32 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.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Sun): see the interesting displays at The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and then take an exotic tour of a safari tour.

To find more things to do, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Cairo trip itinerary planning website.

Chicago, USA to Cairo is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is 8 hours. In July, Cairo is a bit warmer than Chicago - with highs of 95°F and lows of 76°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (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.

Spend the 4th (Tue) floating through the air with a balloon tour. There's still lots to do: delve into the distant past at Temple of Karnak, stroll the grounds of Valley of the Kings, make a trip to Deir el-Shelwit Temple, and pause for some photo ops at Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari.

To find maps, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Luxor trip app.

Traveling by flight from Cairo to Luxor takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. When traveling from Cairo in July, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Luxor: temperatures range from 106°F by day to 79°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Sharm El Sheikh.

An enviable location on the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula and year-round warm weather boost tourism in Sharm El Sheikh and make it one of Egypt's premier travel destinations.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sharm El Sheikh: Dahab (Scuba & Snorkeling & Blue Hole). Spend the 7th (Fri) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's still lots to do: see Off-Road Tours, take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Heavenly Cathedral, join the crowd at Ghibli Raceway, and enjoy the sand and surf at Ras Um Sid.

For where to stay, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Sharm El Sheikh online route builder.

You can fly from Luxor to Sharm El Sheikh in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or drive. Traveling from Luxor in July, expect nights in Sharm El Sheikh to be about the same, around 84°F, while days are a bit cooler, around 100°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 14th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to Fira.

Fira, the busy capital of Santorini, sits on the very edge of a volcanic caldera.

Fira is known for nightlife, wineries, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the ancient world of Akrotiri, kick back and relax at Red Beach, take a memorable tour with Tours, and make a trip to Sunset in Oia.

For reviews, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, read our Fira trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Fira takes 10.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Sharm El Sheikh in July; daily highs in Fira reach 86°F and lows reach 74°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight 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.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Wed): get engrossed in the history at Topkapi Palace, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, then admire the landmark architecture of Hagia Sophia Mosque, and finally admire the striking features of Basilica Cistern. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Thu): admire the striking features of Dolmabahce Palace, take an in-depth tour of Galata Tower, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Suleymaniye Cami , and finally hunt for treasures at Kapali Carsi.

To find photos, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Istanbul trip maker tool.

Traveling by flight from Fira to Istanbul takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Fira to Istanbul. Traveling from Fira in July, Istanbul is slightly colder at night with lows of 68°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) early enough to fly to Urgup.

A comfortable base for exploring the historical region of Cappadocia in the central part of the country, Urgup remains best known for its striking architecture of stone-cut buildings.

Urgup is known for nature, historic sites, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the striking landscape of Goreme National Park, stop by Antikite Ottoman, trot along with a tour on horseback, and get engrossed in the history at Goreme Open-Air Museum.

For reviews, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Urgup holiday maker tool.

You can fly from Istanbul to Urgup in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect little chillier evenings in Urgup when traveling from Istanbul in July, with lows around 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to fly to Beirut.

Sitting on the Mediterranean coast, Beirut, the country's capital and largest city, has plenty of appeal itself, as well as offering a convenient base for exploring the country's other sights and cities.

Step out of Beirut to go to Harissa and see Our Lady of Lebanon, which is approximately 38 minutes away. There's still lots to do: examine the collection at Mim Museum - Mineral Museum, don't miss a visit to Gemmayzeh Street, get engrossed in the history at National Museum of Beirut, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Beirut route planner.

Fly from Urgup to Beirut in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Urgup to Beirut is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Urgup in July, Beirut is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 75°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to Petra - Wadi Musa.

Visitors flock to Wadi Musa to witness the rose colored rock-carved temples and tombs of Petra, the famous ancient city and World Heritage Site.

Change things up with these side-trips from Petra - Wadi Musa: Shobak Castle (in Shoubak) and Dana Nature Reserve (in Dana). On the 27th (Thu), spend a day of historical exploration at Petra. There's still lots to do: contemplate the long history of Little Petra, ponder the design of Nymphaeum, and delve into the distant past at Byzantine Church.

For reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Petra - Wadi Musa trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Beirut to Petra - Wadi Musa takes 7 hours. Traveling from Beirut to Petra - Wadi Musa, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) to allow time to fly to Mecca.

The city of Mecca boasts the statues of the holiest site in Islam, and represents the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and therefore the religion itself.

On the 30th (Sun), make a trip to Jabal al-Nour, admire the landmark architecture of Abraj Al-Bait Towers, and then see the sky in a new way at Makkah Clock Tower Museum. On the 31st (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the spiritual surroundings of Station of Ibrahim and then admire the landmark architecture of Kaaba.

To find ratings, maps, photos, and other tourist information, use the Mecca driving holiday planning app.

You can fly from Petra - Wadi Musa to Mecca in 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight; or drive. July in Mecca sees daily highs of 111°F and lows of 87°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Mon) so you can catch the flight to Cairo.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Cairo road trip planning app.

You can fly from Mecca to Cairo in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of car and ferry. Traveling from Mecca to Cairo, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Mecca in July; daily highs in Cairo reach 95°F and lows reach 76°F. On the 31st (Mon), you'll travel back home.