We depart from Cairo very early morning. When we reach the blue seaside city, we will visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, one of the icons of the city at a beautiful location. The fortress overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the city itself.

Built by Mameluke Sultan Abdul-Nasser Qaitbay in 1477 AD on the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, to protect the city from the crusaders who used to attack the city by sea. Pompey's Pillar is our next stop.

An ancient monument, this 25-meter-high granite column was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletian in AD 297.

The confined area where the column stands has also other ruins and sculptures for you to explore. Established by St. Mark the Evangelist who brought Christianity to Egypt, St. Marcos church is built on the remains of an earlier church and is in the basilica style.

The church has a large hall that leads to the 11th century cemetery of Coptic archbishops. This will be our last stop before we have a delicious seafood lunch in a restaurant overlooking the splendid blue Mediterranean.

After lunch it is time to explore the Roman Theatre, Kom El- Dikka. Built in the 2nd century AD, this Roman amphitheater has 13 semicircular tiers made of white and gray marble,with marble seats for up to 800 spectators, galleries and sections of mosaic-flooring.

In Ptolemaic times this area was the Park of Pan, a pleasure garden surrounded by Roman villas and baths. The rest of the evening is your free time to roam the brilliantly light streets of Alexandria. Over night in Alexandria (L)