Opulent Sea Cruises

Depart Australia this afternoon with Singapore Airlines via Singapore.

We arrive in Istanbul this morning. Your room will be ready upon arrival, enabling you to unwind after your flight. Istanbul is a fascinating city full of intrigue, at the crossroads of East and West.  This afternoon you may wish to explore the Grand Bazaar. Join fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening.

Sail 11.00pm

This morning we tour the ancient district of Sultanahmet to visit the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the magnificent Byzantine Church of St Sophia and the opulent Topkapi Palace. We board our luxurious floating home this afternoon. Settle in to your suite and join fellow travellers for the Welcome Aboard cocktail party. Of course all drinks and fine cuisine are served aboard Silver Wind.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Take time to explore the ship before attending the Captain’s Dinner.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 6.00pm

Trabzon is a bustling port town on Turkey’s Black Sea coast. This morning we explore the city itself and the Hagia Sophia (now the Aya Sofya Museum). This afternoon we drive to Sumela Monastery, spectacularly located on the ledge of a steep cliff.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 5.00pm

Sochi is known both as Russia’s Riviera and the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, unlikely titles for the one city! The city is surrounded by striking natural beauty, where the Caucasus Mountains meet the shores of the Black Sea. We drive to the outskirts of the city and ascend the Observation Tower, sitting atop Mt Akhun and offering magnificent views across Sochi. Returning to Sochi we visit the Art Museum and the Botanical Gardens. Lunch is served aboard Silver Wind.

This afternoon you may wish to stroll under the palms of the boardwalk; take a shuttle bus to Riviera Park; or visit Matsesta Springs and bath in the remedial waters (additional cost).

Arrive 9.00am – Sail 11.00pm

In the days of the Tsars, Russian aristocracy built their elegant summer residences in Yalta. We visit Livadia Palace, the summer retreat of the last Russian Tsar. We also see Swallow’s Nest, a turreted fairytale castle perched on a cliffside, and Alupka Palace, with its outstanding collection of art. We return to Silver Wind for lunch and a free afternoon. This evening you may wish to stroll along the seaside promenade and visit one of the many cafés or bars.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 6.00pm

Located between the sea and lush valleys Sevastopol sits on a group of hills that form a natural amphitheatre over the bay. Our morning tour of this majestic city includes the Panorama Museum, which depicts the Crimean War, and the Black Sea Navy Museum. The afternoon is free for independent exploration.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 6.00pm

Odessa, once the playground of Russian Royalty, is today a major cultural centre and thriving resort with beaches, saline baths and a mild climate. We tour the city including the Preobrazhensky Cathedral, Fine Arts Museum and Archaeology Museum. This afternoon is free to marvel at the French style buildings and explore this charming city independently.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 10.00pm

Romania’s Black Sea coast is awash with pristine beaches, alluring waters and a warm climate. Constanta is one of its hidden gems, with a laid back atmosphere and plenty of charm. This morning we explore the old town, with its mix of Greek, Roman and Byzantine architecture. We also visit the treasures contained within the Archaeological Museum.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 7.00pm

Nessebur is one of Europe’s oldest towns and this morning we visit UNESCO Listed Old Nessebur. We see the Archaeological Museum, the Church of St Stefan and the fortress walls. We return to Silver Wind for lunch. This afternoon you may like to relax upon one of the many beaches for which this area is famous.

Arrive 7.00am – Sail 7.00pm

We return to Istanbul and visit the Dolmabahce Palace – an impressive architectural feat, followed by the Spice Bazaar. This afternoon is at your leisure.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 6.00pm

Today will live long in your memory. We visit ANZAC Cove and stand on the beach in the footsteps of our courageous ANZACs. We are then guided around this historic site, visiting the Lone Pine Cemetery, the Turkish Memorial and the stirring ANZAC Museum, reflecting the feats of our countrymen.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 7.00pm

We dock at Kusadasi and visit one of the grandest and most fascinating ancient sites – Ephesus. The city dates back to the 10th century BC and more fascinating remains have recently been uncovered. We walk down the marble paved street with groove marks from ancient chariot wheels, past the remains of major civic buildings and temples. The Library of Celsus, a structure of unique beauty with a spectacular restored façade, once contained 12,000 scrolls of papyrus manuscripts. The Grand Theatre held 25,000 spectators and had exceptional acoustics. Ephesus is an outstanding archaeological site. We return to the ship for a late lunch. This afternoon you may wish to hunt for bargains and carpets within the numerous shops of Kusadasi.

A day at sea is a timely break in your travels. Unwind with a book beside the pool or join a group for a game of cards. This evening get together with your Tour Escort Team and enjoy a pre dinner drink in the bar.

Arrive 7.00am – Sail 11.00pm

Syria is a friendly country with quite stunning antiquities. Our morning tour visits the Crusader castle, Krak de Chevaliers, described by Paul Theroux as ‘the epitome of the dream castle of childhood fantasies’. Krak des Chevaliers was built in the 12th century and remains largely intact today. We see the baths, the Great Hall, the Loggia, Chapel Wardens Tower and the great castle walls. We return to Silver Wind for a late lunch.

You may prefer to take a full day optional tour to Damascus or Aleppo (additional cost).

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 6.00pm

Lebanon is often referred to as the ‘Paris of the Mediterranean’. The coastal cornice sweeping along the Mediterranean offers panoramic views and the city is regaining much of its former glory. Our full day tour drives through the city and passes through small mountain villages before entering the Bekaa Valley and on to Baalbeck. We will tour Baalbeck’s Acropolis, one of the largest and best preserved complexes of Roman architecture remaining today. Its temples, dedicated to Jupiter, Venus and Bachus, were built in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Lunch will be served in the Bekaa Valley before returning to Beirut for a brief tour of the city.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 6.00pm

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and at the crossroads of three continents. We drive to Amaathus, which was populated over 3000 years ago and was once a rich and sophisticated kingdom. We see Aphrodite’s Temple before driving back to Limassol to visit its Medieval Castle, today a museum. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Arrive 12 noon – Sail 7.00pm

Our afternoon tour visits Lindos, in an exquisite setting with natural beauty and popular with artists and writers for centuries. We wind through cobblestone streets to the foot of the Acropolis, perched on a bluff overlooking a village of whitewashed houses and narrow curving streets with spectacular sea views. The Doric Temple is enclosed within the walls of a Crusader castle and the 4th century BC Temple of Athena is at the edge of a precipitous crag.

Arrive 8.00am – Sail 6.00pm

Santorini is the quintessential Greek island. Its cliffside position and iconic whitewashed houses, atop of a glittering sea, beguile all those who visit. This morning we anchor at the bottom of the cliff that leads up to Thira, the main town. We drive around the island to visit Akrotiri, a city buried in ash by a volcanic eruption in 1600 BC. We then enjoy a walking tour through Thira and catch the cable car back down to the ship’s tenders. You may wish to return to the ship for lunch or enjoy lunch at one of the many trattorias (own expense) and continue exploring Thira at your leisure. Witness a stunning Greek Isle sunset as we sail from Santorini.

Arrive 7.00am

We arrive Athens this morning and disembark Silver Wind.

Choose from two sightseeing options. Visit the National Archaeological Museum – with new wings added to in recent years it is one of the best archaeological museums in the world. Alternatively, drive to the outstanding archaeological site of Delphi.

Later we check into the five star Hotel Grande Bretagne.

We depart Athens for our lunchtime flight home via Singapore.

We arrive in Australia this evening.