Alexandria: Egypt

“There are only two rules. One is E. M. Forster’s guide to Alexandria; the best way to know Alexandria is to wander aimlessly. The second is from the Psalms; grin like a dog and run about through the city.”
– Jan Morris

Alexandria, Egypt’s second-largest city, is captivating – a fascinating commingling of history and modernity. With a story that begins in 332 BC, when it was founded by the 25-year-old Alexander the Great, the city was born to be legendary. While few of its ancient monuments still stand, there are reminders everywhere for you to discover during your private Alexandria tour. Where once stood the towering Pharos lighthouse, formerly one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, today stands the impressive 1480 Fort Qaitbey. Fate was unkind, as well, to the Great Library, lost to fire, and yet, today, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is an architectural masterpiece, inspired by its predecessor.

Stroll along the main seaside road, Al Corniche, during your private Alexandria tour, savoring the affable nature of the city residents and snapping photos of charming European-style buildings and brightly colored fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. Soak up the sun at Stanley Beach. Embolden your taste buds with a pigeon dish, washed down by minted honey tea. Delve into the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, an incredible display of Christian, Roman, and Egyptian beliefs. Divers have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore below the surface of the harbor, where remnants of Cleopatra’s City and Palace, the Pharos lighthouse, and more reveal themselves – there are estimated to be more than 7,000 Pharaonic and Roman-era monuments in the Alexandria waters.

Back on dry land, wine lovers are in for a treat during their private Alexandria tour, thanks to our Cairo team, who have curated a collection of wine tours in the Nile Delta near Alexandria. The grapes are grown at Gianaclis, a central Egypt vineyard, near the ancient site of Beni Hasan. This as-yet-undiscovered region and tour opportunity is the hallmark of our commitment to immersive, authentic travel. Your tour will take you on a journey through the wine-making process at Gianaclis, from the picking of the grapes through to the bottling and aging process. Learn about the winery’s history as well as the story of wine-making in Egypt; visit the vineyards, cellars and barrel rooms; take a look around a museum of ancient winery equipment. Of course, there’s an opportunity to try the Gianaclis wines, with wine master David Molyneux-Berry.