Rhapsody Shore & Land Excursions > Egypt - Port Said > The Best of Alexandria

The Best of Alexandria

The drive to Alexander's the Great beloved city will last for approximately 3 ½ hours. On arrival at Alexandria, your first stop will be at the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of Shukafa, an extensive three-level funerary complex dating from the 2nd century A.D. Continue to the National Museum housing underwater photographs and statues from the ongoing operation to salvage artefacts from the identified sunken palace of Cleopatra.

After lunch at one of the city's leading restaurants, drive to Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inaugurated in 2002 on the same site where the famous Library of Alexandria was. The building was designed to be one of the unique and most unusual architectural structures of the modern world, reflecting the architectural genius of the 21st century. Your tour will be conducted by the library's own guides. You'll also visit the library's Archaeological Museum.

A scenic drive on the beachfront boulevard of Alexandria will bring you to the famous Montaza Gardens where you'll find the summer residence palace of the late ex King Farouk. Take a stroll through the palm-covered grounds and view the palace, still used today by the present government for official state functions. Before taking the return journey to the port short photo stops will be made at Qait Bey Fort, built on the original site of the Pharos, Alexandria's ancient lighthouse which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and Abu El Abbas Mosque, one of Alexandria's Islamic landmarks characterized by its tall minarets and four domes.

 

Special Notes:
Comfortable walking shoes and a sun hat recommended.

Tour is not suitable for assisted, physically challenged persons.

Access to the catacombs is via a central spiral well with approximately 100 flat, low stairs. Musty and humid inside it might be unsuitable for asthma sufferers and claustrophobic people.

Please note Library is opening daily at 11.00 a.m. except on Friday which is at 3.00 pm. Guiding inside the Library is done by the Library's guides and reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance to secure appointment and guide.

Bags and cameras not allowed inside the Library.

Children under 6 years old are not allowed in the Library.

Marble staircase with about 12 stairs at the entrance to the museum.

The sequence of visits may vary, depending on the prevailing traffic conditions in Alexandria however all features and inclusions will remain unchanged.

 

Tour Timings:

Tours begin at times suitable for the ship's arrival in port. The breakdown of the excursions is as follows:
00hr00 -> Depart from Port Said Port
00hr00 -> 03hr30 Drive from Port Said port to Catacombs
03hr30 -> 04hr15 Visit Catacombs of Kom El Shukafa
04hr15 -> 04hr30 Drive time from Catacombs to Museum
04hr30 -> 05hr30 Visit National Museum
05hr30 -> 05hr45 Drive time from Museum to Restaurant
05hr45 -> 06hr45 Serving lunch at Restaurant
06hr45 -> 07hr00 Drive time from Restaurant to Bibliotheca Alexandrina
07hr00 -> 08hr15 Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina
08hr15 -> 08hr45 Drive time from Library to Montaza Gardens
08hr45 -> 09hr15 Visit Montaza Palace Gardens
09hr15 -> 09hr45 Drive time from Montaza to Qait Bay Fort
09hr45 -> 10hr15 Photo stop at Qait bay fort and Abou El Abbas Mosque
10hr15 -> 13hr30 Drive time from mosque to Port Said Port

 

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