Alexandria, Egypt

We took a half-day trip from Cairo to Alexandria, the first capital of Egypt, and packed in some of the city’s highlights. Our first stop was the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a stunning 2nd-century AD Roman burial complex accidentally found in 1900 when a donkey fell into a hidden shaft leading to the uncovering of the site. This underground maze blends ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles—it felt a bit mysterious (and surprisingly cool) as we walked down into the tunnels.

From there, we headed to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria which was once one of the largest libraries worldwide and estimated to have been built in 285 BC. The ancient library was populated by books(scrolls) from ships coming into port; their port dues being one book. Today, the modern library, cultural center, and conference center is a major learning center.

We wrapped up the day at Fort Qaitbey, a 15th-century fortress built on the site of the old Lighthouse of Alexandria. The sea breeze, crashing waves, and views of the harbor made it a perfect final stop for lunch before heading back to Cairo. It was a quick trip, but it gave us a great mix of history, culture, and coastal scenery—all in just half a day.Read more