Circumnavigation of the Black Sea

and Two Nights in Paris

September-October 2012

We flew to Istanbul and spent the night at the Pera Palace Hotel where we joined our 96 traveling companions and nine expedition leaders. The following day we toured the Topkapi Palace and the Spice Market before boarding the Clipper Odyssey.  For the next two weeks, the Odyssey was our home as we visited the six countries on the Black Sea: Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria.  Our expedition leaders included archeologists, historians, biologists, and cultural experts who gave lectures and led us on fascinating walks through Greek and Roman sites as well as more modern cities.

We returned by way of Paris where we spent two nights in a small hotel near the Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter.  We explored a new neighborhood, enjoyed Parisian food and French wine.

Odessa, Ukraine