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[Top]
[Home]
[Cruises]
[Lesbian Cruises]
[About Cruising]
[Tours and Vacations]
[About Vacations]
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Embarkation begins at 2pm. Later, join us at sail away tea dance as we sail from the beautiful port city of Istanbul. Historically wearing many names such as Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul is the largest city proper and second largest metropolitan area in Europe after Moscow. Extending both on the Europe and Asian side of the Bosphorus, it is the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 while it's financial districts add punch and flair with amazing skylines. Must sees in the city include the Ayasofya, built in 537A.D.; the Blue Mosque; the splendid mausoleums of Suleiman the Magnificent, several museums filled with Byzantine frescoes and mosaics, and of course, the Grand Bazaar.
The ancient city of Nessebur is often referred to as the "Pearl of the Black Sea" and "Bulgaria's Dubrovnik" as it is considered a major seaside resort in the Black Sea. Defined by more than three millennia of ever-changing history, it is a town with a rich history. The ancient part of the town is situated on a peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow man-made isthmus, and it bears evidence of occupation by a variety of different civilisations over the course of its existence. Its abundance of historic buildings prompted UNESCO to include Nesebar in its list of World Heritage Sites in 1983. Must sees include: Church of Christ Pantocrator; ruins of the walled city, and the traditional wooden houses that define tradition.
Constanta is the oldest living city in Romania, founded around 600 B.C. and the Port of Constanta is the biggest on the Black Sea and one of the largest in Europe. A number of inscriptions found in the town and its vicinity show that Constanta lies where Tomis once stood. Tomis (also called Tomi) was a Greek colony in the province of Scythia Minor on the Black Sea's shore, founded around 600 B.C. for commercial exchanges with local Daco-Getic populations. An important cultural and economic center, Constanta is worth exploring for its archaeological treasures and the atmosphere of the old town center. Its historical monuments, ancient ruins, grand Casino, museums and shops, and proximity to beach resorts make it the focal point of Black Sea coast tourism. Must sees include: the Constanta Lighthouse; the House with Lions; St. Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral; and The Great Mahmudiye Mosque.
In 19th century Imperial Russia, Odessa was the fourth largest city after Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Warsaw. Its historical architecture is more Mediterranean than Russian, having been heavily influenced by French and Italian styles. Odessa's historical ties to the old U.S.S.R. serve as a reminder of a country which strives to preserve and somewhat reinforce its unique cosmopolitan mix of Russian, Ukrainian, and Mediterranean culture. The city's industries include shipbuilding, oil refining, chemicals, metalworking and food processing. Odessa is also a Ukrainian naval base and home to a fishing fleet. It is also known for its huge outdoor market, the Seventh-Kilometer Market, the biggest market of the kind in Europe. Must sees include: The Potemkin Steps made famous by a workers uprising supported by the crew of the Battleship Potemkin and the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Formerly the home of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet, Sevastopol is now a Ukrainian naval base mutually used by the Ukrainian Navy and Russian Navy. Completely rebuilt after World War II, the downtown core is situated on a peninsula between two narrow inlets, South Bay and Artillery Bay, and features mostly Mediterranean-style, three-story residential buildings with columned balconies and Venetian-style arches. Some carefully restored landmarks date back to the early 20th century. As a seaside resort and tourist destination, visitors mainly come from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Must sees include: the Art Nouveau Main Post Office on Bolshaya Morskaya Street and the Art Museum on Nakhimovsky Prospect.
Yalta is located on the site of an ancient Greek colony, said to have been founded by Greek sailors who were looking for a safe shore on which to land. It is situated on a deep bay facing south towards the Black Sea, surrounded by wooded mountains with many vineyards and orchards in the vicinity. In the 19th century, the town became a fashionable resort for the Russian aristocracy and gentry. Leo Tolstoy spent summers here and Anton Chekhov bought Belaya Dacha or "The White Mansion" in 1898. Yalta also has strong ties to figures such as Lenin and Stalin. In 1920, Lenin issued a decree which endorsed the region's transformation from a fairly exclusive resort area into a recreation facility for tired proletarians and Soviet dictator Stalin used Massandra Palace as his summer residence during his reign. Today, Yalta has a beautiful embankment along the Black Sea and there are several beaches where people relax and go swimming. Must sees include: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; Yalta's Sea Promenade; and of course Livadia Palace, used for the Yalta Conference.
