Cruise - Along the Black Sea to the Dnepr: Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine (CR-06)

Arrival in Istanbul. Our driver will meet you in the arrival sector with a Go Russia sign board. Transfer to the hotel.

Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans over two continents - Europe and Asia - located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black and the Marmara Seas. It is Turkey's cultural and financial center. It is also a living museum with its historical sites in open air.

After breakfast in the hotel we will enjoy a half-day guided city tour. Lunch in a local restaurant.

Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in a hotel.

After lunch at a local restaurant in Istanbul we drive to Nessebar (6 hours).

Your first night onboard! Welcoming cocktail reception in the evening.

Nessebar is one of the most ancient towns in Europe with a history going back 7,000 years. It is included on UNESCO World Heritage List. The settlement has amazing mixture of architecture including the ruins of over 40 churches dating from the 3rd century, and beautiful houses from the 16th century and later which we will enjoy during our guided walking tour.

Founded around 600 B.C. as a Greek trading colony, Constanta is Romania's oldest living city. During your guided city tour you will see Ovid's Square, the Genoese Lighthouse, the Eastern Orthodox St. Peter & Paul Cathedral, the Carol I Mosque, and the Casino – landmark of the city. Constanta is a colourful vibrant town and many say it is the holiday and entertainment capital of Romania.

In the afternoon we will visit Histria – the ruined Greek-Roman city. Histria Fortress, often referred to as the Pompeii of Romania, was the oldest Greek settlement in Romania founded in the 7th century BC. The lost city features remains of Aphrodite's Temple, Roman baths and other buildings from the Roman-Byzantine period. We will also visit the Histria Museum with its rich collection of coins and ceramic items of the old civilisations.

Odessa is called the Pearl of the Black Sea, it is a major seaport and the fourth largest city in Ukraine. Odessa has its own character and temperament of its inhabitants - humor, charm, and openness. On our guided tour we will see the famous Promenade, Opera House, Potemkin Steps. During your free time enjoy a walk along Odessa’s side streets and yards, parks and boulevards.

Free time

Yalta is a unique recreational city situated on the Black Sea shore in Crimea. It is one of the most picturesque cities in the country where you can find cypress and palm trees, castles and palaces, parks and beaches, delicious fruits and wines. Yalta with its mild climate, lush green landscape and beaches will always be a favorite destination for many travelers.

We will visit the Livadia Palace – the summer residence of the last Russian Tsar - Nicholas II which is also famous for hosting the historic Yalta Conference of the Three Allied Powers attended by Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill in 1945. After the victory in the WWII the palace was the summer residence of Soviet leaders.

The Livadia park styled by Delinger boasts 400 species of trees and shrubs, Turkish summer pavilions, 80 meters long pergola of roses, wisteria and wild grapes.

Free time

Sevastopol is a port city on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea peninsula. It is a city of military glory, fishermen and shipwrights, and excellent bathing place with the season lasting from the beginning of June until October.

Our guided tour will include the Panorama Museum telling about one of the 349 days of Sevastopol defence when the defenders repelled the assault of the fortifications of the Korabelnaya Quarter and Malakhov Mound. The panorama’s canvas is 14m x 115m,

Arrival early in the morning in Kherson – a city founded in 1778 by Grigori Potemkin, on the orders of Catherine the Great. The city was built on the site of a small fortress. Kherson has many parks and it probably one of the most “green” cities in Ukraine. After a brief overview of the city you will enjoy a boat trip to the Fishermen’s Island.

The city of Zaporozhye is situated in south-central Ukraine along both banks of the mighty Dnepr. Besides its industrial importance for the Ukrainian economy it is also a historic city and a centre of Cossack culture.

A most remarkable sight is Khortitsa Island which faces the modern city across the Dnepr. It was one of the historic locations for the Zaporizhian Sich - the main capital of the Cossack state with their own laws and traditions. And nowadays Khortysia is designated a national museum where you can learn a lot of Cossacks' life.

We sail along the mighty Dnepr.

Kiev is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe, stretching along picturesque banks of the river Dnepr. Rich history of the city is embodied in its ancient architectural monuments.

Start your discovery of Kiev with a guided bus city tour. You will see such beautiful places as St. Archangel Michael’s Golden Domes Monastery built in 12th century, Golden Gates - the main triumphal entrance of ancient Kiev; St. Vladimir Cathedral built in the 19th century. The cathedral is a unique monument of architecture and arts due to its murals executed by the famous Russian artists of the 19th century. Stroll along the main street of Kiev - Kreshatik Street.

Visit to St. Sophia Cathedral – a majestic 13-domed cathedral built in 1037, masterpiece of world architecture and arts. Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of the chef-d’oeuvres of the world culture and it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Transfer to the airport. Our driver will meet you with a Go Russia sign board at the ship entrance.