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Cruise Name: Black Sea Cruise
Cruise Duration: 10/11 (nights/days)
Prices From: 1054GBP

Departure Port: Piraeus (Greece)
Arrival Port: Piraeus (Greece)

From: 09-08-2009
To: 19-08-2009

Vessel: Arion

Cruise on through the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea,
passing through the Strait of Dardanelles and Bosporus.
In Cannakale you won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the legendary
city of Troy. Next we will travel to the oldest city of Romania, Constantza,
followed by Odessa, Ukraine, frequently referred to as “The Pearl of the
Black Sea”, before reaching Yalta (Crimea), situated in a deep bay surrounded
by breathtaking mountains. In Trabzon you will have the opportunity to visit
the Monastery of Sumela.
We continue until Samsun, where you may choose to visit Amasya and the
remarkable tombs of the Rulers of Pontus.
Istanbul, the famed Capital of the Eastern Roman (Greek) and later Ottoman
Empires, is the only city situated in the middle of two continents, Europe and
Asia. As well as visiting the city by day you will also be given the opportunity
to enjoy this city of contrasts by night.
Also enjoy the possibility to visit the ancient city of Ephesus, which is also
one of the footsteps of St. Paul.

Port Taxes Ł167
Adults 3rd/4th berth Ł633
Children 12 to 18 3rd/4th berth Ł316
Children under 12 3rd/4th berth Port Taxes
Single Supplement + 50%

Prices in GBP per person in double occupancy include:

Full board meals (except drinks)
Transfer Corinth/Piraeus on 28/08/2009

Prices do not include:
Port taxes
On board gratuities
On board drinks
Optional excursions
Travel insurance
International Transportation

Itinerary

Date	Day	Port	Arrival	Departure
09-08-2009	SUN	Piraeus (Greece)	Emb.	13h00
10-08-2009	MON	Dardanelles Strait	04h15
10-08-2009	MON	Cannakale (Turkey)	06h00	13h00
10-08-2009	MON	Dardanelles Strait		15h30
10-08-2009	MON	Bosporus Strait	23h00
11-08-2009	TUE	Bosporus Strait		01h00
11-08-2009	TUE	Constantza (Romania)	14h00	19h00
12-08-2009	WED	Odessa (Ukraine)	09h30	17h30
13-08-2009	THU	Yalta (Ukraine)	08h30	15h00
14-08-2009	FRI	Trabzon (Turkey)	14h00	20h00
15-08-2009	SAT	Samsun (Turkey)	08h00	16h00
16-08-2009	SUN	Bosporus Strait	16h30	18h30
16-08-2009	SUN	Istanbul (Turkey)	19h00
17-08-2009	MON	Istanbul (Turkey)		14h00
17-08-2009	MON	Dardanelles Strait	22h00
18-08-2009	TUE	Dardanelles Strait		01h00
18-08-2009	TUE	Izmir (Turkey)	11h00	17h00
19-08-2009	WED	Piraeus (Greece)	08h00	Disemb.

Tours
Click here to view available tours for this cruises

Black Sea - TRABZON, Highlights of Trabzon
Highlights of Trabzon (Afternoon) – approx. 4 hrs.

This tour will get you acquainted with some of the sights of Trabzon, leaving you time to
explore the city on your own. The first stop will be the St. Sophia Museum, which was a church
built by the Commenos family in the 13th century, was expanded by Emperor Manuel
Paleologos VII in the same century, and then converted into a mosque in the 16th century.
After looking around, you will see why this is the most important historical building in Trabzon,
and was converted into a museum in 1957. You will notice that some beautiful, but faint
frescoes are still visible inside this remarkable building.
From St. Sophia you continue on to the Gulbahar Hatun Mosque, built in 1507 below and to
the west of the citadel by Selim I Yavuz for his mother, who is also buried here. This holy
mosque is the oldest building in the town to have always functioned as a Muslim house of
prayer (other, older buildings were only later converted into mosques). Then you will continue
to the Yeni Cuma Cami, the “New Friday Mosque”. This building, actually older than the
Gulbahar Mosque, was originally built as a church, called the Christian Church of Eugenios. It
stands to the southeast of the citadel, though what you see today is not exactly the original,
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 8 / 14
that having fallen to the ravages of fire in 1340. A “new” cruciform church was built there on the
same spot and later converted into a mosque after the conquest. This building is adorned with
some of the finest examples of Ottoman calligraphy art.
You will also visit Bozepe, an eminence 740 feet (225 metres) high to the south of the town.
From here, where once stood a temple of Mithras, you can take in the most spectacular view
of the historic core of Trabzon. Return to the pier.
Subject to a minimum of 25 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended as this tour involves some walking.
During the visit of some monuments the shoes must be taken off and conservative clothes are required.
Expect dense traffic conditions in Trabzon.
This tour conflicts with Tour B.

Price: 77 €

Black Sea - TRABZON, Sumela Monastery
Sumela Monastery (Afternoon) – approx. 4 hrs.

The main highlight of this tour is a visit to the spectacular Sumela Monastery. Officially known
in Turkish as the Meryem Ana Manastiri, derived from the Greek Hagia Maria tou Mela (St.
Maria of Mount Mela), the monastery looks as if it has been taken from heaven and pasted on
the side of a mountain. No one has yet been able to answer the question of how man built
such a huge monastery on the side of a mountain with the technology of the 6th century. From
the bottom, the monastery looks as if it would be impossible to reach without divine guidance
while from the top you may have an opportunity for some of the most gorgeous views
anywhere. With eerie mists and forested background, Sumela is a truly magical sight. 14th
century additions gave it its final look, and today this ethereal structure is one of the most
significant tourist attractions in all of Turkey.
Subject to a minimum of 25 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended as this tour involves some walking and many steep steps at
the entrance of the Monastery.
10 minutes of easy walk is the time to reach museum.
For the visit of the Monastery, shoulders and knees should be covered.
At the dropping point, minivans will be used to take the passengers up to the sloppy entrance of the
Monastery.
Expect dense traffic conditions in Trabzon.
This tour conflicts with Tour A.

Price: 77 €

Black Sea - SAMSUN, Amasya
Amasya (Full day with lunch) – approx. 7 ˝ hrs.

Departure from the pier for a full day tour of Samsun and the beautiful city of Amasya.
You will reach the city after 120 minutes panoramic drive. Located in the Middle Black sea
region, Amasya is a city rich in historical and cultural background, having been the capital of a
kingdom, for skilled scientists, artists, poets, it became a training city for sultan’s sons.
In Amasya, you will see the King Rock Tombs on the slope of the Yesilırmak River, is the most
impressive sight in Amasya. The rock tombs of the Kings of Pontus with its interesting
construction and location of the tombs, presents this unique sight in Amasya.
After a short walking, you will visit to the mosque complex of Sultan Bayezid II. It was
constructed in the name of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II, in 1485 and composed of a mosque,
medresseh and \"tabhane\" where the handwritten books were duplicated. It represents a fine
instance of \"L\" shaped mosques. The mosque has a front prayer place covered with five
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 9 / 14
domes connected to each other with a large arch. There is also the main prayer place covered
with two domes on both sides. The twisting minaret on the east side of the mosque is also
decorations on it. There is a \"U\" shaped medresseh on the west side. The \"L\" shaped complex
on the east used to serve as an \"imarethane\" (hospice) where the poor were fed, and the
guests were accommodated. It is believed that the oak trees in the garden are as old as the
mosque.
Then you will see the typical houses of the city from Ottoman times . Now the next stop is
Amasya Museum, founded in 1925, exhibits a collection of items representing 11 civilizations.
This museum is home to the Hittite God Statue, a fascinating Ethnographic display, Mummies,
and coins.
Lunch (drinks inc.:1/2 bottle wine or local beer or local soft drink and mineral water) is served
at a local restaurant in Amasya.
Following the lunch, drive back to Samsun and return to the pier.
Subject to a minimum of 25 participants / maximum of 225 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended as this tour involves some walking.
During the visit of some monuments the shoes must be taken off and conservative clothes are required.

Price: 75 €

Black Sea - ISTANBUL, Oriental Show
Oriental Show (Evening with dinner) – approx. 3 ˝ hrs.

Take a short drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul. Arrive at the Kervansaray Night
Club, one of Istanbul’s finest night clubs.
Enjoy a traditional local dinner (incl. ˝ bottle of wine / 2 beers / 2 soft drinks and mineral
water).
After dinner, a spectacular oriental show will be performed by well known belly dancers,
folkloric groups from various regions of Anatolia, and Turkish singers. It’s a perfect mixture of
culture and fun, so enjoy... At the end of the show return to the ship.
Subject to a minimum of 15 participants.

Price: 65 €

Black Sea - ISTANBUL, Topkapi Palace & Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace & Blue Mosque (Morning) – approx. 4 ˝ hrs.

Standing at the crossroads of some of the world’s most ancient, and most important
trade routes, Istanbul continues today to be an exciting and fascinating city.
Visit of the Hippodrome where the glorious spectacles of the Roman period and
celebrations of the Byzantine Emperors were held.
Visit the Blue Mosque, fantastic inside and out, with 30 domes and six fluted minarets, and
covered inside by 21,000 17th century Iznik tiles. With its awesome size and six towering
minarets this mosque was originally seen as a controversial and sacrilegious attempt to rival
the architectural grandeur of Mecca. You really must go inside to experience the inexplicable
feeling of peace that resonates through this marvelously spacious and beautifully decorated
mosque.
The tour continues right across the street to the Topkapi Palace, powerful seat of the Ottoman
Empire for 400 years. Walk in the footsteps of Courtesans and Eunuchs, Grand Viziers and
Sultans, and glimpse a way of life that redefines decadence. Today you can only imagine the
activities of the cast of characters who played a part in one of the world’s most powerful
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 10 / 14
dynasties. You can, however, feast your eyes on where the Ottoman potentates lived, on
gilded swords, ornate crowns, over 12,000 pieces of porcelain, and ravishing displays of
jewelry, including one of the world’s biggest diamonds. Wander around the Harem and
Treasury, gaze at sacred religious relics including hand-written letters from the Prophet
Mohammed as well as his cloak, swords, and hairs from his beard, the rod of Moses and the
sword of David, peek into the circumcision room, or simply sit in the peaceful gardens and
contemplate the majesty of it all. Finally, visit of the Grand Bazaar (always bustling with life
except on Sundays, when it’s closed), which has almost 5,000 shops spread out in a giant
maze of small streets and passages which are arranged according to their trade-rugs,
antiques, gold, silver, leather, and nearly anything else you can imagine. The Bazaar has
undergone earthquakes, fires, and restorations, but maintains its character, and continues to
be an unforgettable must-see in Istanbul.
Subject to a minimum of 25 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
During the visit of some monuments shoes must be taken off and conservative clothes are required.
Expect dense traffic conditions in Istanbul.
This tour conflicts with Tour C and D.

Price: 36 €

Black Sea - ISTANBUL, Hidden Treasures of Istanbul
Hidden Treasures of Istanbul (Morning) – approx. 5 ˝ hrs.

You will depart from the pier for a drive to the Church of Chora, also known now as
the Chora Museum. This church, whose name means “outside the city”, was built
here in some form before the 5th century Roman city walls were built. The existing
structure, however, dates to the 11th-14th centuries, and is renowned for its exquisite
interior decorations, with paneled frescoes and mosaics that are true masterpieces of “the
Renaissance” of Byzantine art. The mosaic panels depict scenes from the lives of Christ and
the Virgin Mary. When the church was converted into a mosque, these incredible works of art
were covered over and whitewashed, but have since been restored and cleaned, after 1950,
by the Byzantine Institute of the USA.
The next stop will be a visit to the Underground Cistern, the largest and most magnificent
covered cistern in Istanbul. The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici), as it is known, is in fact
not a basilica at all, but an enormous, cavernous water storage tank built under Emperor
Justinian in 532 AD. The cistern was used to satisfy the growing demands of an expanding
city, and supplied the Great Palace Area with water during extended sieges. Its 80,000 cubic
meters of water were pumped all the way from the Black Sea through an extensive system of
aqueducts. Today, as you marvel at the awesome size of this underground structure from long
ago, classical music plays above the walkways, carp swim below, and water drips from the
ceiling and onto one of the 336 massive columns supporting the roof, each over 8 metres (26
feet) high. Visit of the Hippodrome where the glorious spectacles of the Roman period and
celebrations of the Byzantine Emperors were held.
Visit of the Blue Mosque, fantastic inside and out, with 30 domes and six fluted minarets, and
covered inside by 21,000 17th century Iznik tiles. With its awesome size and six towering
minarets this mosque was originally seen as a controversial and sacrilegious attempt to rival
the architectural grandeur of Mecca. You really must go inside to experience the inexplicable
feeling of peace that resonates through this marvelously spacious and beautifully decorated
mosque. Finally, visit of the Grand Bazaar (always bustling with life except on Sundays, when
it’s closed), which has almost 5,000 shops spread out in a giant maze of small streets and
passages which are arranged according to their trade-rugs, antiques, gold, silver, leather, and
nearly anything else you can imagine. The Bazaar has undergone earthquakes, fires, and
restorations, but maintains its character, and continues to be an unforgettable must-see in
Istanbul.
Subject to a minimum of 25 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 11 / 14
During the visit of some monuments shoes must be taken off and conservative clothes are required.
Expect dense traffic conditions in Istanbul.
This tour conflicts with Tour B and D.

Price: 42 €

Black Sea - ISTANBUL, Ottoman Treasures
Ottoman Treasures (Morning) – approx. 4 ˝ hrs.

Board the coach and begin your tour with a drive through the busy Karakoy district.
Then cross the Golden Horn to the old quarter of the city.
You will start visiting the Rustem Pasha Mosque. This unassuming little mosque is
easy to miss, but may come as a welcome respite from the tempo of modern
Istanbul. Here, once you enter an ordinary archway and leave behind the crowds of the street
below, you are carried away into the flow of another time. The mosque was built in 1561 by the
great imperial architect Mimar Sinan, and is a perfect illustration of the city’s paradoxical
beauty- the fast-paced bustle of modernity coexisting with an other-worldly spiritual simplicity.
Following your visit proceed to Topkapi.
From the coach parking area, you will begin your walking tour of the extensive Topkapi
complex. A one-time visit can only cover a fraction of this fabled palace and its magnificent
treasures. Your guide will take you through various rooms of the former residence of the
Ottoman sultans, where you can admire some of the most dazzling pieces on display.
Then proceed to have a look into the mysterious world of the Harem. It was operated like a
small village with all necessary services. Fraught with legends of intrigue and romance, life in
the Harem was governed by tradition, obligation and ceremony. Please note that entrance to
this part of Topkapi is strictly regulated by the Palace Museum.
Leaving Topkapi, you will next drive to the Spice Market.
Find the flavour of Istanbul here… Known as the Egyptian Bazaar in Turkish (Misir Carsisi),
this is of one of the best places from which to take a taste of the city home with you. One of
numerous markets in Istanbul, this is a great one to stroll through, sampling the aromatic air of
spices from across Turkey, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. You will also probably be
enticed by other shops of all flavours and types, selling goods ranging from sweets and spices
to clothes, watches, Turkish souvenirs, exotic aphrodisiacs, Iranian caviar and Turkish saffron.
Return to the pier at the end of the program.
Subject to a minimum of 25 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
During the visit of some monuments the shoes must be taken off and conservative clothes are required.
Expect dense traffic conditions in Istanbul.
This tour conflicts with Tour B and C.

Price: 48 €

Black Sea - IZMIR, Izmir
Izmir (Afternoon) – approx. 3 ˝ hrs.

Departing from the port by coach to discover Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city, with a population
of nearly 4 million.
An orientation tour along the streets of Izmir will tell you that the city is today, and has been
throughout centuries, a major port and commercial center, especially for the export of
agricultural products, including the rich flavored tobacco Turkey is famous for, and world
famous grapes and figs.
The first stop will be at the Citadel, Kadifekale on Mount Pagos, an impressive building which
has withstood several renovations since Byzantine times.
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 12 / 14
Enter the Museum of Archaeology for a look at the great variety of artifacts, elegant Classical
sculptures, and other finds from excavations of the city. Finally, visit of the charming Asansor
Quarter, filled with restored old houses and also known as the Jewish Quarter. Dario Moreno
Street is the main pedestrian throughway that leads to the Asansor itself, which is an elevator
built in the 19th century and still functioning, connecting the upper and lower streets via a 51-
meter ascent. Return to the pier at the end of the program.
Subject to a minimum of 25 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
This tour conflicts with Tour B.

Price: 30 €

Black Sea - YALTA, Palace of Alexander III & Massandra Winery
Palace of Alexander III & Massandra Winery (Morning) – approx. 3 ľ hrs.

This tour is next to ideal for the guests, who enjoy the charming and elegant venues visits.
Meandering by your motor coach eastwards through the labyrinth of roads of this celebrated
resort town, shortly afterwards you will arrive Massandra, a well-known winemaking capital of
the Crimea. At the main gate a minivan will wait to take you up along the narrow road to the
spectacular Massandra Palace, surrounded by a lovely pine-covered park with its century-old
trees.
In 1881 Tzar Alexander III commissioned master builders from France and Germany to
construct his summer mansion in Massandra, which was completed about twenty years later.
Originally built as a Tzar’s estate, it subsequently became the summer dacha of the upper
echelon Politbureau members, including Stalin, Khrustchev and Gorbachev.
While the palace visits you are enjoying its beautiful interior as your guide provides details of
history of this resplendent building. Savour is highly decorative Renaissance style, also
touched with baroque elements and witness the original 18th century furniture and art pieces,
mementos of all sorts-photos, documents, letters – all carefully arranged.
Another part of the tour is the Massandra Winery, a world famous centre of classical winemaking.
Its long tunnels penetrate granite rocks going deep into the mountains. There, in
coolness, deep under the ground, wine is aged in numerous oak casks.
The “Massandra” wines have been awarded 4 Super Grand Prix, 4 Grand Prix Cups and 190
gold and silver medals at various international contests and tastings. You’ll encounter a
priceless collection of vintage wines. During wine-tasting (9 sort of wine served in small
degustation quantity) you’ll get a unique chance to try the favourite wine of Nicholas II, red port
“Livadia”, you’ll savour muskets and will find out which wine the Russian Empress preferred.
Purchase of the local wines is available.
Subject to minimum 24 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes and sun hat recommended. There are some steps at the palace.
This tour conflicts with Tour A.

Price: 65 €

Black Sea - ODESSA, Odessa Catacombs
Designed for adventurous, this tour takes you on an interesting exploration of the labyrinth of
catacombs which thread about 600 miles under the city and its environs. These were the
tunnels used as hideouts for the Resistance in the Second World War.
Departing from the quayside, this excursion begins with a brief drive through the port city and
will take you past small Ukrainian villages, farms, beautiful orchards and vineyards. Admire the
changing view or take photographs of the countryside, formerly known as the breadbasket of
the Soviet Union. Soon you will reach the village of Nerubayskoye, originally built as Cossacks\'
military settlement in the south of the country at the end of the 18th century. Your guides will
then escort you on a fascinating underground walk of approximately 500 yards. During your
walk, you will stop at the command post of the members of the resistance of Word War II. A
recreation of the Resistance Headquarters will be visited in the local museum when you leave
the catacombs.
You’ll then return to the ship
Subject to minimum 35 participants.
Comfortable closed and non slippery walking shoes, jacket or pullover recommended as it’s humid and
temperatures underground can be cool.
This tour involves an underground walk of approximately 500 yards and 70 winding steps. The area
inside the catacombs is quite narrow and in places the ceiling is low. This tour is therefore unsuitable
for passengers with walking difficulties or those suffering from claustrophobia.
Note that participants that are booked in the morning tours will have limited time for lunch on board.

Price: 28 €

Black Sea - CONSTANTA, Sightseeing Constanta & Wine Tasting in Murfatlar
Sightseeing Constanta & Wine Tasting in Murfatlar (Afternoon) – approx. 4 Ľ hrs.

More than 2500 years have passed since on the place of today\'s Constanta there was a
settlement founded by the Greek navigators and merchants who have come from Millet. In
their voyages on sea, the Greek navigators have been attired by the shelter offered by the bay
and peninsula from the Black See shore, as well as by the good trade opportunities offered by
the natives, Getaes. The most flourishing period of this city fortress, named Tomis, is the
middle of the 1st century A.C. Roman domination on the territories between Istros (Danube)
and the Black Sea, which became Roman province, raised the city at the rank of capital. In this
time many temples were built, big buildings, public squares and baths, marble shops, streets
and new districts. However, the flourishing fortress is devastated by the Avars in 601. Some
centuries after, on the ruin of Tomis, starts to develop a little anglers settlement, which,
gradually, in the following centuries became Constanta. Vestiges of the old civilizations is
found today almost everywhere in the city.
The buses depart from the harbour and after only a couple of minutes, you arrive in the old city
part of Constanta, at the Ovid Square, named so after the famous Roman poet, Ovid, exiled
here by the Roman Emperor in 8 A.D. His statue, built 1888 by the famous sculptor, Ettore
Ferrari, faces the Sea. Right behind the statue, there lies the Archaeological Museum, one of
the richest museums in the country, with collections of prehistorical, Greek, Roman, Byzantine,
Medieval archaeology. Among the statues exhibited here, the most famous are that of Fortuna
Goddess and Pontos God (protectors of the town) and of the Glycon snake, the protector of
the house and family.
After the museum visit, walk further through the old centre, pass by the Turkish Mosque,
which, with its 155 feet high minaret, the most important mosque in Constanta. Although
orthodox, Romania has many other religious minorities; thus you can see further a catholic
church. After a few minutes walk, you arrive at the orthodox Cathedral, St. Peter and Paul,
where you will be introduced in the world of the Orthodox.
The walking tour ends at the Casino, a beautiful building on a cliff directly at the Sea, with a
beautiful view over the harbour of Constanta. The Port of Constanta is the main Romanian port
and the largest port in the Black Sea. It has a geostrategic position being located on the route
of two Pan-European Transport Corridors: river Corridor VII (Danube) and rail-road Corridor IV.
In the southern part of Constanta Port there is a river-maritime sector, which allows the
accommodation of maritime vessels and river vessels as well. The two satellite ports, Midia
and Mangalia, are located close to the port of Constanta and perform a vital function in the
overall port framework.
From here, you get on the buses, who will take you further on a sightseeing tour of Constanta.
Romania\'s second largest city, Constanta attracts by the harmony between ebullient business
world and intense cultural life.
Slowly, you drive out of Constanta towards the South, along the vineyards of the Dobrudja.
Blessed with one of the most suitable natural settings, Murfatlar vineyard is situated in the
south-eastern part of Romania, situated between the Danube and the Black Sea, in the centre
of the Dobrudja plateau. The vineyard stretches across a surface of more than 2600 hectares,
covering several villages around.
The wine obtained here was often used as trade currency by the local population and the
Greek colonies on the Black Sea Coast.
After you arrive at the wine cellar, you will taste 5 of the most popular wines of the region,
while enjoying Romanian folk music. You will receive some sandwiches with cheese and ham.
Afterwards you drive back to the ship.
Subject to minimum 30 participants / maximum 150 participants.
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 4 / 14
Comfortable walking shoes and sun hat highly recommended.
Walking tour through the old city centre; 8 steps at the entrance of the Archaeological Museum and 30
steps down to the Casino building. The Casino can be admired without going down the stairs.
For the visit of the Orthodox Cathedral, shoulders and knees should be covered.
This tour conflicts with Tour B.

Price: 40 €

Black Sea - CANAKKALE, Troy
Troy (Morning) – approx. 3 hrs.

To students across the world, the story of the siege of Troy (Ilion in Greek, Truva in
Turkish) is a familiar one. Most, however, don’t know that the historical city of Troy’s
actual location is inside the borders of modern Turkey. Once thought only to be a
mythical city invented by Homer in the Iliad, most historians now accept that this city
was his inspiration, and was perhaps even besieged (for ten long years!) at the time specified
by Homer. Alexander the Great, in modesty befitting his character, declared himself a
descendant of Achilles and made a pilgrimage here in 334 BC, and though the city shows
evidence of 5000 years of habitation (in nine levels), sadly few structures remain intact, making
it rather difficult to evoke the images of the imposing ancient city of warriors, heroes, and
beauties, among them Paris, Hektor, and Helen of Troy, whose face originally launched the
1,000 ships. However, some sites do remain for you to explore, including its ancient walls,
some palaces and houses, as well as a Roman theatre, the Pillar House-believed to be the
Palace of King Priam, and of course, a giant replica of the Trojan Horse.
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 2 / 14
Troy was rediscovered and excavated by Heinrich Schlieman, and much of what you will se
here is a result of his painstaking work to bring the fabled city back to life from the pages of the
epic poems.
Subject to minimum 25 participants.
We recommend comfortable shoes, preferably with rubber or non-slip soles and sun protection. There
is a moderate amount of walking required.
This tour conflicts with Tour B.

Price: 62 €

Black Sea - IZMIR, Ephesus
Ephesus (Afternoon) – approx. 4 hrs.

You will depart from the pier for an excursion to what is undoubtedly one of the most
impressive and most beautiful ancient cities on Earth, Ephesus.
A visit to Ephesus is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage
supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her
enormous temple that once stood here was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World, making Ephesus a cult center attracting thousands of pilgrims for traditional
worship of the female goddess, first Cybele, goddess of the moon, then Artemis, and finally the
Virgin Mary. It is a remarkable, engagingly beautiful place.
You will be absolutely stunned by this ancient city, rivaling even Rome in its scope of history,
architecture, and beautiful works made by the hand of man. Today Ephesus’ landlocked
position hides the fact that it was once the foremost commercial city of a coastal region that
also included the cities of Miletus, Smyrna and Pergamon. The silting of the harbor gradually
pushed the city away from the sea, but did nothing to destroy its magnificence, preserved
wonderfully to this day. The city has been excavated for over 100 years, and the extensive
remains you will see date mostly form the later Roman period.
Walking through the city, you will see a Grand Amphitheater, one of the most impressive
buildings in Ephesus, first built in the Hellenistic period in the third century BC, and expanded
by the Romans to hold over 24,000 people. You can almost hear the roar of the ancient crowd
reverberating through the hollow emptiness of the theatre. Continue on to the Library of Celsus
at the intersection of Curetes and Marble Street, which was built in the 2nd century AD by a
Roman consul in memory of his father, and which has been perfectly reconstructed by
archaeologists who were able to find almost all of its pieces scattered by the ravages of winds
and time. You will pass a uniquely decorated Corinthian Temple adorned by decorative reliefs
depicting various scenes, including one of the legendary founders of the city, Androklos, and
his many works. Before lunch you will pass through city streets rutted by chariot wheels to the
Scholastic Baths, the Lower Agora, and the State agora.
At the end of the visit, return to Izmir pier to re-embark the ship.
Subject to a minimum of 25 participants.
This excursion involves extensive walking.
Comfortable non slippery shoes and sun hat are recommended.
This tour conflicts with Tour A.

Price: 55 €

Black Sea - YALTA, The Crimean Coast
From the pier you will travel west to Livadia to visit the lavish “white palace\" and site of the
famed \"Yalta conference\". Built in 1911 by Tzar Nicholas, Livadia became the last residence of
the last Russian Tzar and now houses a sanatorium, museum and picture gallery. You will see
the restored conference room and Roosevelt\'s quarters.
En route to the next stop, Alupka, you will see the \"Swallow\'s Nest\" which looks like a turreted
medieval castle, perched on a cliff jutting out to sea. Built in 1912 for German Baron von
Stengel, it has become the emblem of the Crimea.
At Alupka, one of the most beautiful Crimean resorts (about 30 km far from the port), is the
Vorontsov palace, built by the governor- general of Novorossisk between 1828 and 1846.
Prince Michael Vorontsov was brought up in England and the palace was designed to be an
imitation of an English mansion (built 1848 in Tudor\'s style). You will walk through a park
before your guided palace visit. The 9 richly decorated rooms provide splendid viewing,
exhibiting a collection of paintings, furniture and other items of the 19th century art. Enjoy your
strolling along Lion terrace in the southern part of palace garden after visit.
Subject to minimum 35 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes and sun hat recommended.
Please note that at each palace the coach parking is approximately 15 min. walking distance from the
palace itself.
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 7 / 14
Tour sequence may vary to avoid congestion.
This tour conflicts with Tour B.

Price: 45 €

Black Sea - ODESSA, Greeks in Odessa
Greeks in Odessa (Morning) – approx. 3 hrs.

Odessa is barely two centuries old, yet it has a wealth of history. An exclusive necklace of the
Black Sea Northern Seashore was decorated with its precious pearl – Odessa (after the
ancient Greek colony Odessos, which was believed to be in the vicinity). The city today is a
large sea port, a major commercial, cultural, scientific centre of Ukraine.
Departing from the pier, you will drive to Primorsky Boulevard, the city\'s popular promenade,
and begin your strolling tour for a close inspection of Odessa\'s most cherished buildings and
monuments: Potemkinskaya Steps, monument to Duke de Richelieu, monument to Alexander
Pushkin, City Hall, as well as magnificent Opera & Ballet House. Completed in 1887, the
Viennese baroque style building of the theatre was designed by the architects, responsible for
the Vienna House and the Dresden Court Theatre, both of which it resembles.
Continue your tour driving to Filiki Eteria (League of friends) Museum and Greek cultural
centre. Museum was opened in 1979 at first as an affiliate of History and Local Lore Museum
of Odessa. In 1994 during the celebration of Odessa’s 200th anniversary Affiliate of Greek
Cultural Centre was opened in the adjacent building. In the past times these building belonged
to Greek. Here in 1814 a secret revolutionary-patriotic society Filiki Eteria was founded, which
prepared Greeks to the independence struggle and connected forever history of Odessa with
the history of national-state renaissance of Greece.
Drive to Saint Trinity Church for visit. Located in Katerininskaya Street, this church has the
People’s name – the Greek Church, since it was founded by the Greek Community in the 19th
century. Later on it became a Russian Orthodox Church.
Re-board the bus and drive to harbour.
Subject to minimum 35 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes and sun hat recommended.
ARION Black Sea Wonders 2009 / Optional Excursions 6 / 14
The Museum of Fine Arts prohibits use of cameras and video recorders.
Tour sequence may vary to avoid congestion
This tour conflicts with Tour A.

Price: 29 €

Black Sea - ODESSA, Odessa City Tour
Odessa City Tour (Morning) – approx. 3 hrs.

Located on the northern shore of the Black Sea, the city of Odessa was built by order of
Catherine the Great in 1794 and named Odessa with the Hellenistic enthusiasm. The city
experienced rapid growth and is now the largest port on the Black Sea in addition to being a
favorite resort area among Eastern Europeans with its temperate climate and glorious
beaches. The people of Odessa are very hospitable and proud of its international friendship.
Our introduction to the city begins with Primorsky Boulevard, the city\'s popular promenade; you
are invited to make your strolling tour for a close inspection of Odessa\'s most cherished
buildings and monuments: Potemkinskaya Steps, monument to Duke de Richelieu, monument
to Alexander Pushkin, City Hall, as well as magnificent Opera & Ballet House. Completed in
1887, the baroque style building of the theatre was designed by the architects, responsible for
the Vienna House and the Dresden Court Theatre, both of which it resembles. It has opened
after reconstruction last September and is sparkling all its gold and crystal.
Following your strolling tour, you will drive to the Arts Gallery, a former palace, which houses a
wonderful collection of Ukrainian & Russian paintings.
From the Gallery, your drive continues to the Cathedral Square for a visit of Savior
Transfiguration Cathedral. After the square you will re-board the bus and return to the pier.
Subject to minimum 35 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes and sun hat recommended.
Conservative clothes are required when visiting religious buildings, no shorts or open dresses.
Tour sequence may vary to avoid congestion.
This tour conflicts with Tour B.

Price: 30€

Black Sea - CONSTANTA, Histria & the Roman Mosaic
Histria & the Roman Mosaic (Afternoon) – approx. 4 hrs.

Histria was named after the Greek name for the Danube River and was founded 656 B.C. It
lays about 30 miles (70 km) away from Constanta.
The drive up to the coast through rural Romania is pleasant as your Romanian guide describes
the passing scenes and prepares you for the archaeological site.
On the shore of the lake Sinoe, in the Northern part of Istria peninsula, 2.600 years ago was
raised the city if Histria, founded by the Greek merchants and navigators in order to trade with
the native Getae the following goods: olive oil, wine, Greek valuable objects were changed on
cereals, honey, wax, beef skins, salted fish…
Histria is the most valuable asset of the Romanian national heritage from the Greek, Roman
and Byzantine Ages. During its history of 14 centuries (7th century B.C. – 7th century A.D.),
Histria was connected to all the major events of the Greek, Roman and Byzantine world. It was
one of the first Greek colonies founded in the basin of the Black Sea, being the oldest colony
on the West coast. At the same time, Histria is the oldest urban structure on the Romanian
territory. Although essentially it is a Greek fortress (due to its institutions, religion and culture),
Histria is also a focal point of the spread of the Roman civilization. Later on, the Byzantine era
gave Histria a new status, that of an Episcopal centre. The town started to decline after the
middle of the 7th century, when the urban life style was replaced by the rural one, which also
disappeared later. The area remained abandoned and forgotten until it was rediscovered in
1868. The archaeological research started in 1914 and still goes on today. Histria, with its 73
ha, is the archaeological site on which research has been made for the longest period in
Romania. The urban ensemble discovered here has been called the Romanian Pompeii. The
nine decades of archaeological research produced a large quantity of information on essential
aspects of national and universal history.
The Halmyris bay, where the city was, began to be sanded and slowly the access to the Black
Sea got more difficult. Even so, the trade on see was made until the 6th century. The invasion
of the Avars destroys almost entirely the fortress, and the people are forced to go in safer
places. The name and the city disappear.
Histria, the oldest urban settlement from our country, was discovered and brought to light by
the excavations of the great historian and archaeologist Vasile Parvan. The museum besides
the ruins displays a unique collection of high valuable archaeological discoveries from the
area.
Afterwards you drive back to Constanta and visit here the Roman Mosaic, which used to cover
over 2000 square metres, being one of the largest of its kind in this part of the world. The
Mosaic Complex houses 11 ware houses used by the Romans to store the goods coming by
ship in the Tomis harbour.
Afterwards drive back to the ship.
Subject to minimum 30 participants / maximum 90 participants.
Comfortable walking shoes, sun hat and wind jackets recommended.
Note that the road is bumpy to reach the Citadel and that walking will be done through the ruins.
30 steps at the Roman Mosaics, down to the ware houses of the Romans. The Mosaics can be
admired without going down the stairs.
This tour conflicts with Tour A.

Price: 37 €

Black Sea - CANAKKALE, Gallipoli
Gallipoli (Morning) – approx. 4h30.

Depart from Canakkale for the incredibly moving sites commemorating the Battles of Gallipoli
at Gelibolu Peninsula. The brief history is this: In 1915, when the Ottoman Empire sided with
Germany in WWI, British commanders, among them Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the
Admiralty, decided that it was necessary to take Turkey out of the war quickly with a strategic
rush through the Dardanelles and on to Istanbul. They sadly miscalculated the Turkish
defences and were only the last among the vast numbers of invading armies to be repulsed at
the straits, with a devastating cost in lives. Nearly 230,000 men lost their lives in this 9-month
campaign. One man who emerged as a hero out of the tragic episode, however, was Mustafa
Kemal, a young Lieutenant Colonel who would prove his bravery, his leadership and will,
telling his men 10 days into the battle, “I am not asking you to attack, I am ordering you to
die...” This man would later become known as Ataturk, father of the Turkish Republic.
There are over 31 cemeteries now on the peninsula, which has been a national park since
1973, where the graves of both fallen Turkish and Allied soldiers are lain. A moving poem
written by Ataturk after the foundation of the Turkish Republic is inscribed on one monument.
It reads: Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… You are now lying in a
friendly country. Therefore rest in peace… You the mothers who sent their sons from far away
countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After
having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons too.
And although most visitors to the narrow peninsula of Gallipoli come to see the moving
memorials and cemeteries from the W.W.I. battles, Gelibolu, the biggest town in the area, has
a more scenic and serene side that is also worth taking in.
The last visit in the tour will be the Military Museum at Kaba Tepe, after which you can
appreciate the 180-degree view of the Dardanelles and the Aegean Sea from the New Zealand
Memorial, showing that the city’s position at the entrance to these straits makes Gelibolu, as
well as having been a strategic military choke point, an important commercial and fishing
harbor as well. On summer days, the horror of what happened here almost a century ago gives
way to gentle breezes, the murmur of beachside cafés, and the tranquility of a sleepy seaside
town.
Subject to minimum 25 participants.
We recommend comfortable shoes and sun protection. There is a moderate amount of walking
required.
This tour will have an early disembarkation.
This tour conflicts with Tour A.

Price: 57 €

Prices

CAT	Description	View	Decks	Total Cab.	GBP
1	Two low beds	Inside	Reception; Upper; Ocean	16	1054Ł
2	Two low beds	Outside	Ocean	18	1200Ł
3	Two low beds	Outside	Reception	43	1279Ł
4	Two Low Beds, Superior	Outside	Upper	49	1358Ł
5	Two Low Beds, Premium	Outside	Promenade; Navigators	25	1513Ł
6	Deluxe	Outside	Navigators; Upper	7	1742Ł
Sgl	One low bed	Outside	Reception	4	1654Ł

Display prices in: British Pounds

On board the range of facilities include: Restaurant, Deck buffet, Show lounge, Two bars, Disco, Two winter gardens, Swimming pool, Medical centre, Casino, Card room / library / internet cafe , Beauty salon, Photo shop, Gift shop, Laundry service, Lift, Satellite communications service (telephone, fax and internet). Todos os camarotes tęm telefone interno, secador de cabelo,música, ar condicionado, cofre pessoal e TV via satélite. Todas as cabines de Luxo estăo equipadas com Mini-Bar.

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