Day 1 - Alexandria

Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa: The largest Roman burial site in Egypt is the final resting place for 300 individuals, whose tombs are cut into the bedrock in massive tiers, descending 35 meters into the ground. There is even a banquet hall where grieving relatives paid their last respects at a funeral feast. The artisans who built the tombs in the 2nd century AD combined ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman motifs in a fascinating style.

Roman Amphitheater: The only Roman amphitheater in Egypt was discovered quite recently, during the foundation digging for a new apartment building. The well-preserved theatre once stood with thirteen semi-circular tiers of white marble imported from Europe. It contains galleries, sections of mosaic-flooring, and marble seats for up to 800 spectators. At one point, it may have even been roofed over to serve as an Odeon for musical performances and some inscriptions suggest that it was sometimes also used for wrestling contests.

Overnight: Overnight At your hotel.

Meal Plan:

Day 2 - Alexandria

Aboul Abbas Mosque: One of Alexandria's foremost religious buildings, this beautiful mosque is the largest in the city, originally dating from 1775. Built by the Algerians over the tomb of the thirteenth century Andalusian saint Ahmed Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi, it was rebuilt in 1943 with the four domes and towering (73 meter) minaret that still stand today.

Alexandria Library and Museum: The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is not only a library, but also an integrated cultural complex, with libraries, museums, exhibition areas, educational centers, and an international conference center. It is built on the believed site of the old Library of Alexandria, built by Ptolemy I. It was the largest in antiquity, frequented by scholars from all over the Mediterranean from the 4th Century BC until its eventual destruction by fire seven hundred years later.

Qait Bay Fort: This 15th century Mamluk fort overlooks the entrance to the Eastern Harbour in Alexandria. Built on the foundations of the Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it incorporates both a castle and a mosque within its walls. Just north of Qait Bay lies the site of the famous underwater excavation where hundreds of pillars, statues, and sphinxes have been found.

Overnight: Overnight At your hotel.

Meal Plan: