Circumnavigation of the Black Sea
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CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA June 26 - July 10, 2020 | 15 Days | Aboard Le Bougainville UKRAINE Expedition Highlights Odessa • Choose from several tours highlighting Istanbul’s wealth of historic sites and ROMANIA RUSSIA Histria architectural treasures. Constanta DANUBE RIVER DELTA Sochi • Enjoy an energetic performance of Varna BLACK SEA traditional dances in Georgia while BULGARIA sampling local wines. GEORGIA • Explore the grand city of Odessa, with Bartin Batumi BOSPORUS splendid examples of elegant 18th- and Istanbul Safranbolu Samsun Trabzon 19th-century architecture, including a Amasya Sumela tour of the magnificent Opera House. TURKEY • Cruise through the winding canals of the Danube River Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, as we search for over 200 species of birds. • Wander through a wealth of well- preserved Ottoman architecture in Safranbolu. • Itinerary .................................... page 2 > • Flight Information ...................... page 3 > • Ship, Deck Plan & Rates ............ page 4 > • Featured Leaders ....................... page 5 > • Know Before You Go ................. page 5 > © Allan Langdale © Allan Langdale • Optional Pre-Voyage Extension .. page 6 > BLUE MOSQUE SUMELA MONASTERY © Allan Langdale © Allan Langdale Wednesday, July 1 Itinerary SAMSUN / AMASYA From the port of Samsun, drive inland to Amasya, former capital of the kingdom of Pontus during the third century BC. Explore the Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be photogenic alleys lined with 19th-century Ottoman-era houses, ongoing enhancements to this itinerary. the ethnographic museum, and an Islamic seminary. Enjoy lunch overlooking the town and Pontic Tombs. Friday, June 26, 2020 DEPART USA Thursday, July 2 Board your overnight flight to Istanbul. TRABZON / SUMELA Ancient Greeks settled in Trabzon along a branch of the Silk Road from Asia. A highlight of our visit is a morning drive in Saturday & Sunday, June 27 & 28 the countryside to see the 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine ISTANBUL, TURKEY Sumela Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliff face in the Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the Pera Palace Hotel. Enjoy an monastic tradition of Greek Orthodox architecture. Meet with afternoon at leisure before our welcome dinner and briefing. a local expert who will share details on the extensive project to The next day choose from several tours that reveal the high- restore the magnificent interior frescoes to their former glory. lights of this legendary city, including the Sultanahmet district, Then take a stroll through this stunning alpine setting that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All tours will include lunch, also a national park. This afternoon, explore the 13th-century after which, there is leisure time to explore on your own. Return Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church with exquisite frescoes, and to the Pera Palace Hotel this evening for dinner and overnight. spend some free time wandering through Trabzon. Monday, June 29 Friday, July 3 ISTANBUL / EMBARK LE BOUGAINVILLE BATUMI, GEORGIA After breakfast, several guided tours will be available, offering Today the ship docks in the charming port of Batumi. Visit a more in-depth exploration of the city. Or, choose a morning the colorful farmers market and take a relaxing walk through at leisure with lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, board Le the lovely Botanical Gardens. After lunch on board, take a Bougainville and cruise toward the Black Sea up the scenic short drive to the ruins of ancient Gonio Fortress, which dates Bosporus, a strait which runs through the center of Istanbul. back to the first century AD. Return to Batumi for a dinner of regional delicacies and Georgian wines at a local restaurant, accompanied by a fantastic folk performance of traditional Tuesday, June 30 music and energetic dances. BARTIN / SAFRANBOLU From the port at Bartin, travel inland to Safranbolu, a World Heritage Site. Once an important center of saffron production Saturday, July 4 and stopover for Silk Road caravans, Safranbolu boasts a SOCHI, RUSSIA wealth of well-preserved Ottoman architecture. A walking tour This Russian mineral-spring resort community with a sub- visits the marketplace as well as a mosque, traditional house, tropical climate is sometimes called the Russian Riviera. This and Turkish hammam that date back to the 16th century. Enjoy morning, explore the town with a special visit to Stalin’s dacha. lunch in a converted Ottoman caravanserai, with free time to Well-hidden among trees on the outskirts of town, this house explore on your own before returning to the ship in Bartin. was a favorite summer retreat for the infamous leader. ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA < 2 > ODESSA DALMATIAN PELICANS © Allan Langdale Sunday, July 5 Thursday, July 9 AT SEA VARNA, BULGARIA Attend lectures today and enjoy the passing scenery during a The modern port city of Varna was once the Greek colony relaxing day at sea. known as Odessos. We disembark in the morning and visit Varna’s archaeological museum that chronologically traces the progress of human society in the region over the course of Monday, July 6 millennia, and includes the oldest worked gold in the world. ODESSA, UKRAINE We also explore the extensive remains of the 2nd-century Odessa’s European-Russian heritage is evident as we ascend the Roman thermae, or public baths, which make up the largest Potemkin Steps to explore cobblestone streets lined with shady Roman ruins in Bulgaria. Or take a tour of the Balchik plane trees. Explore the compact central district’s spectacular Botanical Gardens and Aladzha Rock Monastery. Reboard the architecture, including monuments, statuary, parks, and ornate ship for lunch as we sail toward Turkey. 19th-century gems such as the Opera House and Gagarin’s Palace. We also visit one of the country’s oldest archaeological museums, housing an extensive collection of Ukrainian artifacts Friday, July 10 ranging from the Paleolithic age to the medieval period. Enjoy ISTANBUL, TURKEY / DISEMBARK / USA free time this afternoon to stroll the graceful boulevards, with the Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for option to dine ashore on your own. homeward flights. Tuesday, July 7 DANUBE RIVER DELTA, ROMANIA The Danube is Europe’s second longest river as well as a Flight Information World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. Take a walking You will need to purchase air fare from your home city/Istanbul and tour of the small port of Tulcea and visit the Danube Canal Istanbul/home city. Please contact our in-house Air Department for Museum and Danube Ecologic Museum. Then, board a local fare quotes, reservations, or other air-related questions. boat to explore this wetland habitat looking for over 200 species of birds, including pygmy cormorants, purple herons, white-tailed eagles, and Dalmatian pelicans. GEORGIAN DANCERS Wednesday, July 8 HISTRIA / CONSTANTA Histria was Romania’s earliest-founded city and flourished as an extraordinary trading center, later to be abandoned and swallowed by alluvial deposits and sand. The site has been under excavation since its rediscovery in 1914. We walk through fascinating seaside ruins, tour the new museum, and spot birds in this wetland environment. Next we explore Constanta where we tour the archaeological museum and view one of the largest Roman mosaic floors in Europe. In the late afternoon, enjoy wine tasting and a cultural performance on board. © Michael P. Moore© Michael P. ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA < 3 > Le Bougainville Deck Plan Le Bougainville is currently in the process of DECK 7 being built, and will be completed in 2019. SPA It will feature innovative and environment- friendly equipment, elegantly designed suites, SALON GYM and lounge areas that open onto the outside. All suites feature ocean views and private DECK 6 balconies, while public spaces include an PANORAMIC underwater lounge, as well as a pool, outside LOUNGE bar and dining area, theater, single-seating dining room, panoramic lounge, sun deck, DECK 5 salon, and a spa and fitness room. BRIDGE Visit www.zegrahm.com/bougainville for WC more information about this ship. DECK 4 RESTAURANT DECK 3 GRILL SHOP OOL MAIN LOUNGE RECEPTION THEATER DOCTOR WC CATEGORY 1 CATEGORY 2 CATEGORY 3 CATEGORY 4 CATEGORY 5 CATEGORY 6 SUITE OWNERS SUITE Rates CATEGORY 1 $13,280 CATEGORY 3 $14,680 CATEGORY 5 $23,480 SUITE $31,680 CAT 2 SOLO $13,280 CATEGORY 2 $14,680 CATEGORY 4 $17,880 CATEGORY 6 $29,980 OWNER’S SUITE $41,880 CAT 3 SOLO $14,680 Solo Travelers: Single accommodations are limited and subject to availability. INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: • Daily activity options including nature walks, wine tasting, • Airfare from your home city/Istanbul and Istanbul/home city and cultural tours • Excess baggage charges • All gratuities • Airport arrival and departure taxes • All accommodations • Transfers for independent arrivals and departures • World-class lecture and expedition team • Passport and/or visa fees • All onboard meals and group meals ashore, including soft drinks, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner • Travel insurance • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, • All entrance fees, taxes, and landing and port charges (other than listed at left), and other incidentals • Arrival and departure transfers on group dates • Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges • Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear • Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance A 25%