Discussion
Off to Luxor on Wednesday for a week, got a last minute deal.
I am aware it will be very very hot, however I wondered if anyone had any tips of what to do there?
Second question is with regard to money. Am I best to get Egyptian £'s here, get US$ here and change/ spend over there or simply use an ATM over there for a few transactions?
I am aware it will be very very hot, however I wondered if anyone had any tips of what to do there?
Second question is with regard to money. Am I best to get Egyptian £'s here, get US$ here and change/ spend over there or simply use an ATM over there for a few transactions?
soxboy said:
Off to Luxor on Wednesday for a week, got a last minute deal.
I am aware it will be very very hot, however I wondered if anyone had any tips of what to do there?
Second question is with regard to money. Am I best to get Egyptian £'s here, get US$ here and change/ spend over there or simply use an ATM over there for a few transactions?
Luxor temple is great, Valley of the kings/queens. Most traders welcomed US and Euro, along with Egyptian when I was there in May. It will be fI am aware it will be very very hot, however I wondered if anyone had any tips of what to do there?
Second question is with regard to money. Am I best to get Egyptian £'s here, get US$ here and change/ spend over there or simply use an ATM over there for a few transactions?
king hot thoughAs has been said - Luxor is one of the best places to be if you want to visit any of the phaorohs' tombs. There are also some impressive temples on the "dead" side of the nile next to the Valley of the Kings.
The temple at Luxor (which is on the "live" or town side of the river) is also pretty impressive. You can also go on river trips and balloon flights (although one crashed a few months ago
).
The temple at Luxor (which is on the "live" or town side of the river) is also pretty impressive. You can also go on river trips and balloon flights (although one crashed a few months ago
).Edited by Eric Mc on Monday 17th August 15:07
Brilliant place to visit. I suggest you wake up early and get a few sightseeing trips done, come back and rest in the shade of your hotel. Its very hot this time of the year.
Temple at Luxor is great as is Karnak. the night shows (sound/light) are a good experience, but be sure to visit in the day too. You can arrange Nile cruises to Aswan dam from in front of the old Winter palace hotel (worth a visit in itself).
The temple of Hotchickensoup (How the guide taught us to remember it) Hatshepsit is great too but is a coach ride away. It has some excellent paintings of the last supper over the top of the egyptian hyroglifics.
Luxor and the mummification museum are within walking distance and are great to spend the hotter part of the day inside as the have air con.
Obviously invest in a trip to the valley of the kings and queens. It gets VERY hot here though, so take water and a hat.
You'll have fun. Ignore the people trying to sell you stuff and keep your wits about you.
Temple at Luxor is great as is Karnak. the night shows (sound/light) are a good experience, but be sure to visit in the day too. You can arrange Nile cruises to Aswan dam from in front of the old Winter palace hotel (worth a visit in itself).
The temple of Hotchickensoup (How the guide taught us to remember it) Hatshepsit is great too but is a coach ride away. It has some excellent paintings of the last supper over the top of the egyptian hyroglifics.
Luxor and the mummification museum are within walking distance and are great to spend the hotter part of the day inside as the have air con.
Obviously invest in a trip to the valley of the kings and queens. It gets VERY hot here though, so take water and a hat.
You'll have fun. Ignore the people trying to sell you stuff and keep your wits about you.
Visit the Valley of the Workers too - overlooked by the tours cos basically the 2 tombs can't cope, but IMHO either are better than a lot of what you see in the valley of kings and queens. Also think of a day trip to Abydos (only accessible this year without a convoy) where the carving is of astounding quality, and Dendera - when we were at Dendera in January they were cleaning the soot off the roof and the colours were stunning - won't be finished yet but worth seeing anyway
Agree with ^^ comment on valley of the workers.
A felucca cruise is a lovely way to end a day there.
Don't expect a clean, bustling city, just because it has loads of 4* & 5* tourist hotels.
As with most places in Egypt: watch what you eat, drink and clean your teeth with.
Carry imodium and your own toilet paper. Always negotiate the price before you set foot in any transport and be prepared for the driver to try to double it afterwards.
A felucca cruise is a lovely way to end a day there.
Don't expect a clean, bustling city, just because it has loads of 4* & 5* tourist hotels.
As with most places in Egypt: watch what you eat, drink and clean your teeth with.
Carry imodium and your own toilet paper. Always negotiate the price before you set foot in any transport and be prepared for the driver to try to double it afterwards.
Just got back from Luxor, thanks for all the top tips folks which proved useful.
Plus points:
Sheraton hotel is very nice, right on the Nile with great views of the sunset. Also had The Ashes on telly!
Valley of the Kings is good, Hot Chip Soup is more impressive though.
Karnak Temple impressive, good to go to Sound & Light Show too.
Quad biking in the desert is great fun, probably better than a camel safari.
Minus points:
Luxor on the whole is a dump, together with continued hassle from shopkeepers, taxi drivers, carriage drivers etc. None of this came as any surprise and I don't mind it too much at first but the fact that it is continued and there is no escape from it gets on your tits.
Thought I'd done well with the cuisine until the last night, after which was the most uncomfortable 12 hours I've had in years and a very nervous flight home!
Plus points:
Sheraton hotel is very nice, right on the Nile with great views of the sunset. Also had The Ashes on telly!
Valley of the Kings is good, Hot Chip Soup is more impressive though.
Karnak Temple impressive, good to go to Sound & Light Show too.
Quad biking in the desert is great fun, probably better than a camel safari.
Minus points:
Luxor on the whole is a dump, together with continued hassle from shopkeepers, taxi drivers, carriage drivers etc. None of this came as any surprise and I don't mind it too much at first but the fact that it is continued and there is no escape from it gets on your tits.
Thought I'd done well with the cuisine until the last night, after which was the most uncomfortable 12 hours I've had in years and a very nervous flight home!
And don't try to pay with £ or €. You'll be shafted at each and every transaction.
Better withdraw Egyptian money directly from the ATM and get the exchange rate right rather than having locals playing with the numbers and jumping from Egyptian £ to € and $. You'll end-up confused and they'll end-up richer.
And always, always, always negotiate the price unless you're shopping in a govt approved shop where prices are fixed.
General comment from the locals is that Northern Europeans (north of Calais) never usually discuss the price wherease Southern countries (south of Dover) are more up to the task.
It is regarded as paying respect to the seller to spend at least 20 minutes arguing about the price and trying to get it down as much as possible.
Best tip, if you're really after something: negotiate for 20 minutes then stop, hand over the item and walk away saying that you need to think. Come back an hour later and if the price is still not good then walk away. It is not unreasonable to get 150-200% off the price.
A night drink by the river just at the feet of the Old Winter Palace is a must. And give a go to the chicha as well: apple tobacco is my favourit.
Better withdraw Egyptian money directly from the ATM and get the exchange rate right rather than having locals playing with the numbers and jumping from Egyptian £ to € and $. You'll end-up confused and they'll end-up richer.
And always, always, always negotiate the price unless you're shopping in a govt approved shop where prices are fixed.
General comment from the locals is that Northern Europeans (north of Calais) never usually discuss the price wherease Southern countries (south of Dover) are more up to the task.
It is regarded as paying respect to the seller to spend at least 20 minutes arguing about the price and trying to get it down as much as possible.
Best tip, if you're really after something: negotiate for 20 minutes then stop, hand over the item and walk away saying that you need to think. Come back an hour later and if the price is still not good then walk away. It is not unreasonable to get 150-200% off the price.
A night drink by the river just at the feet of the Old Winter Palace is a must. And give a go to the chicha as well: apple tobacco is my favourit.
GT03ROB said:
e635815 said:
I am not talking about the bible. I've got it already.
I am talking about the agenda sized booklet which comes with the car and is called: Owners's handbook.
Where to get it?
Ergh wot?I am talking about the agenda sized booklet which comes with the car and is called: Owners's handbook.
Where to get it?
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