Cheap flights to Luxor
Luxor is really just one big open-air museum packed to bursting with ancient temples and tombs at every turn. Located on the banks of the Nile, this ancient capital of Egypt was the centre of the civilised world for centuries and today is the country’s second most visited attraction after the pyramids.
What will you see first? Tutankhamen’s tomb in the sprawling Valley of the Kings, the temple complex at Karnak, the jaw-dropping tomb of Queen Hatshepsut, or the Temple of Luxor built by Ramesses II?
Shopping
(Medinet Habu Temple, West Bank, tel: 01232 78771) Caravanserai is a veritable Aladdin's cave of local crafts, pictures, pottery, gifts and jewellery. Khalid Mohammed Ibrahim, the owner, has sourced everything locally and is also supporting the local women's sewing group. The hand embroidery is particularly appealing, but the silver jewellery should not be missed.
Sightseeing
Temple of Amenhotep son of Hapu
Thought you had seen it all but I bet you haven't been here. Next door to the Pharone Hotel along from the ticket office. It is the only mortuary temple for a non royal, he was Amenhotep III architect. Go on to the roof of the hotel to get a sense of the plan. Opposite the temples of Ay and Horemheb
Key Areas
On the top of the mountain you can see with the flat top, north of The Valley of the Kings, is a temple. Thoth Hill is actually the site of two temples: an archaic temple that may date to around 3,000 BC, making it the oldest temple on the West Bank at Luxor, and built upon it, a later temple built by an 11th Dynasty pharaoh known as Sankhkare Mentuhotep. You'll need a local guide to help you find the way up but if you like walking, you'll enjoy the unique view.