Monday, December 13, 2010

Luxor - Egypt's Largest Outdoor Museum

By Rob Atherton


Luxor is located in Upper Egypt along the banks on the River Nile and is also the departure point for all Nile cruise trips. Visitors get there by taking direct flights coming from the UK or via Cairo. On the other hand, you can use conventional trains that go overnight from Cairo 400 miles to the north and onwards to Aswan.

Although this is a leaving place for Nile cruises, travellers who opt to remain at one of the hotels in Luxor should have tons to see thanks to the array of historical treasures in the place. The Nile makes its way through the middle of Luxor and the respective sides are often called the East Bank and West Bank.

The East Bank is the place where most of the hotels are located and the main focal points from the historical point of view are the Temples of Karnak and Luxor that are to the north and south of the city, roughly around 2 miles away from each other. Likewise found on the East Bank are the Luxor Museum and Museum of Mummification. The Temple of Luxor is likewise worth checking out during the night having atmospheric lighting and less travellers, it boasts a very different feel about it.

The West Bank is considered to be the entrance to the Valley of the Kings which is most celebrated as the place that the Tomb of Tutankhamen was located by Howard Carter in 1922. One more distinctive site is the Valley of the Queens that has the Tomb of Nefertari amongst its treasures.

In addition there are enough other locations of appeal but a highly encouraged activity is an early hot-air balloon trip over the ruins of the West Bank providing holidaymakers and visitors a different point of view on the superb historic riches on offer when they go to Luxor. If you adore ancient Egypt, Luxor is the location to visit.




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