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Voyages to Antiquity: The Black Sea, from Istanbul to Istanbul

Program Number: 19520RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/14/2013 - 7/29/2013; 8/28/2013 - 9/12/2013;
Duration: 15 nights
Location: Turkey/Georgia/Ukraine/Bulgaria
Price starting at: $5,890.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises
Meals: 40; 14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 13 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 2-4: 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 5-6: 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 9: Feodosiya (Ukraine):

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



Day 10:Yalta:

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



Days11-12: 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.”



Days 13-14: 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		 11 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 Road Scholar Travel Services if you would like assistance making hotel reservations for additional non-program nights. 1-800-241-1404
  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, 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; 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. Depart for IST 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. A taxi ride from the airport to the hotel costs approximately $30 USD and takes approximately 30 minutes. To book a private transfer, please contact info@baltactours.com.
  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 14)
   
 In Transit: Depart US/Canada on international overnight flight.

Day 2: Welcome
(Monday, July 15)
   
 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 16)
   
 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. 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.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: In the afternoon explore the beautiful Underground Cisterns, built by the illustrious Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 532 AD to store water underground. A visit to the award winning Archeology Museum will broaden your horizons as you will witness an outstanding collection of artifacts spanning across millennia including the magnificent Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Armada Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Istanbul, Turkey
(Wednesday, July 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Explore the Topkapi Palace and the Harem. 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: We visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, built by the famous architect Sinan, a small but gem-like mosque demonstrating the most stunning examples of 16th century Iznik tiles. On to the Spice Bazaar, where exotic aromas immediately capture its visitors.
 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 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: This morning, we embark on a private cruise on the Bosphorus to explore the stunning palaces, mansions, and fortresses dotted along the Asian and European shores of this marvelous strait.
 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. 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 in the late afternoon and depart for Trabzon. Late afternoon Road Scholar orientation to the ship in the "Observation Lounge."
 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 19)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: At sea. Attend a lecture given by a shipboard guest speaker.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: At sea. Relax and continue to enjoy the program 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 / Meeting Locals
(Saturday, July 20)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: A full-day in Trabzon. This morning's field trip will take us to the Sumela monastery. Built high in the mountains in the 4th century, the monastery is a place of astounding natural beauty.
 Lunch: Road Scholar lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Travel to a local village where we will visit the local mosque, meet the imam of the mosque and the mayor of the village, and share tea and coffee with the locals at a coffeehouse. The villagers grow hazelnuts and our visit will occur a few weeks prior to harvest, so the trees will be filled with hazelnuts. Then return to Trabzon for some free time before re-embarking 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 21)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Founded as a Greek trading colony in the 2nd century BC, Batumi is situated in a charming natural harbor. This morning we will visit the Botanic Gardens, covering 113 hectares and containing over 1,000 varieties of roses.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: A free afternoon to explore Batumi. You may wish to visit the vibrant market or the Ethnographic Museum.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Attend a shipboard guest lecture.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Feodosiya, Ukraine
(Monday, July 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: A little less than two hours’ drive from Feodosiya is the Genoese fortress at Sudak, the destination of this morning’s field trip. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries and perched high on a clifftop, this massive citadel is a truly remarkable monument.
 Lunch: Lunch on board or at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: A free afternoon to explore the resort town of Feodosiya.
 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 10: Yalta, Ukraine
(Tuesday, July 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: There is much to enjoy in this elegant town that was once the summer residence of the Russian royal family. This morning we will visit the Chekov House-Museum and the Livadia Palace. Built as a summer residence for Tsar Nicholas II in 1911, the Livadia Palace was the site of the 1945 conference between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: Free time to explore Yalta.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Sevastopol, Ukraine
(Wednesday, July 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Begin the day at the Panorama Museum, where a circular painting is augmented by displays that tell the story of the 349-day siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War. Then drive out of the city to Balaklava visiting the "Valley of Death" site of the Charge of the Light Brigade en route.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: After lunch, visit the Naval Museum, which was once a Soviet nuclear submarine base. Known as the "fish's nest," this is housed in a natural underwater cave and harbor protected by massive nuclear-blast proof doors.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
 Evening: Overnight in Sevastopol.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Sevastopol, Ukraine
(Thursday, July 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: A chance to explore Sevastopol’s more ancient heritage. This morning we drive to Chersonesos, a city founded by the Greeks in 422 BC and later the site of the birth of the Russian Orthodox church.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to enjoy Sevastopol. Alternatively, you may wish to take an optional excursion to Bakhchysaray, the Tartar stronghold from the 16th to the 18th centuries, including a visit to the imperial 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 13: Odessa, Ukraine
(Friday, July 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: This morning’s field trip will take in all the great sites of the city including the Opera House, designed in the 1880s by the same architects responsible for the Vienna State Opera, the Potemkin Steps, and the Archaeological Museum.
 Lunch: Road Scholar lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Attend an exclusive performance and guided excursion of the famed National Opera House and Ballet Theater. Renowned for its rich architectural detail and its creative biography, the Opera House is one of Odessa's premier highlights.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Odessa, Ukraine
(Saturday, July 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Free time to explore Odessa on your own.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: At sea. Attend a shipboard guest lecture as the ship sails towards Nessebur.
 Dinner: Dinner on board.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Nessebur, Bulgaria
(Sunday, July 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board.
 Morning: Sailing toward Nessebur. Attend a talk by your Road Scholar Group Leader.
 Lunch: Lunch on board.
 Afternoon: A lunchtime arrival in Nessebur allows us an afternoon to explore the sites of this beautiful old town including the Byzantine-style Church of Christ Pantokrator, the 5th-century Old Metropolitan Church, and the Archaeological Museum.
 Dinner: Enjoy a late afternoon Road Scholar cocktail party. Farewell Dinner on board.
 Evening: Evening departure for Istanbul.
   
Accommodations: MV Aegean Odyssey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Istanbul, Turkey / Departures
(Monday, July 29)
   
 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.



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.



Odessa, Genius and Death in a City of Dreams


Author: Charles King


Description: King (Black Sea, The Moldovans) writes with verve not only of the history of this great port city but also of noteworthy personalities, including Alexander Puskin, Isaac Babel and Nobel Prize-winning biologist Ilya Mechnikov.



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.



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 Collected Stories of Isaac Babel


Author: Isaac Babel


Description: An authoritative edition of Isaac Babel's powerful short fiction, including his early Red Cavalry Stories and The Odessa Tales.



The Towers of Trebizond


Author: Rose MacAulay, Jan Morris (Introduction)


Description: Mixing high farce, archaeology, history and lively travel writing, Rose MacAulay's impossibly witty short novel is back in a new edition., Originally published in 1956, MacAulay follows the adventures of English missionaries traipsing to across Turkey from Istanbul to Trabzon.



Turkish Reflections, A Biography of a Place


Author: Mary Lee Settle


Description: Settle's captivating travelogue is a richly detailed portrait of contemporary Turkey, its people, monasteries, myths, archaeological treasures and living traditions. Exemplary.





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