New to this group

Post by **Jetsetters** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:09 pm

I have never been to Egypt but had booked last weekend, prior to the protests to go on a weeks cruise and a further week at The Steigenberger Nile Palace, Luxor (Having read all the hotel reviews). Obviously I am glued to the news channels watching the developments by the hour wondering what to do now.

Both my wife and I are history vultures and can not get enough. We have been to Turkey and seen some wonderful sites but we feel nothing could touch the history of Egypt. I fully agree with the Egyption people in protesting having found out how little they are paid (for those that find work). No one should suffer while the top people are stealing from under their noses.

I will have to see how the protests develope as I really want to go to Luxor and I know that this unrest is going to be a long term thing. Egypt I feel will never be the same again (but democracy and honesty from the leaders will be a good thing).

Thank you also "Group" for all the valuable info on this site for first timers like me

Kev and Jackie

Post by **Lisak** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:20 pm

Hello Jetsetters and welcome to the forum,

When is it you are due to travel?

Unfortunately not much news is coming out from Luxor, but what we do know is that it is relatively calm compared to what we are seeing on the telly.

There are flights still going out to Luxor, but as the FCO have advised against travel it makes your travel insurance void.

I think we are all watching events unfold to see what will happen with travel to Luxor.

(and elsewhere in Egypt)

Post by **Jetsetters** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:28 pm

Thanks Lisak, not due to travel till May so we have a bit of breathing space to see what happens but I hope that Mubarak listens and the people can have an election to choose their own leader (whoever it may be) and things can settle down as God knows the egyptions will severly suffer with the lack of tourists, from what I read

Post by **Lisak** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:36 pm

Well at least there will hopefully be a bit of breathing space after all of this, whatever happens.

The country, especially Luxor will suffer dramatically (probably already is) with the lack of tourists.

I hope that you manage to get to see and experience the place that I love and get to see all the great monuments.

Post by Jo » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:54 pm

Welcome,
Hope you get to discover this amazing land in May.
When I saw your post out of curiosity I tried to see what was available and can you believe I got to book a week at the Gaddis with flights on Wednesday i wen all the way to where I needed to pay with my credit card, obviously I didn't enter them but why are they taking bookings for flights that are cancelled?

Post by **sue** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:43 pm

Welcome to the forum, we are all following the news at the moment and the forum is not quite itself, hopefully things will come to an outcome that the Egyptian people need very soon and then their lives can become better.
I have heard that tourists who are still there are fairly restricted, what with the curfews. I dare say a lot are actually keeping themselves in the hotels from choice though. I think some of the monuments are also closed at the moment.

Post by **jewel** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:43 pm

Welcome jetsetters and hope you can get sorted out, shame you didnt visit egypt before all this erupted as it was a good place to visit before, but has been changing the past few years really, and now I would give it a wide berth.
I think wherever you visit you will find historical interests especially when you have done your research...the nile palace is one of the best hotels in luxor so you chose well

Take care

Post by **Christine** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:40 pm

The reason the Hotels are still showing that they are taking bookings is because they cant update thier web pages, there is no internet access, and hotels like the gaddis have thier web page providers inside Egypt

Post by **Lisak** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:04 pm

:doh:
We are so used to being able to access everything nowadays worldwide that things like this don't even cross our minds.

I'll take Goddesses numpy pants in her absence.

Post by Jo » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:08 pm

I'm not a numpty! well I am usually but not with this, this was through a uk package agent with flights and everything

Post by **Lisak** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:15 pm

But I suppose Jo it would be the same difference really as in Egypt they wont be able to update.

I also think there is lots of confusion about travel to Luxor some flights still going there some not.

Post by Jo » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:20 pm

I would have thought big names would have sorted something on their uk website to prevent you booking a flight that they know isnt flying though

Post by **Jetsetters** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:26 pm

Thank you all for your welcome messages

Kev