Follow Jason and the Argonauts through the Black Sea on their quest for the Golden Fleece and find a magical world where lines blur between fact and fantasy. Listen as your onboard narrator shares tales of the Trojan Horse and the Battle of Gallipoli as you navigate the narrow Dardanelles between ancient Troy and the famous World War I battlefield. Discover Istanbul, the romantic city once known as Constantinople, with its radiant Blue Mosque and still-bustling Silk Road caravanserai dating to the 17th century. Explore ancient towns brimming with medieval churches, charming Ottoman villages where the gold of the realm is saffron, and cuisines as delicious as they are unfamiliar. In fact, the unexpected is your constant companion on this voyage to all 6 countries that border the Black Sea. Follow wine to its original source in Georgia, far from the vineyards of France and Italy. Spend a long day in Odessa, a city that appears more European than Soviet with its Greek Street, French Boulevard and Italian Boulevard. Take in the novelty architecture of Batumi from the Acropolis to an upside-down White House. And rearrange your reality in Bulgaria, where shaking your head from side to side means "yes," and nodding your head up and down means "no." Although you may not find a golden fleece on this journey, each port you visit offers diverse and wonderful rewards.

Ah, Constantinople, Queen of Cities and the Door to Happiness. Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents—Europe and Asia—and its appeal is truly universal. The Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans all ruled their empires from here, leaving behind some of their finest monuments and a fascinating blend of cultures. Visit the harem at Topkapi Palace, where the clatter of silver soles once warned concubines of the approaching sultan. Admire the Iznik tiles and stained glass windows of the Blue Mosque, and the mystical light bathing the nave of Hagia Sofia. Shop the Grand Bazaar for a coffee cezve, magic lamp, embroidered slippers, or hand-woven kilim. Temper a tiny cup of potent Turkish coffee with bites of sweet lokum (Turkish delight). 

The terracotta rooftops come into sight as we approach Nessebar. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is easy to cover by foot, tidily contained on a 24-acre island connected by a narrow isthmus to the mainland. Take a walk and you’ll see medieval churches everywhere you look, along with19th century wooden houses with drying fish strung from their roofs. Further inland, glimpse the quickly vanishing lifestyle of Bulgaria’s rural villages, and sample warm Bulgarian hospitality.

You’ll have time to explore this fascinating country as we extend our stay into the evening hours. The resort town of Constanta offers beaches, history, and fine wine. Head inland to the beautiful city of Bucharest, once known as “Little Paris,” where you may visit the vast and famous home of both houses of the Romanian Parliament, widely known as the Palace of the People. Don’t miss the chance to watch the locals playing chess in beautiful Cismigiu Gardens.

You can credit Catherine the Great with this sparkling city, designed by the finest European architects in the late 18th century. With its eclectic architectural styles and immigrants from diverse cultures, Odessa has a unique vibe. Walk the Potemkin Steps, said to bring good luck to those who go up and down them in bare feet, and stroll the beautiful tree-lined paths in the heart of the city.

The port that was host of the 2014 Winter Olympics is also notable for its 20^th century neoclassical buildings including the Winter Theatre. Things to do in Sochi include the 19^th century Arboretum and Sochinskiy National Park for endangered species.

This popular port and resort town on the Black Sea is full of quirky architecture and sculptures. Walk along the beach promenade and the piazza for some entertaining street art and murals and find the freshest produce and home-made products at the local market. Go up to the top of the 427-foot (130 meter)-high Alphabetic Tower with a seaside observation deck.

One of the prettiest towns on the Black Sea coast, the walled city of Sinop perches on a promontory overlooking the harbor. It’s one of the oldest cities in the region, and thanks to its strategic location, it’s changed hands many times since the 7th century B.C. Sinop Castle, for instance, was built by the Greeks in the 7th century B.C. then later used by the Romans, Byzantines, and Seljukians. Catch up on local history at the Ethnography and Archaeological Museums. Or get a sense of daily life at the market and shop for a hand-carved meerschaum pipe, traditional nautical wood carvings, or a Turkish puzzle ring.

Ah, Constantinople, Queen of Cities and the Door to Happiness. Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents—Europe and Asia—and its appeal is truly universal. The Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans all ruled their empires from here, leaving behind some of their finest monuments and a fascinating blend of cultures. Visit the harem at Topkapi Palace, where the clatter of silver soles once warned concubines of the approaching sultan. Admire the Iznik tiles and stained glass windows of the Blue Mosque, and the mystical light bathing the nave of Hagia Sofia. Shop the Grand Bazaar for a coffee cezve, magic lamp, embroidered slippers, or hand-woven kilim. Temper a tiny cup of potent Turkish coffee with bites of sweet lokum (Turkish delight). 

Ah, Constantinople, Queen of Cities and the Door to Happiness. Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents—Europe and Asia—and its appeal is truly universal. The Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans all ruled their empires from here, leaving behind some of their finest monuments and a fascinating blend of cultures. Visit the harem at Topkapi Palace, where the clatter of silver soles once warned concubines of the approaching sultan. Admire the Iznik tiles and stained glass windows of the Blue Mosque, and the mystical light bathing the nave of Hagia Sofia. Shop the Grand Bazaar for a coffee cezve, magic lamp, embroidered slippers, or hand-woven kilim. Temper a tiny cup of potent Turkish coffee with bites of sweet lokum (Turkish delight).