• Home
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Yoga Journey
  • Work with Flo
  • Get in Touch
  • Disclaimer and Policies
No results
View all results
Yoga, Wine & Travel
  • Home
  • Travel
    • All
    • Food & Drink
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Responsible & Ethical Travel
    • Travel Tips
    • Wanderlust Wednesday
    Sail Lanka cruise in Sri Lanka

    Sail Lanka Review: Whale Watching Aboard a Luxury Catamaran in South Sri Lanka

    Cypress trees in Tuscany Italy at sunset

    A Taste of Tuscany: Self-Drive Itinerary for a Day Trip from Florence to Chianti and Val d’Orcia

    Train on Nine Arch Bridge in Ella Sri Lanka

    Highlights of Sri Lanka: An Express 7 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary for First Time Visitors

    Milan Duomo in Italy

    2 Days in Milan: Explore Italy’s Stylish Fashion Capital in 48 Hours

    Grand Canal view from Ponte di Accademia in Venice Italy

    4 Days in Venice: An Extended Venice Itinerary That Will Take You Away from the Crowds

    View of Macau from Monte Fort

    The Best Things to Do in Macau (Beyond Seeing the Ruins of St. Paul’s)

    Trending Tags

    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Oceania
    • North America
    • Africa
  • Popular Destinations
    • Hong Kong Travel Guides & Tips
    • Sri Lanka Travel Guides & Tips
    • Italy Travel Guides & Tips
    • Laos Travel Guides & Tips
    • Thailand Travel Guides & Tips
    • Turkey Travel Guides & Tips
    • Jordan Travel Guides & Tips
    • All Destinations
  • Yoga
    • All
    • Yoga Studios Around the World
    Asia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong

    Asia Yoga Conference 2019 Guide: What to Expect and What’s New

    Rukgala Retreat near Kandy Sri Lanka yoga retreat

    Rukgala Retreat: Unwind & Relax at One of the Best Yoga Retreats in Sri Lanka

    Asia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong 2018

    8 Unique Gifts for Yoga Lovers (That Aren’t Yoga Pants or a New Yoga Mat)

    Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

    The Best Places to Visit in Singapore in 3 Days (And Sights You’re Better Off Skipping)

    Samui Elephant Sanctuary Koh Samui Thailand

    Koh Samui Elephant Sanctuary: Rescuing Elephants from Riding Camps and Beyond

    Evolution Asia Yoga Conference 2018 Hong Kong

    6 Reasons Why You Should Attend a Yoga Conference (Even If You Know Nothing About Yoga!)

  • Videos
Yoga, Wine & Travel
  • Home
  • Travel
    • All
    • Food & Drink
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Responsible & Ethical Travel
    • Travel Tips
    • Wanderlust Wednesday
    Sail Lanka cruise in Sri Lanka

    Sail Lanka Review: Whale Watching Aboard a Luxury Catamaran in South Sri Lanka

    Cypress trees in Tuscany Italy at sunset

    A Taste of Tuscany: Self-Drive Itinerary for a Day Trip from Florence to Chianti and Val d’Orcia

    Train on Nine Arch Bridge in Ella Sri Lanka

    Highlights of Sri Lanka: An Express 7 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary for First Time Visitors

    Milan Duomo in Italy

    2 Days in Milan: Explore Italy’s Stylish Fashion Capital in 48 Hours

    Grand Canal view from Ponte di Accademia in Venice Italy

    4 Days in Venice: An Extended Venice Itinerary That Will Take You Away from the Crowds

    View of Macau from Monte Fort

    The Best Things to Do in Macau (Beyond Seeing the Ruins of St. Paul’s)

    Trending Tags

    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Oceania
    • North America
    • Africa
  • Popular Destinations
    • Hong Kong Travel Guides & Tips
    • Sri Lanka Travel Guides & Tips
    • Italy Travel Guides & Tips
    • Laos Travel Guides & Tips
    • Thailand Travel Guides & Tips
    • Turkey Travel Guides & Tips
    • Jordan Travel Guides & Tips
    • All Destinations
  • Yoga
    • All
    • Yoga Studios Around the World
    Asia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong

    Asia Yoga Conference 2019 Guide: What to Expect and What’s New

    Rukgala Retreat near Kandy Sri Lanka yoga retreat

    Rukgala Retreat: Unwind & Relax at One of the Best Yoga Retreats in Sri Lanka

    Asia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong 2018

    8 Unique Gifts for Yoga Lovers (That Aren’t Yoga Pants or a New Yoga Mat)

    Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

    The Best Places to Visit in Singapore in 3 Days (And Sights You’re Better Off Skipping)

    Samui Elephant Sanctuary Koh Samui Thailand

    Koh Samui Elephant Sanctuary: Rescuing Elephants from Riding Camps and Beyond

    Evolution Asia Yoga Conference 2018 Hong Kong

    6 Reasons Why You Should Attend a Yoga Conference (Even If You Know Nothing About Yoga!)

  • Videos
No results
View all results
Yoga, Wine & Travel
No results
View all results
Home Travel

Discover the City of Palaces in Egypt: 6 Incredible Things to Do in Luxor

Luxor is home to not only the Valley of the Kings but also heritage temples and landmarks aplenty. Read on for what you can't miss in Luxor!

by Flo
August 11, 2019 - Updated on December 5, 2019
in Travel
0
Luxor Temple entrance in Luxor Egypt

Dating back to 3200 B.C., the city of Luxor is a must-visit destination in Egypt for history and archaeology lovers. It was once known as the city of Thebes and served as an important religious and political epicenter in ancient Egypt; today, the open-air museum spans the east and west banks of the Nile and contains precious remnants from the golden age of pharaohs and queens.

Whether you fly or sail into Luxor, you’re bound to be astounded by the impeccably preserved and restored temples, tombs and towering statues. Read on for the top attractions in Luxor, how to spend 2 days in this historic city and my recommendation for a fantastic tour company in Egypt.

You might also like: 16 Essential Things to Know Before You Travel to Egypt

Tips for your first trip to Egypt

Visa on arrival at Cairo Airport in Egypt

  • When to visit Egypt: Egypt’s peak tourism season runs from around September to April when the weather is somewhat milder. During this time, there are a large number of tourists at the major sightseeing landmarks. We visited in May (the shoulder season), and the heat was fairly unbearable in Luxor, especially as Luxor is one of the driest cities in the world. The temperature soared above 40 degrees Celsius by 10, 11 AM in the mornings and there is minimal shade. For those who are especially sensitive to heat, I would recommend visiting Egypt and Luxor in the “winter” months from December to February.
  • Currency in Egypt: The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (LE). The exchange rate is approximately 17 LE to US$1 or 18.5 LE to 1 Euro. Cash is king in Egypt, so make sure you exchange a small amount when you arrive; get your hands on as many small-denomination bills as possible as tipping is very much expected in Egypt.
  • Dress code in Egypt: If you are a female traveler, leave your shorts, tube tops and anything exposing your arms and legs at home. Egypt is a majority Muslim country and you should dress modestly: both men and women should cover their shoulders and legs. Although it is best to dress on the conservative side, you may see tourists walking around at major attractions in shorts and tank tops.
  • Water in Egypt: It is not safe to drink tap water in Egypt. You should boil water before drinking or use a water purifier bottle.
  • Staying connected in Egypt: You can purchase a local SIM card at the airport or from small grocery stores. If you are arriving in Luxor via a Nile cruise, there are convenience stores located along the main road where the cruise ships dock.
  • Visa requirements for Egypt: Nationals from these countries are eligible for an e-visa. Instead of applying for an e-visa via the official Egypt e-visa application website, buy your Egypt visa-on-arrival for US$25 from the National Bank of Egypt counters at Luxor airport (before you go through immigration). The visa is valid for 30 days.
  • How to get to Egypt: Egypt is well-connected by international airlines with major airports in Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. We spent 1 week in Jordan before flying direct from Amman to Cairo on Royal Jordanian Airlines; after spending 2 days in Cairo, we hopped on a domestic flight to Aswan and sailed on the River Nile towards Luxor.
  • What to bring to Egypt: Sunscreen, a hat, refillable water bottle, wet wipes/hand sanitizer, walking shoes or sandals. Luxor is extremely toasty so you might want to bring an electric fan. Leave your drone at home as Egypt has strict drone laws.
Looking for even more Egypt destination guides and travel tips? Head on over here or check out my 7 day Egypt itinerary for first time visitors!

Is it safe to visit Egypt?

Sunset along the Nile in Egypt

If you’re wondering, “is it safe to visit Egypt?” Here’s what you need to know. There has been a number of terrorist attacks by extremists across Egypt over the past 30 years. Tourists as well as Egyptian security forces have been targeted by terrorists, and attacks have taken place at religious sites, large public gatherings, hotels and tourist landmarks. In the past year alone there has been two roadside bombs and a deadly car bomb attack in Cairo.

One of the deadliest terrorist attacks took place in Luxor in 1997: 62 tourists were killed at the Al-Deir Al-Bahari site in Luxor by terrorists. More recently in 2015, Egypt’s security forces said they foiled a suicide bomb attack at the ancient Karnak temple.

The fact is, no country is impervious to bad actors and extremists; however, I do believe that safety and security is an issue that has to be considered seriously before traveling to Egypt. Though we made the decision to travel to Egypt despite the concerns, it doesn’t mean that it is my place to tell anyone that it is “perfectly safe” to visit Egypt.

In fact, during our trip we passed the wreckage of a tour bus full of South African tourists that had just hit a roadside bomb near the new Egyptian Museum. Thankfully, I believe that there were no casualties – but the event left us feeling very shaken up and anxious. Though there are security checks and road barricades at most major tourist sites as well as armed military on the roads, I encourage you to stay abreast of news concerning Egypt ahead of your trip, and check Egypt travel advisories for the latest updates and developments.

Entrance tickets in Egypt

In terms of common scams in Egypt, you should assume that nothing is free – don’t take photos of the camels, don’t take photos of the guards, don’t accept any “free” souvenirs. Keep a close eye on your belongings and don’t hand your camera over to anyone but your guide. In Luxor, a “Nile cruise waiter” scam has become quite popular: basically, men target cruise passengers who venture off the boat without a guide. They will claim to be a waiter, porter or receptionist on the boat and say that they can show you around Luxor…except they don’t actually work on the boat at all and will demand a tidy sum after the tour. The scam is very convincing, and the scam artists will say things like, “hello my friend! Remember me? I work on the boat!” in the hopes that you’ll confuse them with an actual staff member on the ship. Don’t go anywhere with them, and always ask your guide or the official cruise ship staff if you need help.

Another thing to be aware of in Egypt is the corrupt security guards stationed at all of the tourist attractions. Many landmarks (like the tombs in the Valley of the Kings) do not allow tour guides to enter with their guests to restrict the foot traffic (to reduce congestion and external contaminants that visitors bring into the sites). So what do the security guards do when the tourists are alone? They offer “secret” tours to areas that are off-limits, photo-bomb your shots and ask for money, or tell you that photos are not allowed (but they’ll let you take photos if you pay them). At the Temple of Hatshepsut, one guard even tore the scarf off a woman’s neck, tied it into a turban on her head without her permission and then demanded money – when you are surrounded by 4 “official” guards what are you going to do? She reluctantly opened her purse, handed over some cash, put the scarf back around her neck and walked away shaking her head. No one is immune to the incessant nagging and it can seriously dampen the experience of sightseeing in Egypt.

So, should you still visit Luxor and Egypt? My answer is: only if you’re comfortable doing so. No country is immune to attacks and scams, and the vast majority of trips to Egypt are trouble-free. You can make things easier for yourself by enlisting an experienced tour company in Egypt to help you plan and organize your trip. In terms of safety, most governments also agree that you should take certain precautions including maintaining a high level of security awareness in crowded places and at large gatherings, and avoiding travel to the Sinai Peninsula, the Western Desert and border areas.

Where to stay in Luxor, Egypt

The vast majority of luxury and boutique hotels in Luxor are located on the East Bank. We stayed on our Nile cruise ship, so don’t have a specific hotel to recommend. However, some of the top recommendations tend to be the Sofitel Winter Palace, Hilton Luxor, Mercure Luxor and Iberotel Luxor. In Egypt, there is a big step down in facilities from the 5-star luxury properties to “boutique” properties – I therefore recommend that you budget accordingly and opt to stay at higher end hotels. Click here to check availability and prices at highly rated hotels in Luxor, Egypt.

6 Incredible Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt

Painting in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt

So you’ve decided to explore Egypt’s archaeological gems. Wondering what to do in Luxor and how much time to spend in the City of Palaces? With dozens of Egypt’s most precious treasures, your Luxor itinerary will be packed to the brim with unmissable sights. If you only have 1 week in Egypt, plan on setting aside at least 2 days to explore the East and West banks of Luxor.

1. See the Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon in Luxor Egypt

The West Bank in Luxor is where you’ll find most of the monuments and tombs for the dead. This is because for the ancient Egyptians, the sun “died” every day in the west, and was reborn in the east. The Colossi of Memnon is a set of statues guarding what was once the necropolis, the main burial grounds, of the ancient city of Thebes.

They are made of sandstone and stand approximately 23 metres tall; though they are severely damaged, the statues are still upright even after enduring nearly 3,400 years of annual Nile floods, plundering robbers, earthquakes and the elements. It’s thought that the Colossi of Memnon represent the pharaoh Amenhotep III. There is no charge for visiting the statues, and are en-route to the Valley of the Kings. You shouldn’t need more than 10-15 minutes at this landmark.

2. Explore the Valley of the Kings

Hieroglyphics in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt

After the pyramids in Cairo, the Valley of the King is perhaps the next most prominent and historically significant landmark. The labyrinth of pharaonic and noble tombs have been explored for the past 200 years or so, and were used by the rulers of Egypt for more than five centuries. Today, the royal necropolis consists of approximately 24 royal tombs and 40 noble tombs; unlike the pyramids which were attractive for grave robbers, the tombs were built into a valley surrounded by pyramid-esque desert formations.

The Valley of the Kings is also home to the tomb of King Tutankhamen (“KV62”), discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. It’s thought that the tomb was between and beneath two other tombs, which may explain why Tut’s tomb was relatively intact when it was unearthed.

Tomb of Ramses V and VI in the Valley of the Kings Luxor Egypt

The ticket for the Valley of the Kings allows you to visit 3 tombs, though not every one is open to the public. You also have the chance to visit the tombs of Tutankhamen, Ramses V and VI and Seti I for extra entrance fees. However, you should know that the tomb of Tutankhamen is supposed to be one of the most bare and damaged in the Valley of the Kings, and all of the treasures have been moved to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The cost to enter the tomb of Seti I is 1000 LE (US$60), so we opted to only pay an additional 100 LE to visit the tomb of Ramses V and VI.

Photography ticket at the Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt

If you want to take any photos inside the tombs, you will need to pay an additional 300 LE for a photography ticket which you can only use in three tombs, and you can only use one device at a time (i.e., you can not simultaneously take photos with your camera and videos with your phone – you will need to put one away and keep alternating).

Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt

We chose to enter the tombs of Ramses III, Ramses IV and Ramses IX. They were in fairly exquisite condition considering they date back 3,000 years, and the colours are still exceedingly vivid. But the tomb that really blew our minds was that of Ramses V and VI, a combined tomb for two pharaohs: it was the least busy tomb that we visited, well-lit and the only tomb where the security guard left us alone. We got the place all to ourselves for more than 10 minutes – unheard of in Egypt!

Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt

Pay close attention to the hieroglyphics and carvings depicting the pharaohs defeating and reigning over their enemies, the goddess Nut swallowing the sun, funerary boats transporting the pharaohs to the afterlife and the various Egyptian gods and goddesses.

Goddess Nut painting in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt
Sarcophagus in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt
Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt
Funerary boat carving at the Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt

Plan on spending at least 2 hours at the Valley of the Kings.

3. Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut

Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor Egypt

From the Valley of the Kings, continue on to visit the nearby Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari, dedicated to the Queen Hatshepsut. She is one of the only female pharaohs of Egypt and reigned for more than two decades. Today, her mummy can be found in the Mummy Room at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Statues of Hatshepsut in Luxor Egypt

The temple has been painstakingly restored by a team of Polish archaeologists, and is one of those structures that will take your breath away. Examine each of the columns that depict Queen Hatshepsut and layered terraces that stack one on top of the other, and be sure to make your way to the uppermost terrace to peek inside the inner chapel. Entry costs 100 LE per person.

4. Wander through the Karnak Temple complex

Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor Egypt

Dedicated to the god Amun-ra and his family, the magnificent Karnak Temple complex covers more than 400,000 square meters and took nearly 2000 years to build by generation after generation of pharaohs. The complex is the largest place of worship ever built, and features a stunning “Hypostyle Hall”, a commanding jungle of towering columns.

Columns in the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor Egypt
Columns in the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor Egypt 2

Though most of the colour has faded, some splashes of pigment still remain – look up and you’ll spot them on just a handful of columns. Make sure you check out the fallen segments of the Queen Hatshepsut Obelisk, the red granite scarab statue that people circle for good luck, and the ram-headed sphinxes.

Hippolyte columns at the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor Egypt
Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor Egypt
Ram-headed sphinx Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor Egypt

Entry costs 150 LE.

5. Check out the Luxor Temple

Ramses II statue at the Luxor Temple in Luxor Egypt

From the Karnak Temple, travel approximately 3 KM to reach the Luxor Temple which was built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II for rituals and festivals. The colonnade, along with the decorated walls, was completed during the reign of Tutankhamun. Like the Karnak Temple Complex, this was also dedicated to the god Amun-ra, his consort and his son.

Luxor Temple entrance in Luxor Egypt

The imposing entrance to the temple is flanked on both sides by a total of six statues of Ramses II, the latest of which was only recently unveiled following significant restoration work. The symmetry is incomplete due to a missing obelisk – one from this set was gifted to France and still stands in Paris today!

Christian Church at the Luxor Temple in Egypt
Smoke damage at the Luxor Temple in Luxor Egypt

Luxor Temple has been re-purposed several times over the centuries: the temple’s hall was converted into a Christian church during the Christian era, and the western section was once a Coptic church as well. A mosque was also built within the temple complex and still forms part of the site today. Pay close attention to the innermost sanctum which still shows evidence of heavy smoke from fires that were set to destroy and cover the depictions of Egyptian gods. Archaeologists are now conducting restoration work to remove the stains from the walls.

Entry into the Luxor Temple costs 140 LE.

6. See the Avenue of Sphinxes

Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor Egypt

The “Avenue of Sphinxes” is a 3-kilometre long parade of sphinx statues that once connected the Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple. The road was used for an annual religious festival where statues of Amun and his consort were paraded from temple to temple. It is thought that nearly 1400 sphinx statues lined this road, some of which actually have ram’s heads instead of the traditional human head.

Much of the avenue was beneath urban buildings in Luxor, and some buildings and houses were demolished in order to excavate the avenue and its sphinxes. The project to excavate and restore the Avenue of Sphinxes began in 2005 (but was halted between 2011-2017) and about 600 million LE (US$34 million) has been spent on the project thus far. Eventually, the entire avenue will be accessible to the public – when we visited only sections were viewable and cordoned off, but still amazing to see in person!

How to plan a trip to Egypt

Traffic in Cairo Egypt

Egypt is not an “easy” tourist destination to visit by any means, so my position is that you should make it easier on yourself by going on a private tour with an experienced tour company. Traveling to Egypt left me feeling conflicted: on the one hand, it offers thousands of years of unparalleled history and culture. On the other hand, every day was just a little bit challenging and draining. Our trip to Egypt would not have gone as smoothly as it did without the experience and impeccable professionalism of the Your Egypt Tours team who took care of us every single step of the way.

Your Egypt Tours private van in Egypt

Though we typically prefer to travel on our own (like we did in Jordan) instead of through tour agencies, our private tour in Egypt was made complete by the knowledge of the Your Egypt Tours’ Egyptologists and experienced drivers. Making logistics arrangements in Egypt is no easy feat – we relied heavily on the Your Egypt Tours team to make our trip as enjoyable, safe and fuss-free as possible. They also coordinated closely with Egyptian security at each of the landmarks so that they could change driving routes if needed.

It can be overwhelming when you’re researching Egypt tour packages (especially luxury Egypt tours) as there are just so many choices out there. But trust me when I tell you that you won’t regret planning your dream trip to Egypt with Your Egypt Tours. You can read more reviews from other travelers here or e-mail them at [email protected]

* If you’re a longtime reader then you’ll know that I only recommend services, hotels and experiences that I have had positive personal experiences with. Just so you know, we were paying customers with Your Egypt Tours and I was not compensated for this article.

The Pyramids of Giza in Cairo Egypt

Just to give you a sense of how much to budget for a luxury trip to Egypt, we ended up spending about US$2000 per person over 7 days including the cost of the private tour, tips, 4 nights’ accommodation in Cairo, a 3-night Nile cruise, Egyptologist guide, driver, extra exhibits/tombs/camera fees, drinks and SIM cards. If you don’t want a completely hands-off approach in Egypt and only want guided tours for a portion of your trip, you can also book individual day tours with Your Egypt Tours such as this half-day East Bank Luxor tour, or this half-day West Bank Luxor tour. Ash was our guide in Luxor and I highly recommend that you see if he’s available!

Papyrus reed collecting on the River Nile in Egypt

If you have more than 2 days in Luxor, you may also want to venture out to the Valley of the Queens, visit Howard Carter’s home (which has been converted into a museum), go on a felucca ride on the Nile, or tour the Luxor Museum. If you are looking to head out for a day trip from Luxor, I recommend visiting the Edfu Temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus.

Related article: Highlights of Egypt in 1 Week

I hope this guide helps you to better plan your trip to Egypt! Read more about visiting Egypt here:

  • 16 Essential Things to Know Before Traveling to Egypt
  • Highlights of Egypt: A 7 Day Egypt Itinerary for First Time Visitors
  • Experience Egypt: How to Spend 2 Days in Cairo (And What to See Besides the Pyramids)

Pin this for later!

Just so you know, this is not a sponsored post. We were paying customers on the tour with Your Egypt Tours, I am not an affiliate and don’t receive any commission from any tours booked. As per usual, all opinions are my own, and you can always expect candid and honest feedback from me (regardless of whether a trip was sponsored or not). This post may, however, contain other affiliate links. If you choose to use these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my website by using these links, I only recommend products or services that I have had positive personal experiences with and think you would love too.

Woman standing in a tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt with text overlay

Obelisk and statue at the Luxor Temple in Egypt with text overlay

Woman at the Karnak Temple Complex in Egypt with text overlay

Share this article!

  • Share
  • Pin
  • Tweet
Tags: AfricaAsiaEgyptMiddle EastTravel

Enjoyed reading this article? Subscribe to the mailing list!

* Unsubscribe at any time. Your e-mail address will only ever be used to send the occasional Yoga, Wine & Travel newsletter.

Previous Post

Experience Egypt: How to Spend 2 Days in Cairo (And What to See Besides the Pyramids)

Next Post

10 Things to Know Before You Go Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey

Related Posts

Sail Lanka cruise in Sri Lanka
Responsible & Ethical Travel

Sail Lanka Review: Whale Watching Aboard a Luxury Catamaran in South Sri Lanka

December 7, 2019
Cypress trees in Tuscany Italy at sunset
Travel

A Taste of Tuscany: Self-Drive Itinerary for a Day Trip from Florence to Chianti and Val d’Orcia

December 2, 2019 - Updated on December 5, 2019
Train on Nine Arch Bridge in Ella Sri Lanka
Travel

Highlights of Sri Lanka: An Express 7 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary for First Time Visitors

November 15, 2019 - Updated on November 19, 2019
Milan Duomo in Italy
Travel

2 Days in Milan: Explore Italy’s Stylish Fashion Capital in 48 Hours

November 1, 2019 - Updated on November 14, 2019
Next Post
Hot air balloons above fairy chimneys in Cappadocia Turkey

10 Things to Know Before You Go Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey

Ramses V and VI tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor Egypt

Highlights of Egypt: A 7 Day Egypt Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Edfu Temple in Egypt with woman

16 Essential Things to Know Before Traveling to Egypt

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello!

Yoga, Wine & Travel

Hi! My name is Flo. I'm a wanderlusting yogi who won’t say no to a good white sangria. I believe that travel and yoga are important avenues to experience new stories, lifestyles, culture and views - join me on Yoga, Wine & Travel as I share destination & travel guides, tips and hacks as well as stories from my Yoga journey! Read more about me and Yoga, Wine & Travel here.

Latest Articles

Sail Lanka cruise in Sri Lanka

Sail Lanka Review: Whale Watching Aboard a Luxury Catamaran in South Sri Lanka

December 7, 2019
Cypress trees in Tuscany Italy at sunset

A Taste of Tuscany: Self-Drive Itinerary for a Day Trip from Florence to Chianti and Val d’Orcia

December 2, 2019 - Updated on December 5, 2019
Train on Nine Arch Bridge in Ella Sri Lanka

Highlights of Sri Lanka: An Express 7 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary for First Time Visitors

November 15, 2019 - Updated on November 19, 2019

Follow me on Instagram @yogawinetravel

  • 5 years ago there was 1 little beach bar on Hiriketiya Beach  I learned to do turtle rolls and surf green waves here  and afterwards we would sip on coconuts on the beach  It is one of my favorite swimming spots in Sri Lanka because it remains fairly protected year-round from wind and swell  and the water is crystal clear   Fast forward a few years - this horseshoe-shaped bay is booming with visitors  and the secret is out  Hiriketiya Bay could possibly be the most beautiful beach in all of Sri Lanka  It   s scary how quickly things have changed  but if all goes to plan the local business owners are dedicated to transforming Hiriketiya into a sustainable destination and community   Here are some quick tips for visiting Hiriketiya        consider visiting during the off peak months  Most people only visit the south coast from November to February March  but it   s actually lovely all year round - with the exception of a few days here and there it very rarely pours for weeks on end     leave no trace - take all your trash with you and don   t leave them on the beaches     dress appropriately - it is not respectful to walk around the village in skimpy clothes or your swimwear  Save the swimwear for the actual beach     bring a reusable bottle bag  Most places have large water dispensers where you can fill your bottle     surf responsibly - especially when there are crowds of people in the water  No one likes being hit in the head by a surfboard     use the bay as a base for exploring the south coast  Udawalawe Yala national parks are approximately two hours away and Galle is a 50-60 minute drive away     ask if your accommodation recycles their trash  The local council is implementing garbage recycling or there are services that organize recycling for a small fee     tipping is not really expected in Sri Lanka  especially if a service charge has already been applied  But it is always appreciated by those in the hospitality and transportation industry  We are in the process of opening a pair of pool villas here - follow along at  samandlolas for updates    srilanka  visitsrilanka  hiriketiya  yogasrilanka  amazingSL  exploresrilanka  srilankatoday  hashtagsrilanka  srilankatourism
  • Staycations for the win       My boyfriend and I have been absolutely swamped with work  me with Yoga  Wine   Travel and  samandlolas and him with Sam   Lola   s   talalla surf AND  stolenparadise lk  So what do we do  Book a last-minute time out to hit reset and spend some quality time together  We always end up going to the same places that we love in Sri Lanka  so as an early Christmas present to ourselves we booked a staycation at none other than Cape Weligama   Believe me when I tell you that it is one of the best luxury hotels in Sri Lanka - the hospitality is quintessentially Sri Lankan and the views are to die for  Not to mention they have some of the most experienced and award-winning mixologists on the island       If you   ve been thinking about treating yourself to a little local getaway  do it - you deserve it    srilanka  visitsrilanka  weligama  yogasrilanka  amazingSL  exploresrilanka  srilankatoday  hashtagsrilanka  srilankatourism
  • Sure  cricket may be the national sport of Sri Lanka but I for one would much rather watch doggoes go surfing        Swipe right to see this cutie in action    srilanka  visitsrilanka  arugambay  yogasrilanka  amazingSL  exploresrilanka  srilankatoday  hashtagsrilanka  srilankatourism
  • 5 years ago I had no idea where Sri Lanka was  I decided one night at 4 AM that I was going to learn to surf  so I googled    best surf camps in Asia     emailed all of them  and a surf camp in Sri Lanka was the first to get back to me     Why not     I thought to myself  and booked myself in for 2 weeks of surf   Yoga and hopped on a plane  I   m fairly sure that all my friends were convinced that I was having a quarter life crisis  but that random  impulsive decision changed my life and I haven   t looked back since   Have you ever made a last-minute decision that worked out for the best    srilanka  visitsrilanka  stiltfishermen  yogasrilanka  amazingSL  exploresrilanka  srilankatoday  hashtagsrilanka  srilankatourism
  • Any guesses what this island off the coast of Weligama is   A  Prison B  Temple C  Hotel D  Abandoned property E  Someone   s private house  Hint  It   s only reachable on foot during low tide    srilanka  visitsrilanka  weligama  yogasrilanka  amazingSL  exploresrilanka  srilankatoday  hashtagsrilanka  srilankatourism
  • Even after 400 years  Galle Fort has maintained its polished appearance after extensive reconstruction following the tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka in 2004   Much of the local community are descendants of spice traders from Morocco  and tuk tuks still zip through pedestrian traffic along narrow lane ways   There are strict renovation and restoration guidelines set by UNESCO and the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka  which ensures that the unique architectural styles are preserved within the fort and that the heritage value is protected   Stop for lunch at Sugar or Minute by Tuk Tuk  walk along the fort ramparts  shop at Barefoot  Stick No Bills or Stolen Paradise  go for a massage at Spa Ceylon and grab a gelato from Isle of Gelato  Top it all off with tea at Amangalle and sunset cocktails    srilanka  visitsrilanka  gallefort  yogasrilanka  amazingSL  exploresrilanka  srilankatoday  hashtagsrilanka  srilankatourism

Yoga, Wine & Travel

In search of travel and yoga inspiration? Yoga, Wine & Travel is your resource for practical travel tips, detailed destination guides, insightful Yoga advice and honest reviews for independent travelers who love luxury, boutique and beyond-the-ordinary travel experiences. Let me help you spend less time on planning your trip and more time on experiencing the journey!

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER AND NEVER MISS AN ARTICLE

Explore more

Destination Guides

Everything Yoga

Travel Tips

Hotel Reviews

Travel Videos

About

About Flo

Yoga Journey

Work With Me

Get in Touch

Home

© 2019 Yoga, Wine & Travel. Disclaimer and Website Policies.

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

No results
View all results
  • Home
  • Travel
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel Tips
  • Popular Destinations
    • Hong Kong Travel Guides & Tips
    • Italy Travel Guides & Tips
    • Sri Lanka Travel Guides & Tips
    • Laos Travel Guides & Tips
    • Thailand Travel Guides & Tips
    • Turkey Travel Guides & Tips
    • Jordan Travel Guides & Tips
  • Yoga
    • All Yoga Articles
    • Yoga Studios Around the World
  • Videos & Visual Inspiration
  • About
    • About Me
    • Yoga Journey
  • Work with Flo
  • Get in Touch

© 2019 Yoga, Wine & Travel. Disclaimer and Website Policies.