Hi Dave

I suspect, on here, more people are going to suggest Egypt, but why and where would you recommend??

You could well be correct in that, I am going to stay true to form and recommend Egypt, unless you are interested in diving or visiting somewhere like St. Catherine's Monastery I would recommend not Sharm but Luxor if you can get there.

Luxor is absolutely superb for getting out and visiting so many different sites such as Ramesseum (Mortuary Temple of Ramses II), the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, both Luxor and Karnak Temples or perhaps a hot air balloon flight over towards the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut passing over villages and the Colossi of Memnon, not forgetting a visit in to the Luxor Museum.

Slightly further away you can take trips to Abydos, and Denderah, Hathoor and Osiris Temples

If you want you can also take a full day trip to Cairo and visit the Pyramids and Sphinx also the Cairo Museum.

These are just a few options available in Luxor, that is my choice and reasoning, no doubt others will be along to give you a different perspective
Graham

Interestingly Graham, I had always previously thought of Sharm or Hurghada. But when I searched holidays for "All Egypt" Luxor came up as much cheaper than anywhere else in Egypt.

Dave

Having spent a few holidays in Gran Canaria (always winter time) and a few more in Egypt, I too would always recommend Egypt hands down.

To me "Egypt" is Luxor, Aswan, Cairo and Alexandria rather than the man made Red Sea resorts. If we go for 2 weeks we would generally stay in Luxor but travel to Aswan and have also taken in an overnight stay in Hurghada previously on the 2nd week with an overnight stay in Cairo on the first.

However, if you want to combine a bit of both relaxing and visiting in style - why not consider a 7 night cruise? That way, you will visit ancient sites in the mornings and then relax on board watching the world go by as you sail on to your next port of call late in the afternoon or early evening. Usually, all excursions are included plus full board basis with the only extra to pay being drinks and any tips for the cabin crew.

We had taken many holidays to Luxor and Aswan before taking the cruise 3yrs ago. We now live in Cyprus so flew in from Larnaca via Cairo and on to Aswan. We stayed in hotel accommodation for 4nts then took a 3 day cruise to Luxor (cost was $60pp per night including meals and all excursions on the cruise). We had our last 2nts in Luxor and then returned on the overnight train to Cairo ready for our return to Cyprus.

We're going back again this September but staying for 1 week in the Winter Palace Pavillion hotel which is in a great location for the sites on the East Bank and within walking distance for the ferry to the West Bank.

There's so much to see that it's impossible to do everything in one trip and it's a great excuse to go back time and time again! But, the beauty is you can combine relaxing by the pool with a morning visiting ancient sites that are thousands of years old and being waited on hand and foot, should you require it.

Enjoy! I know we will

CwB

You've talked me in to it

Booked the St Joseph in Luxor for a weeks half board in March next year. Anyone had experience of the St Joseph??

Where are the places we can anticipate visiting nearby - and we'll probably hire a car for a few days so suggestions for days out are welcome.

Dave

I have also extensively done both..Egypt every time. I will find this in the GC thread and give you the same answer!
Better diving in Egypt..warmer weather in Egypt....better history in Egypt....and so on.
But, I do love GC also.

You've talked me in to it

Booked the St Joseph in Luxor for a weeks half board in March next year. Anyone had experience of the St Joseph??

Where are the places we can anticipate visiting nearby - and we'll probably hire a car for a few days so suggestions for days out are welcome.

Dave

Hi Dave

We have a friend who stayed at the St Joseph a few times. It's a simple hotel. Basic but clean and in a decent location. Some rooms may get some road noise but the bar on the rooftop of an evening more than makes up for that. The swimming pool is rooftop too. Not the biggest pool in the world but adequate.

The bar below stairs is a welcome escape from the heat that is Luxor (we always go in the summer months) and the restaurant (used to be the Classic but now I think it's Tudor Rose) was always great value for money. If you want to eat in the same place every evening, they usually do an offer where you can purchase a number of meals in advance. However, there are a lot of places to eat in and around where you are staying.

We particularly enjoyed the size of the portions at John & John's (it's inside the Gaddis Hotel and upstairs on the terrace by the swimming pool). It was run by 2 English guys who have been in Luxor for many years but I think they may now be running separate businesses.

You will be able to walk to the Luxor temple quite easily and are handy for the Kings Head pub on the right side as you walk towards the centre of town. If you want to see a really awesome hotel lobby, pop over the road at night and stare at the central chandelier in the reception of the Sonesta St George. You can literally watch the mouths drop open when newcomers venture in. It's fabulous!

Don't be frightened about going in and out of hotels whilst you are there. You can go to eat inside pretty much all of them if you have a mind to without being a resident. I'm sure you will have a great time.

Now, make sure you enjoy the holiday you already have planned! Sounds a bit like how I used to be before we came to live in Cyprus. We had a holiday every 3 months and almost always had 2 holidays booked before going on the one we were due to travel.

We now take probably 1 holiday every year from Cyprus (mostly to Malta in winter to catch up with my mum & dad when they go there for 4wks each February) and sometimes slip in a mini-cruise from Limassol or a few days in a hotel locally. We don't need so many of them now we live in almost permanent sunshine.

Hope you have a great time.

CwB