Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Must Visit Museums in Luxor

Luxor is famous around the world for its rich ancient history and architecture. To explore the collection of ancient artifacts and mummies, visit the museums in the city while enjoying Luxor holidays.
Holidays to Luxor are the best option to explore the best of Egyptian monuments and temples. The list of attractions in Luxor is quite long. This list would be incomplete without visiting its museums. One of the most popular museums in this enchanting Egyptian city is the Mummification Museum. It is located in front of the Mina Palace Hotel. Therefore, if you are visiting Luxor especially to visit this magnificent museum, prefer to stay at the Mina Palace so that you don’t need to waste your money and time in traveling.

Mummification Museum was opened to general public in 1997. It was inaugurated by then-President Hosni Mubarak. The museum was establishes especially to impart knowledge about the process of mummification. While walking around the alleys of the museum, you would come across objects that depict the Egyptian concept of the judgment and the afterlife. During ancient times, Egyptian people used to preserve the dead bodies so that they can survive the scenario of afterlife. Since there is lot to explore in the museum, it has become an integral part of Luxor holiday packages.

The museum spans over 2035 square meters. Mummification Museum features Hall of Artifacts, Video Room, Lecture Hall and Cafeteria. Hall of Artifacts has tow divisions. In the first division, you would find ten tablets belong to papyri of Ani and Hu-nefer. These tablets were displayed in London’s British Museum. While walking around the second part, you would come across more than 60 mummified pieces. More and more history lovers planning Holidays in Luxor especially to visit this museum and take a look at mummified animals, Canopic Jars, Coffin of Padiamun, Mummy of Masaherta and tools of mummification.

Luxor Museum is another worth visiting Museum in the city. This museum was inaugurated in 1975. If you want to take a look at the spectacular art works that were created between Predynastic Period and Islamic Era, add this museum to the list of attraction of your Luxor holiday deals. The museum is housed in a spacious modern building with numerous rooms.

The museum has two levels. While strolling around the museum, you would come across spectacular artifacts collected from Theban area. The exhibits consist of great variety of free standing statues of kings and queens. These statues are made from granites. Some of the popular statues are Head of a Cow Goddess, Statue of Rameses III and Colossal head of Amenhotep III. Besides these statues, the museum is also known for exhibiting a cartonage mummy-case, funerary stelae and tomb furniture.


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Saturday, 3 March 2012

Tombs at West Bank are an Important Part of Luxor Holiday Deals

While enjoying holidays in Luxor, visit the West Bank area to take a look at large number of tombs.
Luxor has always remains in the top priorities of people who want to explore the rich ancient history. There are several attractions that make Luxor holiday deals worth booking. At the West Bank, you would find some of the most notable tourist destinations in Egypt. Intriguing history breathes in every corner of the west bank area. Your visit to this intriguing would be incomplete, if you miss out on visiting its tombs. Every tomb has got a unique number.

One of the most recently opened tombs in the region is Tomb of Roy. Its number is TT255 and is strategically located near Dra ‘Abu el-Naga. This is among the smallest tombs in the region. Still history lovers plan holidays to Luxor especially to take a look at the centuries-old history. The tomb has only one chamber where you would find a burial shaft and various paintings with great detailing. The tomb also features mummy of Roy. As you enter into the tomb, on the opposite wall you would find paintings depicting the mourning over the death of Roy.

Another popular tomb that compels history dwellers to think about Luxor holidays is TT279 i.e., the Tomb of Pabasa. The tomb is notable for its gigantic mudbrick superstructure. You need to climb up the steep stairs to enter into the tomb. It also features a small vestibule that takes you to sun court with large pillars. While taking a closer look at the vestibule, you would find depiction of the funeral of Pabasa. Other things that are embarked on the vestibule are Abydos Pilgrimage and mourners.

Highlight of the tomb that create curiosity in tourists to spend holidays in Luxor is the Pabasa's sun court. There is a hall near this court that has eight pillars. In the past, these pillars were decorated with religious texts and pictures of deities. If you are visiting Luxor only to explore the tombs at the west bank, you should not compromise on visiting Tomb of Kheruef or TT192.

Kheruef was the First Royal Herald and used to known by several other names such as Royal Scribe, Senaa and Steward of the Great Royal Wife, Tiye. The complex where tomb is kept is among the largest ones in Luxor. While walking around, you would come across depiction of several traditions, customs and sports that was an integral part of the civilizations that inhabited the Egypt. The walls have paintings that depict female dancers in local festivals, stick fighting and pictures of prince, princess and several animals.

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Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Spend Luxor Holidays at the West Bank to Explore Cult Temples

Luxor holiday deals are the best way to peep into the history of ancient Egypt. At the West Bank, you can explore enigmatic cult temples.
Egypt is an interesting place to visit. Rich ancient history is its best aspect. It’s obvious that with the name Egypt, first thing that comes in every mind is the Pyramids. However, the country is not only about pyramids and mummies. There are several other things that allow you to take peep into its intriguing past. Plan holidays to Luxor, to take a walk through the centuries gone by. If you are visiting the West Bank area of Luxor, you can explore various temples. But the most popular ones are the Cult Temples.

These temples were built especially for the pharaohs’ mortuary cults. To explore these temples, you need to visit the Theban necropolis. Temple of Thoth at Qasr el-Aguz is the most important cult temple. It is strategically located in the village of Kom Lolla. This temple was built to commemorate ancestors of the Ptolemaic pharaoh. Its proximity to the Temple of Rameses III is another reason why more and more people adding this cult temple to their Luxor holiday deals. Simple yet enticing structure consists of two halls. In the second hall, you would come across depiction of titles of Cleopatra II and Ptolemy. Behind the temple, there is a sanctuary which is also worth exploring.

Another popular cult temple that you should visit while enjoying Luxor holidays is Temple of Hathor at Deir el-Medina. Region of Deir el-Medina is also known as the “Village of the Workmen.” People used to live here were employed to make monuments and royal tombs. Construction of Temple of Hathor was started after the destruction of temple of Rameses II. Temple of Hathor is the largest temple in the area. This was the last temple to be built within a high mudbrick enclosure.

The site where this temple is built, you would also come across several other temples. First temple was built by Tuthmose I. While walking around the area, you would also come across remains of numerous votive chapels. List of cult temples in the city is incomplete without Deir el-Shelwit. History lovers never miss out on adding this temple to Luxor holiday packages. The temple features a narrow hall. Its sanctuary was decorated by renowned Emperors Antonius Pius and Hadrian. Decoration consists of inscriptions depicting rituals of deities that were acknowledged by the Romans. Sanctuary is surrounded by six chambers and has a staircase that takes you to the roof.

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Friday, 24 February 2012

Luxor Holiday Deals Take You to Magnificent Attractions on the East Bank

Holidays to Luxor are one of the best ways to peep into the rich ancient past of Egypt. On the east bank, you would find several historical attractions.
Luxor has emerged as a prominent tourist destination in Egypt. There are several attractions in the city that keep people planning cheap holidays to Luxor. If you want to experience the typical Egyptian streak of spend time in the east bank area. There is lot to see and explore in this area. One of the most important attractions in and around east bank is The Temple of Isis.

The Temple of Isis is located in the town of Shenhur which is just 20 kilometers away from the city of Luxor. The name of the temple literally means “The Lake of Horus.” However, you won’t find any lake in close proximities. The site is located behind Sheikh’s Tomb and Mamluke’s Mosque. Emperor Augustus built earliest part i.e., the northern part of the temple. This part is home to central sanctuary, door jambs and vestibule.

Several tourists book Luxor holiday deals especially to visit this temple and explore the temple. There is a corridor in central sanctuary which is home to numerous side chambers. Most impressive areas can be found in the wabet. It is the astronomical ceiling that features depiction of arms and legs of goddess Nut. Another highlight is the chamber which was the venue for New Year rituals. While visiting the second building which was built by Emperor Tiberius, you would come across a free standing chapel which was dedicated to child-god Horudja.

Tod is another area on the east bank that entices history lovers to plans holidays to Luxor. To visit the village of Tod, you need to travel for 20 kilometers from Luxor. During ancient times, it was known as Tuphium and Djerty. It was built during the reign of Userkaf of Dynasty V. While visiting through modern entrance, you would come across various fascinating blocks in the magazine store. A large granite slab is one of the major highlights. This slab belongs to original shrine of Userkaf. In the western site, you would find main part of the site and well preserved quay.

Luxor holiday packages are incomplete without Medamud especially when you are planning to spend your vacation in the east bank area. Medamud is just 8 kilometers from Luxor and its main attraction is The Temple of Montu. In the past, a canal used to connect it to the Temple of Montu in Karnak. According to experts, the present site is built on the remains of Middle Kingdom.

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Monday, 20 February 2012

Explore Magnificent Egyptian Architecture with Luxor Holidays

Luxor holidays are the best way to explore rich history and magnificent architecture of Egypt. The city is home to variety of religious sites and museums.
Luxor has emerged as one of the best holiday destinations in Egypt. While enjoying holidays to Luxor, you get an opportunity to peep into the rich history, explore magnificent architecture and feel the magnificence of Egyptian culture and traditions. The charismatic city spans over 410 kilometers.

Valley of Kings is among the most prominent attractions in the city. In Arabic, it is known as Wadi el Muluk and it is strategically located on the west bank of River Nile. While strolling around the site, you would come across majestic mountain Al-Qurn. This pyramid shaped mountain is one of the major highlights in this historic site. The Valley of Kings illustrates the Egyptian beliefs of afterlife. There are several tombs however only 30 to 40 tombs are open to public. Most notable tombs are Merneptah, Ramasses IV, Ramasses IX and Ramasses.

There are numerous temples in the city. But Temples of Karnak is the one attraction that compels people to browse through Luxor holiday packages. This site is home to three temples namely Amun, Mut and Monthu. All of these temples are enclosed by huge walls. Refreshing streak of the site is defined by a sacred lake. While walking around, you would come across some of the best architectural structures in the entire country.

Large number of architecture plan Luxor holidays especially to take a closer look at finest ancient Egyptian structures.

Most popular structure in this historic site is Hypostyle Hall. This hall consists of 134 pillars. You won’t find dearth of modern facilities at the Temples of Karnak. If you are looking to spend time by the sacred lake, you can sit back in sophisticated café near lake and admire its beauty and feel its serenity. An open air museum is another luring factor. Temple of Luxor is also quite popular among visitors. This is one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Luxor. Its proximity to River Nile allows visitors to admire the nature beauty and experience unmatchable refreshing environment.

Great Pharaoh built the Temple of Luxor. Temple was built to commemorate the King of Gods i.e., Amon Re. While entering into the temple, you would come across six statues of Ramases the Great. In the north western direction, the temple has a granite shrine dedicated to Alexander the Great. Coptic Church is situated in the western side of the temple. The temple has become an integral part of Luxor holiday deals.

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Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Plan Luxor Holidays to Explore West Bank Monuments

Luxor features some of the richest historical attributes of Egypt. If you want to explore them, plan holidays to Luxor.
Egypt is known around the world for its pyramids and enigmatic mummies. However, rich history of the country is not only limited to the pyramids. To explore more of Egypt’s history, plan holidays to Luxor. Enchanting city of Luxor is home to wide array of museums, valleys and temples. Large number of monuments bring thousands of history lovers to the city. West Bank area is home to some of the most popular monuments in Luxor.

Following are the most popular monuments in West Bank Luxor:

The Clossi of Memnon

This is the most important attraction on the West Bank. While visiting this site, you would come across two massive rock statues that are cut out from gigantic granite blocks. Height of these statues is over 17 meters. According to experts, the statues depict pharaoh Amenhotep III of Dynasty XVIII. The statues rest on granite plinths. While taking a closer look at the monuments, you would find smaller images of Queen Tiye, Royal wife and Queen Mutemwiya. If you are browsing through Luxor holiday deals, refrain from those that don’t have this monument on the list of attraction.

Deir el-Medina Workmen’s Village

This monumental village is located in the Theban necropolis. Deir el-Medina is an Arabic word which literally means Monastery of the Town. During ancient times, the town was known as Set Ma’at which simply means the Place of Truth. Experts are still trying to know when the village was established. However, some of the items that have been found in the site belong to Dynasties XVIII, XIX and XX. More and more people have started adding this site to the list of attractions of Luxor holidays so that they can know more about the people who inhabited the village.

Palace Site of Amenhotep III

The archeological site is also known as Malqata. Archeologists discovered this site in 1888 and founded that this was the home of Amenhotep III of Dynasty XVIII. The vast complex is home to numerous buildings, large temple of Amun, courts and play grounds. While enjoying holidays in Luxor, history lovers never compromise on visiting this site as they can explore the main area to admire king’s apartments. These apartments feature series of luxurious rooms. Other highlights of these apartments are columned banqueting hall and court rooms. While walking around, you would come across several other rooms such as store rooms, waiting rooms and offices. King’s Apartment is surrounded by important structures such as South Palace, North Palace and Middle Palace.

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Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Explore Religious Temples in Luxor Holidays

Plan your holidays in Luxor and visit this popular temples of the city. These temples play a significant role in history of Egypt and worth visiting in family holidays.
Luxor is great city of Egypt which offers different religious temples and historical monuments. If you are planning your holidays to Luxor you can explore some of the best sites here. No matter you see Luxor as a part of Nile River or as an ancient Egyptian cultural place you can always have fun. If you just want to take the glance you can take Nile cruise to spend around 2-3 hours at the main sites here and nearby areas. If you want to spend more time reach these attractive places on your own. In this article you can read about the major temples of the town.

Karnak Temple is most popular tourist attraction of Luxor which you can see in Luxor holidays. This place is also known as the world’s largest religious structure occupying more than 60 acres and surrounded 134 huge columns. It is situated on the east bank of the Nile and around two miles in north of the Luxor town center. Karnak temple is devoted to the god Amun-Ra, and it was construction around 3,500 years ago. Each pharaoh adds his own involvement. Among highlights here is Queen Hatshepsut’s 97-foot-tall obelisk, and another significant place is the Great Hypostyle Hall (c.1300 BCE), it was completed by Ramses II, he also placed a colossal statue of himself at the main gate. You can see how high walls were constructed in the confirmation of a stone rise at the back of one such wall here at Karnak, just inside the entrance.

Temple of Luxor is another interesting place this is more impressive at the night time instead of day time. The temple here was built by Amenophis III around 1400 BCE. This temple is dedicated to the Theban Triad of god, counting Amon-Ra, and was afterward extended by Ramses II. While enjoying holidays in Luxor you can know more history related facts. Luxor is also popular because it was the center of Egyptian power from 2100 BCE to 750 BCE, and the place of worship is in the town center, too.

Visualize that this Temple of Luxor was covered with earth up till the mid point on the obelisk in the near the beginning of 19th century, before archaeologists begin clearance remains away. Don’t miss the so-called Birth Room, where the reproduction and birth of Amenhotep III is illustrate in insubstantial symbolism. Just find best Luxor holiday deals and visit these well-known temples of Egypt.

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Thursday, 2 February 2012

Plan Perfect Family Holidays to Luxor

Plan your holidays to Luxor with family and kids and see interesting places here. Visit Mummification museum, Luxor museum, souq, camel ride, horse ride and more. This place is entertaining, adventurous and fun loving for every age group.
Are you planning holidays to Luxor with your families and kids? If yes let them explore the best parts of this Egyptian city. Every person can find something according to their interest. Those who are animal lovers can move towards the ACE Animal Care Egypt. This is charity organization which motivates to teach the local residents about animal abuse and to afford free veterinary services. Children will get to see many of the cute animals such as cats, donkeys and dogs, donations are welcome in this organization. This place is located in the beautiful countryside.

If you have interest in Egyptian mummies and want to explore more about them, don’t miss a tour to the mummification museum it is a great site to visit on your Luxor holidays with kids. Whole family can learn about the process of mummification and kids may like animal mummies as this is really cool. Apart from this, donkey ride for kids is also a popular thing to enjoy. These delectable animals are astoundingly strong. There are different tours that involve donkey rides through the country sides or to some of the Egyptian sites. You can also do camel rides or horse riding here.

Tourists who are searching for shopping place can move to the local souq for the shopping of souvenirs. Kids may have fun practicing their negotiating skills with the friendly vendors here. You can buy jewelry, scarab beetles and belly dancing outfits. While booking Luxor holidays packages you can include Luxor museum in it. It is an interesting Luxor attraction for family. This is well located museum which has 2 mummies from the ancient time to see and lots of interesting artifacts are also available here. There are lot of descriptions in English and Arabic to describe each piece to the visitors. There is also a short film you can see here at the commencement to give you a little historical information.

Other places to see in Luxor tours Several places of Luxor are must visit sites and some of them are the Mummification Museum, The Royal necropolis, Luxor Museum, tomb of Tutankhamen, Kamak Temple Complex, Queen Neferati's tomb, Hypostyle Hall and ruins of Thebes. You can also enjoy balloon ride this is one of the main tourist spot in Luxor. Find best Luxor holiday deals online and visit this popular place where you can have immense fun and adventure with whole family. You can also explore some of the cultural places of Luxor which shows the history of Egypt.

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