Circumnavigation of the Black Sea

Circumnavigation of the Black Sea
July 18 – 31, 2021

Overview:

Visit six countries in one trip—Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria. Choose from several tours highlighting Istanbul’s wealth of historic sites and architectural treasures. 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.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.

Brief Itinerary:
Day 1 – 2: Depart USA / Istanbul, Turkey
Day 3: Istanbul / Embark Le Bougainville
Day 4: Bartin / Safranbolu
Day 5: Samsun / Amasya
Day 6: Trabzon / Sumela
Day 7: Batumi, Georgia
Day 8: Sochi, Russia
Day 9: At Sea
Day 10: Odessa, Ukraine
Day 11: Danube River Delta, Romania
Day 12: Histria / Constanta
Day 13: Varna, Bulgaria
Day 14: Istanbul, Turkey / Disembark / USA

Interested in more information? Please contact Expedition Easy by calling 1-800-617-2319 or click here to e-mail the Expedition Easy Team.

Circumnavigation of the Black Sea
July 18 – 31, 2021

Day-by-day Itinerary:

Day 1 – 2 – Depart USA / Istanbul, Turkey
Board your overnight flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul on July 19, and transfer to the Pera Palace Hotel. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before our welcome dinner and briefing.

Day 3: Istanbul / Embark Le Bougainville
After breakfast, several guided tours will be available, offering a more in-depth exploration of the city. In the afternoon, board Le Bougainville and cruise toward the Black Sea up the scenic Bosporus.

Day 4 – 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. Enjoy lunch in a converted Ottoman caravanserai, with free time to explore on your own.

Day 5 – Samsun / Amasya
From the port of Samsun, drive inland to Amasya, former capital of the kingdom of Pontus during the third century BC. Explore the photogenic alleys lined with 19th-century Ottoman era houses, the ethnographic museum, and an Islamic seminary. Enjoy lunch overlooking the town and Pontic Tombs.

Day 6 – Trabzon / Sumela
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. Meet with a local expert who will share details on the extensive project to restore the magnificent interior frescoes to their former glory. This afternoon, explore the 13th-century Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church with exquisite frescoes, and spend some free time wandering through Trabzon.

Day 7 – Batumi, Georgia
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.

Day 8 – Sochi, Russia
This Russian mineral-spring resort community with a sub-tropical climate is sometimes called the Russian Riviera. This morning, explore the town with a special visit to Stalin’s dacha.

Day 9 – At Sea
Attend lectures today and enjoy the passing scenery during a
relaxing day at sea.

Day 10 – 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.

Day 11 – Danube River Delta, Romania
Take a walking tour of the small port of Tulcea and visit the Danube Canal Museum and Danube Ecologic Museum. Then, 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.

Day 12 – 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. We walk through fascinating seaside ruins, tour the new museum, and spot birds in this wetland environment. Next, explore Constanta and tour the archaeological museum and view one of the largest Roman mosaic floors in Europe.

Day 13 – Varna, Bulgaria
This morning, visit Varna’s archaeological museum that chronologically traces the progress of human society in the region over the course of millennia. We also explore the extensive remains of the 2nd-century Roman thermae, or public baths, which make up the largest Roman ruins in Bulgaria.

Day 14 – Istanbul, Turkey / Disembark / USA
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for homeward flights, arriving in the USA the same day.

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to change. In the spirit of expedition travel, plans may change slightly to take full advantage of encounters with the destination and its people, culture, and wildlife.

ZOE-SD2021

Circumnavigation of the Black Sea
July 18 – 31, 2021

Rates:

July 18 – 31, 2021
Trip Package Rate:

Le Bougainville – Category 1: Approx. $12,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Category 2: Approx. $13,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Category 2 Single: Approx. $17,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Category 3: Approx. $15,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Category 3 Single: Approx. $19,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Category 4: Approx. $17,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Category 5: Approx. $21,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Category 6: Approx. $30,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Suite: Approx. $32,990.00 per person sharing

Le Bougainville – Owner’s Suite: Approx. $42,990.00 per person sharing

– Rates are per person and are based on shared accommodations
– Rates are approximate until the time of booking
– Rates are quoted in USD and subject to change without prior notice
– Rates are based on availability at the time of booking

International Airfare:
Expedition Easy does not make international air reservations and international air is not included in your quote. However, please do let us know if you would like assistance with booking your international air. We would be happy to put you in touch with our airline partner, Exito Travel to assist you with your international air reservation.

Included:

Daily activity options including nature walks and 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 tranfers on group dates; gift certificates for recommended expedition gear; 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 above), and other incidentals; email/Internet/fax/telephone charges.

Deposit & Payments

A completed & signed Expedition Easy Reservation Form, along with your 25% trip deposit and full regional and/or domestic air payment (if applicable) is required at the time of booking.

Reservations

This itinerary is subject to the availability of all services at the time of making a reservation. No space is being held at this time. Please contact Expedition Easy for the full terms and conditions that apply. We are happy to answer questions and discuss your trip.

To reserve space on a trip on the Expedition Easy website, please contact Expedition Easy by calling 1-800-617-2319 or click here to e-mail the Expedition Easy Team.