Shore Excursions Group
Private Alexandria National Museum And Gardens
Private Alexandria National Museum and Gardens
Your private shore excursion begins as you depart the pier for the drive to Alexandria’s National Museum. The old Al-Saad Bassili Palace, which dates back to 1923, houses the museum. It is the first museum in Egypt that narrates the history of the people of Alexandria through antiquity, as opposed to being a building storing antiquities. Many of the artifacts within the museum’s collection have not been exhibited before. Each of the museum’s three floors depicts a different period of Egyptian history.
The Pharaonic collection spans each critical period and includes items from the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms. One of the highlights is a replica of a tomb, similar to those in the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes), that includes a mummy along with genuine funerary items.
Alexandria was once a Greco-Roman city of great splendor. A multitude of ancient artifacts have been discovered in recent years during underwater excavations in the area.
The last floor is devoted to Coptic and Islamic items and displays a wide range of objects from Egypt’s two most prominent religious traditions. Coptic Christian items include icons of Jesus and the Virgin Mary and the Last Supper. Among the Islamic objects are a collection of gold and silver coins, decorated pottery, doors and mashrabiya windows inset with geometrical ivory ornamentation. There is also a section devoted to the former royal family of Egypt that includes magnificent jewelry, bejeweled gold and silver awards, and other items from their residence.
After your visit to the museum, your cruise excursion will continue with a drive along the Mediterranean coast to the Montaza Gardens, which feature 115 acres of gardens surrounded by great walls on three sides and the sea. Within its walls, you will see the exterior of the Montaza Palace, built in 1932 by King Fouad and inherited by his son King Farouk, last of the Egyptian kings. As you drive through the gardens, photo stops will be made along the way. Following your visit, you will return to the pier and ship.
| Day 1 |
Welcome to Alexandria, Virginia!
Alexandria is an unique and historic place that keeps pace with the modern world. The City is part of a large metropolitan area surrounding the nation's Capital, yet it has retained its period character. About one-quarter of the town's 15 square miles has been designated as a national or local historic district. Thousands of buildings in these districts are monuments to the past while being actively used by citizens for homes, businesses and museums. Alexandria was home to those who made American history-George Washington, George Mason, and Robert E. Lee-and many other men and women who contributed their skills, emotions and character to build what we know today as the strongest democracy in the world. Today Alexandria is "The Fun Side of the Potomac." Designated as one of America's Top 25 Arts Destinations by American Style Magazine, Alexandria is home to the famed Torpedo Factory Art Center and more than 50 fine art and antique galleries throughout the town. We have more than 300 specialty shops and 200 restaurants offering American and international cuisine. Reasonably priced accommodations at more than 25 comfortable hotels make Alexandria the prime location for a cultural getaway. Our 120,000 residents share a quality of life that is not found in many urban centers. In fact, Ladies Home Journal has ranked Alexandria as one of the "Top Ten Best Cities for Women in the United States," based on quality of life criteria. We are located just 10 minutes from Washington, DC and Reagan National Airport, and we are accessible by Metro, making visits to all the attractions in the Greater Washington area easy. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
05/03/22 - 05/15/27 |
Starting At $77 |
Get A Quote |
This program involves easy walking on flat surfaces. There are 3 floors of steps to climb at the Alexandria National Museum. Wheelchairs will need to be carried up a few steps at the entrance to the museum. After this, there is a small elevator available for wheelchair-accessibility.
