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Hi Tim, We have been to Luxor several times over the last 23 years, and have enjoyed every visit. We have never felt uneasy or uncomfortable anywhere in Luxor. We stay in the Winter Palace Hotel, and it's sister hotel, Pavillon. Both share beautiful and extensive gardens, with 3 cafe/restaurants, and a lovely swimming pool. There are also 3 restaurants inside the hotels. The hotels are clean and comfortable: the Winter Palace is like stepping back in time, as the decor is antique but very grand. The Pavillon is only about 20 years old, so is much more modern. All the staff are friendly and very helpful. We always head to the Eatabe Hotel on La Corniche, the road along the Nile, for a meal. It is clean, with a good menu, and helpful friendly staff. McDonald's is just behind Luxor temple, and is good value for money. It's always busy, as the locals loves it! Belzoni's on the West Back is a lovely cafe: food is cooked to order, and it's a great place to soak up the local atmosphere. It's also right beside Medinet Habu, a really nice temple to wander around. Open 6am-5pm, cost Le 25. There are lots of places to visit:: Luxor Museum is really good and surprisingly large. It's open 9am-3pm and 5-9pm. Cost is Le 80. Karnak Temple complex is a big area of several temples, with a square, sacred lake and a small cafe beside the lake(a bit expensive). There is also an open air museum, containing statues which have been excavated at Karnak. The temple and museum open 6am-4pm, and both cost Le 65. Luxor temple is a lot smaller, but still worth visiting. Best time is about an hour and a half before sunset, as the temple is lit at night which is beautiful to see and photo! Open 6am-9pm, cost Le50. Mummification Museum is small, but contains a lot of exhibits, open 9am-9pm, costs Le 40. The local ferry is a nice run over the Nile, and back. Tourists are always charged double or quadruple the amount that locals are charged, but it's a matter of about 22 cents!! Not worth arguing over! The big place to visit is the Valley of the Kings, on the West Bank. It's open 6am-5pm, and there are a lot of tombs open; it costs Le 80 for 3 tombs. Tutankhamen's tomb (if open) costs Le 100. No photography is permitted. The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is beside the valley of the kings, open 6am-5pm and costs Le 30. It is a totally unique building, consisting of 3 levels, and great views towards the Nile over green, arable land. A balloon flight is a great way to see the area over the West Bank, Hatshepsut, the Desert, the Nile, and the sunrise. We have used Karnak Travel, which is a subsidiary of Egyptair, and have been very happy with them for our balloon flights. For shopping, the souq is not bad. It was all repaved a few years ago, which makes it a lot easier to walk through. You may be hassled by the shop keepers, but they will not touch you or be offensive. Take hassle as part of the local colour! If you want to get postcards, stamps or gifts, and without the hassle, go to Gaddis. It's a fix priced shop in front of the Winter Palace, with friendly staff and no hassle. Beside McDonald's, there is a book shop, Aboudi's, which is also a fixed price shop, where you can wander at leisure and in peace. When we go to Luxor, we always use the same taxi driver. His name is Mohammed, and his mobile is 0020-12-83279782. He is totally reliable and trustworthy. Hope this is of use, and wish you a really great holiday! Deborah
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