Alexandria
Travelers’ Serene Sanctuary
If you are a traveler in search for an ultimate reviving experience
for all your senses, Alexandria is the place to be. Sipping mint
tea in an outdoor coffee shop, overlooking the spectacular sun,
as it drowns in the serene waters of the Mediterranean, while carriages
stroll along the narrow, cultural streets with fine heritage evident
in every corner, creates an overall tranquil ambiance, crowning
Egypt’s second largest city, and busy port with a well-deserved
title “The Pearl of the Mediterranean”. With almost every street
unfolding with historical sights, newly renovated hotels, and an
extended sea shore bustling with visitors all year round, Alexandria
is a must see city, where visiting in its mild Winter is as beautiful
as its sunny Summer.
Getting
there and about
The best way to get to Alexandria is to head to
Cairo’s main train station
located in Ramses Square {accessible by either metro or taxi}, and
book a ticket in the speedy express
train (Cairo-Alex train) for a non-tiring two-hour journey.
You need to show up 30 minutes in advance in front of the booking
office in weekdays, and can wait in the station’s coffee shop until
it is time for your departure. However, it is highly recommended
to book a day earlier if you are planning to travel on weekends.
Trains are comfortable, air-conditioned and safe, serving both food
and beverages, and void of any boredom, as friendly passengers tend
to chitchat with tourists, providing them with useful insights on
the pleasant city. Once you arrive, yellow cabs are available 24/7
to drop you off wherever you wish, and their fares are relatively
cheap in comparison to Cairo, as a ride from the train station to
the furthest end of the corniche would only cost you L.E 5.
Historical
overview at a glance
Named after its founder
Alexander
the Great, Alexandria was founded in 331 B.C. to evolve as Egypt’s
enthralling Greco-Roman capital, and center of a diverse culture,
enlightening the world with its philosophical wisdom and depth.
Its renowned light house- the Seventh Wonder of the World destroyed
by an earthquake- built by the Pharos once, stood symbolizing Alexandria
as a beacon, radiating its knowledge to the entire world. Ptolemy
Alexander’s successor, succeeded in making the lively city the center
of the ancient World’s attention, by founding a prominent Mathematics
University, and a library, which soon became the greatest and most
comprehensive library in the world. Ever since, Greek science flourished
in Alexandria, uncovering breakthrough discoveries, such as calculating
the earth’s circumference.
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