Alexandria

Mediterranean Fantasy
and a Voyage Into History

Citadel of Qaitbay. Photo by youssef_alam [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Conquerors, emperors, ancient travelers and traders have all approached Alexandria from the sea… and so will you! Only Travel in Style makes it possible to experience the very essence of this ancient city as it should be experienced, as it was known by pharaohs, queens, and invaders from Marc Antony to Napoleon.

We’ll set sail into the great harbor, still the destination and port of call for ships from the far corners of the world. Landward, we’ll espy the great and throbbing maritime metropolis of Egypt. Our course will take us directly above statues that lie on the seabed, and stone slabs of the Lighthouse-one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World-toppled in an ancient earthquake. We’ll approach the great stone fortress of Qait Bey, reputedly constructed with some of those very stones.

Heracleion excavations 2, ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

Then we’ll set a course along the coast to the East Harbor, dropping anchor above the Royal City that was submerged by earthquakes and tidal waves in the fourth century A.D. This underwater treasure house includes the palace of Cleopatra, the Timonium of Mark Antony, fallen columns and capitals, sphinxes, and statues and ceramics, much of it remarkably well preserved. Certified divers among our guests may book an optional excursion to explore this submarine Pompeii.

The recent discoveries join the New Library, opened just last year, among the top attractions in Alexandria. And the New Museum will shortly open in a historic palace that once housed the United States consulate.

The New Alexandria Library

Along the way, we’ll view the spectacular Bibliotheca Alexandrina—the Library of Alexandria—as few are privileged to see it. Taking the stunning form of an inclined disk rising from the waters, it aptly captures the rebirth from the sea—in Pharaonic fashion—of the lost Alexandria Library of the ancient Greeks that held the works of the greatest scientists and philosophers of the ancient world. Like its namesake, the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina serves as a storehouse of knowledge and a beacon of culture and intellectual expression in this part of the world. Our maritime view is just a preview of our visit to the library itself.

Finally, we’ll conclude an unforgettable voyage through history by setting a course to Abu Qir, where the French fleet under Napoleon was destroyed by Admiral Horatio Nelson. The visit is a perfect counterpoint to a visit to the Qait Bey, where moving relics of the ill-fated fleet are on display.

Battle of the Nile. Thomas Whitcombe [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Please note that this opportunity is limited to up to seven guests at a time. Two small cabins are available for changing and rest, as well as a bathroom, galley, dining salon, and sundeck. Our vessel is fully staffed by a crew of three, including captain. By prior arrangement, we can arrange for a sunset sailing, with cocktails and light music on your vessel’s sound system, or a full day of sport fishing.

We can also make arrangements for you to meet and share dinner as guests of a local family. This is an extraordinary opportunity to go beyond the limits of the casual visitor, to share your aspirations, outlook, customs, and experiences with people who have a lot more in common with you than you might ever expect. If you’re interested, just let us know, and consider taking along something from your home town to leave with your hosts as a gesture of appreciation.