Alexandria

Colourful streets and beautiful architecture decorate your tour coach windows as you journey through Mansheya Square, where you will see the equestrian bronze statue of Mohamed Ali, founder of modern Egypt.

A short drive further on finds you at the Mosque of Abu El Abbas, one of Alexandria’s Islamic landmarks characterised by its tall minarets and domes. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph this imposing landmark with its surrounding showpieces.

Across from the Mosque Square, the Qait Bey Fort, built on the original site of the Pharos, was Alexandria’s lighthouse and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Have your cameras at the ready again to capture this spectacle to help document this memorable day.

During the panoramic drive on the beachfront boulevard to Montaza Gardens, you can enjoy superb views of Alexandria from the water’s edge. Strolling through the grounds you will view the Palace and the Grand Salamlek Hotel, previously a royal villa.

Last call of the tour is a visit to Bibliotheca Alexandrina with its library and archaeological museums; it is built on the same site where Ptolemy established the famous Library of Alexandria in 288 BC.

Your tour starts off with a visit to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of Shawkafa, an extensive 3 level subterranean funerary complex dating from 2nd century AD that would not look out of place on an Indiana Jones movie set. This atmospheric adventure around the complex containing tombs cut out of the rock is a mystical experience not to be missed.

Catch your breath as you marvel at Pompeii’s Pillar, this 80 ft high pillar of granite, amidst ruins of Serapium temple was erected in honour of Emperor Diocletian.

Driving through Mansheya square view the equestrian bronze statue of Mohamed Ali, the founder of modern Egypt. A few steps away is the elegant marble edifice dedicated to the unknown soldier with its guards of honour standing at attention on either side. Across from the Mosque Square, the Qait Bey Fort is built on the original site of the Pharos which was Alexandria’s lighthouse and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
A photo stop will be made at the Mosque of Abu El Abbas, one of Alexandria’s Islamic landmarks characterised by its tall minarets and four domes.

Visit the National Museum, where you will have the unique opportunity to view artifacts recovered from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra that was discovered 20 feet below water in front of the present day library of Alexandria.

Stop at the Roman Amphitheatre in Kom El Dekka, with 12 marble terraces forming a semi-circle it is considered to be the only one of its kind in Egypt. Explore the Roman Villa on the grounds that were built by a Roman noble in the 2nd century AD.

A scenic drive on the beachfront boulevard will take you to Montaza Gardens, where you will view the Palace of the former King of Egypt, Farouk. Take the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing stroll round these magnificent Gardens before your return drive to the ship that allows you to see 2 important landmarks, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Qait bey Fort. The fort was built on the original site of the Pharos, Alexandria’s Lighthouse which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

It was at El Alamein, in November 1942, that the Allied forces under the command of British General, Montgomery, put a halt to the advance of Nazi Afrika. The Battle of El Alamein was one of the most violent, as well as most important, confrontations during WWII.

Your guide will take you through El Alamein War Museum to see the impressive collection of uniforms, memorabilia and pictorial material relating to the Battle of El Alamein and the North African campaigns. In the grounds stands a collection of tanks, artillery and hardware from the famous battlefield, including a ‘Ford’ tank, discovered only recently.

A visit to the Commonwealth War Cemetery, a place of peace and contemplation, is an opportunity to remember those who fought and died for the Allied cause. Over 7,000 tombstones cover a slope overlooking the desert battlefield of El Alamein. Soldiers from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France and India are all laid to rest here.

Perched on a small peninsula overlooking the sea, the less frequently visited citadel-like Italian and German Cemeteries in their stark and military appearance complete your visit to Alamein.

Start your day with a visit to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of Shawkafa. This atmospheric adventure around the complex containing tombs cut out of the rock is a mystical experience not to be missed.

Qait Bey Fort is Alexandria’s lighthouse and was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and Mosque of Abu El Abbas are both essential photo stops on your tour. A scenic drive will take you to Montaza Gardens, where you will view the Palace of the former King of Egypt, Farouk. Take the opportunity to enjoy a stroll round these magnificent Gardens.

Next stop will be the National Museum, where you will have the unique opportunity to view artifacts recovered from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra. Afterwards head to a leading restaurant for lunch with a glass of wine or beer to recharge you for the afternoon’s highlights.

Visit the Roman Amphitheater in Kom El Dekka; with 12 marble terraces it is considered to the only one of its kind in Europe. The final feature of the tour is a visit to Bibliotheca Alexandrina with its library depicting the architectural genius of the 21st century.

Your day will begin with a drive alongside the Suez Canal and the desert road to Cairo. The road is dotted with 'dwelling places’; however none are suitably equipped with comfort facilities, so the journey will be non-stop.

Step back thousands of years as you view some of the most mysterious structures on earth, the Pyramids of Giza. You’ll be driven to an elevated site that provides a magnificent panoramic view of the 3 largest pyramids. The mightiest and most massive, the Great Pyramid of Cheops, is the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Walk up close to either Chephren or Mycerinus Pyramid to truly appreciate their size and amazing construction.

The ravages of nature and man have left the massive Sphinx battered, but unbowed. The lion’s body and head of a man rise from the vast desert sands near the pyramids as an incredible monument to the days of the pharaohs.

Sit back and reflect on the morning as you enjoy a glass of wine or beer with a buffet lunch in one of Cairo’s leading hotels.

Time permitting, a short stop will be made at a Papyrus Institute, where the art of paper making from reeds, discovered by the Ancient Egyptians, will be demonstrated for you.

The ancient Greeks considered the Great Pyramid to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Marvel at the sheer magnitude of the Great Pyramid - estimated to contain 2.5 million tons of stone. After viewing the 3 pyramids from the Western Plateau, visit the solar boat museum which houses the boat that the great pharaohs would have used for his journey to the afterlife, the museum was build over the boat to house this unique artifact. Enjoy free time to explore the pyramids on your own before travelling down the valley to visit the guardian of this mortuary complex, the inscrutable Sphinx with the body of a lion and face of a man.

Lunch will be served accompanied with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink at a leading Cairo hotel before a short stop at a Papyrus Institute, where the art of paper making from reeds, will be demonstrated for you. <
Downtown at the banks of the River Nile a luxurious cruise boat awaits to sail you on the same timeless waterway traversed by Pharaohs, Queens and Nobles thousands of years ago. Sit back, relax and enjoy a cruise as you glide past Cairo’s waterfront landmarks. Refreshments of tea with oriental cookies and cakes will be served during the cruise and for your entertainment, a folkloric presentation and belly dancing will take place.

Leaving Alexandria travel through expanses of desert sands to the metropolis of Cairo on your way to Egypt’s first capital, Memphis, with its ancient cemetery of Sakkara. Here, the world’s first monumental stone building, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, built almost 5,000 years ago still stands. After visiting the complex, continue to one of the Mastabas (funerary chambers) built nearby.

Returning to Cairo, you can relax and enjoy a sumptuous lunch at a leading 5 star hotel. In the afternoon, marvel at the Giza Plateau where the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramids of Giza still stand. A unique view of the 3 Pyramids from the Western Plateau affords great opportunities for photographs. Having enjoyed the view from this vantage point, your coach will bring you close to the Pyramid of Chephren, where you will have time to explore the site on your own. Continue down the valley to visit the guardian of this mortuary complex, the mysterious Sphinx, watching the passage of time.

Time permitting, a final stop at the Papyrus Institute will introduce you to the process of paper making from reeds, an art discovered by the Ancient Egyptians. You will have a short time to purchase local handicrafts and papyrus from a selected bazaar.

Leaving Alexandria by private vehicle, make your way along the desert road non-stop to Cairo. Driving through the metropolis of Cairo, marvel at this crowded and bustling city and the first stop of the day is right in the heart of the city at Liberty Square. Take a tour of the world’s most important collection of Egyptian antiquities in the National Museum. The treasures of the well-known Tutankhamen collection, including his solid gold mask, are the highlight of this popular Cairo museum.

Enjoy lunch at a leading Cairo hotel and then continue to the Giza Plateau, where you will be able to see the only remaining wonder of the ancient world, The Great Pyramid of Cheops. You will be given time to explore the pyramids to truly appreciate their size and amazing construction and enjoy panoramic views from the western plateau. Continue down the valley, from where you may gaze upon The Sphinx, carved from solid rock and thought to be a monument to Pharaoh Chephren.

Round the day off with a visit to a Papyrus Institute, where you’ll discover the art of making paper from reeds discovered by the ancient Egyptians.

Leaving Alexandria by private vehicle, make your way along the desert road non-stop to Cairo. Driving through the metropolis of Cairo, marvel at this crowded and bustling city and the first stop of the day is right in the heart of the city at Liberty Square. Take a tour of the world’s most important collection of Egyptian antiquities in the National Museum. The treasures of the well-known Tutankhamen collection, including his solid gold mask, are the highlight of this popular Cairo museum.

Enjoy lunch at a leading Cairo hotel and then continue to the Giza Plateau, where you will be able to see the only remaining wonder of the ancient world, The Great Pyramid of Cheops. You will be given time to explore the pyramids to truly appreciate their size and amazing construction and enjoy panoramic views from the western plateau. Continue down the valley, from where you may gaze upon The Sphinx, carved from solid rock and thought to be a monument to Pharaoh Chephren.

Round the day off with a visit to a Papyrus Institute, where you’ll discover the art of making paper from reeds discovered by the ancient Egyptians.

DAY 1
Colourful streets and beautiful architecture decorate your coach windows as you journey through Mansheya Square, where you will see the equestrian bronze statue of Mohamed Ali, founder of modern Egypt.

The first stop will be to visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina with its library and archaeological museums; built on the same site where Ptolemy established the famous Library of Alexandria in 288 BC.

Depart from Alexandria for a journey through desert scenery and reclaimed, cultivated land, reaching the outskirts of Africa’s largest city, the legendary Al Qahira, internationally known as the teeming metropolis of Cairo. Sit back, relax and learn from your professional guide the history and culture of a timeless land, on a journey lasting approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival in Cairo you will enjoy lunch at a leading hotel followed by check-in formalities.

At the banks of the River Nile a luxurious cruise boat awaits you to sail on the same timeless waterway traversed by Pharaohs, Queens and Nobles thousands of years ago. Sit back, relax and enjoy the cruise as you glide past Cairo’s waterfront landmarks. Tea with oriental cookies and cakes will be served during the cruise. For your entertainment, a folkloric presentation and belly dancing will take place.

In the late afternoon, depart from the hotel to the Giza Plateau to attend the English version of the ‘Son et Lumiere’. As you are face to face with the Sphinx, let your imagination reflect on the gloriously golden days of the Pharaohs as you gaze at this mighty monument. Under a star studded sky, the Sound and Light performance brings the magnificent history and achievements of the ancient Egyptians to life as the illuminated Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx dominate the surrounding darkness.

Dinner will be served at your hotel.

DAY 2
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and visit the first capital of Egypt, Memphis, with the fallen colossal statue of King Ramses the Second. Continue to the oldest, ancient cemetery of Sakkara to witness the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, before exploring the only remaining wonder of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Giza and their guardian the mighty Sphinx.

Return to your hotel, freshen up, have lunch and check out. Drive to the Giza plateau where the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World is found, the imposing Pyramids of Giza. A stop at the western plateau affords great photo opportunities of the 3 pyramids with the sprawling city of Cairo behind them. Free time will be allowed at the middle pyramid to explore and enjoy this magnificent site on your own. Continue down the valley where the guardian of this mortuary complex, the Mighty Sphinx bears witness to the passage of time and man in eons of silence. Let your imagination reflect on the gloriously golden days of the Pharaohs as you gaze at this mighty monument.

Round off the day by stopping off at the Papyrus Institute where the procedure of manufacturing the oldest paper in the world will be demonstrated for you. There will be the opportunity to pick up some souvenirs before the return drive to Port Said, where you will rejoin your ship.

DAY 1
Colourful streets and beautiful architecture decorate your coach windows as you journey through Mansheya Square, where you will see the equestrian bronze statue of Mohamed Ali, founder of modern Egypt. <
The first stop will be to visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina with its library and archaeological museums; built on the same site where Ptolemy established the famous Library of Alexandria in 288 BC.

Depart from Alexandria for a journey through desert scenery and reclaimed, cultivated land, reaching the outskirts of Africa’s largest city, the legendary Al Qahira, internationally known as the teeming metropolis of Cairo. Sit back, relax and learn from your professional guide the history and culture of a timeless land, on a journey lasting approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival in Cairo you will enjoy lunch at a leading hotel followed by check-in formalities.

At the banks of the River Nile a luxurious cruise boat awaits you to sail on the same timeless waterway traversed by Pharaohs, Queens and Nobles thousands of years ago. Sit back, relax and enjoy the cruise as you glide past Cairo’s waterfront landmarks. Tea with oriental cookies and cakes will be served during the cruise. For your entertainment, a folkloric presentation and belly dancing will take place.

In the late afternoon, depart from the hotel to the Giza Plateau to attend the English version of the ‘Son et Lumiere’. As you are face to face with the Sphinx, let your imagination reflect on the gloriously golden days of the Pharaohs as you gaze at this mighty monument. Under a star studded sky, the Sound and Light performance brings the magnificent history and achievements of the ancient Egyptians to life as the illuminated Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx dominate the surrounding darkness.

Dinner will be served at your hotel.

DAY 2
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and visit the first capital of Egypt, Memphis, with the fallen colossal statue of King Ramses the Second. Continue to the oldest, ancient cemetery of Sakkara to witness the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, before exploring the only remaining wonder of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Giza and their guardian the mighty Sphinx.

Return to your hotel, freshen up, have lunch and check out. Drive to the Giza plateau where the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World is found, the imposing Pyramids of Giza. A stop at the western plateau affords great photo opportunities of the 3 pyramids with the sprawling city of Cairo behind them. Free time will be allowed at the middle pyramid to explore and enjoy this magnificent site on your own. Continue down the valley where the guardian of this mortuary complex, the Mighty Sphinx bears witness to the passage of time and man in eons of silence. Let your imagination reflect on the gloriously golden days of the Pharaohs as you gaze at this mighty monument.

Round off the day by stopping off at the Papyrus Institute where the procedure of manufacturing the oldest paper in the world will be demonstrated for you. There will be the opportunity to pick up some souvenirs before the return drive to Port Said, where you will rejoin your ship.