Alexandria, Egypt

1. crumbling colonial mansions, sea walls & sweeping beaches, street cafes & shisha, sunny autumn days 20-20c
2. stay 4seasons at san stefano (sev'l cafes for sunset drinks & shisha) or more central sofitel cecil
3. eat Samakmak (00 20 3481 1560 crab tagine & spaghetti vongole) abu ashraf (00 20 3481 5497 excellent sea bass & fish stews) greek yachting club (taramasalata)
4. see catacombs of shouqafa (Karmouz district) date from Roman times- painted tombs
5. fort qaitbar built over ruins of Pharos lighthouse (1 of ancient 7 wonders) national museum of alexandria
6. cafes: Trianon (green plaza) delices (43 saad zaghloul)
7. fly through frankfurt (Lufthansa) or Athens (olympic air)