Beyond the Towers of Trebizond An exploration of the Black Sea aboard the MS Serenissima 4th to 15th & 15th to 26th September 2014 Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Swallow’s Nest, Ukraine Sochi, Russia

UKRAINE RUSSIA The great salt-water Black Sea has seen settlements Odessa on its shores for nearly 3000 years which along ROMANIA Sochi Yalta with the wars of the 19th and 20th centuries have Sevastopol GEORGIA Batumi all greatly influenced the surrounding lands, making BULGARIA Nessebur Trabzon the Black Sea one of the most fascinating and Amasra Samsun

historically rich regions in the world. Istanbul TURKEY

oin us aboard the MS Serenissima as we Such a journey as this would be totally impractical to nearby Amasra (ancient Sesamus) which is explore these unique shores. From the by any means other than a cruise. Whether located on a headland in between two bays. JGolden Horn we will enter the Black Sea and your interest lies in ancient or military history, Local guides will lead us through the attractive follow the Turkish coast to Trabzon architecture, literature, contemporary politics or old town which was founded by the Milesians (Trebizond). We then cross to Georgia where the just in visiting some of the most atmospheric and in the 6th century B.C. and later became an richness of its culture reflects the influence of fascinating places on earth, the Black Sea has a important possession of both Byzantium and Greeks, Byzantines, Persians, Turks and Mongols. lot to offer. Local guides and our onboard guest Genoa. See the Genoese citadel and learn Georgia’s ‘Golden Age’ reached its height speaker will contribute greatly to our enjoyment more about its Greek and Roman past. Sail between the reigns of David the Builder and his and understanding of this intriguing corner of the in the afternoon. granddaughter Queen Tamara in the 11th and world where East meets West. 12th centuries. Day 4 Samsun. Today we will drive inland The Itinerary to Amasya, which according to legend was From Georgia we follow the lovely coastline Day 1 London to Istanbul, Turkey. Fly by scheduled founded by the Amazon queen Amasis. The with its mountain backdrop to Russia’s premier flight. Drive to the MS Serenissima and embark. setting is beautiful, in a deep narrow gorge of resort and spa, Sochi. Here the microclimate the river Iris. From the clifftop fortress there produces wonderful year round weather Day 2 Istanbul. Enjoy a morning of exploration are marvellous views. See the rock tombs of and a lush countryside. We then cross to the on a guided excursion. See the Blue Mosque, the Pontic kings which were carved into the Crimean Peninsula for a day of exploration stroll through the labyrinth of shops and markets cliff face and later visit the 15th century Sultan in beautiful Yalta with its magnificent palaces in the Grand Bazaar and visit Hagia Sofia, Beyazit mosque. After lunch spend some time and Sevastopol, which until the 1990s was a the magnificent basilica built by the Emperor in the Archaeological Museum before returning ‘Closed City’. Staying in the Ukraine, our next Justinian in the 6th century. Return to the ship to the vessel. port will be Odessa, at the mouth of the great for lunch and sail this afternoon along the River Dnieper and finally on to old Nessebur, Bosphorus, heading for the Black Sea. Day 5 Trabzon. On today’s excursion see the a delightful Bulgarian town with a fascinating church of Aya Sofia (1200) and the old town, then history. Our journey ends where it all began, in Day 3 Amasra. From the port of Bartin in travel to the outskirts to visit Ataturk’s lovely villa the captivating city of Istanbul. ancient Paphlagonia, we drive along the coast set high on a cliff above the city. Continue on

www.noble-caledonia.co.uk +44 (0)20 7752 0000 Amasra, Turkey

Odessa

Sumela Monastery, Trabzon

through the picturesque mountain scenery to famous Promenade and the acoustically perfect Sumela, a dramatic Byzantine monastery carved Opera House. out of a sheer rock face. Day 11 Nessebur, Bulgaria. After a morning Day 6 Batumi, Georgia. Spend the day in at sea we will arrive in the ancient town of charming Batumi. Visit the vast Botanical Nessebur, a delightful place to spend an Gardens, the Ethnographic Museum and the afternoon. A guided tour of the town will include White Palace, Yalta chaotic market. the 5th century Bishopric, the 12th century St Stephen’s church and some of the traditional- Day 7 Sochi, Russia. We have this morning style houses with their overhanging first floors to explore delightful Sochi, framed by the above winding cobbled lanes. Caucasus Mountains and famous for its marvellous climate and health spas. Take a walk Day 12 Istanbul to London. Disembark this along the sea front or join a trip to the world’s morning and return to London by scheduled most northerly tea plantation. flight.

Day 8 Yalta, Ukraine. Join a morning excursion, which begins with a visit to the Chekov House Prices per person Museum followed by a tour of the Lividia Palace, Based on double occupancy. an Italian Renaissance style villa built in 1911 Tour Code: SCSEBLACK4 as a summer residence for Tsar Nicholas II. It was here that Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt Cat Cabin Description Price held their Yalta Conference in 1945. After lunch 1 Inside Cabin £3995 continue to Alupka, the most exotic of all 2 Standard Stateroom £4495 Crimean estates. 3 Superior Stateroom £4995 4 Deluxe Stateroom £5795 A morning tour will start at Day 9 Sevastopol. 5 Junior Suite £6295 the Panorama Museum where the siege of the 6 Executive Suite £6995 city in the Crimean War comes vividly to life in 7 Owners Suite £6995 the painted murals. Later drive out of the city 8 Standard Single £4995 to the ‘Valley of Death’, the site of the ‘Charge 1 Inside – single cabin £4495 of the Light Brigade’. In the afternoon there will be an excursion to Chersonesus, a Greek colony Price includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, founded in 433 B.C. 11 nights aboard MS Serenissima on full board basis with house wine, beer and soft drinks with Day 10 Odessa. Founded by Catherine the lunch and dinner, cruise director, tour manager, guest speaker, shore excursions, entrance fees, Great in 1794 following the Russian victory gratuities to crew, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes. over the Turks, Odessa today is a busy port Not Included: Travel Insurance, visas. and popular resort. On our tour we will see the NB. Ports subject to change. Chersonesus www.noble-caledonia.co.uk +44 (0)20 7752 0000 Deluxe Stateroom Owner’s Suite

Andrea Lounge Restaurant

MS Serenissima

ormerly known as the MS Andrea, the MS expedition staff, and crew offer a first class previous owners that they have seen fit to invest Serenissima started her new life in May 2013 service and have been selected for their considerable sums over the years to keep her after a multi million pound refurbishment. professionalism and caring attitudes. in top form and complying with the stringent F health and safety requirements. Cabins & Suites For your comfort, safety and security Accommodating just 107 passengers, the 59 There are so few ships of this generation still For more information and images of the vessel cabins are attractively designed – no two cabins cruising and she is a great testament to her please refer to our website. are identical. All are fully air conditioned with a modern shower and toilet, hairdryer, telephone, flat screen televisions , a safety deposit box and Deck 3 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 other thoughtful appointments. There are eight 322 306 304 different grades of cabin arranged over five decks 338 336 334 302 333 and with the exception of the five inside cabins, all 337 301 303 305 321 staterooms feature either windows or portholes. 319 317 315 313 311 309 307

Deck 4 Your Space 418 412 410 408 406 Perhaps, one of the best known and loved 424 414 404 402 422 420 features of this vessel is its unique Gustavian 421 419 417 409 407 401 style interior. This bright Swedish 18th century 405 403 influenced, country house style works particularly well on a vessel of this vintage, providing Deck 5 intimacy and classic nautical sensibility often lacking in larger vessels. Facilities and public areas include two lounges, a small library with two computers for internet access, a spacious 507 505 503 501 observation deck, fitness area, massage and a lift Deck 6 that serves decks 3, 4, 5 and 6. In addition there is a Lido area on Deck 5 with a bar and Jacuzzi. 604 602

605 603 Your Dining 601 The free seating Venice Restaurant accommodates all guests in one sitting. In Deck 7 addition there is an outside dining area for when the weather and itinerary permit. 704 702

703 701 Life Onboard The atmosphere on board is warm and welcoming and dedicated to discovery and relaxation. The European captain, officers, Please note cabin sizes vary within each category and range from 10 to 26 sqm

2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk

Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request.