Circumnavigation of the Black Sea

CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA

July 18 - 31, 2021 | 14 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

Friday, July 23 Itinerary TRABZON / SUMELA Ancient Greeks settled in Trabzon along a branch of the Silk Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be Road from Asia. A highlight of our visit is a morning drive in ongoing enhancements to this itinerary. the countryside to see the 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine Sumela Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliff face in the monastic tradition of Greek Orthodox architecture. Meet with Sunday & Monday, July 18 & 19, 2021 a local expert who will share details on the extensive project to DEPART USA / ISTANBUL, TURKEY Board your overnight flight to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul on July restore the magnificent interior frescoes to their former glory. 19, and transfer to the Pera Palace Hotel. Enjoy an afternoon Then take a stroll through this stunning alpine setting that is at leisure before our welcome dinner and briefing. also a national park. This afternoon, explore the 13th-century Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church with exquisite frescoes, and spend some free time wandering through Trabzon. Tuesday, July 20 ISTANBUL / EMBARK LE BOUGAINVILLE After breakfast, several guided tours will be available, offering Saturday, July 24 a more in-depth exploration of the city. Or, choose a morning BATUMI, GEORGIA at leisure with lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, board Le Today the ship docks in the charming port of Batumi. Visit Bougainville and cruise toward the Black Sea up the scenic the colorful farmers market and take a relaxing walk through Bosporus, a strait which runs through the center of Istanbul. the lovely Botanical Gardens. After lunch on board, take a short drive to the ruins of ancient Gonio Fortress, which dates back to the first century AD. Return to Batumi for a dinner of Wednesday, July 21 regional delicacies and Georgian wines at a local restaurant, BARTIN / SAFRANBOLU accompanied by a fantastic folk performance of traditional From the port at Bartin, travel inland to Safranbolu, a World music and energetic dances. Heritage Site. Once an important center of saffron production and stopover for Silk Road caravans, Safranbolu boasts a wealth of well-preserved Ottoman architecture. A walking tour Sunday, July 25 visits the marketplace as well as a mosque, traditional house, SOCHI, RUSSIA and Turkish hammam that date back to the 16th century. Enjoy This Russian mineral-spring resort community with a sub- lunch in a converted Ottoman caravanserai, with free time to tropical climate is sometimes called the Russian Riviera. This explore on your own before returning to the ship in Bartin. morning, explore the town with a special visit to Stalin’s dacha. Well-hidden among trees on the outskirts of town, this house was a favorite summer retreat for the infamous leader. Thursday, July 22 SAMSUN / AMASYA From the port of Samsun, drive inland to Amasya, former capital Monday, July 26 of the kingdom of Pontus during the third century BC. Explore the AT SEA photogenic alleys lined with 19th-century Ottoman-era houses, Attend lectures today and enjoy the passing scenery during a the ethnographic museum, and an Islamic seminary. Enjoy lunch relaxing day at sea. overlooking the town and Pontic Tombs.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA < 2 > ODESSA DALMATIAN PELICANS © Allan Langdale

Tuesday, July 27 Varna’s archaeological museum that chronologically traces ODESSA, UKRAINE the progress of human society in the region over the course of Odessa’s European-Russian heritage is evident as we ascend the millennia, and includes the oldest worked gold in the world. Potemkin Steps to explore cobblestone streets lined with shady We also explore the extensive remains of the 2nd-century plane trees. Explore the compact central district’s spectacular Roman thermae, or public baths, which make up the largest architecture, including monuments, statuary, parks, and ornate Roman ruins in Bulgaria. Or take a tour of the Balchik 19th-century gems such as the Opera House and Gagarin’s Botanical Gardens and Aladzha Rock Monastery. Reboard the Palace. We also visit one of the country’s oldest archaeological ship for lunch as we sail toward Turkey. museums, housing an extensive collection of Ukrainian artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic age to the medieval period. Enjoy free time this afternoon to stroll the graceful boulevards, with the Saturday, July 31 option to dine ashore on your own. ISTANBUL, TURKEY / DISEMBARK / USA Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for homeward flights. Wednesday, July 28 DANUBE RIVER DELTA, ROMANIA The Danube is Europe’s second longest river as well as a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. Take a walking tour of the small port of Tulcea and visit the Danube Canal Flight Information Museum and Danube Ecologic Museum. Then, board a local You will need to purchase air fare from your home city/Istanbul and boat to explore this wetland habitat looking for over 200 Istanbul/home city. Please contact our in-house Air Department for species of birds, including pygmy cormorants, purple herons, fare quotes, reservations, or other air-related questions. white-tailed eagles, and Dalmatian pelicans.

GEORGIAN DANCERS Thursday, July 29 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.

Friday, July 30 VARNA, BULGARIA The modern port city of Varna was once the Greek colony known as Odessos. We disembark in the morning and visit © Michael P. Moore© Michael P.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA < 3 > Le Bougainville Deck Plan

The brand-new, state of the art, Le Bougainville DECK 7 was completed in 2019. It features innovative and environment-friendly equipment, elegantly SPA designed suites, and lounge areas that open onto the outside. All suites feature ocean views SALON GYM and private balconies, while public spaces DECK 6 include an underwater lounge, as well as a

PANORAMIC pool, outside bar and dining area, theater, LOUNGE single-seating dining room, panoramic lounge, sun deck, salon, and a spa and fitness room. DECK 5 Le Bougainville carries a fleet of Zodiacs for

accessing remote shores. BRIDGE

WC Visit www.zegrahm.com/bougainville for more information about this ship. DECK 4

RESTAURANT

DECK 3

GRILL SHOP

OO MAIN LOUNGE RECEPTION THEATER

DOCTOR

CATEGORY 1 CATEGORY 2 CATEGORY 3 CATEGORY 4

CATEGORY 5 CATEGORY 6 SUITE OWNERS SUITE

Rates

From $12,990 per person, double occupancy; From $17,990 per person, solo occupancy

For complete pricing visit www.zegrahm.com/black-sea-2021

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% per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, quoted in US dollars, and must be paid in US dollars. Rates and itineraries are subject to change. Please review our Terms & Conditions online at www.zegrahm.com/terms, or call our office for a printed copy.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA < 4 > Featured Leaders Our leaders have visited this area numerous times and will provide valuable insight and commentary on the history, culture, and wildlife of this intriguing region. Fascinating lectures, photo presentations, daily recaps, and informal discussions will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the wonders you will see. Leaders from additional fields of study will join the leaders featured below.

STEPHEN FISHER – Steve is a RICH PAGEN – Rich’s career historian and archaeologist from the in conservation biology has south of England that has spent much ranged from teaching science to of his life overseas. Since returning environmental monitoring. After to the United Kingdom in 2007, he field biology projects in North and has taken part in ground breaking South America, Rich was drawn back excavations at Stonehenge, and spent to the sea where he taught marine several years conducting surveys of the science and island ecology on New Forest National Park. For seven California’s Catalina Island. He has years he researched shipwrecks along also conducted shipboard surveys for the south coast of England, with a focus on the 1,000 wrecks marine mammals and seabirds, as well as tagging studies of dating to WWI. sea turtles and pelagic sharks.

MADALENA PATACHO - Madalena JIM WILSON – Jim hails from grew up surrounded by Portugal’s the city of Cobh, County Cork, maritime history in Belém, where Ireland and is a highly respected she dreamed about exploring the ornithologist and ecologist with oceans. Her love for the sea led her more than 35 years of birding to study marine biology and receive a experience in the Antarctic, Ireland, master’s degree in Natural Resources Europe, and Africa. He is a full- Management, specializing in Ecotourism. time freelance wildlife filmmaker, When she is not on an expedition broadcaster, and the author of three exploring the world, she is a naturalist books—two on Irish birds and one at the aquarium, Oceanário de Lisboa, raising awareness on on the whales and dolphins found in the waters surrounding ocean conservation and biodiversity. Ireland.

Know Before You Go For most activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required. You must be able to walk distances of two to three miles, unaided, over sometimes uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones, and climb stone steps that at times may not have handrails. Opportunities will also be available for optional hikes requiring more exertion.

DANUBE DELTA

To reserve, visit www.zegrahm.com/black-sea-2021 or contact your travel consultant. < 5 > TURKEY’S CAPPADOCIA

July 13 – 19, 2021 | 7 Days | Optional Pre-voyage Extension

Tuesday & Wednesday, July 13 & 14, 2021 Christians carved stables, kitchens, tunnels, and churches DEPART USA / ANKARA, TURKEY from the volcanic rock; Pigeon Valley, where hundreds of Depart on your independent overnight flight to Turkey. Arrive small caves were used to house birds; and Uchisar Castle, in Ankara on July 14 and check in to the Swissotel Ankara a solid rock used as a watchtower. The peaceful valley of with the afternoon at leisure. Gather at the hotel this evening Pashabagi is famous for its photogenic three-headed fairy for a welcome dinner. chimneys. At Zelve, view the traditional rock village and cave homes that were inhabited until the 1960s. You will also visit Mustafapasa with its impressive Greek and Ottoman Thursday, June 15 architecture and tour the open-air museum of Goreme to view ANKARA dozens of homes and churches with well-preserved frescoes. A Today, embark on a full-day tour of Ankara, Turkey’s capital. highlight of your time here is a whirling dervish performance Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which houses a during dinner at a local restaurant. rich collection of Turkish artifacts from prehistoric peoples to Hittite, Phyrgian, Lydian, and Urartian cultures; as well as the ancient Citadel of Ankara, with a history dating back to Monday, July 19 Phrygian times. After lunch, proceed to the Mausoleum of CAPPADOCIA / ISTANBUL Atatürk, a national shrine dedicated to the founder of modern This morning, transfer to the airport for our flight to Istanbul. Turkey. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a walking tour of the historic Galata and Beyoglu districts. This evening, check in to the elegant Pera Palace Hotel and meet with the main group Friday, July 16 for dinner and overnight. ANKARA / CAPPADOCIA After breakfast, depart overland for magical Cappadocia. En route, make a stop at Hattusha. This World Heritage Site was the capital of the Hittite civilization, which thrived from 2000 Flight Information to 1200 B.C. The nearby Yazlikaya Temple, which means You will need to purchase air fare from your home city/Ankara and “inscribed rock,” is a natural rock shrine that was a place of Istanbul/home city. The flight from Cappadocia/Istanbul is included worship for thousands of years. Arrive in Cappadocia and in the cost of the extension. check in to the Argos Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Saturday & Sunday, July 17 & 18 Rates CAPPADOCIA $5,490 per person, double occupancy; During two magical days in Cappadocia, explore the $5,990 per person, solo occupancy extraordinary underground city of Kaymakli, where early

To reserve, visit www.zegrahm.com/black-sea-2021 or contact your travel consultant. < 6