One of the greatest civilisations the world has ever seen, the Ancient Egyptians ruled over the lower reaches of the Nile for millennia. After a unified kingdom arose around 3100 BC, a series of dynasties and pharaohs built ever-bigger pyramids and temples before falling to the Roman Empire in 30 BC.

During this incredible long era the ancient Egyptians produced some of the most famous monuments in the world of which many have survived the ages. Many of the massive monuments were dedicated to various deities or the pharaohs themselves and were adorned with rich decorations, such as striking statues and detailed reliefs.

Such was the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the Ancient Egyptians, many of these amazing ancient monuments are still standing today. Here’s a look at the most amazing ancient Egyptian monuments:

10. Temple of Hatshepsut

Not far from the famed Valley of the Kings lies another of Egypt’s incredible ancient sights; the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Located at the foot of towering cliffs that rise dramatically above the desert floor is a massive, almost modern-looking monument.

Built for the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut who died in 1458 BC, the temple boasts three layers of terraces, all of which are lined by colossal colonnades. Once surrounded by lush gardens, they are connected by long ramps with well-preserved and colourful reliefs of animals, plants and people to be found alongside huge statues of Osiris.

9. Bent Pyramid

The Bent Pyramid located at Dahshur was the second pyramid built by pharaoh Sneferu. Mysteriously, the pyramid rises from the desert at an angle of 55 degrees and then suddenly changes to a more gradual angle of 43 degrees. One theory holds that due to the steepness of the original angle the weight to be added above the inner chambers and passageways became to large, forcing the builders to adopt a shallower angle. It is the only pyramid in Egypt of which the outer casing of polished limestone is still largely intact.

8. Step Pyramid of Djoser

The Step Pyramid of Djoser at the Saqqara necropolis was the very first pyramid built by the ancient Egyptians. It was constructed during the 27th century BC for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his Vizier Imhotep. The ancient monument began as a traditional, flat-roofed mastaba but by the end of Djoser’s reign it had risen to a six stepped layer Pyramid and stood 204 feet (62 meters) high. As in earlier mastaba tombs, the burial chambers of the Step Pyramid are underground, hidden in a maze of tunnels.

7. Luxor Temple

The Luxor Temple is located on the east bank of the River Nile in the ancient city of Thebes and was founded in 1400 BC during the New Kingdom. The temple was dedicated to the three Egyptian gods Amun, Mut, and Chons. The ancient temple was the center of the festival of Opet, Thebes’ most important festival. During the annual festival the statues of the three Gods were escorted to the temple of Luxor along the avenue of sphinxes that connect the 2 temples.

6. Great Sphinx

Located at the Giza Plateau, The Great Sphinx is one of the largest and oldest monuments in the world, but basic facts about it, such as who was the model for the face, when it was built, and by whom, are still debated. It is the largest monolith statue in the world although it is considerably smaller than the Pyramids around it. Despite conflicting evidence and viewpoints over the years, the traditional view held by modern Egyptologists at large remains that the Great Sphinx was built in approximately 2500 BC by the pharaoh Khafre, the supposed builder of the second pyramid at Giza.

5. Red Pyramid

Built by Pharaoh Sneferu, the Red Pyramid is the world’s first successful attempt at constructing a “true” smooth-sided pyramid. At 104 meters it is the 4th highest pyramid ever built in Egypt. What really makes the Red Pyramid special today is the lack of crowds that plagues the Giza Plateau and the comparatively unregulated interior access.

4. Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and privileged nobles of the New Kingdom. The valley contains 63 tombs and chambers, ranging in size from a simple pit to a complex tomb with over 120 chambers. The royal tombs are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology and give clues to the beliefs and funerary rituals of the period. All of the tombs seem to have been opened and robbed in antiquity. Only the famous tomb of Tutankhamun was spared from the worst of the tomb depredations.

3. Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel is an archaeological site comprising two massive rock temples in southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser. The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses The Great in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari. The complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s to avoid their being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser, the massive artificial water reservoir formed after the building of the Aswan High Dam on the Nile River.

2. Karnak

Other than the pyramids, the most popular place to visit in Egypt is the captivating Karnak Temple complex which lies in Luxor on the banks of the river Nile. Built over millennia, this site has everything from colossal colonnades and chapels to sumptuously sculpted sanctuaries, sphinxes and obelisks.

Although construction began around 2000 BC, later pharaohs added their own flourishes making Karnak now the largest ancient religious site on earth. As such, exploring the archaeological area is an incredible experience with such spellbinding sights as the Great Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amun-Ra.

1. Pyramids of Giza

Arguably the world’s most famous landmark, the Pyramids of Giza lie on the outskirts of Cairo, looking out over the endless sands of the Sahara. The pyramids in Giza were built over the span of three generations – by Khufu, his second reigning son Khafre, and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and sole remnant of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Over 2 million blocks of stone were used to construct the pyramid, during a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. The pyramid is an awe-inspiring 139 meters (455 feet) high making it the largest pyramid in Egypt, although nearby Khafre’s Pyramid appears to be larger as it is build at a higher elevation.

The rules of international travel are changing — again.

The emergence of the omicron variant of Covid in southern Africa and its detection around the world has sparked a host of new travel requirements and, in some cases, outright bans — further complicating international trips that were just starting to pick up.

Three weeks after lifting a blanket pandemic travel ban on more than 30 countries, the Biden administration on Nov. 29 banned visitors from South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Starting Monday, the U.S. is implementing stricter testing requirements for inbound travelers, including U.S. citizens, forcing travelers to make time and to budget for Covid tests closer to their departure date.

Rules have changed quickly. Here is what U.S.-bound air travelers need to know:

What is changing?

Starting Monday, air travelers flying to the U.S. from abroad will need to show airlines proof of a negative Covid test result that was taken within one day of departure before being allowed to board. That includes U.S. citizens and vaccinated travelers.

Previously, vaccinated visitors, permanent residents and citizens had to show a test within three days of departure for the U.S.

When do travelers have to take their test?

The Centers for Disease Control says specimens must have been collected one calendar day before departure.

What types of Covid tests are accepted?

Both antigen and nucleic acid amplification tests, or NAAT, including PCR, results will be accepted.

Do I need to take a test when I land in the U.S.

No. The United States does not require that travelers test upon landing and entering the U.S.

However, the CDC has expanded a program to offer free, voluntary tests to travelers upon arrival to help detect variants, most recently the omicron variant.

They’re offered by XpresSpa Group, which has expanded from airport massages and other spa services into airport Covid testing since the pandemic started, and Ginkgo Bioworks. The program is available at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Both at-home tests can be collected or PCR tests done on arrival.

XpresSpa’s XpresCheck subsidiary also offers rapid testing at various U.S. airports with prices ranging from $75 for a PCR test to $250 for a rapid PCR test.

Do the new rules apply to land crossing into the U.S.?

No. The new rules are solely for air travel.

Can I cancel my flight?

Airline policies vary and travelers should check early and often with their carrier for both changing rules and ticket policies.

Major U.S. airlines have eliminated change fees for both international and domestic main cabin and above tickets that were purchased at least in the United States and in certain other countries, but travelers could still be responsible for differences in fare if they elect to travel on a different day. Basic economy tickets are generally less flexible and harder to change, however.

Delta Air Lines is waiving fare differences for Japan and Israel, which have temporarily banned foreign visitors, and for South Africa, if passengers fly on or before Dec. 12. American Airlines says that with tickets purchased for travel to and from Australia, Europe, the U.K., Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand or South Africa between March 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021, and travel would have taken place through the end of this year, the value of the ticket can be used for trips through Dec. 31, 2022.

The dos and don’ts to staying safe but adventurous

Jason Derulo once wrote a song about Ridin Solo and while he definitely wasn’t talking about solo trip—at least not in the way you’d thunk—the vibe still holds true. After all, “Time to do the things I like / Going to the club, everything’s alright / No one to answer to / No one that’s gon’ argue” pretty much sums up for what it’s like when it’s just you on the road. Remember Bilbo Baggins? And how happy he was discovering Middle Earth alone? Of course, he did nick the One Ring to rule them all and put that same Middle Earth at risk, so maybe let’s not follow that particular trajectory.

All this is to just drive home the fact that solo tripping, in short, is exhilarating. You know that feeling when you finish the race and you’re winded but just so damn happy that you made it out alive? It’s that; just maybe a trifle less dramatic. And no, you don’t have to Eat, Pray, Love your way into discovering yourself. You just have to pack a bag, take a deep breath and go!

Before you do though, it would be prudent to keep a couple of time-tested tips in mind, just so you can max out on what’s sure to be a transcendental experience.

10 tips for solo travellers

1. Pre-book your lodgings

Spontaneous may be your middle name, but when you’re riding solo, you want to know where you’ll be holding up—way in advance. Remember, you’re not the only one travelling that time of year. Overbooked hotels, Airbnbs that just aren’t up to the mark, these are all very distinct possibilities. To be on the safe side, you also want to leave behind lodging details with someone back home.

The kind of place you settle on should be congruent to three things: your mood, the vibe of the trip and most importantly—the strength of your wallet. If you’re a woman travelling solo, the need for a safe space that isn’t too remote is paramount. Many solo travellers prefer to put up in well-maintained hostels because it gives them the chance to meet others travelling by themselves and make some terrific memories.

2. Have a ready-made itinerary

You know how annoying it is when you’re trying to sync itineraries? You may be a history nerd and scouring famous museums to run to while your best friend just wants to get down with a Dirty Martini. Going on a solo trip allows you to customise an itinerary that is only yours to play with, follow or even break. However, and we’re directing this, especially towards first time solo travellers: have a travel plan list on the ready. The world is your oyster, yes, but you don’t want to be ladened with Sophie’s choice when the time comes. It’s always better to have things chalked out.

3. Pack light

No, you don’t need to carry that shirt that you haven’t worn in two years because ‘just in case’. Or underwear worth six months. If you’re travelling solo, travel light. Say you want to canter off to a new spot you discovered while exploring the town. It would be a pain to relocate if you’re trudging around hefty suitcases and multiple what-nots. Don’t miss out on adventures simply because your bag of toiletries was taking up too much space!

4. Share your travel plans

Sure, solo trips are supposed to mark a break from the familiar and get you off the map, but you do have people back home worrying about you being eaten by a bear. Also, if you’re a sucker for offbeat travel, you may find yourself in spots that don’t cater to decent wifi or even basic mobile network. So, in a bid to not raise anyone’s BP, share your travel itinerary and lodging details with your loved ones. You’d breathe a lot better for it too.

5. Be open to meeting fellow travellers

Sometimes, the friendships you forge with a stranger over the orange blaze of a bonfire can last you a lifetime. When you’re travelling solo, you get to meet adventurers from across the world, wandering nomads who, like you, have taken a leap of faith and set out to make some solid memories. That alone presents a strong basis to cement a new bond, one you can carry back with you long after you part ways.

6. Respect the region-based guidelines

If there’s anything the pandemic has taught us, it’s to be cognizant of travel guidelines set in place, and to follow them to the T. Be it COVID-19-related regulations like mask mandates and pulling out vaccination certificates or state curfews and liquor laws—be respectful of the rules native to where you’re visiting.

7. Have a designated driver

And we’re not just talking about someone to get you back to your Airbnb after a binge-drink session. It’s always good to have the contact and goodwill of someone from the area, be it a manager from your lodgings or the one taxi driver who promised to play tour guide should you require one. Save their digits on your phone and also take their card in case your battery runs out. You don’t want to be left stranded!

8. Carry everything you need on your person

Unless you’re staying in a place which has a foolproof safe that even someone from the Oceans 8 ensemble can’t break into, carry your most important documents. This includes your passport and other IDs and documents that you may have to whisk out at a moment’s notice. Pro tip: Also, fashion yourself a mini first-aid kit of sorts to carry with you at all times. You never know when you might need it.

9. Imbibe the local culture

If you’re travelling solo to a place that you’re not a native of, you’re all kinds of lucky because you get the opportunity to learn something new: a language, a cuisine, a dance, history. The best way to do it? Speak to the locals; they are the gatekeepers to the region’s burgeoning culture and are certified authorities on how to maximise your travel experience.

10. Don’t spend all your time on your phone

Before you gasp in outrage, we’re not telling you to not ‘gram all your solo adventures! In fact, thanks to smartphones, you get to document every facet of your journey and re-live it, happily so, later. But in the process, you may find yourself experiencing things through the four corners of your screen, rather than taking it all in in real time. Don’t be so busy capturing the moment that you forget to actually live right in it.

Travel photography enthralls both amateur and professional photographers. What’s not to love about capturing special moments on your adventures? Whether you want to take some pictures that will remind you of blissful vacation memories or take professional-quality photographs that can get you started as a photojournalist, it’s important to work on your skills and challenge yourself to learn new things.

Consider these photo challenges that may inspire you to get out there with your camera and try something different. Here’s a secret. The point of a challenge isn’t all about taking a beautiful photo that represents the challenge. It’s more about learning more about your camera, developing a new skill and discovering more about your own interests in photography.

Don’t stop here, either. Once you make it through this list, you may want to create your own list of fun photo challenges that will help continue to help you hone your skills as a photographer.

Photograph a reflection

Take a photograph of a reflection that you think is pretty or interesting. This can be as simple or complex as you’d like. For example, you may want to go to a local body of water and capture a reflection in it. Alternately, you can simply take a photograph of something being reflected in a mirror in your house.

As part of this challenge, concentrate on an aspect of taking this photograph that will make it more fun for you. Consider how you can best capture symmetrical reflections. Focus on telling a story or simply creating contrasts. It’s up to you.

Find a rainbow

Take a photograph of a rainbow. You don’t have to wait around and try to find one after a local thunderstorm. You may instead take a photo of a rainbow image in your home or community. Alternately, look for prisms or glass objects that might filter light in a way that creates a rainbow of color.

The point of this challenge is simple. Try to find the best way to represent the rainbow. Pay attention to how you capture color and how you experience different colors through your lens.

Focus on something interesting to you

What you focus on in a photograph will determine the story that it tells. For example, in this picture that was taken in a cemetery, the focus is on the quirky, darkly humorous bench that displays a message for drivers passing by. However, if the focus of the image was on something else, the writing on the bench might be obscured, and the photo would tell an entirely different story.

Try to take a photograph that tells a unique story based on the precise thing that you choose to focus on. This is an everyday challenge that you will have if you aim to be a professional travel photographer. You’ll find yourself in a situation with awe-inspiring scenes, and you have to choose what to focus on and which story to tell.

Capture a scene through a window

Tell a story by photographing a scene through an open window. Windows hold a certain mystique. Think of films like “Rear Window” and even episodes of the sitcom “Friends” that rely on fascinating observations through a window. Think of your camera as a voyeur as you try to photograph a story or special image through a window.

For this challenge, experiment with taking a photograph through an open window. This could be a car window if you’re a passenger, a plane window or simply your bedroom window. Be sure to get the window itself in the photograph since it’s a part of the story for this challenge.

Take a creative selfie

For this challenge, think about how you usually present yourself to the world. How might you prefer to be seen instead? For this challenge, try to take a selfie that makes you feel good about yourself.

Get as creative as you’d like with this selfie. You may choose to sit beneath a high-set tripod for a certain perspective, or you may even choose to just take a photograph of your eyes. It’s up to you. The point is to creatively capture an aspect of yourself in a way that gives you joy.

Photograph a still object that strikes you as special

Try to pay attention to things surrounding you at home and elsewhere. Look for something that strikes you as significant or special. It doesn’t have to be something that holds significance to anyone else. It can be as simple as a favorite dish in the kitchen or a doll from childhood.

As you take the photo of the still object, think carefully of the story that you want to tell with how you photograph it. For example, you may choose to pose a beloved doll from childhood in the center of things that are an essential part of your adulthood. Put as much or as little time as you’d like into capturing a still object.

Take a photograph in rainy weather

The landscapes around you will take on a different mood in the rain. If you have adequate equipment to protect your camera in inclement weather, step outside and take photographs during the rain, or take your photograph for this challenge just after the rain.

Think about how weather informs your photography. Beyond lighting, how big of a role does the weather have in travel photography? After careful consideration during this challenge, you may realize that you will need to get used to looking at weather apps to plan for the right photographs in any location.

Capture an image of something you created

Here’s the opportunity to bridge two of your creative passions together. In this challenge, you will need to take a photograph of something that you created. This can be anything at all, including a sweet treat that you baked or a cross-stitch design.

Think about how the meaning of your original creation may change through the lens of the camera. How can you best showcase the thing you created? Can you tell a story about it through the image you take, or can you show how loved it has been? This challenge is all about appreciating your talents and what matters to you. Showcase it in a way that’s meaningful to you.

Showcase a key moment of a sunrise or sunset

This challenge is simple. Capture a lovely moment at sunrise or sunset. It’s no secret that the sky often takes on a colorful, dreamy look as the sun rises and sets. Make an effort to wake up before dawn to capture a sunrise at an ideal spot in your hometown or go out at dusk to capture the setting sun.

It’s fairly easy to get a pretty shot of a landscape at the very start of the day or as the day turns into night. What you want to focus on with this challenge is what you want to capture and how you want to take the photo. Try to go to a location where you’ve never seen the sun rise or set before.

Capture the personality of an animal you love

Human and non-human animals have a lot more in common than many people realize. If you have a companion animal, you have no doubt noticed that they have strong personalities, desires and feelings just like you do. For this challenge, try to capture the personality of the animal you love the most in a photograph.

You can have fun with this one. Simply spend an hour or so with your companion animal and take frequent photographs as you go about other activities. You may try to capture them in a game of catch or take a photo of them as they nap. The goal is to try to tell a story about their own special personality.