Welcome to Batumi, Georgia’s vibrant seaside city on the Black Sea. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to unwind. Depending on your arrival time, you might take a stroll along the palm-lined promenade, sip coffee at a breezy seaside café, or simply relax and settle in. Your journey begins here, where the Black Sea meets Georgia’s warm hospitality.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~10–15 km; Time: ~0.5 h; Overnight stay at a hotel in Batumi (– / – / –)

The day begins with a guided walking tour of Batumi, where history and modernity blend seamlessly. From the elegant Europe Square, crowned by the statue of Medea, to the charming Piazza Square and St. Nicholas Church, every corner tells a story. We stroll through Batumi Port, marvel at the moving statue of Ali and Nino, and admire the striking Alphabet Tower, a symbol of Georgian culture. A leisurely walk along Batumi Boulevard and through the Dancing Fountains Park leads us to the Drama Theatre and the magnificent Neptune statue, completing the morning with a vibrant glimpse of Batumi's charm. Afterward, we embark on a refreshing boat ride along the Black Sea coast, enjoying the gentle breeze and taking in the panoramic views. After some free time for lunch, we continue to the tranquil Mtirala National Park. We cross a river via a cable car and hike through lush greenery to reach picturesque waterfalls, immersing ourselves in the unspoiled beauty of nature. Adventurous souls may take a dip in the cool waters, while the rope attraction adds a playful touch to the day. By evening, we return to Batumi, our hearts filled with the city's vibrant energy and the tranquility of nature.

Highlights of the Day:

• Walking Tour of Batumi: Europe Square, Piazza Square, and the Ali & Nino Statue
• Boat ride on the Black Sea
• Afternoon adventure at Mtirala National Park: hiking, waterfalls, and nature exploration

Travel Details: Expected travel distance: ~70 km round trip; full day; Overnight stay at a hotel in Batumi (B/-/-)

After breakfast, leave the Georgian coast behind and make your way to the Sarpi border, where the Black Sea marks a natural gateway into Turkey. As you cross into this new land, the scenery changes - forested cliffs give way to winding mountain roads that climb into the heart of the Ayder Plateau.

Nestled high in the Kaçkar Mountains, Ayder is a world apart-a place of wooden chalets, cascading waterfalls, and alpine meadows, where the mountain air is crisp and the pace of life is slow. Enjoy a walk through this peaceful highland village, soaking in views that have inspired generations of poets and shepherds.

In the afternoon, descend to Rize, where lush tea plantations carpet the hills and the scent of freshly brewed tea fills the air. Stop for the town short visit before continuing along the spectacular Black Sea coastline. Arrive in Trabzon by evening - a city shaped by the Byzantines, Ottomans, and traders of the ancient Silk Road.

Highlights of the Day:

• Experience the alpine beauty of the Ayder Plateau
• Taste the rich culture of Rize, Turkey's tea capital.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~260 km; Time: ~6.5–7 h (including sightseeing and border formalities); Overnight stay at a hotel in Trabzon (B / – / –)

Wake to the sound of seagulls and distant waves - today you dive deep into the rich history and vibrant spirit of Trabzon, a city that once stood at the crossroads of ancient empires.

Begin your journey into the mountains to visit the Sümela Monastery, a breathtaking 4th-century Orthodox sanctuary clinging to a sheer cliff within the forested Altındere National Park. Surrounded by cascading waterfalls and mist, this spiritual outpost offers one of the most iconic views in all of Turkey.

Back in the city, step into the elegant Hagia Sophia Mosque, a gem of Byzantine architecture overlooking the sea. Then visit Atatürk’s House, the site where the modern story of Turkey begins, nestled within a tranquil hillside mansion.

Later, climb to Boztepe, Trabzon’s beloved hilltop lookout, for breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline. As the sun dips, round off the day with dinner at a traditional local restaurant, complete with a folkloric dance show - a vibrant celebration of Black Sea culture.

Highlights of the Day:

• Explore the Sümela Monastery, a cliffside gem nestled within the forest and visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque to admire its stunning frescoes.
• Explore Atatürk’s House, a symbol of modern Turkey.
• Enjoy a local dinner and folkloric dance show in Trabzon.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~100 km; Time: ~5–6 h (including visits); Overnight stay at a hotel in Trabzon (B / – / D)

Leave the coast behind and embark on a journey into the lush, misty highlands of Trabzon Province, where alpine beauty and local tradition meet. Start your day with a visit to a local tea factory, where you'll learn how Turkey's most beloved drink is cultivated and produced - and enjoy a fresh brew with views of the tea terraces.

Continue your ascent to Uzungöl, a stunning glacial lake tucked between forested peaks. Surrounded by charming wooden chalets and inviting mountain cafés, it is one of the most iconic landscapes of the Black Sea region. Take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore, explore local crafts, or enjoy a peaceful lunch with a view.

Weather and time permitting, climb even higher to the Karester Plateau, where open skies, grazing animals, and wooden mountain huts evoke the simple rhythms of highland life. It’s a serene world above the clouds-ideal for reflection, photos, or just breathing in the cool, clean air.

Return to Trabzon in the late afternoon, your heart filled with the tranquility of the mountains.

Highlights of the Day:

• Learn the story of Turkish tea at a local factory nestled in the hills.
• Visit Uzungöl, a picture-perfect mountain lake.
• Explore the Karester Plateau, a serene highland escape

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~220 km; Time: ~7–8 h (including stops); Overnight stay at a hotel in Trabzon (B / - / –)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your morning flight from Trabzon to Istanbul - trading mountain air and sea cliffs for the grandeur of one of the world’s most storied cities.

Upon arriving in Istanbul, set out on a guided tour of the Old City. Stroll through Hippodrome Square, admire the grandeur of the Blue Mosque, and take in the majestic silhouette of Hagia Sophia. Along the way, explore how the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences have shaped this vibrant crossroads of civilizations.

Check into your hotel in the late afternoon. The evening is yours to explore at your own pace-whether you choose to wander through the lantern-lit streets of Sultanahmet, sip tea on a rooftop, or simply enjoy the city’s magical twilight.

Highlights of the Day:

• Guided tour of the Istanbul Old City, featuring significant historical landmarks.

Travel Details: Flight ~1.5 h; City transfer & walking tour ~4–5 h; Overnight stay at a hotel in Istanbul (B / – / –)

This morning, leave behind the grand domes of Istanbul and journey northwest toward the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. After crossing the border near Malko Tarnovo, the landscape softens into forested hills and hidden valleys before once again revealing the sea.

Arrive in the charming coastal town of Sozopol, one of Bulgaria’s oldest settlements, where cobbled streets, wooden houses, and ancient fortifications spill gently toward the water. Walk through the Old Town, perched on a rocky peninsula, and experience the rich tapestry of Thracian, Greek, and Byzantine history come to life.

In the late afternoon, continue to Burgas, a relaxed port city featuring a breezy seaside promenade, public art, and a vibrant café culture. Settle into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Highlights of the Day:

• Walk through the Old Town of Sozopol, which is rich in layers of history.
• Arrive in Burgas, a modern Black Sea city with laid-back charm

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~330 km; Time: ~6–7 h (including border formalities and Sozopol visit); Overnight in Burgas (B / – / –)

Begin the day with a gentle exploration of Burgas, a city where the rhythm of the sea blends seamlessly with a relaxed urban spirit. Stroll through the expansive Sea Garden, a coastal park filled with sculptures, shaded pathways, and sweeping views of the Black Sea. The city center invites you with elegant boulevards, Art Nouveau façades, and a lively café culture that reflects Burgas’s maritime charm.

In the afternoon, travel along the coast to Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Pearl of the Black Sea.” Perched on a rocky peninsula, the Old Town reveals layers of Thracian, Greek, and Byzantine history through its cobbled streets, traditional wooden houses, and remarkably well-preserved medieval churches. As you wander through its narrow alleys, the panorama of sea and stone offers an unforgettable glimpse into Bulgaria’s coastal heritage.

Return to Burgas in the evening, where you will spend the night near the water’s edge.

‍Highlights of the Day:

• Explore Burgas’ seaside charm with a walk through the Sea Garden and vibrant city center.
• Discover Nessebar, a UNESCO-listed town rich in ancient churches and history.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance: ~80 km/Time: ~6–7 h (city walking and coastal excursion) Overnight say at a hotel in Burgas (B / – / –)

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After breakfast, head north along the scenic Bulgarian Black Sea coast, where golden beaches and lush, forested cliffs frame the road. Arrive in Varna, Bulgaria’s third-largest city and its cultural capital by the sea.

Begin your city tour with a visit to the Roman Therme, the largest ancient baths in the Balkans — a reminder of Varna’s strategic significance during Roman times. Explore the Cathedral of the Assumption, one of the city's most iconic landmarks, and take a leisurely stroll through the lush Sea Garden, where locals gather for music, festivals, and relaxing afternoon walks by the sea.

Take the time to visit the Archaeological Museum, home to the world’s oldest known worked gold, found in Varna’s ancient necropolis — a highlight for lovers of history and ancient civilizations.

After the tour, check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure — perhaps along the beachside promenade or in one of Varna’s vibrant summer cafés.

‍Highlights of the Day:

• Explore the Roman ruins, Orthodox cathedrals, and historic neighborhoods of Varna.
• Visit the Archaeological Museum, home to the world’s oldest gold

Travel Details: : Expected travel distance ~130 km;  Overnight stay at a hotel in Varna (B / – / –)

Depart Varna this morning and follow the Black Sea coast northward, passing fishing villages and stretches of wild shoreline before reaching the Bulgarian–Romanian border. After crossing into Romania, continue toward Constanța, the country’s principal port and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the Black Sea.

Upon arrival, set out for a guided city tour. Walk along the seafront to admire the Art Nouveau Casino, an iconic landmark dramatically perched above the waves. Explore the Old Town, which features a blend of Roman mosaics, Ottoman influences, and 19th-century architecture. Visit the Great Mahmudiye Mosque, the Roman Mosaic Museum, and the Genoese Lighthouse while learning about how Constanța has served as a cultural crossroads from antiquity to modern times. The day concludes with an overnight stay in Constanța, where the lively promenade and sea breeze set the evening's rhythm.

‍Highlights of the Day:

• Discover Constanța’s historic Old Town with its Roman, Ottoman, and modern landmarks.
• Admire the dramatic seafront and the iconic Art Nouveau Casino overlooking the Black Sea.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance: ~250 km Time: ~5–6 h (including border formalities and city tour) Overnight in Constanța (B / – / –)

This morning, leave Romania’s Black Sea coast behind and cross back into Bulgaria. Your first stop is Balchik, a seaside town framed by white limestone cliffs. Here you’ll visit the enchanting Balchik Palace and Botanical Gardens, once the summer retreat of Queen Marie of Romania. Stroll through terraced gardens filled with exotic plants and fountains, where royal elegance blends with deep spirituality and stunning sea views.

Continue to Obrochishte, a quiet village that guards one of Bulgaria’s most remarkable spiritual sites—the Ak Yazl Baba–St. Atanasii Teke. This unique Muslim-Christian sanctuary, revered by both faiths, stands as a powerful symbol of shared reverence, peace, and mystery. The fusion of Ottoman architecture with an atmosphere of sacred stillness makes it a rare place for connection and contemplation.

In the afternoon, travel onward to the dramatic Cape Kaliakra, a windswept headland where myth and history intertwine. Here, Thracian sanctuaries, medieval fortifications, and legends of sacrifice echo across cliffs that plunge into the sea. The panorama of endless blue inspires both awe and serenity.

Return to Varna in the late afternoon, where the evening is at leisure and the overnight stay awaits.

‍Highlights of the Day:

• Explore the Balchik Palace and Botanical Gardens, a royal retreat rich in natural beauty.
• Visit the Ak Yazl Baba – St. Atanasii Teke, a unique Muslim-Christian sanctuary of shared devotion.
• Stand atop Cape Kaliakra, where legends and breathtaking sea views define Bulgaria’s northern coast.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance: ~250 km/ Time: ~6–7 h (including sightseeing and border crossing); Overnight stay at a hotel in Varna (B / – / –)

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Your journey along the Black Sea comes to a gentle close. Take the morning to soak in the rhythm of Varna—enjoy a final seaside stroll, savor a quiet moment in the Sea Garden, or one last taste of the coast before your transfer to the airport.

As you depart, you carry more than just memories; you carry the sounds of distant prayers echoing through mountain valleys, the scent of tea leaves drying in the sun, the vibrant colors of sunlit harbors and painted chapels, and the warmth of strangers who welcomed you like family.

The Black Sea has revealed itself in many forms—wild and still, ancient and new, divided by borders yet united in spirit. May its stories remain with you long after your footprints have faded from its shores.

Travel Details: Transfer to Varna Airport for departure; Expected travel distance ~10–15 km; Time: ~0.5 h; Departure from Varna (B / – / –)

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Please Note: This is a pioneer tour, and while we have carefully crafted the program, changes may occur along the way due to local conditions, weather, or unforeseen circumstances. Flexibility and a spirit of adventure are essential, as adjustments to the itinerary may be made to ensure the best possible experience for all participants.

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