Grand Mumbai to The Black Sea

The world famous Odessa Opera House - Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff conducted on its stage, the great Enrico Caruso, and Feodor Chaliapin sang, and Pavlova and Isadora Duncan danced.

The frenzy of the great Mumbai melting pot! - A teeming metropolis, fusion of religion and cultures, a microcosm of India at the forefront of this enthralling Grand Voyage. Lost cities of Ubar and Petra - the 'rose-red city half as old as time', capture the imagination. The exciting world of ancient Egypt beckons, make a 'pilgrimage' across the desert to St. Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai. A captivating blend of East and West infused with scents of the Orient, Istanbul beckons melding the exotic, idyllic and iconic. Suez Canal - a wonder of the new. 'A great leader in times of war and peace', Ataturk's memory is held dear in Trabzon. Though the Soviet Union crumpled, Sochi's grandiose Stalinist architecture survives. Ornate palaces in Odessa and Yalta speak volumes about Russia's aristocracy and Sevastopol unlocks the secrets of both Crimean and Cold wars. April 25th - ANZAC Day. On this poignant anniversary step ashore and remember those who lost their lives where Australian, New Zealand and the Commonwealth forces landed on Gallipoli!

Mumbai, India

Ancient yet modern, fabulously rich yet exceedingly poor, Mumbai is India in microcosm.

Bollywood star mansions on Pali Hill seem a world away from the simplicity celebrated by the mementos in the Gandhi Museum. Maharajas, viceroys and kings are commemorated by monuments like Mumbai's Gateway to India. Sweeping vistas and sunset views on Marine Drive or the stalls selling saris and spice around Martyr's Square all provide inspiring snapshots, while excursions out to Elephanta Island explore startling rock-cut temples hidden around a network of atmospheric caves.

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Porbandar, India

Drawing pilgrims from all over India and the world at large, Porbandar was the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation. As well as the family home, visitors can celebrate his message of truth and non-violence in the Kirti Mandir memorial. Built in 1950 to honour the city's native son, the monument stands 79 feet tall, one for every year of Gandhi's life. Worth exploring are a host of other Hindu temples (Mandir) such as Sudama, Bharat, Gita and Gaytri Mandir.

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Muscat, Oman

At its heart is old Muscat, a "walled city" with a natural harbour watched over by 16th-century Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Mirani, where the Sultan has his palace.

The capital of Oman, Muscat, dovetails the old with the new. Between the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and a barren sandstone mountain backcloth, parks, palaces and mosques share a dramatic setting. The twin forts of Jalali and Mirani hark back to the 16th century, while in the suburb of Muttrah dhows doze at anchor and a fish market does brisk business. The souk here is an Aladdin's cave of brassware, stalls peddling silver and spice, tailors cutting silks between sips of mint tea.

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Salalah, Oman

Surrounded on land by a half-circle of mountains, Salalah is considered to be the "second city" of the Sultanate and is historically famous for the frankincense trade.

Lush landscapes drenched by the annual Khareef monsoon and summer temperatures that rarely rise above 30 centigrade distinguish the cooler southern province of Dhofar from the capital, Muscat. Frankincense has been Salalah's trademark for centuries. Its fragrance finds its way into all manner of scents and incense. Out and about, explore the fishing village of Taqah and the ruins of Samhuran, a trading centre dating back 5,000 years and said to be the place where the arrival of the Queen of Sheba was often celebrated.

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Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Lying on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh is an exotic and friendly holiday destination with wonderful beaches.

For those with a full day in the popular resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, make a 'pilgrimage' across the desert to St. Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai. It was on Mount Sinai that 'the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush'. The sanctuary built around the site of the Burning Bush in 337, was converted by Justinian into a massive fortress monastery in 537. Alternatively, visit the nearby resort area of Naama Bay where we use the facilities of one of the resort's leading hotels for a relaxing day by the warm waters of the Red Sea, including a glass-bottom boat ride to see the colourful coral reef.

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Aqaba, Jordan

It was more than 2,000 years ago that the Nabataean Arabs, Bedouin who came from Africa, created the fortress city of Petra. The two days spent in Aqaba allow one or two full days to explore this remarkable ancient city. As we walk down through the Siq - a narrow, naturally-formed gorge - we will be confronted with the spectacular Treasury. This is just the start of Petra and exploring this remarkable city. A visit is also available to Wadi Rum - a vast silent landscape of ancient bedrocks, pastel-coloured stretches of sandy desert and towering sandstone mountains. This was the scene of the exploits of Lawrence of Arabia in World War I and the setting for the epic David Lean film.

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Safaga, Egypt

This small port city on the western shore of the Red Sea is a gateway to Luxor and all of the magnificent Egyptian temples, tombs and ruins found there.

Lying on the Red Sea coast, Safaga is our 'gateway to Upper Egypt'. Our tour to Luxor, Karnak and The Valley of The Kings takes us across magnificent mountains and the eastern desert into the Nile Valley to see the resting places of Pharaohs and the temples and palaces which lie on either side of the world's longest river. On the east bank were the mansions of the living gods, whereas the west bank was the place of the setting sun, the desert and the dead.

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Sokhna, Egypt

Further your discovery of the 'Land of the Pharaohs'! Sokhna is 'Gateway to Cairo'. A swirling kaleidoscope of culture and colour, Egypt's capital conjures up many images. The profile of eternal pyramids, enigmatic face of the mighty sphinx, priceless treasures in the Museum of Antiquities and the heart of the pulsating city - the Nile, river of life and revered in Egypt since ancient times.

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Suez Canal, Egypt

The Suez Canal, also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an man-made waterway, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

Along with the Panama Canal which followed some years later, the Suez Canal stands as a permanent tribute to the genius and vision of Ferdinand de Lesseps. Work begun in 1859, with thousands of labourers excavating some 75 million cubic metres of sand. Since its grand opening in 1869 (a ceremony which included an inaugural performance of Verdi's Aida), distances around the world have shrunk, with trade and travel transformed. Discovery makes her own transit, crossing the Great Bitter Lake and sailing beneath Egypt's newest engineering achievement, the Suez Canal Bridge, one of the tallest suspension bridges in the world.

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Ashdod, Israel

The port town of Ashdod serves as the gateway to Jerusalem, which is the Holy City of three different religions, Christian, Jews and Moslems.

Revered by all three of the West's great religious traditions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem is a highlight of any visit to the Holy Land.

Alternatively visit UNESCO listed Masada Fortress on top of an isolated rock plateau on the edge of the Judean Desert, or the lowest spot on earth - the remarkable Dead Sea.

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Haifa, Israel

Built on the slopes of Mount Carmel, the history of settlement at Haifa spans more than 3,000 years.

On a broad natural bay between the Mediterranean and awe-inspiring Mount Carmel, Haifa's terraced landscape gives the illusion of a city sitting in its own amphitheatre.

Across the sparkling waters the medieval walled fortress city of Acre beckons, or venture inland to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee.

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Limassol, Cyprus

Kourion theatre outside the city of Limassol.

A bridge between Europe and Asia, Cyprus was once the Mediterranean's most important trading post. In the Middle Ages when the Crusaders held Cyprus under Richard the Lionheart, the traders knew Limassol for its sugar cane and wine. Venture into the fertile foothills of the Trodos Mountains. Visit medieval Kolossi Castle from where the Knights watched over their vineyards and sugar plantations. Ancient Curium is a window on Cyprus' ancient Greek and Roman past.

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Fethiye, Turkey

Rock tombs, Lycian sarcophagi, a crumbling fortress and impressive Roman Theatre speak volumes about Fethiye's pedigree. Nestled at the head of an island-strewn bay this charming port town was once the ancient city of Telmessos. Wander along the sea front promenade, through the atmospheric narrow streets of the Old Town, and herb and spice aromas filtering Fethiye's lively bazaar.

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Kusadasi, Turkey

The theatre of Ephesus, first constructed in the Hellenistic age, is located on the slope of Panayir Hill and can be seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus.

Kusadasi is a colourful, lively port with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants. Enjoy bartering in the shops and bazaars of this bustling town, and maybe even treat yourself to a traditional Turkish bath. A short drive away is the glorious Graeco-Roman city of Ephesus, once home to a quarter of a million people. It is easy to imagine life as it once was as you stroll down Kuretes Street to the Library of Celsus and then on to the Great Theatre, where St. Paul tried to preach his new religion.

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Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey's most populous city, located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea.

Any visit to Istanbul is an unforgettable experience. With its unique skyline of pencil-thin minarets and a magnificent series of domes and half-domes topping each mosque along the Bosphorus, the setting is spectacular. Founded in the 17th century BC by the Greek, Byzas, the city once known as Byzantium and then Constantinople still lives up to the exotic label of 'Gateway to the East'. During a two-night stay, choose from a selection of tours that visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, Santa Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. You can also enjoy traditional nights of Turkish entertainment.

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Trabzon, Turkey

Trabzon is the largest port on the Black Sea coast and is renowned for its natural and historical treasures, the most important building the 13th-century St. Sophia Byzantine church, which is used as a museum today.

Trabzon has been an important trading city since it was founded by merchants from Sinop in around 1000BC. Over the centuries the city has been ruled by Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Goths and Ottomans. Invaded by the Russians in World War I, the city is rich in historical treasures. The most significant building, the thirteenth-century St. Sophia Byzantine church, was used for centuries as a mosque and is now a museum containing splendid frescoes and examples of Byzantine painting.

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Sochi, Russia

Sochi, a favourite holiday destination on the Black Sea with beautiful warm sea on one side, and the snow capped peaks of the Caucasus mountains on the other, has been chosen to host the Winter Olympics in 2014.

Set at the foot of the Caucausus Mountains, the spa town of Sochi enjoys a pleasant climate, warm seas, lush vegetation and the curative powers of its springs at Matsesta. The city played a prominent role during the 1917 Revolution when Lenin decreed that resort facilities for working people should be provided. Relax by the beach, visit the botanical gardens and look out for the many Trees of Friendship around town - citrus trees with buds grafted on by visitors from all over the world as a symbol of peace and friendship.

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Yalta, Ukraine

Picturesque Yalta is a popular resort town on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula, situated between Alushta and Sevastopol.

With its warm sub-tropical climate Yalta was always popular with the ruling elite of Russia. Surrounded by mountains, vineyards and orchards, Yalta was the favourite holiday home for Tsar Nicholas and his family. Later the city was written into the history books as the site for the historic Conference between Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt in 1945 when the post-war map of Europe was decided.

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Sevastopol, Ukraine

Situated on the Black Sea coast of the Crimean peninsula, Sevastopol is an elegant city of gleaming neoclassical buildings, an 19th century fort built to defend the port, and a beautiful waterfront promenade.

The historic city of Sevastopol, built on the tip of the Crimean peninsula with a vast natural harbour, has long been of great strategic importance. Discover more about the Charge of the Light Brigade on a full-day "Crimean War Highlights" tour; alternatively, visit the Museum of the Black Sea fleet and the Panorama, an evocative circular painting depicting the 349-day siege of Sevastopol. There will also be visits to the ancient Greek city of Chersonesus founded in 422 BC and Bakhchisaray, home to the ruling Khans in the fifteenth century.

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Odessa, Ukraine

Odessa is a big city-port situated on the Black Sea shore well-known for its monuments, parks, museums, magnificent architecture, sunny beaches, warm sea and a special way of life.

Known as the 'Black Pearl', Odessa was founded in 1794 on the orders of Catherine the Great. Enjoy a city tour with visits to the magnificent Cathedrals of the Assumption and Illinsky, the Art Museum and the Potemkin Steps, made famous in the Eisenstein film 'Battleship Potemkin'. See the 'Tiger Gun' captured in 1854 from HMS Tiger. Stroll along the Primorsky Boulevard past the Baroque-style Opera House, the Palace of Weddings, and the imposing palace of Count Vorontsov.

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Canakkale, Turkey

The "wooden horse" from the 2004 movie Troy is exhibited on the seafront of Canakkale, which is the nearest major town to the site of ancient Troy.

As Discovery heads for the Sea of Marmara by way of the Dardanelles , our on-board lecturers will paint a vivid picture of the fateful campaign that was fought on these shores. At Canakkale, you can visit the key landmarks around Gallipoli: Anzac Cove, the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, and a number of Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels. Another option is to take an excursion to the site of Troy where a symbolic wooden Trojan horse commemorates the legendary war.

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Fares

Cabin Type Fare
£
2 Bed Outside from 4199
2 Bed Inside from 4439
Suite from 8569

Additional Information: Flights to/from Manchester available at a supplement.

To enquire about this cruise please contact Bawtry Travel by completing the Cruise Enquiry Form in the right hand column.