Alexandria

Itinerary

Day 1 Cairo/Alexandria

Travel from Cairo to Alexandria, ready for an unforgettable day exploring the cosmopolitan heritage of this extraordinary waterfront city. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, it quickly became a major trading port between Europe and Asia, and an intellectual powerhouse that attracted the finest scholars from around the world. The city was also witness to the dramatic historic showdown between Egypt and Rome and the love affair between Marc Antony and Cleopatra. With a local guide, wander the catacombs of Kom Ash-Suqqafa, a Greco-Roman burial site that mixes Egyptian, Greek and Roman iconography in the decorations of its temples and spooky burial chambers. There's even a banqueting hall where grieving relatives hosted funerary feasts. Admire the monumental Pillar of Pompey - all that remains of the shrine to Serapus, a uniquely Alexandrian god invented as a way of uniting the city's Greek and Egyptian residents. Don't miss the state-of-the-art Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a massive library inspired by the city's world-famous ancient library that burnt down in antiquity. Enjoy a succulent seafood lunch in a waterfront restaurant then take a free afternoon to wander Fort Qaitbey, a medieval citadel built on the remains of the Pharos lighthouse. Return to Cairo in the late afternoon, dazzled by the cultural treasures of Alexandria.