I recently had the good fortune to spend a week in Luxor, Egypt.  I realise that some people have become a little nervous of travelling to Egypt after the recent trouble, but it is no more dangerous than going shopping in London.  The worst thing that happened to us was being ripped off by our Tour Company, First Choice, when booking trips and hotel rooms.  They charged us £20 for the temple light show when it only cost £4 to get in.  All the tour guide did was get us on a bus for 5 minutes (the hotel had a free shuttle bus) and he bought the tickets for us – so he probably paid less than £4 a ticket!  Also, we were rammed into the plane for the 6 hour flight with no leg room and no ceremony.  If they could have got us to sit on each others laps to get more in the plane then I think they would have done!  Our complaints fell on deaf ears so needless to say we won’t be using them again.

 Things I wish I’d known before hand are:

• Don’t travel with First Choice
• Take £20 sterling for your visa
• Take lots of £1 coins for tips
• Sterling is best when bartering
• Take your own loo roll
• Don’t use the loo in the Valley of the Kings (its an experience, but not one I wish to repeat)
• Try to organise your own trips before booking through the tour operator 

 Luxor itself is wonderful and the people are lovely.  During our week away we visited the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, temples by day and by night and lots of museums.  The highlight of the week was watching the sun rise over Luxor from a hot air balloon near the Valley of the Kings.  I also enjoyed all of the attention I got from the local boys who love British women, even when they are rather plump, hot, sweaty and wearing no make up!  My husband could have been a rich man for all the camels he was offered for me.  I’ve been asked if I’d go back and the honest answer is no.  I’ve been there and done that – but I can’t wait to go to Cairo!