MESM'2006

August 28-30 2006, Mercure Romance Hotel, Alexandria, Egypt

Conference Venue

UKRI-SPC

Conference Venue

  This year's conference will be held in Alexandria, a city and port in northern Egypt with about 4.5 million inhabitants (2005 estimate), situated on the Mediterranean Sea, 2 kilometres from the inland Lake Mariout, near the outlets of the Salam canal, which receives its water from the Rosetta river (coming from the Nile).The city is a commercial and economic centre, and about 80% of all of Egypt's imports and exports go through its harbours. Alexandria is also a very important tourist resort, with a 20 km long waterfront, serving the rich and the middle class of Cairo where the summer heat can make life in the capital unbearable.

Ancient Alexandria's heydays stretch over a period of about 1,000 years, while the period of decline of its importance covers centuries. During the city's three earliest centuries, it was perhaps the leading cultural centre of the world, housing people of different religions and philosophical orientations. Alexandria was famous for the extensive library, which in the 3rd century BCE was said to contain 500,000 volumes. Additionally, Alexandria was renowned for the lighthouse of Pharos. A third landmark of Alexandria, the Mouseion, was a centre of research, with laboratories and observatories. Alexandria was the very first centre for Biblical studies, and it was here that the Old Testament assembled in a form very similar to its present one. Even earlier than this, Alexandria was the seat of the formation of the important cult of Serapis, a synthesis of Greek and Egyptian mythology. Other sciences were practiced in Alexandria as well, and scholars like Euclid and Erasthosthenes worked here. With its architecture at that time, Alexandria could easily compete with Rome and Athens. Alexandria was also an important trading post between Europe and Asia, because it profited from the easy overland connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

 To get a feel for the city. I have enclosed some snapshots of the city's places of interest, which are not posted on the other pages.

The conference itself will be held at a hotel in Alexandria on the Corniche (waterfront). More information to follow shortly

Map showing the general location of Alexandria

By Air

Egypt is well served by all major air carriers, and there are frequent connections to the entire world. Discounted tickets are far more difficult to obtain when in Egypt, than from a Western country.
Alexandria - El Nhouza Airport (ALY/HEAX)

Alexandria Airport, Egypt, Alexandria
Tel: +20 (0)3 963979, +20 (0)3 963535, +20 (0)3 427 2020
Fax: +20 (0)3 427 2021

Selected airlines serving El Nohza Airport

Note: This list of airlines that fly to El Nohza Airport is maintained on a best-effort basis. Schedules change frequently, and not all airlines make their route information readily available. Please consult airlines directly for the most accurate flight listings.

By Car, Public Transport and Train

The infrastructure for travellers is good. There are no problems finding space in buses, shared taxis, or trains. And these are both frequent and cheap. Buses and shared taxis cover more destinations than trains, and are often more pleasant to use, even when they run parallel service to the railways. Trains are best in cases where you travel overnight, and want to be able to sleep. If you go by ordinary bus, minibus or shared taxi, you will pay approximately E£5 per 100 km.

By Ferry

There are several ferries connecting Egypt to Europe. Most of these have Cyprus as last port on the trip to Alexandria or Port Said. Greece is a common place to start this journey, but prices are a bit at the high-end. Do not count on getting below US$150 one way, if you're going from Greece, and if you start in Cyprus, prices will not be very much below the Greek ones.

VISA Information

All foreigners, except those from South Africa, Malta and Arab countries (except Sudanese), need visa to enter Egypt. Getting this visa is straightforward, but the cost of it will irritate most budgeteers. If you get from a consulate expect to pay between US$15 and 65. All of this varies from consulate to consulate, and between nationalities. In general, getting a visa in a poor country, will save you some money, but might add to the nuisance. the process of issuing the visa will normally take between 1 and 3 days. With the number of visas that every consulate has to process, you can feel sure that the officials know what they do, and there few unpleasant surprises waiting for you.

Health Information

Consider vaccinations against:

But for all of these, check with a doctor first.
There are no great health dangers when travelling in Egypt, and if you get sick, people in pharmacies will understand your body language, and come up with effective drugs. And if this isn't enough, doctors are easy to come across, well-trained, and fluent in English. If you're careful in the heat, eat in places that look clean and have many visitors, and drink bottled water, no more than a normal diarrhea will come your way.

Useful weblinks will be posted here soon.