Black Sea Intensive Voyage Cruise

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. They are usually all found together in the same areas, as a walk through the old neighbourhoods of the famous historic triangle will reveal. Read more about Athens, Greece

Kusadasi is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast and the centre of the seaside district of the same name. While best known as a starting point for visiting Ephesus, once one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a history dating from 3000 BC, there’s also a delightful range of activities in town. Places of interest include: the City Walls, of which one gate remains to-day; the peninsula at the end of the bay with its castle and swimming beaches; several aqua parks with wave-pools and white-water slides; Ladies Beach, once segregated but now open to all; and Dilek Peninsula National Park. See all this in a pleasant walk. Read more about Kusadasi, Turkey

The Bosphorus is the 32km strait connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul, Turkey. It separates European Istanbul from Asian-Istanbul. The Bosphorus (or Bosporus) is a natural strait 31km long, and at its minimal width of 700 m is the narrowest internationally significant waterway. The strait runs through the heart of Istanbul at its southern end, and from the many commuter vessels crossing daily, presents a landscape of views: the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, Hagia Sophia, several Ottoman palaces including Topkapi, fortresses, and villages with tea gardens, cafes, restaurants, and old wooden houses lining the shores. Read more about Bosphorus, Turkey

Varna is the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and the third largest city in Bulgaria. Because of its history and its economic and cultural significance, it is often called the Sea Capital of Bulgaria. Varna’s origins date back almost five millennia, but it wasn’t until seafaring Greeks founded a colony there in 585 BC that the town became a port. The modern city is both a shipyard and port for incoming freighters and the navy, and a riviera town visited by tourists. Read more about Varna, Bulgaria

Constanta, Romania’s largest seaport, is situated on the western coast of the Black Sea. It is an ancient metropolis that traces back its history for some 2,600 years. The old town centre is well worth visiting. Explore its amazing archaeological treasures such as many ancient ruins, vestiges of Roman culture, historic buildings, facades, and mosques. Read more about Constanta, Romania

Odessa is located on the NW shore of the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. Its architecture is a delightful mix of Russian, French, and Italian styles while some buildings are a mixture that includes Art Nouveau and Renaissance. Interestingly, many of the homes were built of limestone mined nearby. The abandoned mines were first used by smugglers and then, during WWII, served as hiding places for partisans. Read more about Odessa, Ukraine

Sochi is a multicultural city with more than 450,000 inhabitants representing over 100 nationalities. It is not surprising that it is Russia's leading vacation resort welcoming almost three million tourists each year. Sochi stretches about 148 km along the Black Sea coast at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, known as the ‘Russian Riviera’. It has a subtropical climate and has almost 300 days of sunshine a year. Read more about Sochi, Russian Federation

Set on a warm semitropical coast with a backdrop of mist-wrapped hills between Russia and Turkey, Batumi is a seaside city on the Black Sea east coast. It is also the capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in SW Georgia. It has become the country’s summer holiday capital, attracting tourists from around Georgia and beyond. Being in a subtropical zone, it is rich in citrus fruit and tea. Read more about Batumi, Georgia

Sinop, the name allegedly received from the Amazon Queen Sinova, is situated on the most northern edge of the Turkish side of the Black Sea coast. It lies on an isthmus linking the Boztepe Peninsula to the mainland and is shut off from the Anatolian Plateau to the south by high, forest-clad mountains. The town's citadel and the foundations of the Temple of Serapis, now found in the grounds of the archaeological museum, suggest that the city may have been founded in the 7th century BC. Certainly, the beautiful golden icons on display at the museum are well worth a visit. Read more about Sinop, Turkey

Istanbul (Byzantium from 660 BC, Constantinople from 330 CE, and Istanbul since 1930) is the largest city in Turkey and the fifth largest city proper in the world. It has dominated the Straits of Bosphorus, in the NW of the country, for 25 centuries, and as Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was a metropolis of stunning splendour when the great capitals of Europe were mere villages and is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. The influence of Asia and Europe, the religion of Christians and Muslims, and the culture of Turks, Persians and Asians, have all found their way into the daily life of this bustling metropolis. Read more about Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul (Byzantium from 660 BC, Constantinople from 330 CE, and Istanbul since 1930) is the largest city in Turkey and the fifth largest city proper in the world. It has dominated the Straits of Bosphorus, in the NW of the country, for 25 centuries, and as Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was a metropolis of stunning splendour when the great capitals of Europe were mere villages and is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. The influence of Asia and Europe, the religion of Christians and Muslims, and the culture of Turks, Persians and Asians, have all found their way into the daily life of this bustling metropolis. Read more about Istanbul, Turkey

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. They are usually all found together in the same areas, as a walk through the old neighbourhoods of the famous historic triangle will reveal. Read more about Athens, Greece