It’s hard to imagine a more visually tantalising place to photograph than Christmas Island. All around you are sights, colours, textures and landscapes you’ll want to capture, so bring nature to life through your lens. From soft, pastel sunrises to glorious sunsets, Christmas Island is bathed in ever-changing tropical light. Vivid colour is everywhere, from the crabs’ rich reds to the rainforest’s deep greens, to turquoise waters. Catch the robber crabs on film, zoom in on gentle orchids and twisting vines, and train your lens skywards to capture the elegance and freedom of rare birds in flight. Underwater photographers have a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes to shoot. On land, the imposing, inspiring and detailed architecture of temples and other built forms keeps the shutters clicking. Videos capture the sights and sounds of millions of scurrying red crabs, or the hauntingly musical call of the island’s thrush, and the stirring call to prayer from the mosque. Best spots for best shots: - Martin Point, for staggeringly beautiful sunsets and seabirds; - Blowholes capture the energy of the water on a rugged coastline; - Dolly Beach has impressively large robber crabs plus turtle tracks; - Hughes Dale Waterfall is an iconic island place for your unique shot; - Blowholes Road lets you get creative with a special tree along the road; - Greta Beach hosts nesting turtles all year round; - Island temples boast rich colours fused with wisps of incense smoke; - Tai Jin House invites you to capture the detail of this building and its gardens; - Flying Fish Cove is a must for underwater photography.

Dive into thousands of years of history at this classic museum just off Tahrir Square. It’s packed with statues, mummies, coffins, and everyday objects from across ancient Egypt. Some of the big-ticket items — like Tutankhamun’s famous mask — are being moved to the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, but there’s still loads to explore here. The building’s a bit old-school, with dusty cases and handwritten labels, but that’s part of the charm. Bring a guide or download an audio tour to get the full story behind what you’re seeing.

Wander through one of Egypt’s oldest and most active archaeological sites, about an hour south of Cairo. Saqqara is best known for the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the earliest pyramid ever built — but there’s a lot more to see. Recent excavations have uncovered dozens of tombs, statues, and mummies, some as recently as a few years ago. Don’t miss the Tomb of Mehu, now open after a long restoration — its colourful wall carvings are surprisingly well preserved.

The Zoma Museum is an environmentally conscious artist in residency project. The museum has been influential in the contemporary Ethiopian visual art sector and as a conduit for Ethiopian artists to be featured internationally. Zoma is also a good place to see local plants and explore traditional house making styles made of mud. There's a cafe and a restaurant, too.