Luxor · With kids

Painted tombs down long sloping shafts; the base ticket covers three and the shuttle saves legs. Two hours before nine. Ages 7+.

Columns the size of trees, with space to run between them; the evening sound-and-light show is cooler and shorter. Ages 5+.

Balloons lift from the west bank before sunrise over temples and cane fields. Operators set minimum ages and heights, so ask when booking. Ages 8+.

A short sail upstream to a small farm island of palms, fruit and penned crocodiles; two hours, hired by the boat. All ages.

Summer afternoons reach the mid-forties. Do the sites at opening, swim or nap until four, and expect calèche drivers to negotiate hard.