Take a fascinating tour to Alexandria from Cairo in the company of Your Egypt Tours' Egyptologist guide. The second-largest city in Egypt, Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern and is famous for its Roman remains. With your Egyptologist guide leading the way, you'll enjoy personalized attention on your tour of Alexandria.
During the tour, you can determine the time you'd like to spend at each site. Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. and was the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt. Your first stop in this historic city is the catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, a Roman burial site whose family tomb reveals the merging of Egyptian and Roman art and architecture. Descend below ground to visit the grave and Caracalla Hall.
Above ground, continue to Pompey's Pillar, an 82-feet (25-meter) granite column built to honor Emperor Diocletian, who freed the besieged city and brought food to its starving people. Continuing the Roman theme, the following site your guide will show you is the fort of Qaitbay, built-in 1477 to protect the city's eastern side. The fort was built in the exact location of Alexandria's great lighthouse. After lunch (at additional cost), you will visit the famous Alexandria Library. In contrast to the ancient architecture found throughout Egypt, the Norwegian-designed building is a striking piece of modern design. A copy of every book published worldwide is kept in the library, making it one of the great literary sites in the world. The library also houses several exhibitions relating to the history of Egypt and a display of rare antique books (at additional cost).
Note: The library of Alexandria is closed on Fridays and Saturdays