Between Two Seas: Exploring the Ancient Cities of the Aegean and Black Seas
« Corinthian II
- Day 1 Istanbul, Turkey
- Day 2 Istanbul / Embark
- Day 3 Kavalla / Philippi / Kavala, Northern Aegean, Greece
- Day 4 Thessaloniki / Vergina / Thessaloniki, Macedonia
- Day 5 Volos / Pelion or Meteora / Volos, Thessaly
- Day 6 Canakkale / Troy / Canakkale, Turkey
- Day 7 Mudanya / Bursa / Mudanya
- Day 8 Bartin / Amasra / Bartin, Turkey's Black Sea Coast
- Day 9 Nessebur, Bulgaria
- Day 10 Istanbul, Turkey / Disembark
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Cat E | Cat D | Cat C | Cat B | Cat A | Cat AA | Cat VS | Cat PHS | ||
| 10 | Sep 28 '10 |
$6,995 | $7,995 | $8,995 | $9,995 | $10,995 | $11,495 | $11,995 | $13,595 |
| Single Supplement waived (Categories D-A only) | |||||||||
| Destinations : Europe, Mediterranean, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria |
|||||||||
Day 1 Istanbul, Turkey
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the Hotel Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul. Built on the Bosphorus, the narrow waterway separating Asia from Europe, Istanbul was the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
Day 2 Istanbul / Embark
Explore Istanbul’s principal monuments, including the Basilica of Hagia Sophia; Topkapi Palace, the seat of Ottoman sultans; and the Blue Mosque. Also visit the Archaeological Museum. Embark Corinthian II and sail.
Day 3 Kavalla / Philippi / Kavala, Northern Aegean, Greece
Call at Kavalla, the port of Philippi that marked the eastern boundary of ancient Rome’s European empire, and where, in A.D. 49, St. Paul addressed his Epistle to the Philippian Christians. Today it is a fascinating port city with a Turkish aqueduct and the Imaret, said to be Europe’s largest Islamic building. Then travel to Philippi. Visit the town’s extensive ruins, largely Roman or early Christian; acropolis; theater; and two Byzantine basilicas.
Day 4 Thessaloniki / Vergina / Thessaloniki, Macedonia
Arrive in Thessaloniki this morning for an excursion to Vergina to visit the royal tombs and museum. Return to Thessaloniki for an afternoon tour, including visits to several Byzantine churches as well as the Jewish History Museum and a synagogue.
Day 5 Volos / Pelion or Meteora / Volos, Thessaly
Explore mountainous Pelion, one of Greece’s most alluring regions. The mythological home of Centaurs—wild halfman, half-horse creatures—Pelion is dotted with picturesque villages set amidst lush vegetation. Visit Portaria, with its streams and glorious main square, and Makrynitsa, whose old stone mansions are built on the mountain slopes. Also visit the Volos Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, travel to Meteora (“monasteries in mid-air”), a group of monasteries built (starting in the 14th century) on a series of rocks rising from the Thessaly plain. Visit one or two monasteries and return to Volos.
Day 6 Canakkale / Troy / Canakkale, Turkey
Guarding the strategic narrows of the Hellespont, or Dardanelles, Canakkale is our gateway for Troy, where ongoing archaeological excavations have revealed nine different layers of cities superimposed in rings on a massive mound rising above the “windswept” Plain of Ilium. It was to one of these cities, as legend has it, that the Greeks fought the Trojans as told by Homer in his Illiad. The city of King Priam finally fell to Odysseus’s ruse of the Trojan Horse. Also visit the Archaeological Museum.
Day 7 Mudanya / Bursa / Mudanya
From Mudanya, on the Sea of Marmara, drive to Bursa. A spa since ancient times and an important silk center since the Byzantine period, in 1376 Bursa became the first capital of the new Ottoman Empire. It is noted for its outstanding Ottoman monuments, including the 14th-century Green Mosque; the 15th-century tomb of Mehmet I; the 15th-century Great Mosque, with its 20 domes; and the Muradiye Complex. Also visit the Archaeological Museum and explore the silk market, dating from 1451.
Day 8 Bartin / Amasra / Bartin, Turkey's Black Sea Coast
Drive to Amasra (The Iliad’s Sesamus), poised atop a headland and known as one of the Black Sea’s most beautiful towns. Founded by Milesians in the 6th century b.c., it became an important possession of both Byzantium and Genoa. View the Genoese citadel crowning one of the promontories and visit the local museum’s exhibits of archaeological finds from the Roman Period.
Day 9 Nessebur, Bulgaria
Arrive in charming Nessebur, known in ancient times as Messembria, or “town amid the sea,” according to Herodotus. Enjoy a walking tour of the town and its old timbered houses. Visit the Byzantine churches of St. Stephen and Christ of the Pantocrator and the Archaeological Museum. View the city’s ancient ruins, which date mostly from the Hellenistic period and include an acropolis, a Temple of Apollo and an agora.
Day 10 Istanbul, Turkey / Disembark
Disembark and transfer to the Istanbul airport for return flights.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1000 per person, $1500 for itineraries with 19+ days, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: http://www.alvoyages.com/four-ways/
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | $400 per person |
| 61-90 days | 55% trip cost |
| 0-60 days | 100% trip cost |
| For Itineraries with 19+ days | . |
| 90 days or more | $850 per person |
| 89-61 days | 55% trip cost |
| 60-0 days | 100% trip cost |
Corinthian II
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 114
- Luxury Expedition Ship
The distinguished 114-guest Corinthian II offers a classic yacht-like atmosphere and fine accommodations. Corinthian II is ice-strengthened for voyages into Antarctic waters, and is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore. Originally built in 1992 and refurbished in 2005, Corinthian II accommodates all guests in 57 outside suites, each affording sea views and elegantly appointed with a sitting area, TV, mini-refrigerator, safe, and other amenities as well as a marble bathroom. Several suites include private balconies accessed via sliding glass doors. Spacious and finely decorated public areas include a library stocked with books related to the itinerary and other volumes, and four computer terminals for e-mail access; an elegant lounge; and The Club, a space for convivial relaxation, with picture windows for panoramic views. The restaurant, serving fine cuisine prepared by European chefs, accommodates all guests at a single unassigned seating. The ship also includes a gym, beauty salon, a sun deck with Jacuzzi, and an outdoor café and bar, where meals may be served al fresco. Corinthian II is served by 70 experienced European officers and crew. There is also an elevator offering access to all decks.
Cabin Categories & Descriptions
All accommodations aboard Corinthian II are suites. They face outside, affording sea views, and several have balconies with sliding doors. All suites include a bedroom with twin or queen-size beds, sitting area, ample closet space, mini-refrigerator, TV, marble-appointed bathroom with shower, and other amenities.
Single travelers can opt to pay a single supplement for a private cabin or opt for a willing to share on select departures
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
| Cat E Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 250 - 252 | |
| Cat D Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 329-332 | |
| Cat C Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 254 - 262 | |
| Cat B Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 333 - 348 | |
| Cat A Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 416 - 428 | |
| Cat AA Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 265 sq. ft. Suites 414 - 415 | |
| Cat VS Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 505 - 512 | |
| Cat PHS Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 601 - 604 |
