Alexandria in a Day

A full day in Alexandria, the Mediterranean city founded by Alexander the Great. After pick-up from your hotel in Cairo or Giza, drive north to the coast (about three hours), with a stop along the way for a coffee break.

Begin with the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, a 2nd-century AD necropolis where Egyptian, Greek and Roman art meet, often counted among the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

Continue to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern heir to the ancient Library of Alexandria, designed to hold up to eight million books. Explore its open plaza, guarded by statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I, and the Impressions of Alexandria and President Sadat museums inside, then stop for photographs at Pompey’s Pillar.

End the day at the Citadel of Qaitbay, built on the site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse, before returning to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.

Meals: packed breakfast · picnic lunch · dinner at leisure.