The famous Alexandria, founded in 332 BC, is one of the greatest cities in the world. Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria is one of the greatest examples of Greek culture. Art and architecture flourished there, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The lighthouse has long been one of the tallest structures in the world, symbolizing the city's status as a port. Do you know where the largest and most impressive library in the ancient world was? It was the Library of Alexandria, which sadly no longer exists. An ancient burial system influenced by Rome and Greece, the Necropolis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Visitors to Alexandria today can relive priceless artifacts from ancient history in what remains Egypt's second largest city.

Balkh, like many other cities, says it is the oldest city that is still continuously inhabited. Balkh is in what is now northern Afghanistan. Balkh is influenced by many of the world’s oldest religions. Its first association was with Zoroastrianism, which is the oldest monotheistic religion in the world. Buddhists revere the city because it was home to two great monks, Trapusa and Bahalika. In the 7th century, the city was home to 100 Buddhist convents and 3,000 monks. In the 9th century, the area was invaded by Arabs and became an Islamic stronghold. The city was later sacked by Mongol king Genghis Khan. Balkh is well known as the ancient capital of Bactra, which was home to the Bactria empire. Now the city has fewer than 8,000 inhabitants. However, the many historical sites make it a worthwhile place to visit for those who can traverse the rough terrain of Afghanistan.

Luxor was founded in 3,200 BC and nearly half a million people still call Luxor home. As a city in Upper Egypt, Luxor is known by its green name, Thebes. Known as the City of a Hundred Gates, Luxor first rose to prominence during the 11th Dynasty, when it emerged as a center of great wealth, political achievement and the arts. But its most important contribution to Egyptian history was as a center of worship for the sun god Amun-Ra. It served as the religious capital of the country until the Greek invasion. Modern Luxor is full of fantastic museums and temples.