A Day in Alexandria -- port review

[Nancyquilts]

Thanks for a great report. We will be there in a few months. I was wondering if your tour would be practical for someone with walking difficulties? I use a cane for balance, but have trouble with a lot of stairs. Nancy

[cruisemom42]

Originally Posted by rsquare

Cynthia, that was a marvellous trip report which I have just now discovered. Sounds like a terrific day in Alexandria. Oddly enough, I'm reading it a day after having seen "Agora," a film set in late fourth century Alexandria focusing on the female philosopher Hypatia and the tensions which led to the destruction of the Serapeum library. The recreation of ancient Alexandria is stunning, and if you haven't already seen it, it is worth renting.

Having been to Cairo (also with an excellent guide named Dalia - seems to be a prerequisite for that profession in Egypt), we had already come to the conclusion that if we ever landed in Alexandria again, we would do at least one day in the city. Your trip report provides a great template for that day, and I will file it. Is there anything that you didn't get to do that you would have included in a second day in Alexandria, or any nearby excursions that you would have made?

Thanks, Bob, for the nice words. I happened to see the "Agora" movie just before my trip in September; the timing couldn't have been better. I also read a lot about Alexander the Great (and also the Ptolemies) prior to my trip.

In that regard, if I had 2 days in Alexandria, I'd probably spend one of them on the tour above. For the second, I'd try to get to Siwa Oasis, an ancient oracle, and also where Alexander received the news of his "divine birth" and right to rule Egypt. It would likely be a long day, and probably best done on the first day of a 2-day port stop to avoid any possibility of missing the ship.

If that doesn't appeal, there are a couple of other catacombs (I can give you names if you are interested) that would be worth a visit. Also, I toyed with the idea of visiting the Nabi Daniel mosque and the Latin Cemetery, both of which are possible locations of Alexander's still-missing tomb.

Of course, if the Greco-Roman museum reopens anytime soon, I would certainly recommend it.

Finally, there is a tomb in the town of Abusir, not very far outside Alexandria, that is made to resemble (so far as history can tell us) the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, but on a smaller scale. Again, something I'd like to see if I were trying to fill a half day in Alex.

Hope this helps!

[cruisemom42]

Originally Posted by Nancyquilts

Thanks for a great report. We will be there in a few months. I was wondering if your tour would be practical for someone with walking difficulties? I use a cane for balance, but have trouble with a lot of stairs. Nancy

Nancy, in going back through my notes for this day, there were quite a few stairs and uneven surfaces. At the catacombs, there were 2 flights down and then back up, along with some pretty uneven terrain. At the Serapeum/Pompey's pillar, the ground was hilly, but you could likely walk around the outside (good photo ops) with few issues. To view what's left of the inside, you would have to go down and then up a flight of steps. All of the steps I mention so far are not exactly easy (e.g., uneven heights, not always a handrail, etc) by American standards.

At Kom al Dikka, where the open air museum and Odeon are located, there is an upper area you can walk around with few steps. This path takes you around the finds that have been brought up from the harbor. You can look down into the Odeon (actually a good view) and the other lower-level sights such as the Roman baths. But if you actually want to get down to this level, I seem to recall several flights of stairs (maybe 3?). You will not be able to see the Villa of the Birds without getting to this lower level.

At the National Museum, there is an elevator if needed to get from floor to floor. The same is true at the Biblioteca Alexandrina, although on the tour we did start at the main level and before the end we went down one flight of stairs to a lower level. These stairs were very modern, though, with handrail. Perhaps you could take the elevator and meet the group if needed.

The rest of the day's sights that I mentioned were either drive-by or quick stops to just get out of the car, walk a few steps and snap some photos.

I am in my mid-40s and (especially with the heat), it was a long, tiring day even for me....

Hope this helps!

[Nancyquilts]

Cynthia - Thank you very much. I will look forward to the museum, library and odeon (and drive bys). Getting old sucks!

[rafy1234]

Thanks for a wonderful review, We will be there in a few months.

[cruiserbank]

That was a marvelous trip report.
Do they prefer USD ?

Originally Posted by cruisemom42

Thanks, Bob, for the nice words. I happened to see the "Agora" movie just before my trip in September; the timing couldn't have been better. I also read a lot about Alexander the Great (and also the Ptolemies) prior to my trip.

In that regard, if I had 2 days in Alexandria, I'd probably spend one of them on the tour above. For the second, I'd try to get to Siwa Oasis, an ancient oracle, and also where Alexander received the news of his "divine birth" and right to rule Egypt. It would likely be a long day, and probably best done on the first day of a 2-day port stop to avoid any possibility of missing the ship.

If that doesn't appeal, there are a couple of other catacombs (I can give you names if you are interested) that would be worth a visit. Also, I toyed with the idea of visiting the Nabi Daniel mosque and the Latin Cemetery, both of which are possible locations of Alexander's still-missing tomb.

Of course, if the Greco-Roman museum reopens anytime soon, I would certainly recommend it.

Finally, there is a tomb in the town of Abusir, not very far outside Alexandria, that is made to resemble (so far as history can tell us) the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, but on a smaller scale. Again, something I'd like to see if I were trying to fill a half day in Alex.

Hope this helps!

[nahcarts]

Hello Cruisemom
Really enjoyed your write up of your private tour of Alexandria. We will be in Alexandria in March from early morning until mid afternoon and are keen to do a more bespoke tour. I cannot find anywhere how to contact the tour guide that you used. Could you post this info or send me a message please. thanks so much.

[tring]

Thank you so much for that reveiw, it is very informative and much better than other info I have been able to find.

The catacombs sound amazing, but one point is concerning me. How long do you need to spend in the catacombs to get the benefit from going there, and are there any toilet facilities within the catacomb complex (presumably above ground)?

Barbara

[cruisemom42]

Originally Posted by tring

Thank you so much for that reveiw, it is very informative and much better than other info I have been able to find.

The catacombs sound amazing, but one point is concerning me. How long do you need to spend in the catacombs to get the benefit from going there, and are there any toilet facilities within the catacomb complex (presumably above ground)?

Barbara

You don't really have to stay that long at the catacombs; they sound larger than they really are. I cannot remember specifically the timing, since it has been several years now, but I do not think we spent over an hour there in total. We went there first and I'd highly recommend doing that both to avoid the crush of cruise ship passengers that seemed to appear just as we were leaving, and to avoid the clammy humidity that must get worse as the day heats up.

I do not recall if there were toilet facilities, but I'm sure if you mention it being a concern, they can plan stops accordingly.

[MVPinBoynton]

I went to the catacombs in 2008 and got there just as they opened. It did not take a long time to explore at all. Since I was so early, I was the only one in there with the guide, so it was a private tour. As I left there were a lot people getting off a bus to start their tour. I would not have enjoyed being in there with a large group. Photos aren't allowed inside the catacombs; but I was allowed to take some of the grounds. They are on my website www.thepreismans.com. Alexandria is great place to visit.

[nahcarts]

Thank you.

[tring]

Thank you for your replies - the pics are great.

[cruisemodel23]

Most tour providers in Middle East prefer to be paid in dollars

[choices-choices]

Thanks for a great report. We will be there in a few months, we were wondering just what the place would be like, is it safe to walk about, are the locals friendly etc.