Egypt: where past is present

AUTHOR LAWRENCE DURRELL FAMOUSLY dubbed the port city of Alexandria "the Capital of Memory." An apt description. One of the great cities of antiquity, Alexandria throughout its rich history has had a great impact on the cultural, political, and educational life in the ancient and contemporary worlds. From its beginnings as the Hellenic Empire's anchorage to the days as the Ptolemaic capital and today's stature as Egypt's second-largest metropolis, Alexandria has been a center of global significance. Long a favorite destination for writers and artists, the city's cosmopolitan spirit and blend of cultures appeals to students of history ... as well as vacationers attracted to its Mediterranean beaches, restaurants and breezy climate.

For those wanting a special glimpse into this city and Egypt itself, a visit to the Alexandria National Museum is a must. The newest jewel in this splendid city's cultural crown, it was oppened in 2003, and is housed in a restored Italianate mansion dating from 1928. Surrounded by lush gardens with rare trees and plants, the museum holds more than 1800 archaeological treasures that narrate the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic, Islamic and modern history of Egypt, as well as a high-tech restoration laboratory to preserve these and future finds for posterity.