Old-style market place offers a taste of Cairo

When it comes to Cairo tourism, it's all about the Pyramids and a trip to this sprawling metropolis filled with mosques, markets and monuments would not be complete without a visit to the collection of ancient pharaonic wonders in Giza, on the outskirts of the city.

But a proper visit entails some time and effort and is tough to pull off for business travelers on tight time constraints. If all you have is an hour or so for a quick getaway, your best bet is probably a visit to the city's famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar that has been operating since the 14th century. Here you can get a brief taste of Cairo's feverish pace in an old-style marketplace of cramped, maze-like alleyways filled with merchants peddling their wares to tourists and Egyptians alike.

There are spices, perfumes and jewelry to choose from as well as pottery, traditional Egyptian garb, belly-dancing outfits and any type of souvenir you can imagine. But be prepared to hone your bargaining skills ahead of time - the merchants here are expert negotiators and have been known to start their offers at three to four times the actual market value. As long as you don't mind the haggling, and don't get bogged down in it for too long, it can be an entertaining part of the experience. Be sure to get off the main drag and venture into the arched inner alleys for a more intimate take of the sights, smells and sounds.