Day Trip from Cairo: Alexandria

Alexandria stands out as a breath of fresh air: cleaner, more orderly (at least they have traffic lights here!), and filled with genuinely friendly locals. No scams, no hassles—just a pleasant surprise. 🏨 Hotel: We stayed at Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Alexandria, located in a resort area with sea-view rooms. The downside? It’s far from major attractions. But since we booked a private car, distance wasn’t an issue 🌚. The hotel arranged the car service—2,200 EGP for 6 hours, with an extra 200 EGP per hour for overtime. The ride was a brand-new Toyota SUV with a suit-clad driver (think "Didi Premium"). Probably overpriced, but it was safe and comfortable. 🏛️ Greco-Roman Museum: This museum showcases Egypt under Greek and Roman rule, offering a completely different perspective from typical Pharaonic exhibits. The artifacts have a distinctly European flair. Surprisingly, we didn’t encounter any Chinese tourists (or Chinese audio guides). The gift shop at the entrance seemed unofficial, so we skipped it. 🌊 Montaza Palace: A bit of a trek, but absolutely worth it if you have time. Cars can drive right into the grounds, saving you a 1km walk—and for some reason, no one asked us for tickets? The palace itself is off-limits (viewable only from outside), but the surrounding gardens are massive, filled with towering tropical plants and locals picnicking on the lawns. The seaside promenade overlooks the Mediterranean—a shade of blue so perfect it needs no filter. Just sitting there, watching the waves, was magical. 🏰 Qaitbay Citadel: The castle’s arched windows frame postcard-worthy views, and climbing to the top reveals a panoramic scene of the bustling harbor. Around 7:30 PM at sunset, staff started gently ushering visitors out (they were closing), but they weren’t pushy—just lingering nearby. They joked about tips but never actually asked. 🥘 Jeeda’s: A fancy "white people food" spot (probably upscale by local standards), yet still affordable—~100 RMB per person. Their seafood paella is huge; even a single portion overwhelmed two of us. Pro tip: Ask for less salt!🌊🌊 🚌 Return Trip via GoBus: We took the Elite bus (250 EGP/person) from Alexandria - Moharam Bek station back to Cairo (~3 hours). The bus was comfy, with seatback screens for movies, but the station felt sketchy. Our driver, worried we’d get harassed, waited with us until boarding and even called to confirm we arrived safely. Good people still exist—peace and love 😭. #EgyptTravel #Alexandria