world.
An awe-inspiring sight from the outside, the temple - which was the single most important place of worship when Thebes was at its most powerful - is even more impressive once you wander in and really get a handle on the scale of the structure.
While some parts of Karnak remain closed to the public, the sections that are open offer much food for thought.
One of these is the Great Hypostyle Hall, which is intricately decorated with what seem to be battle scenes and contains some massive columns that are likely to make you feel very small indeed.
The sheer size of the whole complex should offer some insight into how much the people of Thebes revered their gods.
Other sights to take in from the deck of a Nile cruise ship include the Temple of Luxor, another large site consisting of several smaller components that are worth a closer look.
The Valley of the Kings in the Theban Hills is also a must-see, as it is home to dozens of royal tombs - including that of Tutankhamen - and a host of wall drawings and paintings offering a peek into how the ancient Egyptians lived.
More generally, you'll additionally be able to take in the beautiful rural scenery of present-day Egypt.
Virgin Holidays Cruises is the place to book Egypt cruises, including a Nile river cruise and to find a fantastic choice of cruise bargains. Virgin Holidays Cruises is here to bring the UK a fresh and exciting perspective to cruising. It's about tailor making cruises to suit everyone.
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