Security is of concern at present and trips to the Khyber Pass are best left for a better time (check official safety advice at your planned time of travel), but do seize the opportunity when the opportunity comes. The pass has long been a gateway to South Asia (part of the ancient Silk Route), travelled by merchants, explorers and conquerors, the likes of Alexander the Great and Mughals, a channel that now connects Pakistan to the troubled Afghan territories via Torkham. Michni Checkpoint is as far as most visitors can count on getting.

Just behind the ruins of Memphis, this 8-metre-long statue was carved from a single block of alabaster. It’s smaller than the Giza Sphinx but still impressive up close. No one’s entirely sure who it represents — maybe Hatshepsut or Amenhotep II — which just adds to the mystery. It’s a quick stop, but worth it if you’re already in the area.

The Orihuela Archaeology Museum has its origins in the former Santo Domingo Museum of Antiquities, established in 1902 by Jesuit priest Julio Furgús, who donated numerous pieces. Created by the Orihuela Town Council, the museum has been housed in various locations, including the Palacio de Teodomiro, the Municipal Hospital, the Rubalcaba Palace, and since 1997, its current location at the Church of San Juan de Dios, which was built in the mid-18th century. The museum's collection features artefacts that span a broad range of periods, from the Paleolithic era to the early 19th century. The majority of the items were excavated or discovered in the town and its surrounding areas, often through the museum's own investigations. The same building also houses the Exhibition Hall, formerly the men's ward of the hospital. This spacious, rectangular room with barrel-vaulted ceilings hosts temporary exhibitions and various cultural events.