DAYS 1 – 3

Explore the Topkapi Palace and the heart of Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the 17th-century Blue Mosque and continue to the beautiful Aya Sofya. Alternatively, visit the Byzantine Church of the Holy Savior of Chora, the beautiful Rustem Pasha Mosque, and the colorful Spice Bazaar. Embark the Island Sky.

Pera Palace Hotel, Istanbul

DAYS 4 & 5

Dock in Bartin and drive to the harbor town of Amasra. Walk the cobblestone streets and see the archaeological remnants of Byzantine churches and Genoese castles. On Day 5, we drive inland to Amasya, former capital of the Kingdom of Pontus.

DAYS 6 & 7

From Trabzon, drive to the 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine Sumela Monastery. In the afternoon, explore a 13th-century Byzantine church with exquisite frescoes. A full-day excursion inland takes us to Kutaisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Gelati Monastery complex, one of Georgia’s most famed sites, on Day 7.

DAYS 8 & 9

Sochi is sometimes called the Russian Riviera, and here we make a special visit to Stalin’s dacha. The following day, in Yalta, we visit the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the elegant Renaissance-style Livadia Palace.

DAYS 10 & 11

Disembark in the military port of Sevastopol for a tour of the submarine tunnels at Balaklava. In Odessa, on Day 11, ascend the Potemkin Steps and explore the central district, the archaeological museum, and enjoy a tour of the opera house.

DAYS 12 & 13

By boat we explore the Danube, Europe’s second longest river and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. In Histria, on Day 13, walk the fascinating seaside ruins, tour the new museum, and spot birds in this wetland environment. Next explore Constanta where we tour the archaeological museum.

DAYS 14 & 15

The modern port city of Varna was once the Greek seaside colony known as Odessos. Explore the extensive remains of the 2ndcentury Roman or public baths. On Day 15 you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or on to your next destination.

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Island Sky Category 1
Magellan Deck

Square footage is approximately 215 square feet with two to four porthole windows. Cabin amenities include: two twin beds that can be reconfigured into one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, large wardrobes, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.

Island Sky Category 2
Columbus Deck

Square footage is approximately 215 square feet with large picture windows. Cabin amenities include: two twin beds that can be reconfigured into one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, large wardrobes, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.

Island Sky Category 3
Marco Polo Deck

Square footage ranges between 225 to 240 square feet and features large picture windows. Cabin amenities include: two twin beds that can be reconfigured into one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, large wardrobes, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.

Island Sky Category 4
Marco Polo Deck

Square footage ranges between 225 to 240 square feet and features large picture windows. Cabin amenities include: two twin beds that can be reconfigured into one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, large wardrobes, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.

Island Sky Category 5
Erikson Deck

Square footage is approximately 265 square feet and has patio doors leading to a private balcony. Cabin amenities include: two twin beds that can be reconfigured into one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, large wardrobes, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.

Island Sky Category 6
Explorer Deck

Square footage is approximately 312 square feet and also features a private balcony. Cabin amenities include: two twin beds that can be reconfigured into one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, large wardrobes, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.

Lia Oprea

Part Romanian, Lia gives credit to her Gypsy heritage for her peripatetic nature and love of exploration. This love led her to travel widely around the globe and, quite naturally, to a career in adventure travel, a trade she has plied for more than a dozen years. During this time she has worked in several capacities, including cruise director and expedition leader, and has traveled throughout much of the world with significant time spent in the Mediterranean, Central America, Eastern Europe, and the Indian Ocean.

Susan B.M. Langley

Susan is the State Underwater Archaeologist for Maryland. She received her B.A. in anthropology from the University of Toronto, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in archaeology from the University of Calgary. She is an Adjunct professor at both St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University where she teaches Maritime Archaeology and the History of Piracy. As well, she is an active Master Scuba Diver Trainer through PADI and serves as the State’s Dive Safety Officer. Susan also raises bees and is the beekeeper to the Governor and a master spinner who gives demonstrations and presentations on textile technology and textiles of cultural and historical importance.

Olga Stavrakis

Originally from Ukraine, Olga is an anthropologist specializing in the development of culture and complex societies and the modern transition from poverty to prosperity. She has excavated ancient jungle cities, mapped prehistoric agricultural fields; and lived in remote villages in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America while working on economic development projects for the United Nations, USAID, and the World Bank. Dr. Stavrakis received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Minnesota and holds degrees in archaeology, history, and geology from the Universities of Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Pepper Trail

Dr. Pepper Trail is an ornithologist, conservationist, photographer, and writer. Since 1994, he has lived in Ashland, Oregon, where he is a senior analyst at the U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. As the nation’s only forensic ornithologist, he is responsible for identifying all bird remains submitted in investigations of wildlife crimes and has testified as an expert witness in federal and state courts around the country. He has led expeditions to all seven continents.

Ron Wixman

Professor Ron Wixman, a specialist in world cultural geography, is well-versed in both the ancient and modern societies of the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Ron is conversant in several languages, including Croatian and Bulgarian. Ron recently retired from the University of Oregon where he taught courses on the rise of cultures and civilization, traditional ways of life, food culture and cuisine, and geopolitics in the Middle East, in the Geography Department. He is also a specialist on general issues of religion, culture, and ethnicity around the world.

Island Sky

Built in 1992 and recently refurbished, the Island Sky is a spacious, yet intimate, expedition vessel. Public spaces available include a large lounge, elegant bar with piano, library stocked with fiction and reference books along with a selection of games, and a single sitting dining room. Outside decks feature a bar, spa pool, and a rear sun deck where meals are served in clement weather. For excursions ashore, the Island Sky carries a fleet of Zodiacs, and bridge visits allow for the chance to see her expert officers and crew at work.