The new rules for hot air balloons in Luxor

The people at Hod Hod Soliman have very kindly explained the new rules for balloons in Luxor as applied by themselves. I suggest if you are flying with another company you find out how they are applying the rules.

Well there is basically no great change, except that there is now a safety briefing approved by the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority in use which passengers are required to sign to show that they have understood the need for the briefing and the steps that they can take to help to ensure a comfortable and safe flight for themselves and other passengers.

It is quite possible that some companies may require a waiver - Hod-Hod Soliman does not.

The insurance situation remains unchanged from the position before the tragic accident in the case of Hod-Hod Soliman Balloons

Ramadan in Luxor

Ramadan in Luxor is due July 9th - August 7th  it is such a special time to visit Egypt. Try if you can to get invited by a family to break the fast at sunset. They do not mind at all that you are not fasting and love to share this special time with you.I love being in a country so united in a religious festival, the nearest thing I have experienced before is Easter in Cyprus.

How does it affect the tourist, well hardly at all. Hotels etc try and use Christian staff where ever possible to serve alcohol but don't be surprised in small hotels to find no alcohol or the staff asking you to help yourself. They prefer not to even touch it during Ramadan. It is not a good idea to be on the road around sunset as road regulations tend to be tossed aside in the rush to get home for Iftar. Certain government and official places like passport offices and banks close early and some of the sites have special Ramadan openings.but that affects the afternoon only.

If you are on a full day trip be considerate to your driver or guide and insist that they stop and break their fast. They do not mind you eating or drinking in front of them but I prefer to be discreet but woe betide you if you light a cigarette.

This is not the time of year to disagree with an Egyptian man during the day!!! Wait until he has broken his fast before nagging him about chores not done.

At Eid  everyone gets new clothes and the children get money. Egyptians try and pay all their debts and make sure everything is up to date money wise so that everyone can have a good Eid. If you give someone a good tip so they can enjoy a good Eid your kind gesture will be much appreciated.Since the revolution Eid celebrations have been very muted as there is less money around.

EGYPTAIR - Plan Travel - Special Offers 20% off

EgyptAir are offering 20% discount on all tickets purchased 8th April - 30th April for travel until 21 June (the return can be any date)

EGYPTAIR - Plan Travel - Special Offers: - Sent using Google Toolbar

Vacation Rental in Luxor - Neith at Flats in Luxor, swimming pool, restaurant

Finally Trip Advisor/FlipKey have sorted out my listing. On the 8th March I started getting loads of bookings and on 11th I reported them and found out my property had been moved to America!!!!! After reporting it 4 times and 2 weeks it is back in Egypt. I still have 7 listings on TA but I have given up trying to get that fixed.


Vacation Rental in Luxor - Neith at Flats in Luxor, swimming pool, restaurant: - Sent using Google Toolbar

My advocado tree has flowers!!!!

I am so excited, I grew it from a stone and it is now about 30ft high after 5 years. Today I saw flowers on it, circled in red, will I get advocados this year?

Ra Flat at Al Gezera - Flats in Luxor

One of our very first guests 10 years ago was so impressed with the flats he wanted to buy one but they were a bit too big for him. He said if we had a smaller one he would buy it, so we built it for him!. He has had it decorated exactly as he wants it by local Egyptian craftsmen.  He comes and spend the winter here and the summer on his boat in the UK. Occasionally he lets us rent it. Since then we have built smaller units :) He just took this video.

Ra at Flats in Luxor: - Sent using Google Toolbar

New chef at Flats in Luxor

We have been experimenting with a new chef at Flats in Luxor and have been very impressed. Tonight I asked him to cook a vegetarian meal for one, it was scrummy.

PS his name is Abdul

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: In search of a sunny holiday in March - Simon Calder - Travel - The Independent

He recommends a package but I recommend you buy a flight only from the charter companies and stay at Flats in Luxor. Enjoy our pool, in-house chef and meet real Egypt.

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: In search of a sunny holiday in March - Simon Calder - Travel - The Independent: Luxor is, in my experience, the most reliably sunny location within a short-haul flight from Gatwick. It is also the archaeological heartland of Egypt, steeped in antiquity.

Despite the increasing rumblings of discontent elsewhere in Egypt, Luxor has remained peaceful - hitting the headlines only through last month's tragic balloon crash, in which 19 tourists died; all balloon flights in the province of Luxor are currently suspended.

There are some great hotels with excellent facilities, as well as some cheap-and-cheerful hotels if you are keen to stretch your holiday cash.

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110th Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor

Luxor West Bank - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor: Please read all the reviews but I had to share this comment "We were in Egypt during Jan 2013 when the international media was focussing on the political situation. Consequently the number of tourists was much reduced and this made visits to the main sites (Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple) much less crowded and enjoyable. We did not witness any disturbance of any kind so would recommend the present as a very good time to visit"

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Abu Simbel Survey

 Link to survey here Charlottes Blog: Abu Simbel Survey

I am in the process of doing some research on tourism in Egypt to the site of Abu Simbel. If you have visited the site at any time in the past I would appreciate it if you could complete this short survey for me. I am interested in the experiences you have had.

Closing dates for survey is July 1st 2013.

Many thanks in advance.

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Visiting Abu Simbel - the options

Lake Nasser cruise, I think this is the best, to approach it over the water, to spend time there, watch the sound and light BUT it is expensive. This is my personal dream cruise

Flying, tricky for independents as all the flights appear to block booked by the tour companies

Road Travel, there are three variations:-

• 90 minutes at the temple going and returning by the same convoy either 4am depart Aswan and 12:30 ish return to Aswan or 11am depart Aswan and return 19:30pm ish.
• 8 hours at the temple go by the early convoy at 4am and return by the late convoy 8pm ish. You will def have to get a private driver to do this
• 24 hours at the temple staying at an onsite hotel. First be warned even though these hotels are expensive they aren't that good. I have sent guests to stay at all of them over the years and they have been rated no better than "OK I suppose". You will also have to pay the driver 2 days of his time either enough for him to go back to Aswan after dropping you or for him to stay at the hotel.

Never rely on the train getting you there in time for a convoy, you have to stay overnight. Most hotels will do you a breakfast box to take with you.

Approximate convoy times

03:30am pick up from hotel
04:00 convoy departs Aswan
07:30 approx convoy arrives Abu Simbel
09:00 convoy departs Abu Simbel
12:30 approx arrive Aswan

10:30 pick up hotel
11:00 convoy departs Aswan
14:30 approx arrive Abu Simbel
16:00 convoy departs Abu Simbel
19:30 approx arrive Aswan

Find Flats in Luxor on Google Earth

Finally Google Earth has updated its images so you can see all our buildings. Here is a general map showing everything including Jorf which is still being built.

This is a closer picture of the west bank flats

If you want to find us on Goggle here are the co-ordinates
Goubli 25°42'15.32" N  32°37'28.14" E
Nubian Village 25°42'17.42" N  32°37'27.83" E
Arabesque 25°42'28.50" N  32°37'28.00" E
Al Gezera 25°42'33.64" N  32°37'51.91" E
Tahrir Villa 25°42'45.74" N  32°35'49.95" E
East Bank 25°41'10.10" N  32°38'00.09" E
Jorf  25°41'19.13" N  32°37'08.83" E

Flats in Luxor on Trip Adivisor

Trip Advisor have completely confused their listings. We now appear several times!

The oldest listing is http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294205-d1174145-Reviews-Flats_in_Luxor-Luxor_Nile_River_Valley.html which has 108 reviews and is in the category Specialist Lodgings.

Then we have another entry in Specialist Lodgings http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294205-d3597956-Reviews-Al_Gezera_Apartment-Luxor_Nile_River_Valley.html

And yet another entry also in Specialist Lodgings http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294205-d3645366-Reviews-Nubian_Eco_Village_Villa-Luxor_Nile_River_Valley.html

Then in Bed and Breakfast we also have http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294205-d3627518-Reviews-Goubli_Apartments_Luxor-Luxor_Nile_River_Valley.html  which has 2 reviews 

Finally in Vacation Rental we are http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g294205-d3729701-Nubian_Village_Hotel_Apartment-Luxor_Nile_River_Valley.html

And  http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g294205-d3732145-Nubian_Village_Hotel_Apartment-Luxor_Nile_River_Valley.html

And http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g294205-d2095580-Neith_at_Flats_in_Luxor_swimming_pool_restaurant-Luxor_Nile_River_Valley.html

I am going to try and sort it out and have sent them an email today but knowing Trip Advisor I don’t expect them to be very co-operative.

Can Downton Abbey save Egypt's tourism? | Mail Online

Can Downton Abbey save Egypt's tourism? | Mail Online: - Sent using Google Toolbar

Cheap, cheap holidays to Egypt in 2013

How to get get a cheap holiday to Luxor, Egypt.

Flights to Hurghada are very cheap and you can arrange a mini bus transfer to Luxor for just £30 or $55 USD. Flats in Luxor are offering this very special transfer price for their clients.

Do you wear glasses, no not a crazy question. If you want a new pair, pescription sun glasses or spare pair of glasses you can get one in Luxor for £50, the difference in price can pay your airfare

Need your teeth fixed, yes again Luxor prices are hugely cheaper, about 1/10 of the UK and local dentists are excellent, many are European trained

The currency exchange rate is currently 10.5 to the English pound and 6.5 to the USD, great for visiting tourists

Loads of special offers on accommodation, ask for a discount, you will probably get one :)

Self catering apartments mean you can buy local food and save yourself hotel food bills

Egypt allows arriving tourists 4 bottles of spirits and you can buy these when you land so save money on your bar bills, drink your own

Staying on the west bank means you can visit the local attractions by bike or local taxi

So go Egypt for 2013.

The view from Flats in Luxor - Al Gezera

Gorgeous view from my balcony today, looking straight to the Valley of Kings

Merry Christmas from Flats in Luxor

I wish I was better at photoshop but you get the idea :)

BBC News - King Ramesses III's throat was slit, analysis reveals

BBC News - King Ramesses III's throat was slit, analysis reveals: Dr Zink said: "Before now we knew more or less nothing about the destiny of Ramesses III. People had examined his body before and had done radiographs but they didn't notice any trauma. They did not have access to the CT scans that we do.
Mummy believed to be Prince Pentawere The mummy believed to be Prince Pentawere has unusual marks around the neck

"We were very surprised by what we found. We still cannot be sure that the cut killed him, but we think it did.

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Fresh fruit at from the garden at Flats in Luxor

 I am enjoying some delicious oranges from our garden. The weather and soil in Egypt produces the most delicious fruit and vegetables.

I bought an avocado in a supermarket in Cairo and I have taken a gamble and planted the seed, it is 5 years old now and apparently they fruit in 7-15 years, fingers crossed.

Lecture on Monday

Just spotted on Facebook Lecture: Francesco Tiradritti the lecture will be about the Wall Painting in ancient Egypt. Monday 19:00 Luxor Public Library

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Tahrir Villa - for rent or sale

Just done an update of the website for our luxury villa, please have a look.

Tahrir Villa - for rent or sale: - Sent using Google Toolbar

A walk in the Hills with Mohammed Ismail

Mohammed Ismail is the walking guide for Flats in Luxor tours. Great for those people who want to explore the hills in safety. He is a lovely man with good Egyptology and knows all the tombs in the hills and the paths. He can take people on a challenging path up Thoth Hill or a more gentle walk. He certainly made these guests happy.

Live broadcast of Egypt touristic sites worldwide to promote industry

Now this is an excellent idea as I seem to spend a lot of time explaining to people that Luxor is not Tahrir Square and nothing is happening here. Now they will be able to see for themselves. Well done the tourism ministry.    
Live broadcast of Egypt touristic sites worldwide to promote industry - Economy - Business - Ahram Online: "The media has summarised the whole country as the single square kilometre that is Tahrir Square," Zaazou explained. "The rest of the country is safe and ready to receive visitors from all over the world."

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Flats in Luxor (Luxor, Egypt) TripAdvisor 103rd review

Flats in Luxor (Luxor, Egypt) - Condominium Reviews - TripAdvisor: Just returned from 3 weeks in Egypt which included a 3 nights stay in Luxor in Jane's flats. We are a family of 3 including a 11 years old boy and this was our first visit to Egypt. The flats we stayed in were clean and spacious and the pool was a real treat at the end of hot sweaty days. The units were kept safe and were well maintained and every time we were seen aiming for the pool, someone was always there to make sure it was clean. The view from the two balconies was amazing particularly taking into account the otherwise business of Luxor. Banana fields with the rising of the sun and the Valley of the Kings at sun set.A real little oasis !
The staff employed by Jan were fantastic, each one of us were touched by their attention to our needs, including when our son got sick and remedies were prepared as well as trips to the chemist facilitated.
Jane was instrumental in helping us plan the days and her enthusiasm in all things Egyptian meant that we packed a lot into our days. She recommended the guide and provided a driver that we were able to relay on. Her recommended guide was knowledgeable and showed great pride in the history of his country and his profession, he was humble and kind and by the end of the 4th tour we did respond to his call... " lets go my family". The driver was well versed in all things in Luxor and by mid morning his sense of humor was well awaken. At the end of each tour day we were treated with an amazing lunch prepared by the chef and served beautifully wherever we wanted it, mostly by the pool. We also had dinner at the units and the food recommended was fantastic.
As a family we would highly recommend the quieter side of Luxor particularly if you dont intend to spend too much time in the center of the town. It took me 20min brisk walking to the Nile to catch a ride into East Luxor otherwise the car trip into town is a good 30min. The walk is lovely however and worth the stroll at any time.

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Private tours of Luxor

Flats in Luxor doesn’t just do accommodation, we do tours too and like our accommodation these are top notch. Firstly you get Jane Akshar, Egyptologist and author of Hidden Luxor advising you about the sites to visit. She tries to understand YOU and your interests and bears in mind the ages of the group. Together you work out a schedule that perfectly fits your needs. Then you get a private tour guide who will not rush you. There will be no shouts of “20 minutes and back on the bus”. If you want to spend time getting that perfect shot of the inscriptions you can. If you have loads of questions, ask them. If your child needs to go to the toilet or have a break it is no problem. It is your tour and we do things at your pace.  Hussein Omar is our no 1 guide, with an MA in Egyptology, a delightful man, quietly spoken and knowledgeable. If he is busy he recommends another of his colleagues who like him are highly qualified and experienced. So even if you aren’t staying with us but want a bespoke tour please email us info@flatsinluxor.co.uk, hotel pick up included.

It is not just Luxor we can organise, we have done tours for guests from Alexandria to Abu Simble, through Middle Egypt (Tell Amarna, Beni Hassan) or the Western Oasis. Flats in Luxor group can do it all.