5. Cairo, Egypt

Why you should go: There’s nothing quite like standing in the shadow of the pyramids of Giza, but Cairo has so much more to offer. Plan a trip to the Egyptian Museum of Cairo to see the iconic Mask of Tutankhamun or experience medieval Islamic Cairo at the Khan el Khalili Bazaar — don’t leave without taking a sunrise cruise on the Nile.
Flight time: 4 hours
Where to stay: Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir | from AED 372/night
insydo tip: Beat the notorious street traffic by hopping on the Cairo Metro – it’s surprisingly efficient.