A circumnavigation of this historic sea is the best way to see a region that offers so much in the way of ancient and military history, architecture, diverse cultural influences, literature and contemporary politically affairs. A full day in Istanbul, Turkey allows you to tour the historic Sultanahmet District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Palace of Topkapi, Hagia Sofia and the Grand Bazaar. From the Black Sea Turkish port of Samsun, an optional excursion will take us to Amasya. With a dramatic mountain and riverside setting, Amasya features graceful old Ottoman homes, mosques, and ancient tombs of kings carved right into the sheer cliff face above the town center.

Trabzon began as an important trading center by the ancient Greeks. Explore the frescoed Byzantine church of Aya Sofya; the Gulbaharhatun Mosque; Ataturk's Art Nouveau cliff-side home and gardens; and the 13th-century Byzantine Sumela Monastery, perched on the side of a cliff. From Batumi, Georgia, enjoy a full-day option excursion to Kutaisi, a World Heritage Site famous for the 11th-century Bagrati Cathedral and the Gelati Monastery complex. Sochi, Russia is renowned for its mineral springs and health resorts, and its subtropical climate offers a lush landscape. Drive inland toward the high Caucasus Mountains to enjoy the alpine scenery.

Sevastopol, a Soviet-era submarine port that was opened to western visitors less than 10 years ago, visit the Panorama Museum where the siege of the city in the Crimean War is depicted in murals and diorama, followed by a drive out of the city to the “Valley of Death,” the site of the “Charge of the Light Brigade.” An afternoon excursion is available to Chersonesus, a splendid Greek seaside colony dating to 400 BC that is considered by some to be the birthplace of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Odessa, founded by Catherine the Great in 1794, provides a wonderful opportunity for a walking tour that includes the famous Potemkin Steps, important monuments, the domed Ilinsky Cathedral, Opera House and Promenade. The Danube River Delta is an intricate labyrinth of waterways, channels, rivulets and sounds, and possibly presents an opportunity for us to use our Zodiac landing craft for exploring. This is a wetlands habitat for a variety of wildlife, including many specials of birds. Conclude your Black Sea Adventure in Istanbul.