Road Scholar : Home
Voyages to Antiquity: The Black Sea, from Istanbul to Istanbul

Program Number: 19520RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/8/2012 - 7/24/2012; 7/14/2013 - 7/29/2013; 8/28/2013 - 9/12/2013;
Duration: 16 nights
Location: Turkey/Georgia/Ukraine/Bulgaria
Price starting at: $5,480.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises
Meals: 43; 15 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 14 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt; Gluten Free    

Embark on a voyage that brings to life the fascinating and intriguing history of the Black Sea, from the birth of civilization to the dramatic end of the Cold War. Find yourself on the Crimean War battlefields where the British cavalry made the ill-fated charge commemorated in Tennyson’s poem and where Florence Nightingale became a nursing pioneer. Step inside the palace where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin decided Europe’s future and gain entry to a secret Soviet sub base.




Activity Particulars

Walking up and downhill, up to two miles per day. Standing up to four hours per day, with breaks; uneven terrain and steep stairs without railings at historic sites.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

Istanbul (Turkey), 3 nights; aboard Aegean Odyssey, 11 nights.



Day 1:
Overnight flight from the U.S.A.




Days 2-5:
Arrival Istanbul (Turkey):

Discover the architectural treasures of Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Explore the Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar and enjoy a private boat excursion on the Bosphorus.
Lodging: Four-star hotel.



Days 6:
Embark Aegean Odyssey / At Sea:

Voyage along the southern coast of the Black Sea and take part in onboard expert lectures.



Day 7:
Trabzon:

Enjoy a field trip to the Sumela Monastery, a stunning Greek Orthodox monastery built into a sheer cliff face in the 4th century.



Day 8:
Batumi (Georgia):

In this Georgian port city, walk through the seaside Batumi Botanical Gardens, containing over 1,000 varieties of roses and featuring beautiful views.



Day 10:
Feodosiya (Ukraine):

Journey to the Genoese fortress at Sudak, a remarkably well-preserved citadel perched high on a clifftop protecting the town.



Day 11:
Yalta:

Explore this elegant town that was once the summer residence of the tsars, including visits to Chekhov’s house-museum, Livadia Palace, the Swallow's Nest Castle, and the Vorontsov Palace.



Days 12-13:
Sevastopol:

Delve into the story of the Crimean War at the Panorama Museum of Sevastopol. Go inside a Soviet nuclear submarine base known as the “fish’s nest.”



Day 14:
Odessa:

An expert-led excursion in Odessa is highlighted by the neo-baroque Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater and the famous Potemkin Stairs.



Day 15:
Nessebur (Bulgaria):

Explore Nessebur’s beautiful old town including the Byzantine-style Church of Christ Pantokrator and the Archaeological Museum.



Day 16:
Istanbul / disembark / departure




MV Aegean Odyssey

The Aegean Odyssey is a premium class ship especially rebuilt for cruising in the coastal waters and among the islands of the Mediterranean, visiting small, uncrowded harbors that large ocean liners can't reach. Public areas include Mediterranean-influenced restaurants, a library, Internet center, sweeping sun decks, outdoor pool, gym and spa.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Eleni Petroutsou
Born in Athens, Eleni Petroutsou has always been intrigued by the wider world — in school, she learned English, Italian, German and some Spanish. After studying archaeology and history at university, she graduated from the State School of Tour Guides. Her 36 years of experience as a group leader have taken her to Asia, the Middle East and beyond. She says leading Road Scholar programs gives her “the opportunity to share my knowledge with well-traveled, educated, polite and interesting people!”
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Armada Hotel
  Istanbul, Turkey 3 nights
   MV Aegean Odyssey
  Istanbul, Turkey
MV Aegean Odyssey - At Sea, At Sea		 12 nights
 Armada Hotel
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The 4-star Armada Hotel is located in the historic peninsula of Istanbul, with views of two of the great masterpieces of world architecture; the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The hotel offers modern comfort and convenience discreetly incorporated into the Turkish-inspired architecture, and period engravings throughout the hotel provide an insight into Istanbul's by-gone eras. The name of the Armada Hotel is a tribute to the memory of the renowned Ottoman Admiral Hayrettin Pasha Barbarossa. Located in the heart of the Old City, the hotel is within walking distance of museums, churches and other major attractions.
  Contact info: Ahirkapi Street 24
Sultanahmet
Istanbul,  34122 Turkey
phone: +90 212 455 44 55
web: www.armadahotel.com.tr
  Room amenities: Each room has a mini bar, hair dryer, bathrobes, telephone, LCD television, safe box, free wireless Internet, 24-hour room service and air conditioning.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers two restaurants, a bar, lounge, meeting rooms, business center with computers and printers, library, free WIFI Internet access throughout the hotel, laundry service and air conditioning. The rooftop restaurants offer magnificent views of the area.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: N/A Please contact Baltac Tours if you would like assistance making hotel reservations for additional non-program nights. kazim@baltactours.com
  Check in time: 2:00 PM

 MV Aegean Odyssey
Type: Cruise Ship
  Description: The MV Aegean Odyssey offers boutique-style cruising at its best. In contrast to the massive vessels cruising to and from major ports, it is a midsized ship adapted for island and coastal cruising. The Aegean Odyssey can visit smaller, less crowded harbors and sail closer to the coast enabling you to really appreciate the magical views.
  Ship Information: Ship’s Tonnage: 11,563 Length: 461 feet Beam: 67 feet Draft: 20.5 feet Cruising Speed: 18 knots Passenger Decks: 7 Stabilizers: 2 Passenger Staterooms/Cabins: 198 Passengers – lower beds: 378 Classification: Lloyd’s Register Society London Ship’s Registration: Malta
  Contact info: Voyages to Antiquity
1800 SE 10th Avenue, Suite 230
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 USA
phone: 877-398-1460
web: www.voyagestoantiquity.com
  Room amenities: All cabins are equipped with a flat screen TV, air-conditioning, and personal safe. Particular importance is placed on the standard of bedding in cabins. Luxury bedding, including fine duvets, covers and sheets, ample soft pillows and quality towels can be expected. Also, shampoo, bath and shower gel, soap, and shower cap are provided. Your cabin steward is always available. Cabins and suites feature outlets with 220 voltage, using the “European” two round pin plug. Hair dryers are provided in your cabin and electric rollers, curling irons, electric shavers and other small appliances can be used in your cabin. For safety reasons, travel irons are not allowed.
  Facility amenities: Dining: MV Aegean Odyssey offers many dining facilities: The Marco Polo Restaurant is the ship's more formal restaurant, providing casual country-club elegance for lunch or dinner; The Terrace Cafe offers a combination of indoor and outdoor seating where you can indulge in breakfast, lunch and dinner from the grill or the sumptuous daily buffet. In the evenings, you will feel as though you have stepped into an authentic Mediterranean bistro as you enjoy breathtaking views over dinner at Tapas on the Terrace. *There is a complimentary choice of wine, beer, or soft drinks with your evening meal. There will be a string trio, pianist and casual dancing before and after dinner. You may also wish to partake in afternoon tea, served in the Observation Lounge. Or perhaps an evening snack and cocktail, available in the Lido and Rendezvous bars. A limited room service menu is available. Special Diets: Please advise us at the time of booking of any special dietary requirements. The ship can usually meet most general requests such as those made with an air carrier; however, this cannot always be guaranteed. Services: Library; outdoor pool; spa and Jacuzzi; health center, saunas, massage and beauty treatment rooms and early morning yoga on the Lido Deck; elevators; Internet center (open 24 hours and a charge of $18 for 4 non-consecutive hours is applied, no wireless available); beauty salon; medical center; laundry and pressing services (order form and laundry bag is provided in cabin); lecture theater and cinema and on board shop.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Istanbul, Turkey. 6:00 PM Welcome meeting in the hotel lobby. You will be staying at Armada Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Istanbul, Turkey. After breakfast on the last day. You will be staying at MV Aegean Odyssey the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. The Voyages to Antiquity Guest Registration Form is required.
  Parking availability:
N/A
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
To Start of Program
  Location:  Istanbul
  Nearest city or town:  In town
  Nearest airport:  Atatürk International Airport
  Transportation to site: The Armada Hotel is located about 10 miles from the airport. Taxi ride to the hotel from the airport costs approximately 45 Turkish Liras (USD $25).
  From End of Program
  Location:  MV Aegean Odyssey - At Sea
  Transportation from site: The Aegean Odyssey will provide transfers to the Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Inquire onboard for pricing.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Departures
(Sunday, July 8)
   
 In Transit: Depart US/Canada on international overnight flight.

Day 2: Welcome
(Monday, July 9)
   
 Afternoon: Arrival at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport (IST). Meet group outside of customs. Transfer to the Armada Hotel. Welcome Orientation at 6:00 PM in hotel lobby.
 Dinner: Dinner in hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Armada Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Istanbul, Turkey
(Tuesday, July 10)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in hotel dining room.
 Morning: Start the day by visiting the amazing church of Hagia Sophia, possibly the most important architectural monument in the city, standing gracefully since 537 AD. Also see the beautiful Underground Cisterns, built by the illustrious Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 532 AD to store water underground. In the second half of the morning, visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts housed in the 16th century Ibrahim Pasha Palace.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: In the afternoon visit the Chora Church/Kariye Museum to witness its exquisite mosaics and frescoes from the 14th century, a period of Byzantine reawakening in arts.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Armada Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Istanbul, Turkey
(Wednesday, July 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Start the day with a visit to the Dolmabahce Palace, the second palace of the Ottoman Sultans in 19th century. This palace clearly demonstrates the political, economic, and cultural changes the Ottoman Empire experienced in 18th and 19th centuries. After the visit to the Palace, embark on a private cruise on the Bosphorus to explore the stunning palaces, mansions, and fortresses dotted along the Asian and European shores of the marvelous Bosphorus.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Field trip to the Hippodrome, the civic center of ancient Constantinople, where chariot races were run between the four teams of Blues, Greens, Whites, and Reds. Then visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, world renowned for its exquisite Iznik tiles surrounding the interior of this wonderful mosque.
 Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.
   
Accommodations: Armada Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Istanbul, Turkey - Embark the MV Aegean Odyssey
(Thursday, July 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Check out from the hotel and visit the Topkapi Palace and the Harem in the morning. The Topkapi Palace was the seat of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years and a great testimony to the wealth and power of the Ottoman Empire.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Spend the rest of the day visiting the Spice Bazaar, where exotic aromas capture the visitors upon entering. Continue the day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar to discover its maze-like streets and alleys and 4,000 shops! Embark the MV Aegean Odyssey at 3:00 PM. Road Scholar orientation to the ship in the "Observation Lounge" at 4:30 PM.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Cruising the Southern Coast of the Black Sea
(Friday, July 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: At sea. Enjoy the Observation Deck if the weather is nice, or dive into a good book from the ship's library. Attend a lecture given by a shipboard guest speaker.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: At sea. Relax and continue to enjoy your day at sea as the ship makes it way to Trabzon. Attend a talk by your Road Scholar Group Leader.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Trabzon, Turkey
(Saturday, July 14)

Note: Heavy walking for one or more hours over uneven terrain, with multiple uphill segments.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: With its eerie mist and forested background the mountainside monastery of Sumela is one of Turkey's most magical destinations and is being considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This spectacular monastery is perched on a mountain ledge. Construction began in 385AD when Barnabas, a monk from Athens, and his nephew Sophronios carved the first two rooms into sheer rock to house a miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin they found in a mountain cave. Byzantine Emperor Justinian ordered an enlargement in the 6th century. The monastery was looted and burned in the 7th century, but later restored by the Comnenids. Work would continue to the 19th century. To this day, it remains a wonder how this huge monastery was built into the rock cliffs of a mountain given the primitive technology of the time. Legend holds that this ethereal structure was built to house a miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin painted by St Luke. By the 14th century the monastery had grown to a 72-room maze of courtyards, chapels and a library. From the bottom, looking up, you might think it would be impossible to reach the site without heavenly guidance, and from the top you will find the breathtaking panoramas are indeed divine.
 Lunch: Road Scholar lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: After lunch, take a coach to Findikli, a small mountain village outside of Trabzon. Visit the local mosque, sit down in the coffeehouse, and share tea and coffee with the locals. The villagers grow hazelnuts and you will be there a few weeks before the harvest so the trees will be filled with fruits. The name of the town, Findikli, translates to "the village with hazelnuts." There will be time for a discussion about life in this small Turkish village. Enjoy free time to relax or explore Trabzon before returning to the ship.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Evening departure for Batumi. Attend a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Batumi, Georgia
(Sunday, July 15)

Note: There is a gentle incline at the upper part of the Botanical Gardens.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Discover the large, well-preserved fortress that once marked an important Hellenistic and Roman urban center in the region of Colchis. Mythology holds that Jason came to this kingdom in search of the Golden Fleece, and indeed archaeologists have found objects that date as far back as the 8th century BC. En route to the fortress, you'll visit old and new Batumi, the capital of Georgia's autonomous republic of Adjara. Evidence of the city's revitalization is everywhere: a huge tourist complex, an Aqua Park and a Dolphinarium. Other landmarks on the horizon include Adjarian House with its models of Georgian ethnographic sites, the Racing Circuit sculpture, even a Trump Tower. Your destination is the Gonio Fortress, built at the mouth of the Chorokhi River in the latter half of the 1st century AD. The site rose to prominence in Hellenistic and Roman times, but successive rulers added their touches: pebble-and-brick walls by the Byzantines and merlons by the Ottomans. The Apostle Matthias, who replaced Judas, is said to be buried beneath the crenellated walls. Enjoy a guided excursion of the mighty towers, the Roman baths and the garrison mosque. Next visit Adjara State Museum, housed in a classical 19th-century Treasury building. Here, over 100,000 exhibits illuminate the history, culture and life of Adjara. Continue to Batumi's European Square, dominated by a monumental sculpture of Medea. Conclude your visit at Primorsky Park, founded in 1884. The beautiful colonnade, musical fountains and sparkling blue sea provide a lovely image to take back to the ship.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: A free afternoon to explore Batumi. You may wish to visit the vibrant market or the Ethnographic Museum. Enjoy a late afternoon Road Scholar cocktail party.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Evening departure for Sochi. Attend a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Sochi, Russia
(Monday, July 16)

Note: Today includes medium to heavy walking. This may include cobblestones, or slippery surfaces, and some stair climbing. Guests with physical limitations will want to take this into consideration.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: A short drive through the picturesque tree-lined streets of Sochi brings you to the heart of this fashionable resort city. Your route will pass by the St. Archangel Michael church. Disembarking your coach, you'll begin a delightful walking excursion along the popular seaside promenade along the upper part of the seafront up to the very center of Sochi, the Theatre Square where you will see the magnificent building of the Winter Theatre. Then you visit the dacha of Joseph Stalin, absolute leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. While Stalin had several such summer retreats, one of his favorites was in Sochi, which is located in Russia. With its sub-tropical climate, beautiful parks and curative sanatori, Sochi was a favorite holiday spot for Russian aristocrats, later Politburo elite, and, most recently, Vladimir V. Putin. Take the winding path that leads to Stalin's summer villa, set atop a green hill with a lookout fort in the distance where snipers kept watch. Ever fearful of assassination, Stalin removed a fountain that might cover any sound of an approach. Visit the simple stone-and-wood dacha with its courtyard garden. See the furnishings of Stalin's everyday life: a desk with letters from such leaders as Mao, a bulletproof couch, and his beloved pool table. Walk the balconies where he smoked, drank and, it is said, considered his moves against the Third Reich. A second, more elaborate building, is home to the uniquely-shaped indoor pool used in Stalin's health treatments, along with a conference room, dinner hall and movie room. Drive next to Akhum Mount, where a 100-foot tower gives a panoramic view of the coast, the foothills of the Caucasus and the surrounding forests.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: At sea. In the afternoon, we depart for Feodosiya, Ukraine. Attend a talk by your Road Scholar Group Leader.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Enjoy a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Feodosiya, Ukraine
(Tuesday, July 17)

Note: This day includes heavy walking for one or more hours over uneven terrain with multiple uphill segments.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: You don't need to be a military architect to appreciate the Ukraine's most impressive surviving fortress, perched on a massive cliff above the town of Sudak. In the 13th century the Genoese set up large trading posts in the eastern Crimea which thrived on commerce along the Silk Route to China and central Asia. One of the defenses remaining from this time of Italian colonization in the Black Sea overlooks the town of Sudak. This remarkably preserved fortress is hailed by UNESCO as a unique complex of monuments of medieval archaeology and architecture of the 6th to 16th centuries. The magnificent sandstone structure was built during the 14th and 15th centuries by Tatar craftsmen with massive 6½-foot-thick walls that blend harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape of sheer cliffs and sea. This superb example of Genoese fortification architecture resembles a mini Great Wall of China. Of the 18 original towers, 10 remain, many with their original Italian names. These include the Tower of Torsello, the Consul's Tower and the mysterious Virgin's Tower. Walk the cobblestone courtyard and take in the spectacular views. Following your visit there'll be more panoramas to enjoy on the scenic drive back to the port.
 Lunch: Lunch on board or explore local fare on your own.
 Afternoon: A free afternoon to explore the resort town of Feodosiya. The ship will offer an optional excursion to see the sights of Feodosiya (additional cost, bookable on board). Please see the Optional Excursions page for a full description.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: A late evening departure for Yalta. Attend a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Yalta, Ukraine
(Wednesday, July 18)

Note: There are approximately five steps to Chekhov House restrooms.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Combine a visit to the home of writer Anton Chekhov with a visit to Livadia Palace, the last summer residence of Tsar Nicholas II and site of the Yalta Conference in 1945. Drive from the ship, enjoying a panoramic view of Yalta en route to the Anton Chekhov Memorial House, where the Russian author (1860-1904) wrote his famous short story The Lady With A Lap Dog and such plays as The Cherry Orchard and The Three Sisters. The charming two-story cottage sits amid delightful gardens laced with a winding footpath. Chekhov designed both the house and gardens himself. He also loved to entertain, and his guests included Tolstoy, Gorky and Rachmaninov who played the piano you can see in the sitting room. Drive next to Livadia Palace. Built in 1911 for the last tsar, this neo-Renaissance palace was site of the February 1945 Yalta Conference when Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin met to divide post-World War II Europe. Franklin Roosevelt and members of the American delegation stayed at this palace, designed by Russian architect Nickolay Krasnov in white Crimean stone. Enjoy a guided excursion of the palace's rooms which evoke a tsarist past.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: Enjoy free time to explore Yalta.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Attend a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Yalta, Ukraine
(Thursday, July 19)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Step into a world of impressive wealth on this field trip featuring exotic Alupka Palace. Your drive begins with a photo stop at a viewpoint above the famed Swallow's Nest Castle where you have a superb view of this Gothic fairytale castle. Since its construction in 1912, the castle has been the symbol of Yalta and the Crimea. Drive next to Vorontsov Palace in Alupka, enjoying panoramic views of the coast and Ai-Petri Mountain, the palace's stunning backdrop. Alupka Palace is also known as Vorontsov Palace because it was built for Count Mikhail Vorontsov, one of the richest men in 19th century Russia. The building was designed by English architect, Edward Blore, who designed parts of Buckingham Palace. Work on the grandiose building started in 1826. The Count imported serfs from his estates throughout Russia to complete the palace and park. The result is a bold-but-harmonious blend of styles in a building that resembles a Scottish castle from one angle and the Moorish Alhambra from another. Explore the lavish interior into which Vorontsov poured his wealth unstintingly. View such splendors as the Wedgwood blue room, the English dining hall and indoor conservatory. Admire the Southern Façade behind the palace where six marble lions by Italian sculptor Bonani flank an ornate staircase. When Winston Churchill stayed here during the 1945 Yalta Conference, he is said to have remarked that one of the lions resembled him. Since then, it's been known as the Churchill Lion. Finally, a photo stop at the recently built St Michael’s church, located over the Tsar’s Path, with panoramic views of the southern coast of the Crimea.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: A free afternoon to explore Yalta. The ship will offer an optional excursion either to Nikitsky Botanical Gardens or to the Massandra Palace and Winery (additional cost, bookable on board).
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Late night departure for Sevastopol. Attend a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Sevastopol, Ukraine
(Friday, July 20)

Note: Some uneven surfaces. Hats, sun block and walking shoes recommended. Temperatures inside the Balaklava Harbor museum can be cool, so consider a sweater or jacket.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: "Into the valley of death rode the six hundred." Visit Balaklava Battlefield, the setting for the doomed Charge of the Light Brigade described in Tennyson's famous poem. Your adventure starts with a drive to Sevastopol's vast 377-foot panorama hall, where valor in the Crimean War is depicted in the magnificent (377 feet long, 45 feet high) painting. Opened in 1905, the museum's showpiece is an enormous canvas by Russian battle artist F. Roubaud depicting the assault on Sevastopol on June 18, 1855. From atop the observation platform in the center of the hall, you will feel as if you are on Malakhov Hill during one of the fiercest battles of the Crimean War. This excursion also visits the 4th bastion, which was one of the main fortifications of the city during the siege of Sevastopol. Your field trip continues to Sapoune Ridge and observation platform over the Balaklava Battlefield, site of the ill-fated British cavalry charge on October 25, 1854. Stand on almost the same spot where British Commander-in-Chief Lord Raglan watched the disaster unfold and imagine his horror as he saw his men ride into a cul-de-sac controlled on three sides by the enemy. Sapoune Ridge is also site of a memorial to World War II and there is an outdoor display of weapons used during battles in Sevastopol. Your guide will relate the history and you will have some free time before continuing to Balaklava Valley, where vineyards now grow, to lay wreaths at the Monument Stone of Reconciliation.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: Discover a top-secret Cold War facility straight out of a James Bond film. Now a Naval Museum, the secretive submarine site is one of many historic spots on Balaklava's seafront. Ancient Greek and Byzantine historians spoke of this inlet as Symbolon-Limne, the Harbor of Omens. Homer deemed it a pirate's lair. During the Crimean War of 1853- 56 and the siege of Sevastopol, Britain used this harbor as an army supply base, building the first Crimean railway from the docks to the front-line near Sevastopol. The harbor's unique S-shape made it an ideal shelter for ships, but not enough to protect them from the severe winter of 1854, which destroyed much of the fleet and threatened to do the same to the sailors. Back home, women knitted wool caps and sent them to Balaklava. Drive from the port to the Naval Museum, formerly an underground plant for submarines which could carry nuclear weapons. This made Balaklava one of the most restricted towns in Russia until the Soviet Union collapse in 1991. The base is hidden deep inside the hillside and accessed by canals running through an underground cave to a secret inner harbor. The base was complete with dry dock and room for up to 10 submarines capable of carrying nuclear missiles. At one time most of Balaklava worked at this top-secret base. Today a guided excursion lets you see the inner workings of this hush-hush facility. Then continue to Balaklava's seafront for a refreshing stroll during which you'll learn more about this harbor and the town's Genoese heritage, which includes majestic Cembalo Fortress on the Eastern Cape.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Overnight in Sevastopol.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Sevastopol, Ukraine
(Saturday, July 21)

Note: There is over a mile of walking and some uneven surfaces, with 70 steps. Photos and video are not allowed inside the Cathedral.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Trace the roots of Russian Orthodox Christianity and earlier civilizations on a walking excursion of Chersonesos, a Greek colony founded in 422BC. In addition, visit the site's Archaeological Museum and magnificent St Vladimir Cathedral. Chersonesos played an important role in Crimean and Russian history. It is called the cradle of Russian Orthodox Christianity, for it is here that the Kievan Prince Vladimir was baptized in 988AD and introduced the faith to his country. Drive from the ship to the magnificent ruins whose name means "peninsula”. Here you'll begin your walking excursion. Sights include a Greek theater, Roman temples and fortifications. View elaborate marble columns from an early Christian church. Explore the site's Archaeological Museum, where thousands of years of history are chronicled in pottery, mosaics, coins, and ornaments excavated at the site. In addition, explore St Vladimir Cathedral, built in the 19th century on a small hill overlooking the site. This Byzantine style church has recently been restored and the effect is impressive.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to enjoy Sevastopol. Alternatively, you may wish to take an optional excursion to Khan’s Palace (additional cost, bookable on board).
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Evening departure to Odessa. Attend a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Odessa, Ukraine
(Sunday, July 22)

Note: Please dress respectfully entering the cathedral. Women are asked to cover heads. No shorts for men. Photos and video are not allowed inside the Cathedral.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Discover historic and cultural landmarks of Odessa. Drive from the port to the new monument to Catherine the Great, where the walk begins. See the statue of Odessa's first governor, the Duke de Richelieu, set above the sweeping Potemkin Staircase, which welcomes visitors arriving by sea. Continue with a walking excursion along historic Prymorsky Boulevard, lined with majestic trees and aristocratic palaces. At City Hall, view the statue of the poet Pushkin and a British cannon captured during the Crimean War. Explore the Archaeology Museum's artifacts from Greek, Scythian, and Slav cultures, as well as its Golden Room of ancient jewelry. See the exterior of the grandiose Opera and Ballet Theater, a 19th-century structure by Viennese architects, where Anna Pavlova once danced. Then drive to City Garden, a small park centrally located beside the famous Deribovskaya Street. It is decorated with flowers and a fountain in the middle. Have a walk in the garden and call at the Passage to see its beautiful interior. Next proceed to the recently restored Transfiguration Cathedral, Odessa's largest church. In Cathedral Square, you'll have free time to browse. Admire the monument to Count Mikhail Vorontsov (1781-1856), a former governor who built the first steamship to navigate the Dnieper and established steamship service for Black Sea ports. Following this highlight-filled trip, you return to the port.
 Lunch: Road Scholar lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to enjoy Odessa. You may wish to take an optional excursion to the Catacombs & Monument to an Unknown Soldier (additional cost, bookable on board).
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Evening departure for Nessebur. Attend a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Nessebur, Bulgaria
(Monday, July 23)

Note: Extensive walking, some uneven terrain and 70 steps. Most sites are not accessible by wheelchair.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: At sea. Sailing toward Nessebur. Attend a talk by your Road Scholar Group Leader.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: Step back in time on a delightful stroll through the heart of Old Nessebur, one of Bulgaria's most endearing towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 3,000 years ago Thracians came to this rocky peninsula and founded a settlement called Menabria. Greeks followed with a colony in 6BC. In the middle ages, this was one of the most important Byzantine towns on the Black Sea's west coast. Each layer of history enriches Nessebur, where a walk takes you through the centuries. There are walls of the original Thracian fort, and over 40 churches from the Byzantine Empire. Stroll along quiet cobblestone lanes winding down to the sea. Savor the charm of the small squares lined with 19th-century wood houses. Your guide will provide insight into Nessebur's history on your visit to the magnificent ruins of the Old Metropolitan Church, a basilica that dates to the 5th century. Step inside the Archaeological Museum to admire the brilliant display of local icon paintings that illuminate the city's Byzantine past. On this walking excursion, view Nessebur's abundant churches, which include Christ Pantocrator, St John Aliturgetos, Blessed Saviour, St Paraskeva and Holy Archangels. You will also enjoy a visit inside the 11th century Church of St Stefan, noted for its beautiful 16th century frescos. Following the excursion, there will be free time.
 Dinner: Farewell Dinner on board.
 Evening: Evening departure for Istanbul.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17: Istanbul, Turkey / Departures
(Tuesday, July 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Disembark and transfer to Istanbul's Ataturk Airport (IST) for departures.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


1453, The Holy War For Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West


Author: Roger Crowley


Description: In this well-paced history, Crowley recounts with drama the events surrounding the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks.



A Short History of Byzantium


Author: John Julius Norwich


Description: A richly detailed and evocative history of the tumultuous span of the great empire from the fourth century to the 15th, brimming with intrigue, skullduggery, palace revolution and other treachery.



Ancient Turkey, A Traveller's History


Author: Seton Lloyd


Description: Turkey's archaeology and early history for the traveler by the former head of the British Archaeological Institute in Ankara.



Art of the Byzantine Era


Author: David Talbot Rice


Description: Wide-ranging and literate, this thoroughly illustrated introduction to Byzantine art is an indispensable classic.



Black Sea


Author: Neal Ascherson


Description: In this skillful portrait of a region, Ascherson weaves his own travels and impressions with a fascinating account of the Black Sea's history. From ancient mythology to modern politics, he admirably never loses sight of the sea itself.



Borderland, A Journey through the History of Ukraine


Author: Anna Reid


Description: Reid, who was for three years the Kiev correspondent for The Economist, combines first-person reports, interviews and history in this vivid portrait of the region and its people. With chapters on Kiev and Odessa.



Bradt Guide Ukraine


Author: Andrew Evans


Description: This guide in the popular British series features comprehensive practical information and provides a short section on the country's history and culture. With over 30 maps.



Crescent and Star


Author: Stephen Kinzer


Description: This insightful anecdotal report on contemporary life, culture and politics in Turkey comes from a former New York Times Istanbul bureau chief who is especially attuned to the powerful geographic position of Turkey and its multiple identities in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.



Eyewitness Guide Istanbul


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: This superb guide to Istanbul features color photography, dozens of excellent local maps and a district-by-district synopsis of the city's attractions. Handsome, convenient and up-to-date, this is the guide to carry.



Istanbul, Memories and the City


Author: Orhan Pamuk


Description: Nobel Prize-winner Pamuk writes with quiet grace of the city of his birth, celebrated in his many novels: a magical place of crumbling mansions and Ottoman riches, mingling Asian, Islamic, secular and European influences.



Lords of the Horizons


Author: Jason Goodwin


Description: Goodwin artfully combines his modern travels with scholarship, history and reflection, capturing the outrageous personalities, events and vagaries of the 600-year-old Ottoman empire.



Noah's Flood, The New Scientific Discoveries about the Event That Changed History


Author: William Ryan, Walter Pitman


Description: Yes, there was a flood! So report the scientist-authors in this vivid account of the geology of the Black Sea. They draw on biblical history, marine geology, archaeology and mythology to demonstrate that the Black Sea was breached by the Mediterranean 7,600 years ago.



Russia, A Concise History


Author: Ronald Hingley


Description: Well-known scholar Hingley sketches Russia's multiple transformations from her illiterate, pagan, Slavic roots to a multi-ethnic empire in this highly readable, well-illustrated brief history.



Russia, Ukraine Belarus Map


Author: Marco Polo


Description: This more detailed regional map shows a slice of Russia from Moscow south to the southern shores of the Black Sea.



The Black Sea, A History


Author: Charles King


Description: A brisk history of the region, showing the Black Sea as uniting diverse cultures in the Balkans, Central Asia and the Middle East.



The Towers of Trebizond


Author: Rose MacAulay, Jan Morris (Introduction)


Description: Mixing high farce, archaeology, history and lively travel writing, MacAulay's impossibly clever short novel follows the adventures of English missionaries traipsing across Turkey.



Turkish Reflections, A Biography of a Place


Author: Mary Lee Settle


Description: Settle's travelogue is a richly detailed portrait of Turkey, its people, myths, treasures and traditions.





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