Luxor: Rediscover Egypt’s jewel of the Nile - Daily News Egypt

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Luxor: Rediscover Egypt’s jewel of the Nile


As the searing heat of the Egyptian sun releases its grip on Luxor a little, now is the perfect season to venture back to the beginning of time.

Post-revolutionary Luxor has been hit hard. This ancient capital of Egypt has been left bereft of tourists and the economy is struggling. Little else has changed; the temples still stand as they have for millennia and the Nile still enchants.

All the reasons why Luxor has attracted tourists for centuries and why it should definitely be on your bucket list – never has there been a better time to get a reduced-rate hotel room, from back packer’s lodges up to 5 star luxury. And Luxor needs you now!

The city is a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian wonder and has some of the world’s most awe-inspiring sights. Luxor has, somewhat unfairly, built a reputation for being the hassle capital of Egypt. It is true, it can be intimidating to have feluccas and caleche rides and West Bank tours thrust at you, seemingly by every person you pass in the street. But greet them with humour and politeness and remember, they are only trying to make a living.

Adrift on the Nile

A felucca trip is obligatory, and at approximately EGP 50 an hour you would be foolish to pass up such a tranquil experience, where the Nile is at its most beautiful. Felucca crews are adeptly skilled at reading the conditions and capturing every ounce of available wind in their sails. Lazily dragging one hand in the water you will see children playing football on islands that appear when water levels are low.

Dust gets kicked up as they race barefoot after the ball and splash about in the Nile to cool off, watched nonchalantly by grazing buffalo, donkeys and camels.

The felucca captain may even entertain you with some Saidi or Nubian songs, done with the genuine warmth and humour that only Saidis can bring. You will be offered a glass of hot tea, half a glass of sugar, half a glass of tea! or a cool soft drink. Hospitality is second nature to Luxor people.

Nile cruises have always been a popular way to explore Egypt’s historical sites, usually with a cruise from Luxor to Aswan. After a 15 year hiatus, the Egyptian government has given permission for an extended Nile cruise to operate between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan, in an attempt to reinvigorate tourism. You will need at least two weeks for this journey and fairly deep pockets – but what a spectacular way to see Egypt!

The beauty of a Nile cruise is that you are literally hand delivered to the most important sites and everything is taken care of for you. Perfect if you are a temple first-timer, otherwise you may prefer to explore at your own pace, in which case a stay in Luxor itself is a must.

For a more glamorous splash of a bygone era, try the recently revived dahabiya cruises. These beautifully crafted, elegant sailboats offer a Nile cruise experience on a more romantic and intimate scale. Dahabiyas offer a taste of luxury with all the mod-cons you would expect of a top class hotel, with a daily changing, unique Nile view.

The more adventurous or budget conscious could consider chartering their own felucca or pitch in with other like-minded travellers to spend two to three nights on a traditional wooden felucca sailboat, experiencing the outdoors with the stars as their blanket. You will sleep on cushions on the deck of the felucca and really get back to basics. No air-conditioning, no showers, no rest-rooms – no frills – all adventure!

Pharaohs and Kings, Temples and Tombs
The mesmerising view of the riverbanks from the Nile Sarah Loat

The mesmerising view of the riverbanks from the Nile
Sarah Loat

It is easy to see why the pharaohs chose Luxor as their capital and the city of the God Amon-Ra. The East Bank, with the rising sun, was dedicated to the living and the West Bank was where they laid their kings to rest together with the setting sun. Known as an “open-air museum,” the concentration of tombs and temples is mind-blowing, with new tombs being discovered all the time

Travellers can get temple-weary as one temple begins to look like another, but if you only visit one temple you hands-down must visit the awe-inspiring Karnak temple, dedicated to the God Amon-Ra.

May the evening soothe and welcome you,
O traveller from Upper Egypt.
You will travel no further because you are come.
Here you are at the beginning of time.

With these dramatic opening words of the spectacular after-dark Karnak sound and light show, you are suddenly transported back centuries in time, to the era of Gods and Pharaohs, at the largest ancient religious site in the world. The sheer scale and craftsmanship will literally give you chills, regardless of the outside temperature. It is an enormous complex and a guide is really valuable, especially if it is your first visit. While it will be no less awe-inspiring without a guide, you will miss so much fascinating detail.

The temples have been adjusted and adorned by up to 30 successive pharaohs of Egypt, and still has one standing pink granite obelisk of the only female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. It is huge, and the tallest obelisk standing in Egypt. The inscription begins: “I was sitting in the palace and I remembered the One who created me; my heart directed me to make for him two obelisks of electrum.

“ At the Sacred Lake you will find another fallen obelisk, which allows you to get a really close look at the inscriptions. Also near the Sacred Lake is a statue of a giant scarab beetle and legend has it that it is bestowed with an ancient charm that grants fertility to those that circle it seven times.

Luxor temple is a beautiful temple that stands parallel to the Nile. You will see it from a felucca ride on the river, or it is a short walk from most hotels in Luxor. There has been some updating to the exterior grounds in recent years, with an ongoing restoration of the “Avenue of Sphinxes” which links both Luxor and Karnak temples. The entrance is stunning and one obelisk now stands where there were originally two. Knowing that the other one is in Paris, you cannot help but wish they would give it back.

This temple has been used for worship for thousands of years, and still is today! Part of the Hypostyle Hall was converted into a Christian church and centuries later a mosque was built over the buried temple and still remains today – Abu Haggag mosque – after the temple was uncovered, as an integral part of the temple.

One of the most underrated temples is that of Medinet Habu. It is largely overlooked by tour groups, which means you may get the temple all to yourself if you pay it a visit. It is one of Luxor’s best preserved temples and tells incredible stories of battles with the “Sea Peoples.”

Dendera and Abydos temples are some of the most complete and spectacular temples in Egypt – Luxor is a great base to reach them from. For a full day out visit Dendera on a day cruise on the Lotus boat.

The Valley of the Kings, Queens and Nobles, aside from Karnak temple, are what most tourists come to Luxor for. Here is the resting ground of the pharaohs and of the fabled boy king, Tutankhamun. Tutankhamun’s tomb can be a disappointment; his is of smaller size and more hastily finished compared to other tombs of superior beauty and decoration.

Choose the tombs you want to visit wisely, as some require quite some physical effort to reach – climbing up and down stairs and ladders in some instances. Not all tombs will be open as they “rest” on a rotational basis.

All of these excursions can be arranged locally for you by experienced agents in Luxor. They offer great deals and take some of the hassle out of your holiday time. Try Mohamed at La Rose Tours for great customer service. Other reputable agencies can be found near the Winter Palace hotel.
A horse gets pampered during a visit to ACE Sarah Loat

A horse gets pampered during a visit to ACE Sarah Loat

Alternative Luxor

One of the most unique ways to experience the Theban Necropolis is by air. Ballooning over the West Bank is an absolutely magical, breathtaking experience that gives unparalleled views of the Valley of the Kings, and the West Bank temples including, Deir El Bahri (Hatshepsut’s Temple), Medinat Habu, and Howard Carter’s House.

As the early light of dawn begins to bleed over the Nile, softly and gradually the balloons begin to rise. Do not forget to take your camera to capture some amazing shots of the sun as it casts beautiful shadows and colours over the Theban hills.

The balloons rise and dip, riding thermals and gaining better vantage points of the temples, as they drift slowly southwards past some of the most mind-blowing sights in Egypt. Unsurpassed aerial views of some of the world’s greatest monuments, coupled with views of the lush green farmland that butts up against the stark pink of the morning desert.

Expect to pay between EGP 250 to 500 per person for up to an hour in the air. Price is dependent on season and which operator you choose. Try Hod Hod Soliman, who has an excellent service and safety record, or Viking Air.

If hot air ballooning does not satisfy the adrenaline rush you are looking for, then try desert quad biking. It is fast, furious and very dusty. If you prefer the four-legged kind of desert adventure then Nobi Arabian Horse Stables has horses, camels or donkeys for your desert fun.

Come back down to Earth and bring the heavens with you for an evening of stargazing in the desert, where the galaxy literally comes down to the horizon to greet you. Enjoy a Bedouin desert dinner and see space up close through a high-powered telescope.

Animal lovers may have a hard time seeing so many skinny horses pulling carriages or caleches. If you do want to use them for a tour around town, choose a healthy looking horse and take it on a trip to ACE (Animal Care in Egypt).

This exceptional free animal care service will bathe and rub down your caleche owner’s horse, while you have a tour of the premises and meet the animals they care for. Do not barter your caleche driver down to the lowest possible price, no matter how the spirit of bargaining has you in its grip; the animal will only be spending a longer day working to make up the shortfall.

Eat Luxor!

While Luxor is no culinary hot-bed, there are a few places you should not miss. All of the five star hotels have a variety of international dining options, including French, Italian, Thai, Chinese, Indian…and so it goes on. An elegant afternoon high tea at Luxor’s most famous hotel, the Winter Palace is a must. Between 3.30 to 6 pm daily, either on the front terrace or inside in the Victoria Lounge, you can indulge in tea, coffee, cakes, sandwiches and petite fours, while following in the footsteps of Howard Carter, Agatha Christie and King Farouk.

For a special occasion; a birthday, anniversary, or just an indulgent romantic night of fine dining, the 1886 restaurant in the Winter Palace offer sumptuous colonial surroundings and quality French cuisine. Prices are considerably higher than elsewhere in Luxor, but not unreasonable and worth the splurge.

For a sumptuous seafood feast, the locals know Al Hoot is the best place to dine. (You will find it facing Luxor International Hospital). It is a modest restaurant with seafood to die for. Try the seafood soup and find a whole crab inside. African Queen is also worth a visit along with several more rustic places to eat on the West Bank.

El Gezira Hotel is just a short ferry ride across the river and has a relaxing roof terrace where you can enjoy Egyptian food with the backdrop of the Theban hills behind you.

St Joseph’s Hotel on the East Bank is the perfect spot for a sundowner or a casual dinner on its informal roof terrace, which gives breathtaking views of the Nile and Theban necropolis as it lights up at dusk.

For Egypt’s infamous kushari dish, Sayyida Zeinab in Television Street is hard to beat. This tiny kushari joint offers ladlefuls of the tastiest, steaming hot kusharito give you the entire carbohydrate boost you need to tackle temple-hopping. Al Zaem is another good option, just past Luxor temple.
The Winter Palace takes you back in time Sarah Loat

The Winter Palace takes you back in time
Sarah Loat

Sofra, near the train station, offers an experience something akin to eating at your Egyptian grandmother’s house. Set in a beautifully converted Arabian-style house, Sofra is a visual feast. Dine on the covered roof terrace, or downstairs in one of the individual dining rooms – large wooden dining table, portraits and Arabic calligraphy on the walls, candelabras, and authentic tiles. What you get here is standard Egyptian cuisine, think mezze, tagines, molokheya, pigeon, in a uniquely Egyptian setting.

Snobs is run by a talented young chef who used to cook at the royal palace in Saudi Arabia. Dishes are international and Egyptian, all tasty and all served and presented with a flourish. Find it in El Rhoda el Sherifa Street, alongside several other ex-pat owned restaurants.

Pizza Roma-IT is a true authentic Italian kitchen owned by an Egyptian man and his Italian wife. It simply has the best pizza in Egypt, never mind Luxor. Herbs are grown on the roof and ingredients are sourced fresh on the day. The pizza and pasta menu is extensive and salads are always crisp and fresh. Head to St Joseph’s street to feast Italian-style.

Those with a sweet tooth will be in cake heaven at Twinky, located near Luxor central train station. Indulge in oriental pastries, cakes and all kinds of desserts. Once you have had your fill, top it all off with tea and shisha at Om Kalthoum coffee shop.

Luxor life

Modern day Luxor is a treasure in itself. Out in the West Bank villages, people live in the same rustic way they have for centuries. Men work the fields in white galabeyas, faces etched with hard work and exposure to the Egyptian sun. Buffalo lazily doze on dirt tracks, the breeze rustles the sugar cane fields, and life is altogether operated at a more relaxed pace. The West Bank is composed of a number of villages and farming communities that keep it lush and green.

Cross the train tracks on the East Bank and you venture into local’s territory, where the people of the villages will gladly welcome you. Families picnic on grassy verges, women chat in doorways and men chew the fat over a shisha and some dominoes.

Kids scrabble around trying to be the first to get close to the tourists. They love to practice English and will dazzle you with their ability to get by in a multitude of languages. Bring some pens and a bag of sweets to see happy little faces all round.

If you are lucky you may stumble across a local wedding, a truly joyous occasion with copious amounts of singing and dancing, that sees streets decorated with fairy lights and bunting.

Luxor comes alive when there is a moulid, a saint’s birthday, and no celebration is bigger than Luxor’s own Abu Haggag moulid. Floats and crowds fill the streets; kids get dressed up in party hats and throw firecrackers. The finest Arab horses are brought out to parade on the streets and race.

You really can buy almost anything you want in Luxor and if you cannot find it, there are plenty of skilled artisans and craftsmen willing to make it for you. A stroll around the souq will show you gold, silver and precious stones, handmade artefacts, carved sandstone, alabaster and granite, cotton and leather and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Enjoy the thrill of the haggle – the people of Luxor are experts – but pay what you think is fair and consider how much that extra EGP 10 or 50 you just saved would really make a difference to you. Right now, with tourist levels at rock bottom, traders are selling at cost price and below, just to put food on their table that day.

To really experience Luxor, do as the locals do; grab a fresh glass of sugar cane juice from a street vendor, shop where the locals do, play dominoes, smoke shisha, drink a glass of hot tea and watch the world go by, get an invite to a local, raucous street wedding, eat a ta’ameya sandwich in Abu Haggag square behind Luxor temple, wearing your ship-ship – embrace true Luxor life. Get to know the people, friends made in Luxor will stay friends for life, they will never forget you.

There is something unique about the openness, warmth and hospitality of Luxor’s people. They are self-confessed hustlers, but with undeniable charm. Their optimism remains however, and they are convinced tourists will return to Luxor; for them, it is literally in the lap of the Gods; “they will come, InshaAllah, they always have.” And as the street signs implore, “Smile, you are in Luxor.” I challenge you not to.

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Winter Sunshine and Key Stage 2

If you are in the UK you must be missing the sun and if you have kids you want to give their studies a boost. Egypt has year round sunshine and is part of Key Stage 2 so if you want to combine education with sunshine, pyramids and pool, tombs and tanning then Egypt is the the best choice.

To give your kids a start have a look at these books from Amazon, there is a recommended kids section

http://astore.amazon.co.uk/flainlux-21

South Asassif Conference

Conference speakers and delegates have started arriving at the flats, such interesting people. It is going to be a great conference, you can buy day tickets on the door if you live in Luxor.  Lots of details on the website.   

South Assasif Conference : - Sent using Google Toolbar

Another amazing stay - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor

Our100th review on Trip Advisor, so proud of all my people especially Little Mohammed for making our guests feel so welcome.


Another amazing stay - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor: Just returned from another amazing two week stay with Jane at her Flats in Luxor. The flats are in an ideal location for exploring the monuments on the West Bank of Luxor and you get to experience spending time surrounded by everyday Egyptians who make you feel so welcome and are so happy to see you. It is so sad to see so few tourists in Luxor who are missing out on such a wonderful experience just because they are worried about any troubles that they see in the media - be reassured there are no troubles whatsoever in Luxor or in the 99% of Egypt so don't be afraid or put off - go you will have an amazing time. Jane, her husband Mahmoud and Little Mohammed work so hard to ensure that everyone who stays with them are looked after and Jane's knowledge of all things Egyptology gives all her guests the advantage of pointing them in the right direction during their stay.

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What do you get when you book with Flats in Luxor

1)    Opened in 2003 we are the longest established self catering accommodation in Luxor, we have always strived to be the best with the most options.

2)    We have the best reputation, check our Trip Advisor listing, we are the top, we are also listed in Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, both the Boston Globe and the Sunday Times have run features on us.

3)    We offer the most comprehensive facilities with large rooms, beautiful views, ALL bedrooms have a/c, communal facilities like free Wi-Fi,  swimming pool, our brilliant chef, Jacuzzi, billiard table, garden, roof terrace, onsite security staff, housekeeping with full Western style bed linen and towels.


4)     Resident Egyptologist. Jane Akshar is well known for her love of Egyptology and her blog on Luxor attracts archaeologists from all over the world. Combine that with her library, the books she has written and her studies with Manchester University and you have access to the best Egyptology advice in Luxor. She knows all the sites intimately and loves to share her knowledge with you either informally or with her lectures (which are available online). She can advise about the best places for children, (her kids tours are great fun) or mobility impaired adults or PhD students, she has helped them all.

5)    Full Egypt wide service, with our long term partners we can provide the full Egyptian tour service
a.    Cairo and the pyramids
b.    Alexandra and the library
c.    Sailing on the Nile, day trips or full cruises
d.    Dessert safaris

Flats in Luxor Group is a registered company, with an international reputation, come to the best and have full confidence that your Egyptian holiday will be unique, special, safe and with a reputable company.

September £19 sale at Premier Inns - Perfect airport stays if you are travelling to Egypt

Travelling to Egypt and need a cheap hotel room in the UK next to the airport try this deal. 

September £19 sale: Right now, you can book stays from 1st October 2012 – 13th January 2013 for as little as £19 a night! So act fast – this special rate is only available online and with rooms available in fantastic locations, they won’t hang around for long!

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Jean Newman Glock: Is It Time To Return To Egypt? Huffington Post

Jean Newman Glock: Is It Time To Return To Egypt?: Jean says yes, from the Huffington Post - Sent using Google Toolbar

Egypt for Winter Sunshine

Egypt has been famous for sunny winter holidays for over a century, it is always magical, come and enjoy.

Cheap flights to Luxor in September and November

Great prices from London Gatwick 17th September £368 and £344 in November, spotted on Skyscanner. Get some sun before the winter.

Back home in lovely Luxor

If you want to read my holiday report of graduation from Manchester, attendance at Gurob Haram conference, Liverpool Summer school and how I finally cracked glyphs http://luxor-news.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-am-back-home-in-my-wonderful-egypt.html

Out of Office Reply until 13th August

If you email me that is what you are going to get for three weeks because for the first time for three years I am having a holiday. Mahmoud got a week in the UK last year on condition I got to go to my graduation and summer school this year!

So I fly tomorrow, on Friday I will graduate from the Certificate in Continuing Education in Egyptology from Manchester University after 4 years studying, we get a champagne and strawberry reception and all the lecturers wear their gowns (I have seen previous years graduations). I have managed to get three guests as another graduate is only bringing one guest so my best mate Colette Mason will be there, my daughter Amira and her friend who is driving her there. Posh dinner with cocktails in the evening.

Then I am going to summer school at Liverpool University, 2 full weeks. I get to stay in student digs and the first week is history and the second week glyphs, I hope I can crack these face to face :)

 I am meeting up with a lot of friends while I am there and if you are around Liverpool then get in touch. It is going to be weird to be back in blighty, I gather is has been raining ROFL, I will miss Luxor and Egypt so much.

Then it is back to Luxor on 13th August to several hundred emails, I being given an old I-phone so I expect to deal with any urgent ones while I am there but otherwise it will have to wait until I get back.

Mahmoud is holding the fort in Luxor while I am away.

Guide services - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor

Lovely review of our tour guide services from a delightful American family. We have nearly 100 reviews on Trip Advisor now.
Guide services - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor: Jane set up our guide services while in Luxor, even though we did not stay at her property. We are a family of 5 with 3 young children. Jane set up a perfect day, insisting that we start at 6 am and take a 2 hour break mid-day at her pool. She arranged a fabulous lunch at her property and joined us for a lively conversation. Hussein was our guide. He has a doctorate in Egyptology, was incredibly patient and entertaining. Given that it was 120 degrees (fahrenheit) that is quite a feat! We would recommend Jane and Hussein without reservation.

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Felt like home!!! - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor

That has to be the nicest headline, felt like home, we always try to make our guests feel like they are at home, this our 96th review shows us our hard work is worth it. :) Please come back. 

Felt like home!!! - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor: I just returned from spending five weeks with Jane at her Al Gezera flats. This was my first time staying there, and what a comfortable, beautiful and convenient location!
Jane made sure everything was taken care of for me and Mohammed was also very helpful and always had a smile.
Safety was never a concern, and it was interesting to be there during the election.
It felt like I was staying with friends instead of being left on my own once checked into a hotel. Everyone was so friendly in the village and the ferry to the East Bank was a short walk down the street. The sites are all very close and easy to get to.
The view of the Theban Hills from the flat is absolutely breathtaking and I often sat on my balcony just watching the sunset.
It was sad to say goodbye to all my new friends and leave Luxor behind, but you can bet I will return again soon!
Stayed June 2012, traveled solo

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Should you eat street food in Egypt?

 YES in my opinion, it is fresh, tasty and if the locals are eating it you can. Which of these two breakfasts would you prefer?

A street breakfast will consist of ful which is a vegetarian dish made from dried fava beans and slow cooked, taste is similar to Mexican refried beans. It is served hot with oil or buffalo butter and mashed. Scooped up with pitta bread and served with pickles, salads, aubergine, eggs all sorts, what ever you choose.

Or you can have a boring hotel breakfast. Your choice :)

Happy 4th July

to all American fans, ex guests and future guests. Have a great holiday and we hope to see you again in Luxor really soon.

Egyptian adventure at it's best!!! - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor

Our 95th review! 

Egyptian adventure at it's best!!! - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor: Staying at the flats was very comfortable and the 'meet and greet' from the airport took away any concerns of 'how do we get there' etc especially arriving on a later flight. Jane was extremely helpful offering help and advice which was very useful as it was a little daunting staying on the west bank as this was a first for me. I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and would not go back to staying on the east bank, the location of the flats is brillant for the sites, village, and there's a fantastic bakery just around the corner and it's only a 10 min walk to the ferry crossing. The flat was huge and the space and freedom was brillant as although there were 3 of us sharing we were never under each others feet! I couldn't get enough of the view especially in the evening when the Theban Hills are lit up. The swimming pool offers privacy and again the size is very generous and it even has a jaquzzi pool! Little Mohammed is a real sweetie, bless him, and I love his greeing when he see's you 'it's good' He is also very creative and made us smile with the towel art!! My three weeks stay was incrediable-thank you Jane for making it extra special! Pauline-Leicester, UK

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Review of my book Hidden Luxor

Just got a great review of my guide book of Luxor (obtainable at www.hiddenluxor.com)

I have visited all the temples and tombs in Luxor over the last 10 years, some of them many times during the past 5 years of living in Luxor full time, but this book has opened my eyes to so much more to discover that is not shown, or possibly even known, by the tour guides. I certainly will be taking this book with me next time I am out and about in Luxor. The author has given clear guides on where to go, what to look for and even included the tiny details such as 'look up', 'look left' etc that the book is a detailed map of the hidden Luxor most people have no idea is there. A must have guide for lovers of Luxor, Egyptologists and even tour guides could learn something new. VW

An amazing 3 weeks - will life ever be the same again? - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor

An amazing 3 weeks - will life ever be the same again? - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor: Just returned from 3 weeks with Jane - it was like staying with a friend as her knowledge, finger on the button and friendliness knew no parallels. She was in the flat below and we enjoyed many chats both in her falat and ours. Definately NOT 5 star hotel - the glory of chilling, outings and adventure were supported by not having any time shedules to maintain, up when we chose, eating, swimming, crashing out, showers and the freedom to wander around in clothing I wouldn't have dared wear in a 5 starer. Meals to order or self-catering, Water and basic supplies ordered and ready for our arrival with bulk shopping trips on offer if we didn't fancy doingit ourselves. Little Mohamed was a star in his own right, lookingl after our needs and sorting out any problems pronto and without fuss. Jane offered trips out which would have been great but my friends and I were on a work volunteer trip. The space of the flat was amazing and the views of the Theban Hills (just over by Hatshepsut's Temple) were stunning day and night from the massive veranda and the relaxing roof top. The local village was a few minutes walk away and had met all our simple requirements, the ferry was at the other end of the village at the great price of 10p to cross the Nile :). The West Bank sites were a 5p local bus ride away with Jane having explained how to hail and then stop these minibusses wherever you wanted - no "bus stops", Sshe also was able to give us "cultural" tips which also enhanced our stay. Everyone was so friendly it was awful wandering around saying our good byes.
Thank you Jane and I'm looing forward to a return trip :)

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Flats in Luxor in the new 2012 Lonely Planet

Just been sent a copy of the new Lonely Planet for 2012 and  i amdelighted with our listing, map entry and new this year Resource Box.

I remember when we first got an entry in the Lonely Planet, it was a real red letter day. We were so proud we got a listing and we are still the only apartment owners with a listing. How about that!

Pity they didn't take account of the new phone numbers in Egypt, it should be +20 1003564540

Remembering Hassan Fathy – Egypt’s Green Architect Of the People | Green Prophet

Great article about hassan Fathy, the village he built is just along the road and can be visited. 
Remembering Hassan Fathy – Egypt’s Green Architect Of the People | Green Prophet: - Sent using Google Toolbar

Pauline tells us about her time at Flats in Luxor, Egypt - YouTube

Pauline tells us about her time at Flats in Luxor, Egypt - YouTube:


A video testimonial


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Purchase of Property in Egypt

There is a meeting with the British Embassy in Luxor today and I was checking the notes from the last meeting. One of their tasks was to update the property advice pages. I was asked for any input I might have and they have used loads of my comments especially  the references, references, references. :) Actually there is loads of good advice on there now, worth having a look.

Purchase of Property: "A very good piece of advice from a property business person in Luxor is instead of location, location, location, think references, references and references."

Now Egypt is moving forward property purchase is picking up again .

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Jolie, Pitt prefer Luxor over Tahrir | Main1

Doesn't everyone prefer Luxor :) ? 
Jolie, Pitt prefer Luxor over Tahrir | Main1: Jolie, Pitt prefer Luxor

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Sad News from Flats in Luxor - the wife of Gamal has died

I heard this afternoon that the wife of our chef Gamal lost her fight against breast cancer and has died. Lots of our past guests know and love Gamal and knew about his wifes illness, some have even sent money for her treatment. We thank you all

They had a large family with some young kids but thanks be to God they have many relatives who will help out.

Roof Garden at Al Gezera - Flats in Luxor - YouTube

Roof Garden at Al Gezera - Flats in Luxor - YouTube:



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Sunrise from Flats in Luxor - YouTube

Sunrise from Flats in Luxor - YouTube: -



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Fantastic holiday at Flats in Luxor - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor

 Our 93rd review on Trip Advisor from the lovely Christine.
Fantastic holiday at Flats in Luxor - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor: Me and my partner and our 2 friends stayed in one of Jane's appartments at Flats in Luxor. The appartments are in a breathtaking location on the West Bank at Al Gezera. It had fantastic views and we loved to sit on the balcony watching the sun rising. In the evening it was just as spectacular looking accross at the view of the Nile and East Bank of Luxor on one side of us and the lit up valley of the Kings on the other side. We were only there for 7 nights and packed a lot into the days. A number of the trips were recommended by Jane and she also arranged for our transport to and from where we were going. We had breakfast made for us by Jane's staff on a number of the mornings which was a great help and absolutely lovely, they also cleared everything up after we had finished. We visited the valley of the Kings, Queens and Nobles and another 2 tombs at AL-Khaukha one of which included a mummy. Two of our trips were suggested and arranged by Jane and we absolutely loved every minute of them. One was the day cruise on the Nile which included lunch and a visit to Dandara Temple and the other was a trip on a hot air balloon and we would absolutely recommend both as not to be missed. We had a lovely meal waiting for us on arrival, not only was it delicious but there was plenty of it. The appartment itself was probably one of the largest we've ever stayed in. There were 3 bedrooms all big and one en-suite, a bathroom, large kitchen and living/dining room. We also had 2 balcony's, one that looked over the pool area and the other looked to the side of the property and accross to the valley of the Kings in the distance. We spent quite a bit of time cooling off in the pool when we were relaxing in the hot afternoons. The shops were a short walk up the lane in front of the appartments and along the way we would meet very friendly and welcoming Egyptian families. We absolutely loved it here and we can't wait to return to visit more places in Luxor that Jane recommends and stay in these fabulously located appartments.

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Banish holiday worries caused by the Euro, come to Egypt

With Greece undergoing turmoil and the danger of them leaving the Euro, you may well be looking for an alternative holiday destination. Greek attractions are history and sun and Egypt has exactly the same attractions but even better. We have more history, more monuments and in better condition, there are 24 ticketed sites just in Luxor itself.. We certainly have more sunshine, we also have water sports on the Red Sea, easily reachable from Luxor, Nile sailing and cruises in Luxor and even more history on trips to Aswan and Cairo. And we don't have the Euro so you won't have to worry about a collapse affecting your holiday.

Come to Egypt with Flats in Luxor

Jane Akshar | LinkedIn

Lovely review from a guest on my LinkedIn profile. 


Jane Akshar | LinkedIn: “Pleasure and expertise? A beautiful combination in an amazing location.
Please do not rely on media hype or scare mongering.... explore the hidden wonders of Luxor now! and find out a little more about who you are in the process!
Luxor with Jane..........has everything you need.
Someone to rely on, local sound advice, and a passionate knowledge of Luxor. This is linked to an extremely supportive local communitity!
-Jane will listen and tap into what it is that you most want from your stay in Luxor. Enjoy!!”

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Fantastic family holiday is stunning surroundings - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor

our 92nd review on Trip Advisor

Fantastic family holiday is stunning surroundings - Review of Flats in Luxor, Luxor, Egypt - TripAdvisor:


The apartments was so spacious and beautiful, spotless,marvellous attention to detail; excellent value for money. The surroundings were completely enchanting. Thinking of the view from the top terrace brings tears to my eyes; it was an utterly magical landscape.

The food was fresh, healthy and delicious . The staff were smiley, helpful and attentive.

We took some of Jane's tours having first checked prices against other recommended companies- hers were around the same price, but we think the quality of what we got was much better and we were so glad we went with her. She is very knowledgeable and put together a perfect itinerary. After the first trip to Karnak and Luxor temples she called us to check everything was ok. she takes a lot of pride in what she does .

Jane, Mahmoud and their staff were so helpful and on hand to arrange whatever we wanted: taxi up the road for pennies or a trip for a pedicure .

We liked it do much that we curtailed our stay at a 5* at red sea to come back and finish our holiday at Goubli. We can't wait to go back and recommend it to anyone .

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