Pylon of Rameses II

After buying our tickets, we entered the premises and were confronted with the Pylon of Rameses II, guarded by massive statues of the pharaoh himself. An absolutely jaw-dropping sight, and we couldn’t decide which was more impressive — the age of the statues (over 3000 years), their sheer size, or their incredible condition. At any rate, we were giddy with excitement that this was the first thing we were seeing during our exploration of Luxor.

It took us awhile just to get past the entrance, where there’s also an amazing obelisk, with hieroglyphs so sharp and clearly defined, their actual age seems unbelievable. There should be a matching obelisk on the right-hand side of the entrance as well, but it was “gifted” to France in 1830, and now stands in Paris at the Place de la Concorde. France was actually presented with both obelisks, but never transported the second one. In 1981, President Mitterrand magnanimously “gifted it back” to Egypt. So generous.

Luxor Temple Video

There are plenty of natural wonders in the world, which make you feel small and insignificant, but it doesn’t happen frequently in man-made structures.

Built around 1400 BC, the Luxor Temple was the epicenter of kings during the New Kingdom, when Thebes (as Luxor was once known) was the capital of Egypt. Construction started under Amenhotep III, but was expanded by Tutankhamun and Ramses II, among others. It was “discovered” by western archaeologists in the 1800s, but had been in continuous use for almost the entirety of its history.

The complex is massive, and immediately overwhelming. Touring the place, I was actually happy about my ignorance of Egyptian history and symbology. It’s easy imagine an Egyptologist with a working knowledge of hieroglyphics being paralyzed by this place. It would take a lifetime to fully study the etchings on the temple walls! No: better to be ignorant, so that you can casually admire the age and beauty of the complex, without trying to understand it.

We couldn’t believe our eyes when stepping into the Great Colonnade Hall, where 28 massive columns have withstood the test of time. This 60-meter long hall was built by Amenhotep III, but it was King Tut who oversaw the completion and decoration of the open-flower columns. There are plenty of natural wonders in the world, which make you feel small and insignificant, but it doesn’t happen frequently in man-made structures. But here, under the shadows of these ancient columns, that’s how I felt.

Another thing we found fascinating was the Luxor Temple Cachette. In 1989, while repairing the pavement and investigating the ground beneath the court, archaeologists uncovered the tops of statues buried about a meter below the surface. They soon dug up an underground chamber holding remarkably intact collection of royal and divine statues spanning several dynasties. These treasures were purposefully hidden by ancient temple priests, and today many of them can be seen in the Cachette Hall of the Luxor Museum.

Avenue of the Sphinx

Another incredible sight is the Avenue of the Sphinxes, which connects Luxor Temple to the city’s other major center of worship, Karnak. Originally, this 2.7km stretch between the temples was a built as a canal, for religious processions such as the annual Opet Festival. Eventually, time took over and the canal disappeared, replaced by soil and eventually houses.

The initial traces of the sphinx-lined avenue we see today were discovered in 1949 by Egyptian archaeologist Mohammed Zakaria Ghoneim, who unearthed the first eight statues. Opened to tourists in 2021, the avenue is now flanked by over 1000 sphinxes in varying states of conservation.

There is so much to discover, see, and learn, that a single visit to the Luxor Temple feels woefully insufficient. We’d almost suggest visiting once at the beginning of your time in Luxor, for the “wow” factor, and once at the end, after you’ve had a chance to absorb more of the history. And it’s best to plan your first visit in the morning, then return close to sunset when the lights go on, for the incomparable atmosphere.

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Luxor Temple Photos

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Luxor Temple FAQs

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When was Luxor Temple built?

Built around 1400 BC, the Luxor Temple was the epicenter of kings during the New Kingdom.

Who built Luxor Temple?

Construction started under Amenhotep III, but was expanded by Tutankhamun and Ramses II, among others.

How many sphinxes line the Avenue of the Sphinxes in Luxor?

Opened to tourists in 2021, the avenue is now flanked by over 1000 sphinxes in varying states of conservation.

When is the best time to visit Luxor Temple?

It’s best to plan your first visit in the morning, then return close to sunset when the lights go on.

In November of 2025, we journeyed from Valencia to Athens, and spent the next few months in Greece. We got to know the Athenian neighborhoods of Kypseli and Koukaki really well, and then went to the island of Rhodes for a month. In that time, we also visited the gorgeous islands of Symi and Naxos. Then, it was time for something totally different – we flew north to Sweden, and lived for a month in Malmö. After that, we chose Bucharest as our next destination, where we spent six weeks. Now, we’re in Germany, in Jürgen’s heimat of Darmstadt.

We Miss Valencia Video

The time away from home has been exhilarating, but we have to admit it’s also been too much. We are very much missing home… seeing our friends, going to our favorite restaurants, and being around our “things”. Valencia has been home now for 18 years, and that’s where our lives are! We miss shopping at the Mercado Central, the lovely weather, and the relaxed Valencian vibes.

It’s time for us to get back home, and we’ll be doing that soon. But to bridge the gap, and assuage our homesickness, we’ve been looking through our photo archives, finding a bunch of great pictures that haven’t yet been published.

What follows is a relatively random set of photos, which shows off some sides of Valencia which you might not have seen before. Please enjoy this batch of photos, and let us know what your longest time away from home was, and what you did to help the homesickness!

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Valencia Photos

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We first noticed the new trains last year, while flying back to Valencia from Germany. At that point, they were just doing some test runs, but with the opening of T3, the people mover is fully operational.

Construction on Terminal 3 began way back in 2018, and was originally supposed to be finished 2022, but … something happened, I can’t remember what exactly, like some sort of global pandemic? Anyway, it was pushed back until April, 2026.

Skyline FRA Video

The grand opening of the new terminal didn’t immediately increase traffic to FRA, because it’s mainly being used by the flights that were previously being run out of T2. That terminal is now getting a much-needed renovation. Once T2 is complete, the same thing will happen again, with T1 being refurbished and its flights relocated to T2. (This process feels very German and efficient.) It won’t be until 2035 that all three terminals are fully operational.

But back to the present day, and our first wild joyride on the new people mover. Called SkyLine, the automatic train covers the 5.6 kilometers between the terminals in under eight minutes, reaching rather impressive speeds of 80 km/h.

We only had time to take a look at the main hall of the terminal, designed by local architect Christoph Mäckler. The large cube-shaped construction reminded us of Mies van der Rohe, and specifically Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie. It’s notable for the abundant natural light that pours in through walls made of glass, and landed a spot as the only European airport on the The Prix Versailles’s 2026 World’s Most Beautiful Airports list.

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FRA Terminal 3 Photos

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Frankfurt Airport FAQs

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When did Terminal 3 open at Frankfurt Airport?

In April, 2026, a brand new Terminal 3 was opened, across the tarmac from the other two.

When did construction of Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3 begin?

Construction on Terminal 3 began way back in 2018.

How long does the SkyLine people mover at Frankfurt Airport take between terminals?

Called SkyLine, the automatic train covers the 5.6 kilometers between the terminals in under eight minutes, reaching rather impressive speeds of 80 km/h.

When will all three Frankfurt Airport terminals be fully operational?

It won't be until 2035 that all three terminals are fully operational.

FRA Airport Car Rentals

If you’re a frequent reader of our blog, you might know that we have complicated feelings about Calatrava’s work. We’re far from groupies, but somehow we find ourselves in places where he’s already left a mark. Oviedo (the Palacio de Congresos), New York City (the World Trade Center Transportation Hub), Lisbon (the Gare do Oriente), and most recently Mons, Belgium (the new train station). His creations are always a spectacle and each project has its fair share of drama as well.

Opera Video

And we’re here for the drama! Calatrava is notorious for going over budget and for the opera, he stayed true to this reputation. The final tally was over four times the original budget. And while the white mosaic tiles were certainly striking, they were also capable of striking people: on windy days, they tended to fly off the opera house, and the entire facade had to be redone with a new binding material. The problems went so far, that Valencia dragged the architect in front of the courts.

However, instead of learning from this experience, Valencia commissioned him for even more buildings in the City of Arts and Sciences: the Science Museum (rumors says he forget to plan in bathrooms) and the L’Àgora (whose minimal floor space makes it nearly impossible to use for any event). And then two more bridges! It seems like working with Calatrava is akin to addiction. Once you’re hooked, it’s hard to get away from him, despite the cost and hassle.

Then again, the City of Arts and Sciences is estimated to generate over €100 million per year in revenue from tourism. And we understand why: the construction drama notwithstanding, this is an otherworldly place. The CAC is unlike any other “neighborhood” in the world, and has come in part to define Valencia in the eyes of the world. Wandering around the complex is stunning, especially during the sunset.

But to loop back to Calatrava’s Opera House, we had long admired its bizarre shape from the exterior – like a massive dragon’s egg just starting to hatch. But finally we had the chance to explore the interior, while attending a concert which was held at L’Auditori, one of four venues inside the complex. From the inside, it’s just as beautiful. Take a look at the photo gallery; we can say with some confidence that you’ve never seen an opera house quite like Valencia’s.

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Opera Photos

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Calatrava FAQs

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Who designed the Palau de les Arts?

Architect Santiago Calatrava was already a superstar when he started work on the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.

How much did the Palau de les Arts go over budget?

Calatrava is notorious for going over budget and for the opera, he stayed true to this reputation. The final tally was over four times the original budget.

What happened to the Palau de les Arts tiles on windy days?

While the white mosaic tiles were certainly striking, they were also capable of striking people: on windy days, they tended to fly off the opera house, and the entire facade had to be redone with a new binding material.

How much revenue does the City of Arts and Sciences generate?

The City of Arts and Sciences is estimated to generate over €100 million per year in revenue from tourism.

The Luxor Museum opened its doors in 1975. And in contrast with Cairo’s massive new Grand Egyptian Museum, the focus here is on quality instead of quantity. The pieces have been carefully curated, thoughtfully arranged, and presented with just the right amount of context. Egyptian History is an overwhelming topic, convoluted and contradictory, but the Luxor Museum does an incredible job of introducing it, with unique and important artifacts.

Luxor Museum Video

It shouldn’t be surprising that the main museum in one of the world’s richest archaeological regions is so excellent. But we were surprised! We simply hadn’t heard much about it, and were almost dismissive when we stepped inside. “Let’s just move through this quickly, and get to a real attraction asap”.

Standing face to face with the preserved remains of these ancient rulers was honestly a bit unsettling, especially since it’s possible to make out facial features, fingernails, or patches of hair.

But the museum managed to suck us in almost immediately. We learned about the pharaohs, the dig sites, the various kingdoms, the hieroglyphics, and the gods. Hatshepsut, Amenhotep, Tutankhamun, Ramses, Seti, and Thutmose were just some of the names which we read about here, and would encounter repeatedly as we explored Luxor in the coming week.

The Luxor Museum won’t overwhelm you but it slowly pulls you in. We spent a long time looking at the massive statue of Amenhotep III, the delicate gold jewelry, the alabaster jars, and the beautifully carved figures of the god Amun that once guarded the temples nearby. One of the most fascinating exhibits in the museum displays statues discovered beneath Luxor Temple in 1989: an underground cache filled with ceremonial sculptures that remained hidden for centuries.

And what would an Egyptian museum be without mummies?! There are two royal mummies on display, here, in adjacent rooms that seem to cast a spell of silence on everyone that enters. Standing face to face with the preserved remains of these ancient rulers was honestly a bit unsettling, especially since it’s possible to make out facial features, fingernails, or patches of hair.

We absolutely loved our visit to the Luxor Museum. This was probably the only time we’ve emerged from a museum with more energy than when we entered. It wasn’t overwhelming, and really whet our appetites to see discover the treasures of Luxor.

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Luxor Museum Photos

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Tutankhamun FAQ

Got questions? They might be answered here!

When did the Luxor Museum open?

The Luxor Museum opened its doors in 1975.

What was found beneath Luxor Temple in 1989?

Statues discovered beneath Luxor Temple in 1989: an underground cache filled with ceremonial sculptures that remained hidden for centuries.

Before heading out, try to pick a day with a breeze – more on this soon. And don’t arrive to the banks of the river too early, when the operators aren’t yet desperate enough to strike a good bargain. Don’t show up too late, either! You’ll want to see the sun actually set, and you don’t want to be panicked about making it out on time. The felucca boatmen have years of experience in reading tourists, and will sense your weakness instantly.

Felucca Sunset Video

We never so much "sailed" as were "slowly pushed by the river".

We knew the rules, and marched down to the pier with just the right amount of confidence. That is, we were 100% positive we were about to get ripped off, but confident that it wouldn’t be too much. (One of the biggest mistakes foreigners make when haggling on someone else’s turf, is clinging to the belief that they have to “win”. Let go of that, it won’t happen.)

After being approached by a few different guys, we settled on the one who seemed least obnoxious, and talked him down to nearly half his initial offer. He didn’t seem irritated once we got onto the water, which is a sign that we probably still paid way too much. But everyone was satisfied, so it wasn’t a bad outcome.

Unfortunately, we had been so concerned with the haggling, that we neglected one of the other rules of Felucca Boat Riding: choosing a day with at least some wind. The weather this evening was so still, that the feluccas’ massive sails were rendered mostly useless. After idling about near the docks for too long, our captain hired some kids with a motorboat to drag us into the middle of the river. We never so much “sailed” as were “slowly pushed by the river”.

But it was hard to complain. We were sitting on the Nile with a view of the setting sun, holding cups of strong tea that our captain had prepared. It didn’t take long for the residual stress from haggling to evaporate, and once the calls to prayer began sounding from all the mosques in the city, the atmosphere was positively magical.

While we waited for the flow of the Nile to push us back into shore, the captain took full advantage of his captive audience to offer us 1001 other experiences he could arrange for us. And no amount of negative replies would deter him. We were learning that the locals here don’t believe in taking “no” for an answer. Aggravating and an unfortunate, unavoidable finale to what had been a nice evening, but we were feeling too chilled-out to be bothered by it.

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Felucca Sunset Photos

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Felucca FAQs

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When do feluccas gather on the Nile in Luxor?

Shortly before sunset, the river is invaded by an army of Feluccas.

What weather is best for a felucca ride in Luxor?

Try to pick a day with a breeze.

When should you arrive for a felucca ride in Luxor?

Don't arrive to the banks of the river too early, when the operators aren't yet desperate enough to strike a good bargain. Don't show up too late, either! You'll want to see the sun actually set, and you don't want to be panicked about making it out on time.

Do you need to haggle for a felucca ride in Luxor?

You're either going to be haggling, or getting ripped off.

Darmstadt has always had a thing for unique architecture. Back in 1899, Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig rounded up a bunch of radical artists and architects, plonked them on a hill called the Mathildenhöhe, and basically said: go nuts. The result was the Artists’ Colony: an experiment in living where everything, from the buildings down to the cutlery on the table, was part of one big unified artwork. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, nearly a hundred years later, along comes an Austrian eccentric with a napkin sketch and a manifesto against straight lines. He must have known that Darmstadt seems to appreciate this type of thing.

Waldspirale Video

And we weren’t exaggerating about the napkin sketch. Hundertwasser made the original design for the Waldspirale on a napkin, and the actual building barely varies from it. Construction started 1998 and finished in 2000. During this time I was in the USA, where Mike and I met, which helps explain why I hadn’t seen the final building until now.

And I wasn’t the only person far away during the construction. Unbelievably, so was the architect! Friedensreich Hundertwasser was located in New Zealand throughout the process, so the construction team had to send photos of the progress for his approval. He inspected each carefully, making sure there were no straight lines in sight. Sadly, the Waldspirale never got his final seal of approval – in 2000, on his way to Darmstadt to see his latest work, he died aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2.

The Waldspirale offers 105 apartments. All of them have different windows; not a single one is alike. This gives you an idea how insane the interior of the complex must be. Good luck with standard build-in kitchens and closets! We have a feeling everything inside is custom-designed.

Because it’s an active residential complex, you can only admire the building from the outside, and peek inside the inner courtyard. There used to be a rooftop cafe for visitors, but it’s no longer in operation.

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Waldspirale Photos

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Hundertwasser FAQs

Got questions? They might be answered here!

When was the Waldspirale in Darmstadt built?

Construction started 1998 and finished in 2000.

How many apartments does the Waldspirale have?

The Waldspirale offers 105 apartments.

Who designed the Waldspirale?

Hundertwasser made the original design for the Waldspirale on a napkin, and the actual building barely varies from it.

Can visitors go inside the Waldspirale?

You can only admire the building from the outside, and peek inside the inner courtyard.

I lived in Traisa as a kid for several years and haven’t been back in long time; my family has long since relocated to Darmstadt. So I was excited to spend an afternoon reconnecting with the town, and seeing what memories might come flooding back into my brain. Mike and I started our walk at the Grundschule where I went to school. I immediately noticed that the Edeka was still there: the local supermarket to which my mom always dragged me along.

Traisa Video

I lived in a place with over seven hundred years of history, and never had a clue.

With no specific itinerary in mind, we wandered the streets, letting my memory guide us. And the memories did return. We crossed the school yard to the Bürgerhaus Restaurant, just like Little Jürgen used to do. Then passing by the Traisa Church and a popular restaruant, the Datterich Schänke, we arrived at the big playground where I spent untold hours.

From here, I could hear the familiar sound of splashing and showing: the public pool! This was where you could usually find me as a kid, during the summer. And here, a cool little nature path to the pond where I would feed ducks with my grandma. On the edge of the water, you really feel like you’re out in the countryside, with nature everywhere you look. I didn’t appreciate it as a kid, but coming back now, I was blown away by the natural beauty of the area.

As a kid, Traisa was just home. I’d visit the pool, the playground, the ducks, the grocery store, and the school, without putting any special thought into the place itself. But returning as an adult, I found myself interested in the town’s history. This quiet little village has records dating back to 1316, and was passed around between medieval Hessian landgraves and counts. The town’s coat of arms references the three ancient settlements, which eventually merged into Traisa. I lived in a place with over seven hundred years of history, and never had a clue.

And then on the edge of the village, there’s the Dippelshof. We visited this beautiful Art Nouveau estate frequently while I was growing up, with its golf course (where I would snatch any stray balls I could find), and horses (which terrified me). Originally rebuilt in 1710 after the Thirty Years’ War, it was expanded in 1911 by architect Edmund Körner of the Darmstadt Artists’ Colony. After changing hands several times in the postwar years, the estate gradually fell into disrepair before being carefully restored beginning in 1993, eventually reopening as a hotel.

When we’re back in Darmstadt again, we’ll have to book a stay at the Dippelshof and report back on how it was!

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Traisa Photos

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Traisa FAQs

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Where is Traisa?

A tiny village to the southeast of Darmstadt.

How old is Traisa?

This quiet little village has records dating back to 1316.

When was the Dippelshof in Traisa restored?

The estate gradually fell into disrepair before being carefully restored beginning in 1993, eventually reopening as a hotel.

We had picked the right time of year for our visit. At the end of January, the weather was perfect – warm and dry – a nice change to the damp, chilly winter we had left behind in Athens. As we set out into the streets behind the hotel, our initial impression of Luxor was that this is a vibrantly alive city. Hustle and bustle, people packing every corner, heavy traffic, and an extreme amount of noise.

Luxor Video

The Nile slices Luxor cleanly in two, with the East Bank being the more touristy area. It’s home to Luxor Temple, Karnak, as well as the biggest hotels and the main museums, and is what people generally think of as “Luxor City”. The West Bank, though, has plenty of its own attractions, with the Valley of the Kings and Medinet Habu, as well as a more chilled residential vibe. We’d be staying on western side of the city on the second half of our trip, but for now, it was all about the east.

And for right now, it was all about food. It was well past lunch time when we set out to explore, and we were starving. To get into the city, we had to walk straight past the Luxor Temple, and tried our hardest not to look at it – we’d be dedicating tomorrow morning to the complex, and didn’t want to anything to be spoiled. But good luck not gawking if you’re anywhere near this temple! We surrendered immediately, and spent a long time admiring the colossal entrance gate. Our bellies could wait a little longer!

We didn’t have a restaurant in mind, so just headed towards the railway station, hoping to find some street food. The first stand we came across was a kid making strings of Kataifi (Konafa كنافة) pastries, which are essential for sweets like Künefe and Dubai Chocolate. Close by, we found a tiny local food joint, and finally had our first meal in Luxor: Hawawshi (flat bread filled with spicy minced meat). We also ordered a serving of macaroni bechamel, fresh from the oven. Both are popular comfort foods in Egypt.

We enjoyed the river breeze and watched feluccas sail past, framed against the water by the shimmering reflection of the setting sun.

This gave us the strength to dive into Luxor’s market area, called El Souk. The market’s focus is selling souvenirs to tourists, and we didn’t spend a lot of time here … just enough to get a sense for what was on offer (soccer jerseys, cheap busts of Nefertiti, scarabs, etc).

Usually, when you leave a touristy market area, you can breathe a sigh of relief, having finally gotten away from the touts and sellers. But in Luxor, that moment of release never comes, because the touts are just as pushy outside the market as in. Every five meters, you’ll have another horse carriage driver clamoring for your business (“Egyptian Ferrari, my friend! One horsepower!” – mildly amusing the first time you hear it, less so the 500th).

After the market, we looped back to the Nile to take a sunset stroll along the promenade, doing our best to politely ignore the touts who were CERTAIN we wanted to take a boat ride. We enjoyed the river breeze and watched feluccas sail past, framed against the water by the shimmering reflection of the setting sun.

But man, it looks peaceful out there on the boats… and this guy who’s been following us for the past ten minutes, offering us lower and lower boat ride prices, seems acutely aware that we’re starting to debate it. Okay fine, buddy, you win! So our walk ended with an unexpected sunset ride aboard this guy’s felucca – stay tuned for that in our next post, and subscribe to our newsletter so you’re sure not to miss it!

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Luxor Impressions

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Luxor FAQs

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What is on the East Bank of Luxor?

The Nile slices Luxor cleanly in two, with the East Bank being the more touristy area. It's home to Luxor Temple, Karnak, as well as the biggest hotels and the main museums, and is what people generally think of as "Luxor City".

What is on Luxor's West Bank?

The West Bank, though, has plenty of its own attractions, with the Valley of the Kings and Medinet Habu, as well as a more chilled residential vibe.

What is the weather like in Luxor at the end of January?

At the end of January, the weather was perfect – warm and dry.

What is Hawawshi?

Hawawshi (flat bread filled with spicy minced meat).

Of course, we had seen pictures of the Winter Palace, but arriving at the front steps still took our breaths away. The building is extremely impressive, but its location is perhaps even better. The hotel is almost literally adjacent to the Luxor Temple, and its view of the Nile, stretched out as far as you can see in either direction, is amazing. We were here in January, which is a great time to visit Egypt. In fact, the Winter Palace’s name is no mistake: back in the day, it was only open during the winter months.

Winter Palace Video

One of the hotel’s most famous guests was Agatha Christie, who was possibly visiting while writing one of her most famous novels: Death on the Nile.

Once you enter the main lobby, you’ll probably be unable to prevent another “Wow” from slipping through your lips. Imbued in these walls is an inescapable sense of luxury, history, and importance. You don’t just scurry down the hallway to get to your room … no, you tour the hallway, studying the old photographs on the walls, and admiring the statues and pieces of Egyptian art on display every few meters. And before you even do that, you’ll probably have also visited the lush gardens, with palm trees, the hotel’s pool, and several restaurants. Look: you’ve already had a big day at the Winter Palace, and you’ve just arrived!

At least, that’s the way we did it. But then, we had a couple hours to kill before we could check in. Soon enough, the attentive staff fetched us from the garden, and brought us to our room. We didn’t have a Nile-facing view, as the prices for these rooms are exorbitant, but facing toward the back didn’t feel like a compromise. We had a little patio, and the view looking out on the vast gardens was just gorgeous.

The Winter Palace first opened in 1886, aiming to attract western travelers to Luxor. And in this effort, it succeeded. One of the hotel’s most famous guests was Agatha Christie, who was possibly visiting while writing one of her most famous novels: Death on the Nile. The hotel also attracted royalty and aristocrats such as George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who financed the excavation of Tutankhamun’s Tomb. The discovery of the tomb was announced on the grounds of the Winter Palace in 1922, by legendary archaeologist Howard Carter.

Despite its cinematic atmosphere, the hotel has only rarely been used on screen – most notably in Agatha Christie’s Poirot and the 2020 film Luxor, where scenes were filmed inside the hotel itself.

We absolutely loved our stay at the Winter Palace. The flair, the location, the gardens, the pool, and the staff were all amazing. But we did notice the tooth of time nibbling away on its opulence. Decay sets in everywhere, eventually. That’s why when we heard about a recent change in ownership, we became hopeful. After undergoing massive renovations, the Winter Palace is set to reopen by July 2027 as a Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

We’d love to come back once the construction dust has settled, to see if they managed to give this historic building a much-needed modernization without destroying the old-time charm.

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Winter Palace Photos

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Winter Palace FAQs

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When did the Winter Palace in Luxor open?

The Winter Palace first opened in 1886.

Where is the Winter Palace in Luxor?

The hotel is almost literally adjacent to the Luxor Temple.

Where was the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb announced?

The discovery of the tomb was announced on the grounds of the Winter Palace in 1922, by legendary archaeologist Howard Carter.

When will the Winter Palace reopen?

The Winter Palace is set to reopen by July 2027 as a Mandarin Oriental Hotel.