Aswan
Flight time from UK: 5 hrs 30 mins (approx)

Aswan is situated on the eastern bank of the River Nile, south of Luxor. It is a small town, which has retained much of its old-world charm due to the fact it has not been over-run with tourism. At Aswan the Nile narrows slightly, and you will find a number of islands formed in the river. A walk by the Nile is fascinating and at sunset is an astounding sight not to be missed. Aswan does not have a beach but the Nile is a great substitute... however, while it makes for a truly picturesque sight, it is not advised to swim.

Must See
There is plenty to do here with some culturally-packed tours. A half-day tour could take you around Elephantine Island, the Botanical Gardens and Kitcheners Island, or to the famous Unfinished Obelisk. The Philae Temple, which is located on Agilika Island, puts on an unmissable sound and light show in the evenings. There are many temples to visit such as Kom Ombo, Edfu and Abu Simbel, the latter is of special interest and can be reached in a day trip by air. You could also visit the temple, or even the Aswan Cultural Centre, where you can partake in a traditional music and dance session.

Shopping
Enter the bazaar area, and breathe in the sights, sounds and colours, whilst haggling intensely for you 'must-have' local wares. The favourite tourist purchases are papyrus, jewellery and pharaohs heads, beautifully carved out of stone. Some of the larger hotels have their own shopping areas, where you can buy your daily necessities and souvenirs.

After Dark
Aswan has a few small nightspots, but tourists do not normally frequent them. The upmarket hotels and bars are the better option for those who are looking for evening's entertainment.