The pharaohs didn’t have it quite this good. Imagine floating down the world’s longest river for up to 12 days, enjoying some of the greatest sites the ancient world has to offer at every port. Five thousand years of history combined with the slow easy drift of a state-of-the-art, newly built river ship. Or, to put it another way: Pyramids, temples, ancient artefacts and hieroglyphics by day; sun loungers, gin and tonics and marinated loin of lamb with falafels by night.

Welcome to a luxury cruise on the Nile. Given the big three Middle Eastern carriers – Emirates, Qatar and Etihad – comprise the airlines of choice for millions of Australians bound for Europe or the UK, more travellers are curious to break the punishing 24-hour journey with a couple of nights in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi.