Egypt is one of the most historic and scenic countries in the world, and one of the best ways of taking in everything it has to offer is by taking a cruise down one of the most famous rivers in the world – the Nile.

On a cruise down the Nile, expect to be treated to trademark, friendly Egyptian hospitality, luxurious cocktails and often plush sleeping quarters as you make your way down the river, taking in the sights including the temples of Esna and Kom Ombo.

Many cruises, such as those offered by Nubian Nile Cruises, start in Luxor so try arriving a day early as there is plenty to see before you set sail.

Because Luxor is located on the ruins of Thebes, it is rich in historical and archaeological intrigue, and a visit to the Karnak Temple is a labyrinthine experience...

Cruise for miles on the Nile in Egypt, TravelBite.co.uk, UK, May 25, 2006.

The University of Tubingen in Germany has agreed to return to Egypt five fragments of a relief removed in the last century from the Temple of Pharaoh Seti I, Culture Minister Farouk Hosni said.

The fragments, which were cut out of the walls of the 19th dynasty (1307-1196 BC) pharaoh's tomb in the Valley of the Kings, are to be handed over next month, the minister said in a statement.

The university made its decision "voluntarily" and agreed to return the artefacts "without any conditions," said the head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass.

The fragments are to be restored to their original resting place at the tomb, which is currently closed to the public because of the damage...

Hawass hailed the University of Tubingen's decision to return the artefacts and urged other foreign institutions with Egyptian antiquities of dubious provenance in their collections to follow suit...

Germany university to return ancient Egyptian relief, AFP via Yahoo! News, USA, May 25, 2006.

Facing indignant demands from Egypt's antiquities chief, a corporate sponsor of a touring King Tut exhibition opening today in Chicago agreed yesterday to relinquish an ancient sarcophagus that is kept at its company headquarters.

Zahi Hawass, the hard-charging secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, learned of the artefact's existence on Wednesday at a preview for the press at the Field Museum. At the event, Randy Mehrbert, a representative of Exelon, the giant energy company based in Chicago, observed in his formal remarks that the company's chairman, John W. Rowe, had such a passion for Egyptian antiquities that he kept one in his office.

Dr. Hawass immediately demanded that organizers of the show drop Exelon as a sponsor unless it agreed to give the sarcophagus to the Field Museum or return it to Egypt. Late yesterday, after a flurry of meetings at the museum, a spokeswoman for Exelon announced the resolution...

Antiquities in Office? Not While King Tut Rules Chicago, New York Times, New York, USA, May 26, 2006.

cf. Corporate sarcophagus irks Egyptian, UPI, New York, USA, May 25, 2006.

cf. Egyptian Sarcophagus Controversy Ends Well, AP via ABC News, New York, USA, May 25, 2006.

cf. Egyptian Sarcophagus Controversy Ends Well, AP via The Examiner, Colorado, USA, May 25, 2006.

cf. Threat over Tut exhibit resolved by loan, Chicago Tribune, Illinois, USA, May 25, 2006.