Treasures of the Black Sea by World Leaders Travel

OF THE

Black Sea 5

Aboard Le Levant

October 7–16, 2009

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With retired U.S. Navy captain &

deep-sea explorer Fred McLaren and archaeologist Diane Cline

(FROM PMS 357)

treasures

100% K

WHITE

Plus

along the shores of the black sea,

the fortunes of

ancient empires waxed and waned. Explore legendary

Istanbul, fascinating ports in Ukraine and Bulgaria, and the Danube Delta, a World Heritage site and Biosphere Reserve in Romania, aboard elegant Le Levant.

our study leader

h ag i a s o ph i a , ista n b u l

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“Although I have spent most of my life on and beneath the

Captain Alfred S. McLaren, USN (Ret.),

world’s oceans and seas, they have never lost their fascination

PhD, is an Arctic and deep-sea explorer,

for me, particularly the Black Sea. During our voyage together on

climate change research scientist,

Le Levant, we will take about the ancient peoples who populated

and former U.S. nuclear submarine

the Black Sea’s vast shoreline and about the Black Sea’s unusual evolution, its bathymetry (a measurement of depth), and the exotic marine species it nurtures. You will learn about exciting prospects for marine archaeology and about the influence of the Black Sea on the Danube Delta, a unique aquatic environment of highly diverse flora and fauna. We will also take a look at some of the major maritime conflicts that have taken place on the Black Sea in recent times. I am certain that the Black Sea will not only capture and hold your imagination, but that you will long, as I have, to return to it in the future.

commander. He has used Russian MIR submersibles to dive to the wrecks of the Titanic and the German battleship Bismarck, and has been a lecturer on voyages to most parts of the world. He holds teaching appointments at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and at the U.S. Naval War College. Diane Cline has taught Greek and Roman history and archaeology for more than

“The Black Sea region connects to the Mediterranean and

13 years and is currently a professorial

Aegean through the Bosphorus Strait, known in antiquity as the

lecturer at The George Washington

Hellespont. When the Greeks traveled to the lands bordering the

University in Washington, D.C. While

Black Sea, they colonized and settled there, and the ruins of their settlements dot the landscapes that we will see in Turkey and Romania. The Romans also settled here and left their mark, and the Eastern Orthodox churches of Romania and Ukraine reflect their Greek and Roman architectural heritage. As a classical archaeologist, I have spent a great deal of time in Turkey and other parts of the Aegean and Mediterranean. The modern histories and conflicts of the region are deeply fascinating to me. On this trip, I will share my understanding of the classical world with you, as well as the modern cultures and peoples of the countries around the Black Sea.

working on her dissertation at Princeton, she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in Greece, where she researched art and archaeology for three years. She has worked on excavations in Greece and Israel, won Teacher of the Year awards and NEH grants, and appears regularly on the History Channel and A&E.

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t h is pag e : c e i l i n g , b lu e m os q u e cov e r : o r ta koy m os q u e a n d b osp h o r us b r i d g e , ista n b u l m a i l pa n e l : Mat ryosh ka d o l ls b ac k cov e r: s e vastop o l

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highlight

5 Istanbul’s splendid Hagia Sophia Basilica

5 A sunset cruise along the Bosphorus Strait 5 Nessebur’s intricately decorated Byzantine churches 5 The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve 5 Visiting the home of a Ukrainian family 5 The famous Potemkin Steps in Odesa

SHIP

RUSSIA UKRAINE

LAND AIR

Odesa

U.S.

itinerary

Istanbul, Turkey

E mbark Le Levant

Wednesday & Thursday, October 7–8 ROMANIA

Danube Delta

Sevastopol

Depart the U.S. for Istanbul on the

Yalta

recommended overnight flight or independently, arriving in the late

B L ACK SEA

afternoon. Embark Le Levant, then

Nessebur

gather for an evening reception and

BULGARIA

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welcome dinner. Le

Amasra Istanbul

Safranbolu

Le va n t (R, D)

Istanbul Friday, October 9

Cappadocia

Choose from a variety of excursion options for today’s exploration

TURKEY

of historic Istanbul. Explore the highlights of Old Town including the Hippodrome, center of Byzantine civic life; the splendid Sultan Ahmet c h e rs o n es u s

Mosque, commonly called the Blue Mosque for its dazzling blue Iznik tiles; and the breathtaking Hagia Sofia Basilica, the “Church of Divine Wisdom.” Or discover lesserknown sites such as the luxurious Dolmabahçe, the first Europeanstyle palace in Istanbul; the beautiful Byzantine Chora Church; the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus that divides the city; and the Basilica Cistern, built by Justinian in 532 a.d. This evening relax on the decks of Le Levant during a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, flanked by opulent waterside palaces, embassies, and mansions, and into the Black Sea. Le Levant (B,L,D)

Amas ra

Safranbolu

Saturday, October 10 Call this morning at Amasra and transfer to Safranbolu, named for the saffron fields that blanketed this region in the 19th century. Once an important junction on the Silk Road, Safranbolu today is a World Heritage ope r a h o us e

site of winding streets and beautifully o d esa

M ake yo u r r es e rvat i o n to day. C a l l (800) 395-3288.

preserved Ottoman-style wooden houses. Tour the Çarsi District, a treasure trove of period architecture,

and explore the ethnographic

O d esa

astonishing variety of flora and fauna,

museum, the city’s vibrant market

Tuesday, October 13

including numerous rare species.

square, and a restored Ottoman

Odesa is a city with a short but

Board small boats to navigate

caravansary (inn). L e

dynamic history. See the Potemkin

the delta’s canals, reed beds, and

Steps, famously depicted in the

marshes for close-up views of the

Yalta, U k r a i n e

1925 silent film classic Potemkin,

abundant wildlife. Le

Sunday, October 11

which portrayed the 1905 uprising

Disembark in historic Yalta on

of the crew of the Russian battleship

Ne ss ebur, B ulgaria

the southern tip of the Crimean

Potemkin against the oppressive

Thursday, October 15

Peninsula. Yalta entered the global

officers of the Tsarist regime. Stroll

Nessebur has earned World Heritage

spotlight in 1945, when Stalin,

along the promenade to the stunning

status for its eclectic architectural

Roosevelt, and Churchill met here

and newly renovated Hapsburg-style

styles, which stretch across millennia.

to determine the fate of Europe

opera house, and stop to admire

Journey to the site of a Greek

after World War II. Tour the Italian

an exhibit of rare Scythian gold at

acropolis and a Roman agora and

Renaissance–style Livadia Palace,

the Archaeology Museum. In the

visit the remarkable Archaeology

which contains many mementos of

afternoon, choose to either visit

Museum. Admire the town’s

the conference as well as personal

with local Ukrainian families in their

intricately decorated Byzantine

belongings of the deposed Romanov

homes or explore Odesa’s rich Jewish

churches, including 11th-century St.

family. L e

heritage with a tour of the Jewish

Stephen’s with its richly ornamented

Museum and synagogue.

iconostasis and gilded bishop’s

Le Levant (B,L,D)

throne. Return to Le Levant for a

L evant (B,L,D)

L e va n t ( B, L, D)

Sevastop o l Monday, October 12

L e va n t (B , L , D)

festive farewell reception and dinner.

In Sevastopol, a former top-secret

Da n u be Delta, R omania

Soviet military zone, visit the unique

Wednesday, October 14

Panorama Museum, which recreates

The Danube River culminates in the

Istanbul

scenes from the city’s heroic 349-

only delta in the world to be declared

Friday, October 16

day defense during the Crimean

a World Heritage site and Biosphere

Disembark Le Levant in Istanbul this

War. Continue to the 4th-century

Reserve. At more than 5,000 square

morning and transfer to the airport

Greek ruins of Chersonesus and then

kilometers, the delta is one of the

for flights home. (B )

Balaklava, where the tragic “Charge

world’s largest wetlands and a living

of the Light Brigade” unfolded.

natural museum of biodiversity; its

L e L e va n t ( B, L, D)

23 natural ecosystems teem with an

b u lgarian girl in traditional costume

Le Levant (B ,L,R,D)

U.S.

Photography Ortakoy Mosque © Timdeboeck / Dreamstime.com; Hagia Sofia © iStockphoto.com / Yusuf Anil Akduygu; Blue Mosque © Jivko Kazakov / Dreamstime.com; Blue Mosque interior © iStockphoto.com / Jivko Kazakov; Chersonesus © iStockphoto.com / Natalia Bratslavsky; Opera House © Hohotuk4ik / Dreamstime.com; Girl © Iconotec / Alamy; Cappadocia © iStockphoto.com / Svetlana Tikhonova; Galata Tower © Gmv / Dreamstime.com; Dolls © iStockphoto.com / David Cox; Sevastopol © iStockphoto.com / Valentyn Volkov

byz a n t i n e c h u rc h

n e sse b u r

o r v isi t www. hcp t r av e l .co m or contac t your profe ss ional travel advi s or.

Reserve your space on Treasures of the Black Sea

extension

Call (800) 395-3288 or visit www.hcptravel.com or contact your professional travel advisor.

terms & conditions

Details and rates for both extensions will be provided to confirmed participants. Op tion a l P r e -To u r Exten si o n to C appa d oc i a , T urkey October 5–8, 2009 Arrive in Ankara and tour the remarkable Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Spend three days in Cappadocia (above), a World Heritage site of “fairy chimneys” and underground cities. Explore Byzantine cave churches decorated with colorful frescoes in the Goreme Valley; the whimsical troglodyte (cave) houses in Urgup; and a 2,000year-old, eight-story underground sanctuary in Derinkuyu. Op tion a l P ost-To u r Extens i o n to Ista n b u l , Turkey October 16–19, 2009 Explore some of the attractions of Istanbul on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, including the waterfront baroque-style Beylerbeyi Palace; Çamlica Hill, which offers magnificent views of the city and the sea; and Uskudar, Istanbul’s oldest established residential suburb. Also visit the Military Museum, Galata Tower (below), and bustling Istiklal Street, lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, and browse through the spice market and the old books market.

R e se rvat i o n s & Pay m e n ts A deposit of $1,000 per person (payable to High Country Passage) is required to confirm all reservations. Please mail the check to High Country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94107. Final payment deadline is June 9, 2009, 120 days prior to departure. C a n c e l l at i o ns & Re f u n ds Deposits are fully refundable if a written notice of cancellation is received by High Country Passage within 30 days of receipt of deposit; after that, they are 100% non-refundable. Cancellations after final payment deadline: 100% penalty. All cancellations must be made in writing. I t i n e r a ry, P r o g r a m , & Cost M o d i f i c at i o ns The itinerary, as contained in this brochure, is subject to modifications and change by High Country Passage. Every effort will be made to carry out this program as planned, but alterations may still occur after the final itinerary is sent. Costs, although given in good faith and based on information available upon publication of the brochure, are also subject to change and revision. Due to fluctuations in oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your tour fee. Details and costs will be advised prior to your departure. I n s u r a nc e Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is highly recommended and should be considered for your financial protection. Another important consideration is medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. A comprehensive package will be made available to you upon receipt of your initial deposit. Early purchase will provide coverage of pre-existing medical conditions. H e a lt h All participants should be in good health and capable of walking over rough terrain. By forwarding the deposit for passage, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. R e spo n si b i l i t y High Country Passage (HCP) acts only as an agent for the suppliers and contractors providing transportation and/or all other travel-related services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for personal injury, or for personal or property loss or damage, in connection with any service. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, weather, strikes, terrorism, wars, or other such causes. HCP reserves the right to make changes to the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. Occasionally, unforeseen changes in transportation schedules or other pressing matters necessitate a change in the land portion of the tour or cause a tour to be extended beyond its scheduled completion; any extra costs incurred in such cases are the responsibility of the passenger. HCP reserves the right at their discretion to alter, change, omit, and/or feature any part of the itinerary or any reservation, conveyance, or routing at any time and without notice and for any reason whatsoever without allowance of refund. HCP also reserves the right to decline or accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any person to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by their representative to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant. HCP reserves the right to withdraw without penalty any tour announced. Personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times.

CST #2070901-40 090523 BSL HCP

new pricing

le levant

Le Levant, built in 1998 to the highest international standards of safety and

Pricing includes $2,200 savings (doubles)

comfort, transports passengers to destinations around the world, providing

and up to $7,900 savings (singles) off of

the amenities and pleasures of a private yacht.

original rates.

The ship accommodates up to 90 passengers in 45 well-appointed,

double

single

C at e g o ry 1

$ 5 , 9 95

$6,995

C at e g o ry 2

$7, 2 95

$8,295

C at e g o ry 3

$8,285

outside-facing cabins of approximately 200 square feet that feature a sitting area, marble bath with shower, bathrobes, hair dryer, satellite TV, generous storage space, mini-bar, safe, and individual temperature controls.

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A large picture window affords scenic views from the comfort of each cabin, and beds can be configured as queen-size or two twins.

A i r fa r e Round-trip airfare between New

Le Levant’s five decks include a 95-seat panoramic restaurant for

York and Istanbul is not included in the program rates. As of October 2008, economy-

breakfast and lunch, a gourmet restaurant for dinner, library, lounge, two

class airfare is estimated at $1,375 (subject to

bars, elevator, hair salon, sauna, pool, and a boutique. Le Levant is equipped

change). Cost savings may be available through

with four anti-roll stabilizers to provide smooth sailing and an INMARSAT

High Country Passage, who is happy to assist

communications system that can be used from each cabin.

you with making your air travel arrangements.

BOUGAINVILLE DECK

P ot e n t i a l F u e l S u rc harge Every possible, and rates do not include allowances to

POOL

BAR

cover possible increases in fuel costs. Please be

GYM

effort is made to keep program costs as low as

508

506

504

502

507

505

503

501

aware that the volatile nature of oil prices may make it necessary to assess a fuel surcharge.

Meals as indicated in the itinerary and farewell receptions

Welcome

LIBRARY

Comprehensive

educational program by study leaders and local guides

418 416 414 412 410 RESTAURANT

CHAMPLAIN DECK

All sightseeing and visits as noted in

the itinerary

316 314 312 310 308

Transfers to and from airports

for those participating in or meeting group flights

306 304 302

LOUNGE SHOP

Baggage handling for one bag plus

one carry-on bag per person while on tour

408 406 404 402

419 417 415 413 411 409 407 405 403 401

LINENS

Inc lu d e d Eight nights aboard Le Levant

LINENS

LA PÉROUSE DECK

We appreciate your understanding.

319 317 315 313

311 309 307 305 303 301

All

on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted

Gratuities to guides, porters, drivers, and

ship’s crew

Complete packet of pre-departure

information including suggested reading list and luggage tags

State-of-the-art headsets

for clear reception of expert commentary during excursions N ot In clu d e d U.S. domestic and international airfare

5 5

Immunization costs

Passport and visa fees

Airport security

fees imposed by the government or airline Meals and beverages, including alcohol and

wine, not speciﬁed as included

and cancellation insurance

bar

m a i n lo u n g e

stat e r o o m

Baggage

Transfers to and

from airports for those not using or meeting group flights

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c h a mp l a i n & l a pÉ r o u s e d ec ks

Personal items such as laundry,

telephone, fax, and email charges, gratuities for non-group services, and other items not specified as included

CHART PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE ONLY; OK TO REBUILD IN InDESIGN

100% K

• 500 Third Street, Suite 455 San Francisco, CA 94107 www.hcptravel.com