Black Sea Odyssey

Departing from Istanbul, Ponant brings you an itinerary along the coastlines of the Black Sea, to discover the Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian and Georgian shores. During this 12-day cruise, Le Lyrial will take you to exceptional natural and historic sites. Your trip will begin with the discovery of the city of Nessebar, in Bulgaria. The architecture of this city established over 3,000 years ago is extremely rich, inherited from the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations that succeeded one another.

You will then head north to Bulgaria with a port of call...read more in Varna. Renowned for its fine sandy beaches, this major city also features an important architectural heritage from the end of the 19th century, including the Cathedral of the Assumption, built after the cathedral of Saint Petersburg. Further north, Odessa, the pearl of the Black Sea. This city will win you over with its unique charm resulting from the mix of Slavic and Mediterranean cultures. Don't miss the chance to visit its palaces, catacombs, magnificent opera house, and of course take a detour via the legendary giant stairway immortalised in the film Battleship Potemkin.

Your ship will then head to the East, to discover the lively seaside towns of Sochi, on the 'Russian Riviera', at the feet of the Western Caucasus mountains, and Batumi, in Georgia. Your ship will then make its way to the Turkish coast, where the ports of call will be of great cultural and historical interest. First, Trabzon and Samsun, at the gateway to Anatolia, then, not far from Amasra, the ancient city of Safranbolu, boasting typical Ottoman architecture. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was a major caravan station between Europe and the East. Then you will reach Istanbul, a rich historical UNESCO listed site, at the end of a magnificent cruise.