VOYAGE ON THE Black Sea October 1–12, 2021 SPECIAL PAYMENT TERMS For peace of mind, your payments are 100% refundable until June 28, 2021. See inside for more details Dear National Trust Traveler, Between Europe and Asia Minor lies the Black Sea, along whose shores the fortunes of ancient empires waxed and waned. Aboard the 114-berth Caledonian Sky, explore the shores of this legendary body of water, beginning and ending in Istanbul. The lands surrounding this major crossroad of the ancient world have indeed seen their share of upheaval—during the Crimean War and World Wars I and II, as well as more recently during the dispute over Crimea. Explore the historic town of Amasya where Pontic tombs honeycomb the mountains and fine classical Ottoman buildings line the riverbanks. Enjoy energetic and colorful dance and music performances and sample a variety of delicious local cuisines. As we circumnavigate this historic body of water, expert lecturers and local guides will put this complex region into context for us, touching on the vastly different countries and cultures that have coexisted around its shores for millennia. To further enhance the experience, optionally extend your journey with a pre-trip extension in Istanbul. This timeless experience is co-sponsored by top affinity travel programs, so I encourage you to reserve your space now to ensure the cabin of your choice aboard the lovely Caledonian Sky. Sincerely, Meg Annacone-Poretz Director, National Trust Tours For information on this or other National Trust Tours, call (888) 484-8785. Find us on National Trust Tours Black Black Sea Black Black Sea Highlights t Fly to Tbilisi on a private charter flight to explore the Georgian capital’s bold Narikala fortress and Orthodox churches. t Climb the spectacular heights of the culturally and religiously significant Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Virgin Mary (Sumela Monastery), carved into the Pontic Mountains near Trabzon. t Hear the music of the a cappella singers of Odessa’s Uspensky Cathedral and enjoy private concerts in Odessa and Varna. t Delight in a performance of incomparable Georgian folk dancers and dine on local specialties in Batumi t Explore the historic Turkish town of Amasya, where Pontic tombs honeycomb the mountains and fine classical Ottoman buildings line the riverbanks. THIS PHOTO: BATUMI AT NIGHT ON THE COVER: ODESSA OPERA; AMASYA; SUMELA FRESCO; VARNA CATHEDRAL BACK COVER: TBILISI SULFUR BATHS TBILISI SUMELA MONASTERY ODESSA OPERA BATUMI BOTANIC GARDEN Itinerary Tuesday, October 5 Thursday, October 7 Friday & Saturday, October 1 & 2 Trabzon Tbilisi Home / Upon arrival in Trabzon, Take an early morning Istanbul, Turkey travel to the spectacularly charter flight from Batumi situated Greek Orthodox to Tbilisi, the capital of Depart home on an Monastery of the Virgin Georgia. On arrival explore overnight flight to Istanbul. Mary (Sumela Monastery) in the 4th-century Narikala Upon arrival, transfer to the Pontic Mountains. View Fortress, which dominates the Caledonian Sky for a the monastery’s colorful the Old Town skyline; welcome orientation and frescoes, some dating from Abanotubani, the historic reception while cruising the the 9th century. Enjoy free bath house district; and the Bosphorus Strait. CALEDONIAN SKY (R,D) time for an independent city’s churches and Eastern exploration before returning Orthodox cathedral. Return Sunday, October 3 to the ship. to Batumi for dinner on At Sea CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) board. CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) Relax aboard ship as the Wednesday, October 6 Island Sky cruises along Batumi, Georgia Friday, October 8 Turkey’s coastline. Enjoy Batumi, a seaport on the Sochi, Russia the beginning of the lecture Black Sea coast of Georgia, Tour the host city of the program. CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) lies at the northern edge of 2014 Winter Olympics and the humid subtropical zone. discover the Russian Riviera Monday, October 4 This afternoon, visit the for Stalin’s Dacha and Samsun / Amasya Batumi Botanical Garden, Matsesta Bathhouse. Dock in Samsun, where which overlooks the Black CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) Sea and is one of the richest Ataturk orchestrated the Saturday, October 9 botanical gardens in the birth of the new Turkish At Sea republic in the 1920s. Travel world. Admire lush plantings The onboard lecture series to Amasya, the former from nine different floristic continues as the ship capital of the ancient Pontic sectors, from the Caucasus to Australasia, the Himalayas cruises to Odessa. Kingdom and a treasure CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) of rock-hewn tombs, to the Mediterranean. classical wooden mansions, Enjoy dinner off the ship Sunday, October 10 and Seljuk and Ottoman and a performance by a Odessa, Ukraine monuments. noted Georgian folk dance Odessa is a city of CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) ensemble. resplendent mansions CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) Odessa Sea Air Land Sochi Varna Black Sea Batumi Tbilisi Samsun Istanbul Amasya Trabzon TBILISI ODESSA VARNA CATH EDRAL AMASYA and fine old churches. from the 5th millennium Disembark this afternoon B.C.E. at the archaeological Optional Pre-Tour for a city tour and visit to museum, visit the imposing Extension in Istanbul the holocaust memorial domed Cathedral of the September 28–October 2 and the Potemkin Steps, Assumption, and enjoy an a Spend three days exploring famously depicted in cappella choir performance. the exceptional treasures of Sergei Eisenstein’s classic Celebrate your Black Sea Istanbul, including the Sultan 1025 silent film Battleship voyage at a festive farewell Ahmed Mosque, popularly Potemkin. Tour the stunning reception and dinner on known as the Blue Mosque; Hapsburg-style opera board. Chora Church, a Byzantine house and delight in the CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) marvel of fine mosaics and enchanting singing of the Tuesday, October 12 frescoes; Topkapi Palace, an Eastern Orthodox Uspensky Istanbul / Home opulent royal enclave; and Cathedral choir. Disembark and transfer to the delightful Grand Bazaar. CALEDONIAN SKY (B,L,D) Istanbul airport for flights Monday, October 11 home. (B) Further details and pricing will be Varna, Bulgaria sent to confirmed participants. Arrive in Varna, the largest PHOTO CREDITS: Batumi at night © Oleksii city and resort on Bulgaria’s Grygorenko; Odessa Opera © Serhii Liakhevych; Sulfur Baths © Coconutdreams; Varna Cathedral Black Sea coast, for an © Aleksandar Todorovic; Batumi Botanic Garden © Olya Solodenko; Abanotubani © Anthony afternoon of exploration. Shaw; Sumela Monastery © Asafta; Sumela View © Petitfrere; Amasya © Xantana; Odessa Marvel at the world-class Opera Interior © Ksya; Tbilisi © Saiko3p collection of Scythian gold Caledonian Sky The Caledonian Sky is a 57-cabin premier expedition ship. All cabins have an ocean view, en suite bathroom with walk-in shower and/or bathtub, spacious wardrobe or walk-in closet, safe, minibar, individually controlled heat/air conditioner, flat-screen television, and sitting area with sofa. Twenty-three of the suites feature private balconies. The ship’s amenities include an elegant indoor dining room, al fresco dining on the Lido Deck, two lounges with bar service, small library and gym, sun deck with comfortable lounge chairs, hairdresser, laundry service, and gift shop. An elevator services all passenger cabin decks. The Caledonian Sky’s chefs prepare quality international meals, predominantly Western-style, served in a single open seating. A friendly crew provides exceptional, personalized service, with more than a 1:2 crew-to-passenger ratio. The ship features advanced satellite navigation and communication equipment, roll stabilizers, and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. Hotel 511 509 507 505 Bu!et Pantry Manager’s Office Lido Bridge Deck Chief (per person) Engineer Captain Program Rates 512 510 508 506 CATEGORY DOUBLE SINGLE Bridge Deck STANDARD SUITE FORWARD A 427 425 423 421 419 417 415 two portholes; 244 sq. ft. $9,990 – Hairdresser 433 431 STANDARD SUITE WC B $11,490 $17,290 432 two, three, or four portholes; 244 sq. ft. Gym 434 428 426 424 422 420 418 416 414 SUPERIOR SUITE C picture window; 232 sq. ft. $12,990 $19,490 Promenade Deck PREMIUM SUITE Bar 347 345 339341343 331333335 329 D picture window; 217 sq. ft. $13,490 – Entrance Lounge Hall DELUXE BALCONY SUITE sliding glass Reception E door; 215 sq. ft. plus 45 sq. ft. balcony $13,990 – 348 346 338340342344 332334336 330 PREMIUM BALCONY SUITE sliding glass Caledonian Deck F door; 217 sq. ft. plus 60 sq. ft. balcony $14,990 – 261 259 257 255 Hospital OWNER’S BALCONY SUITE sliding glass Galley Doctor G door; 243 sq. ft. plus 60 sq. ft. balcony $15,990 – Restaurant 262260 258 256 254 252 250 Castle Deck General Information PROGRAM RATES INCLUDE WHAT TO EXPECT All accommodations, meals, and excursions as specified This is a moderately active trip for travelers who in the itinerary, including ten breakfasts, nine lunches, are flexible, comfortable traveling with a group, and ten dinners, and ten nights aboard Caledonian Sky can handle the vagaries of travel with good humor. • Comprehensive program of briefings, lectures, and Navigating uneven terrain, walking on cobblestone presentations • Charter flights between Batumi pavement, and standing for up to two hours in and Tbilisi • Group transfers for all participants on museums or other sites are the most strenuous group arrival and departure dates • All gratuities to activities. Some locations may have stairs without porters, wait staff, guides, drivers and shipboard handrails. Travelers must be able to board the ship via personnel for all group activities • Entrance fees and a metal gangplank with rope handrails. The ship does port charges • Welcome and farewell wine receptions not have an elevator, so you will need to navigate stairs, • House wine, beer, and soft drinks with all group possibly while on choppy seas. Participants should be fit lunches and dinners • Bottled water on motorcoaches and in active good health. Limited medical facilities are • Comprehensive packet of pre-departure information • available on board the Caledonian Sky.