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October 4 - 18, 2016 | 15 Days | Aboard the Island Sky
Odessa
U K RAI N E
Expedition Highlights
ROMANIA
•Visit Istanbul’s top sites including Topkapi
Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the 17th-century Blue Mosque.
R US S I A
Histria
DANUBE RIVER
DELTA
Sochi
Varna
BLACK SEA
BU LG AR IA
GEORGIA
Sinop
Batumi
Bartin
Safranbolu
•Enjoy an energetic performance of
traditional dances in Georgia while
sampling local wines.
•Explore the grand city of Odessa, with
splendid examples of elegant 18th- and
19th-century architecture, including a
tour of the magnificent Opera House.
Trabzon
Sumela
TU RK E Y
•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.
© Allan Langdale
BOSPORUS
Istanbul
© Allan Langdale
Constanta
•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
Itinerary
lunch in a converted Ottoman caravanserai, with free time to
explore on your own before returning to the ship in Bartin.
Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be
ongoing enhancements to this itinerary.
Saturday, October 8
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight to Istanbul.
Wednesday, October 5
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel. Enjoy an afternoon
at leisure before our welcome dinner and briefing.
Thursday, October 6
ISTANBUL / EMBARK ISLAND SKY
After breakfast set out to explore the heart of Istanbul’s historic
Sultanahmet District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the
17th-century Blue Mosque and continue to the beautiful Hagia
Sophia. Alternatively, visit the Byzantine Church of the Holy
Savior of Chora, the beautiful Rustem Pasha Mosque, and the
colorful Spice Bazaar. After lunch explore opulent Topkapi
Palace, which served as the chief residence of Ottoman sultans
for nearly 400 years.
In the late afternoon we board the Island Sky and cruise
toward the Black Sea up the scenic Bosporus, a strait which
runs through the center of Istanbul and forms part of the
boundary between Europe and Asia.
Friday, October 7
BARTIN / SAFRANBOLU
From the port at Bartin, travel inland to Safranbolu, a World
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
visits the marketplace as well as a mosque, traditional house,
and Turkish hammam that date back to the 16th century. Enjoy
SINOP
Sinop has been continuously occupied since the 7th century
BC. Tour the ancient fortress walls; the small archaeological
museum, with fascinating artifacts spanning the centuries; and
the 11th-century Alaaddin Mosque. After lunch there is free
time to explore on your own.
Sunday, October 9
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
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. Detailed
frescoes, etched in brilliant blues, reds, and golds cover the
interior. This stunning alpine setting is also a national park.
This afternoon we explore the 13th-century Hagia Sophia, a
Byzantine church with exquisite frescoes, and spend some free
time wandering through the modern city of Trabzon.
Monday, October 10
BATUMI, GEORGIA
Today the ship docks in the charming port of Batumi. Visit
the colorful farmers market and take a relaxing walk through
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
regional delicacies and Georgian wines at a local restaurant,
accompanied by a fantastic folk performance of traditional
music and energetic dances.
Tuesday, October 11
SOCHI, RUSSIA
This Russian mineral-spring resort community with a subtropical climate is sometimes called the Russian Riviera. This
ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA
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morning we 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.
Wednesday, October 12
AT SEA
Attend lectures today and enjoy the passing scenery during a
relaxing day at sea.
Sunday, October 16
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, we enjoy
wine tasting and a cultural performance on board.
Thursday, October 13
ODESSA, UKRAINE
Odessa’s European-Russian heritage is evident as we ascend the
Potemkin Steps to explore cobblestone streets lined with shady
plane trees. Explore the compact central district’s spectacular
architecture, including monuments, statuary, parks, and ornate
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
ranging from the Paleolithic age to the medieval period. Enjoy
free time this afternoon to stroll the graceful boulevards, with the
option to dine ashore on your own.
Monday, October 17
Friday & Saturday, October 14 & 15
Tuesday, October 18
VARNA, BULGARIA
The modern port city of Varna was once the Greek colony 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 millennia, and
includes the oldest worked gold in the world. We also explore
the extensive remains of the 2nd-century Roman thermae, or
public baths, which make up the largest Roman ruins in Bulgaria.
Reboard the ship for lunch as we sail toward Turkey.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY / DISEMBARK / USA
DANUBE RIVER DELTA, ROMANIA
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for
homeward flights.
Flight Information
You may use the $1,000 per person air credit* to purchase air fare
from your home city/Istanbul and Istanbul/home city. Please contact
our in-house Air Department for fare quotes, reservations, or other
air-related questions.
© Brent Stephenson
The Danube is Europe’s second longest river as well as a
World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. During two full
days, discover a wealth of natural and cultural wonders. Take
a walking tour of the small port of Tulcea and visit the Danube
Canal Museum and Danube Ecologic Museum. The next day,
board a local boat to explore this wetland habitat looking for
over 200 species of birds, including pygmy cormorants, purple
herons, white-tailed eagles, and Dalmatian pelicans. On
board, sample local vodka and Romanian snacks.
ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA
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The Island Sky
Deck Plan
P R I VAT E B A L C O N I E S
The all-suite Island Sky is a spacious
100-guest expedition vessel. Public spaces
include a large lounge, elegant bar with piano,
library, a single-seating dining room, and
a rear sun deck where meals are served in
pleasant weather. All suites have an ocean view
and feature a sitting room, en suite bathroom,
flat-screen television, spacious wardrobes, and
dressing table. Visit www.zegrahm.com/island-sky for more information on this ship.
Rates
CATEGORY 1
$12,980
CATEGORY 3
$14,980
CATEGORY 5
$16,780
CATEGORY 2
$13,980
CATEGORY 4
$15,680
CATEGORY 6
$18,880
No Single Supplement on this voyage! Solo travelers pay the double occupancy rate.
INCLUDED:
• Daily activity options including Zodiac cruises, nature walks, and cultural tours
• All gratuities
• All accommodations
• World-class lecture and expedition team
• All onboard meals and group meals ashore, including soft drinks, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner
• All entrance fees, taxes, and landing and port charges
• Arrival and departure transfers on group dates
• Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear
and reading materials
• Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation
insurance
NOT INCLUDED:
•Airfare from your home city/Istanbul and Istanbul/home city
• Excess baggage charges
• Airport arrival and departure taxes
• Transfers for independent arrivals and departures
• Passport and/or visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages,
(other than listed at left), and other incidentals
• Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges
*Air credit of up to $1,000 per person is applicable to new bookings (as of July 1, 2015) only and subject to availability at time of booking. Air must be booked and
ticketed through Zegrahm Expeditions. Air credit is not combinable with any other offer except group and refer & reward.
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
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Featured Leaders
Experts from additional fields of study will join the leaders featured below. Visit www.zegrahm.com/black-sea to read full
leader biographies.
LIA OPREA (EXPEDITION LEADER) –
Part Romanian, Lia gives credit to her
Gypsy heritage for her peripatetic
nature and love of exploration. This
love led her to travel widely around
the globe and, quite naturally, to a
career in adventure travel, a trade
she has plied for more than a dozen
years. This is one of Lia’s favorite
destinations—she has led this popular
itinerary 20 times, including our
inaugural Black Sea voyage in 2004.
© Allan Langdale
ALLAN LANGDALE – Raised on
Vancouver Island, Allan earned
a doctorate degree in art history
from the University of California at
Santa Barbara and has taught in the
University of California system for
more than 12 years. His specialties
include Italian Renaissance art and
architecture, medieval art, and
Byzantine art. He has published a
number of works of travel photography
and has recently completed a picture book of the historical
architecture of northern Cyprus.
Know Before
You Go
For most activities, a relatively
moderate level of exertion is
required. You must be able to
walk distances of one 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.
800.628.8747 | 206.285.4000 | FAX 206.285.5037
3131 Elliott Avenue | Suite 250 | Seattle, WA 98121
www.zegrahm.com | [email protected]
To reserve, visit www.zegrahm.com/black-sea or contact your travel consultant.
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