Inspiring Egypt

Laura Westerberg of York poses for a photo with guide Mohamed Khalil July 17 at Deir el-Bahari, Egypt.

She and others spent 11 days touring Cairo this summer, then flew south to Abu Simbel and, finally, cruised the Nile from Aswan north to Luxor.

Westerberg wrote that seeing the pyramids and places such as Valley of the Kings and Karnak was inspiring: "The sharp line where the vegetation stops and the desert begins was sobering - showing how little fertile soil is available for Egypt's inhabitants for living and farming."

Her travel tip: Get a guide Buy four to six bottles of water a day and drink them all - plus bottled water at meals. Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin and eyes.