Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey!

Ah, Constantinople, Queen of Cities and the Door to Happiness. Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents—Europe and Asia—and its appeal is truly universal. 

The Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans all ruled their empires from here, leaving behind some of their finest monuments and a fascinating blend of cultures. Visit the harem at Topkapi Palace, where the clatter of silver soles once warned concubines of the approaching sultan. Admire the Iznik tiles and stained glass windows of the Blue Mosque, and the mystical light bathing the nave of Hagia Sofia. Shop the Grand Bazaar for a coffee cezve, magic lamp, embroidered slippers, or hand-woven kilim. Temper a tiny cup of potent Turkish coffee with bites of sweet lokum (Turkish delight).  

Excursion Options:

   Istanbul, Bazaars of Istanbul 

   Istanbul, Bosphorus Cruise & Grand Bazaar 

   Istanbul, Byzantine Treasures of Istanbul 

   Istanbul, Concierge Collection: Private Half Day Van & Guide 

   Istanbul, Highlights of Istanbul 

   Istanbul, Istanbul Deluxe Part I 

   Istanbul, Ottoman Wonders 

   Istanbul, Palaces of Istanbul 

This amazing landscape and depth of history is something to behold. You have the morning to recoup from the flight and explore this awe inspiring metropolis. 

We will board our amazing ship - Star Legend - approximately 1:00. We are due to set sail at 5:00pm and last on board is usually 2 hours prior to sail-a-way.

As final payment draws near, Alt Esc will provide information on hotel options, pre-trip ideas and transfers to the port.

The terracotta rooftops come into sight as we approach Nessebar. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is easy to cover by foot, tidily contained on a 24-acre island connected by a narrow isthmus to the mainland. Take a walk and you’ll see medieval churches everywhere you look, along with 19th century wooden houses with drying fish strung from their roofs. Further inland, glimpse the quickly vanishing lifestyle of Bulgaria’s rural villages, and sample warm Bulgarian hospitality.

Excursion Options:

   Nessebar, Ancient Nessebar & Wine Tasting 

   Nessebar, Celebrating with the Locals 

   Nessebar, Concierge Collection: Via Pontica Birdwatching Tour 

   Nessebar, Taste of Bulgaria 

   Nessebar, Town Walk 

You’ll have time to explore this fascinating country as we extend our stay into the evening hours. The resort town of Constanta offers beaches, history, and fine wine. Head inland to the beautiful city of Bucharest, once known as “Little Paris,” where you may visit the vast and famous home of both houses of the Romanian Parliament, widely known as the Palace of the People. Don’t miss the chance to watch the locals playing chess in beautiful Cismigiu Gardens. 

You can credit Catherine the Great with this sparkling city, designed by the finest European architects in the late 18th century. With its eclectic architectural styles and immigrants from diverse cultures, Odessa has a unique vibe. Walk the Potemkin Steps, said to bring good luck to those who go up and down them in bare feet, and stroll the beautiful tree-lined paths in the heart of the city. 

Excursion Options:

    Odessa: Catacombs 

    Odessa: Jewish Heritage 

    Odessa: Odessa Grand Mansions and Wine-tasting 

Use our time sailing the Black Sea to relax, recoup, recharge! 

Sleep in late, read a book, have breakfast in your cabin, get a massage, take advantage of having NO schedule, watch a movie, take a nap, take in one of the interesting  sessions that the ship will offer, or sit on deck watching the world go by!. You get to design it any way you want...

The port that was host of the 2014 Winter Olympics is also notable for its 20th century neoclassical buildings including the Winter Theatre. Things to do in Sochi include the 19th century Arboretum and Sochinskiy National Park for endangered species. 

Sochi now reigns as a year round resort area - the most popular in Russia. Skiing in winter, beach activities in the summer and Casino all year round makes this an ideal destinations for Russian vacationers!

Excursion Options:

    Sochi, Panorama & Olympic Park

    Sochi, Panorama, Stalin’s Dacha, Olympic Park 

    Sochi: Krasnaya Polyana 

    Sochi: Russian Tea Houses, Stalin’s Dacha & Olympic Park 

    Sochi: Stalin’s Dacha & Russian Tea Houses 

This popular port and resort town on the Black Sea is full of quirky architecture and sculptures. Walk along the beach promenade and the piazza for some entertaining street art and murals and find the freshest produce and home-made products at the local market.   Go up to the top of the 427-foot (130 meter)-high Alphabetic Tower with a seaside observation deck.  

Batumi Boulevard is the city’s pride and joy. Laid out in 1884 and stretching for 7 kilometers along the seafront, it’s one of the oldest parts of Batumi and one of the largest parks of its kind in Europe.

The Boulevard area comprises a series of walking and cycling paths that thread their way through manicured gardens, past recreation zones and clusters of cafes. The wide Seafront Promenade hugs the Black Sea shoreline all the way from the lighthouse and port to the bottom of Lech and Maria Kachinsky Park.

When Batumi was part of Imperial Russia, the Boulevard was the spot to promenade with your parasol. During the 1990s, families gravitated to the Boulevard to escape the difficulties of daily life. Today, this is the place where all of Batumi comes to exercise, socialize and play.

The best way to explore Batumi Boulevard is to either walk from end to end, or to hire a bike from one of the vendors in the park and cycle (bike hire costs 5-8 GEL per hour). Electric scooters are also available. It is recommended visiting in the early evening when the area is teaming with families and young couples. 

Try not to miss Ali and Nino, a literally moving statue of stacked metal giants just continually trying (and failing) to find love.