Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Istanbul:
Arrival in Istanbul, transfer to hotel, welcome dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Istanbul:
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Istanbul. Historically Byzantium and later Constantinople, Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. The city covers 25 districts of the Istanbul province. It is located on the Bosphorus and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world situated on two continents. The "Historic Areas of Istanbul" have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lunch in a local restaurant, dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 3: Nessebar:
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Lunch in the local restaurant, transfer to Nessebar. Walking city tour includes visit to the Old Town, ancient ruins and churches and one of the town's symbols - the wooden windmill. Return to the ship for lunch on board. In the afternoon, embarkation and transfer by bus to Istanbul, accommodation at a hotel, dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 4: Nessebar:
Breakfast. Enjoy your walking tour of Nassebar. Walking city tour includes visit to the Old Town, ancient ruins and churches and one of the town's symbols - the wooden windmill. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 5: Constanta:
Breakfast. Arrival in Constanta, city tour. Situated at the crossroads of several commercial routes, Constanta lies on the western coast of the Black Sea, 185 miles from the Bosphorus Strait. An ancient metropolis and Romania’s largest sea port, Constanta traces its history some 2,500 years. Excursion to Histria, one of the oldest urban settlements in Romania. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 6: Odessa:
After breakfast, arrive in Odessa and take a tour of this extraordinary city. Thanks to its old romantic traditions, Odessa is considered one of the world's most fascinating cities. The inimitable coloring of the city is sustained not only by the sea, the aroma of the acacia flowers and velvety summer nights; it is also enhanced by marvelous monuments of 19th-century architecture. Unique in their beauty, the Opera House, the Museum of Western and Oriental Art, the Museum of Archeology and, of course, the famous Potemkin Staircase are symbols of the city's splendid past and superb present. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 7: Odessa:
Explore on your own. Whatever your interest, our local hosts ease your way by making all arrangements for optional tours. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 8: Yalta:
Today enjoy the city tour of Yalta. The loveliest among Black Sea resorts lies in a natural amphitheater framed by the Crimean Mountains and the sea. It was once the retreat of the tsars and Russian nobility; later it became the playground of Soviet leaders. Yalta has a magical reputation for its sunshine, fine wines and relaxed living. Visit Levadia Palace, built in 1911 for Tsar Nicolas II, which hosted the Yalta Conference in February 1945. During this extraordinary event, the leaders of the three Allied powers – Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin – decided on the postwar division of Europe. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 9: Yalta:
Today in Yalta you may explore on your own. Whatever your interest, our local hosts ease your way by making all arrangements for optional tours. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 10: Sevastopol:
After breakfast, take a city tour of Sevastopol and visit the Panorama Museum. The city was closed to foreigners until 1996. It is a home base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which leases bays and infrastructure from Ukraine. Sevastopol has a long heroic history and is famous for its siege resistance during the Crimean War and World War II. These events are commemorated throughout the city in numerous monuments and the famous 115-meter-long (377 ft) panorama hall. Among the city's historical attractions are the ruins of the ancient Greek colony Chersonesus, founded in 421 BC. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 11: Kherson:
This morning, arrive in Kherson, an opportunity to learn its rich history and admire its unique architecture. Enjoy a boat trip to a traditional fishing village, meet local residents and experience their way of life. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 12: Zaporozhye:
Morning arrival in Zaporozhye. Take the panoramic city tour. The city of Zaporozhye is more than 200 years old, situated about 600 km southeast of Kiev. Archaeological finds in the area suggest that the Scythian nomads were living here 2,000 to 3,000 years ago. In the 15th to 17th centuries it was the Cossack fortress Zaporizka Sich. In 1770, the Russian government established a new fortress at the Dnipr River, named Aleksandrovsk. Until the beginning of the 20th century Aleksandrovsk was a small town. In 1921 the city's name was changed to Zaporozhye. During and after World War II, the city was the location of prisoner-of-war camps. Enjoy a visit to legendary Khortitsya island. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 13: Cruising:
Breakfast. Enjoy your first day of cruising. On board entertainment, lectures, movies, dancing. Lunch and dinner aboard.
Day 14: Kiev:
Breakfast aboard the ship. After breakfast a half-day city tour. Includes “Vladimir’s Old Town” – the place where Prince Vladimir the Baptist founded his Kremlin and built the first Christian church in Kievan Rus State. See the panorama ground and Dnipr River. See the Golden Gate of Kiev, University Building, Opera House, Kreshchatik Street, Arch of Friendship Monument to the founders of the city of Kiev and St. Vladimir’s Cathedral. Also an inside visit to St. Sophia Cathedral – Kiev’s oldest surviving church, built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise to glorify Christianity, with 13 majestic domes, ancient frescoes and mosaics. This evening you leave Kiev for the start of your cruise. Lunch and dinner on board.
Day 15: Kiev:
Breakfast aboard. Check out from hotel. Time to bid farewell to your new friends. We transfer you to the airport after your unforgettable journey.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
* Accommodations in all outside stateroom, each with private bathroom facilities, individual temperature control and large picture window.
* Three meals per day in the ship's restaurant with the same menu for all passengers irrespective of cabin category; meal service begins with dinner on day of embarkation and ends with breakfast on day of disembarkation.
* Captain’s welcome Cocktail Reception.
* Gala farewell Dinner aboard.
* Full sightseeing programs in each of the ports of cal.
* English-speaking guide assistance.
* Lectures on Russian History and Culture.
* Russian language and songs lessons.
* Nightly entertainment and dancing.
* Daily aerobics.
* Tour of the ship’s bridge.
* Our cruise director and professional staff.
* Visa support letter.
* Cruise documents.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Ukraine
Bulgaria
Local Culture
Sightseeing
Boating and Sailing
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