21 days in Africa, Europe & Asia Itinerary

More than 20 million people call Cairo their home and, as soon as you set foot in the sprawling metropolis, it's evident they make it crowded and chaotic, but also exuberant and charming.

Change things up with these side-trips from Cairo: Giza (Pyramids of Giza & Great Sphinx). There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, see Off-Road Tours, snap pictures at Qasr El Nil Bridge, and see exotic creatures in open habitats at a safari tour.

To see more things to do, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Cairo tour planning website.

Sydney, Australia to Cairo is an approximately 22.5-hour flight. You'll gain 8 hours traveling from Sydney to Cairo due to the time zone difference. Plan for much hotter temperatures traveling from Sydney in August, with highs in Cairo at 41°C and lows at 30°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Luxor.

A monumental number of archaeological relics from ancient Egypt remain evident in Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Mon): stroll the grounds of Valley of the Kings and then steep yourself in history at Temple of Karnak. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get advice or help at ACE - Animal Care in Egypt and then appreciate the history behind Luxor Temple.

To find maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Luxor trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Cairo to Luxor takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Cairo in September: highs in Luxor hover around 46°C, while lows dip to 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Tue) so you can fly to Istanbul.

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Istanbul is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the landmark architecture of Hagia Sophia Mosque, take an in-depth tour of Galata Tower, take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and contemplate the waterfront views at Bosphorus Strait.

To find ratings, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read Istanbul trip planner.

Getting from Luxor to Istanbul by flight takes about 7 hours. Other options: drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Luxor to Istanbul. When traveling from Luxor in September, plan for colder days in Istanbul, with highs around 26°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Paris.

A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Paris is known for museums, sightseeing, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: steep yourself in history at Eiffel Tower, get to know the fascinating history of Montmartre, admire the masterpieces at Louvre Museum, and admire the landmark architecture of Arc de Triomphe.

To find where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Paris sightseeing planner.

You can fly from Istanbul to Paris in 7.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of car and train. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from Istanbul to Paris due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Istanbul in September, Paris is a bit cooler at night with lows of 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) so you can fly to Madrid.

Madrid is known for its cultural and artistic heritage, lively nightlife, and a dynamic culinary scene.

Madrid is known for museums, historic sites, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the masterpieces at Prado National Museum, make a trip to Puerta del Sol, contemplate the long history of Plaza Mayor, and admire the landmark architecture of Royal Palace of Madrid.

For ratings, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Madrid online trip maker.

Traveling by flight from Paris to Madrid takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Paris in September, things will get a bit warmer in Madrid: highs are around 32°C and lows about 17°C. You will have some time to spend on the 15th (Fri) before leaving for Dubai.

Take a holiday in Dubai to experience a mix of excitement, entertainment, and relaxation.

Plan for a day of cool, family-friendly fun on the 19th (Tue) at Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark. There's lots more to do: admire the striking features of Burj Khalifa, get engrossed in the history at Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort, zoom along the surf with a waterskiing or jet-skiing adventure, and explore the engaging exhibits at OliOli.

Plan trip to Dubai with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

You can fly from Madrid to Dubai in 11 hours. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to Gulf Standard Time is 3 hours. Traveling from Madrid in September, things will get much warmer in Dubai: highs are around 46°C and lows about 36°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly back home.