Egypt - where to go?

[splurge]

Ok, i think i have decided on going to Egypt in November for my 1 week holiday (unless there are any other ideas for a fun, hot getaway?)
But where should i go? Sharm El Sheikh or Luxor?
If you have been, please can you help me out?
How much does it cost to then go and visit the pyramids etc?
I heard you could take a balloon ride over the valley of the kings?
Help me guys!!

[jno]

Sharm's basically a beach resort. Luxor is a town on the Nile with some fantastic archaeological sites such as Tutankhamun's tomb and the great temples (now roofless). If you want a fun getaway and aren't interested in historical monuments, might as well give Luxor a miss.

[splurge]

Luxor it is then! My geography isn't great but i def want to see some sites. Otherwise, what is the point in visiting Egypt???! I'm just not too sure on the best 'resort' area to stay in order to be accessable to the places i want to visit. The travel agents was pushing Sharm and i thought that was a bit far away?

[CSG2306]

Hi Splurge,

We had a week on the Nile a few years ago and I can highly recommend it. The food on the boat was excellent and the archaeological sites were awesome.

Take plenty of cheap pens with you for the children, they love them.

Regards

[Ed Strong]

Spent 2 days in Cairo (museum for Tutankhamun's treasures/pyramids). Flew to Luxor and picked up a beautiful boat to sail down the Nile and visit all the archeological sites along the way. Weather pleasant in November. No mossies. No upset tummy. Food great. All in all a fantastic holiday. I suppose it depends on what travel company you go with. We went with Bales, not especially cheap, but then you usually get what you pay for.

[jno]

the Pyramids and Sphinx are outside Cairo (or they were 25 years ago... I suspect they're in the suburbs now), and that's quite a way from either Sharm or Luxor. I believe there is a beach resort not far from Luxor - across the desert to the east - but can't remember its name. It's probably in brochures if it does exist.

Some other ideas here:
http://www.vjv.co.uk/destinations/africa/egypt /

VJV seem to be cheaper than most but do good itineraries; I've travelled with them quite a lot.

[rhona_j]

A few years ago we went to Luxor for a week.
We decided we couldn't go to Egypt without seeing the Pyramids, so opted to go on a full day trip with the holiday company to see them. Return flights, lunch, trip to Pyramids, Museum and a mosque were included, it was slightly more than I would normally have paid but it was well worth it.
We also went for a couple of days to Hurghada through the company, it was a very long bus journney across the desert (in convoy with other busses, kinda scarey!), but it was a five star hotel and well worth it, and finished off the holiday really well.
But if you've only got a week and want to see some sights, I'd opt for Luxor, and just make sure you go for a decent hotel with somewhere to relax if you want to.
A must is Karnak Temple, the Hypostyle Hall is just awe inspiring.
One of my best holidays, even though we did get very bad 'gypy' tummy half way through!
Enjoy!

[jno]

Hurghada, that was the one I was trying to remember!

[imd123]

Last year we spent a week on the Nile, 3 days in Cairo and 3 days in Luxor. Everything was fantastic. (Balloon ride over Valley of Kings too). DEFINATELY a holiday of a lifetime.

[Toureman]

The only reason to go to sharm or anyother red sea beach is for the diving and snorkeling, about 1000 miles from the ancient egyptian sites.

Best bet is to do a nile cruise or stay at luxor for the temples and the valley of the kings.

[splurge]

ok i booked to go marsa alam with a day trip to luxor and hopefully a balloon ride over the valley of the kings. I am so excited now, just hope the weather is nice! Although nowhere is selling bikinis or shorts!