The Black Sea Including the Sea of Azov: Crossroads of Culture from the Ancient Past to the Present

11 Days/10 Nights: 2010 Departures:• July 29, Aug.8 ♦ There is no single supplement for this program. ♦ Today, the Black Sea is one of the most sought-after destinations for travelers. Equally fascinating but rarely visited is the Sea of Azov, a large inland sea at the mouth of Russia’s Don River. This voyage combines the renowned historic sites and glorious landscapes of the Black Sea with the undiscovered splendors of the Sea of Azov. Your journey begins with two days in Istanbul, old Constantinople, where you’ll visit the chief monuments of the Byzantines and the Ottomans, including the Church of Hagia Sophia and the sultan’s Topkapi Palace. Through the Strait of Kerch Corinthian II enters the Sea of Azov where you will discover the ancient Greek colony of Tanais, a fortress built by the Turks, and a museum of the history of the Cossacks. Then return to the Black Sea with calls at Yalta to explore the summer residence of the czars; Odessa, a city rich in 19th-century architecture, including the famous Potemkin Steps; and Bulgaria’s historic town of Varna Day 1 ISTANBUL, Turkey | EMBARK Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to Corinthian II. Set on the Bosphorus, fabled Istanbul blends the cultures and traditions of East and West. Overnight aboard ship. Day 2 ISTANBUL Tour the city’s principal landmarks, including the majestic Hagia Sophia basilica, built by the emperor Justinian I in A.D. 537; the Topkapi Palace, once the principal residence of the Ottoman sultans and, from the mid-15th to 19th centuries, the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire; the Blue Mosque; and the Grand Bazaar, where time at leisure will be provided. Board the ship and sail through the Bosphorus, the narrow waterway that separates Europe from Asia, to enter the Black Sea. Day 3 AT SEA Spend the day at sea sailing toward Kerch. Day 4 KERCH, Crimea, Ukraine Sited at the easternmost part of the Crimea and guarding the narrow entrance into the Sea of Azov, Kerch, the ancient Pantikapaion, was founded by Greeks from Miletos in the late 7th through early-6th centuries B.C. Our tour of Kerch focuses on the area of Mitridat Hill, where most of the city’s ancient remains are found, including the acropolis of Pantikapaion, with its temple of Apollo; the Melek-Chesmensky Tomb; the mausoleum of the Bosporan Kings; and the church of St. John the Baptist, which dates to the 8th century and has preserved many of its frescos. Day 5 AZOV and TANAIS, Russia Navigating the Sea of Azov, a lake-like sea that connects to the Black Sea through the narrow Kerch strait, Corinthian II arrives in the port city of Azov, on the mouth of the Don River. Founded in the 3rd century B.C. by Greeks and called Tanais, the city prospered through trade, becoming the main contact point between the Greco-Roman world and the inhabitants to the north. It later fell to the Kievan Rus, the Cumans, the Genoese, the Turks, and the Don Cossacks. Peter the Great captured the city in 1696, thus allowing Russian access to the south. Explore the ruins of Tanais, situated on a plateau, and visit the museum, which houses artifacts from the excavations. In Azov, visit the Fortress of Azov, originally built by the Turks and taken over by the Don Cossacks in 1637, and the Municipal Museum, with its exhibits illustrating Cossack history. Day 6 FEODOSIYA | SUDAK | FEODOSIYA, Crimea, Ukraine Returning to the Black Sea, the ship will call at Feodosiya, a pleasant port city with attractive old mansions and inviting tree-lined promenades. Drive to the town of Sudak, an old trading center and a stop on the Silk Road to China. Sudak’s main attraction is the huge Genoese Fortress, built in the 14th and 15th centuries on a large cliff overlooking the sea. Ten of the eighteen towers survive, and its walls extend for more than 1.5 miles. Explore the fortress and return to Feodosiya to reboard Corinthian II. Day 7 YALTA In the mid-19th century, the Russian imperial family chose Yalta for its summer residence, and almost overnight the town mushroomed into an elegant and popular resort. Tour the Alupka Palace, a stunning 19th-century edifice with both English Tudor and Byzantine embellishments, and Anton Chekhov’s House. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Livadia Palace, famed site of the 1945 Yalta Conference among Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, and attend a private concert at its Organ Hall. Day 8 SEVASTOPOL | CHERSONESOS | BAKHCHYSARAY | SEVASTOPOL Arrive in Sevastopol, a beautiful port city and the former base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet from the days of Catherine II until the fall of the Soviet Union. Drive to nearby Chersonesos, an ancient city founded by Greeks in the 5th century B.C. that became a prosperous trading post. Return to Sevastopol to visit the Panorama Museum, featuring a circular, three-dimensional work of art depicting the defense of the city during the Crimean War. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure in Sevastopol, or alternatively, drive to the Crimean interior to explore Bakhchysaray, the seat of the Tatar state from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Visit the imperial Khan’s Palace, built in 1519. Day 9 ODESSA Stroll through Odessa’s elegant leafy streets, lined with stately mansions. Discover its prime landmarks, including the grand, Viennese Baroque-style Opera House; the historic Potemkin Steps, site of the 1905 uprising of workers and sailors from the battleship Potemkin; and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to meet with local families in their homes, or enjoy time at leisure in the city. Day 10 VARNA, Bulgaria Explore Varna, founded in 580 B.C. as the ancient Greek trading colony Odessos. Visit the domed Cathedral of the Assumption, with its splendid iconostasis and bishop’s throne, and the Archaeological Museum. Continue to the remains of the Roman Thermae (Baths) and the adjacent Church of Sveti Atanas, and then to the grounds of Evksinograd Palace, a former royal summer residence, and its botanical gardens, built in 1882 by Prince Alexander Battenberg. Day 11 ISTANBUL, Turkey | DISEMBARK Disembark in Istanbul and transfer to the airport.

Single Supplement:The single supplement has been waived for this program.

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
• 10-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 114-guest Corinthian II
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Professional tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers

BOOKING AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
At the time when/if you decide to go ahead with your cruise on board the Corinthian II Yacht we will send to you our booking confirmation document. Our booking confirmation document includes detailed terms and conditions applicable to your cruise.
The deposit of USD 1,200.00 per person will secure your reservation. Payment for the reservation is to be accomplished within one week from the day when we issue and send to you by email our booking confirmation document. Final payment due will be no later than 95 days prior to your embarkation.
All cancellations of confirmed reservations are subject to a $US 400,00 per person administrative fee. Additionally, passengers are subject to any cancellation fees assessed by the purveyors of services, including airlines or hotels used in the itinerary.
Cancellations received 71-95 days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person.
Cancellations received within 70 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose not to participate.
Service fees may apply to deviations and are non-refundable.