BLACK SEA DIY

[arrbee]

I'm sure quite a few members of this forum have been on the Black Sea cruise. We tend to DIY in most ports so does anybody have any good ideas for Yalta, Odessa or Istanbul. We've got an overnight in Istanbul so ideas for any evening entertainment there would also be appreciated.

Rhona

[Meg 50]

Here's some excerpts from my blog - so glad I copied it from the old forum....:

Istanbul: We were on Adonia so 'parked' on the Golden Horn side of the port.

Being on the Golden Horn side is brill - we walked out of the port gates - across the road and found ourselves in the park beside the Topkapi Palace - at the other end of which were all the main sights.
we checked out Haggia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Cisterns, the Hippodrome, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar and then walked back along the water front.
Needed the loo part way and found a spotless public loo where we were issued with paper towels as we entered. Cost 50 cents each
Leaving Istanbul at 9 pm made for a spectacular evening . The position of our berth meant we had a grandstand view of the lights and sights of the city - it was magical.


Yalta:
Yalta also had blue skies and heat which were sadly lacking from yesterday's sea day when we had to scurry to find jumpers.

Yalta is lovely - St Pete's on Sea with a backdrop of mountains... Though more Brighton than Bognor! (to mix a few metaphors).

We walked for miles along the front and after lunch did it all again!
We visited the cathedral (though we couldn't get in cos there was a service going on); the market -where , amongst other things they were selling animals including kittens in birdcages - I didn't dare take a photo in case I had my face rearranged....
Along the front was an amateur boxing competition which continued all day and people playing chess on the sea wall - complete with timers like they use in competitions.
We found a plaque commemorating the spot from which the Royal family escaped into exile during the revolution.
We could see Swallow's Nest from our cabin window - and intended to take photos as we sailed past - but it had vanished - presumably further away than it appeared and was dark by the time we reached it.

Odessa:
Opened the curtains to a view of the Potemkin Steps...
A good start to a good day!

We hopped on the shuttle bus to the cathedral having decided that descending the 200 steps was preferable to ascending....
We explored the central part of Odessa - the cathedral area, the posh shops, the craft market and the Boulevards.
Eventually, we arrived at the Mother in law's Bridge which was seriously dilapidated - but interesting and covered in padlocks. We were followed onto the bridge by a bridal party - a bit of a theme to Odessa...
Then down the steps and back to the ship for lunch and a breather.

After lunch we set off once more - in the opposite direction to Shevshenko Park and the monument to the Unknown Sailor - also complete with bridal parties.
We completed our Odessa exploration by spending ages in the dock area. This has to be one of the best dock areas ever (and we've seen a few...). It appears to be a main place for Odessans to see and be seen and contains shops, hotels, a war memorial church , a marina and loads of bridal parties!
Our sailaway was accompanied by 'Proms' style hollering from the onlookers at the dock.

A good day was completed by winning the syndicate quiz!

[Capt Black]

Went to the Black Sea on Azura last year.

Oddessa: We went up the Potemkin Steps. As previously mentioned the ship berths just across the road and railway. If you're unable to manage the steps there's a funicular beside it. Then a walk along towards the opera house. It was a hot day, the opera house's windows were open and you could hear people practising! Some typical Soviet era war monuments opposite. We then wandered around a bit, got some money from an ATM and went to the supermarket to get some Sovetskaya Shampanskaya, aka Soviet Champagne. Went to the craft/souvenir market, which was quite good, and is close to the cathedral.

After that it was time for some refreshment, plenty of choice of open air bars, cafes etc, but we went to a local cellar bar and had several beers and some "grenki", fried garlic black bread - fantastic.

Yalta: Did a ship's tour to Livadia and the Vorontsov palaces. Afterwards we spent the afternoon in Yalta, just wandering around, found the market and then ended up having beers and grenki again! And buying more Shampanksaya!

Constanza: Shuttle into the centre of town, which went past most of the (alleged) sights. Walked around there a bit and found our way to a communist era built marina. Then walked back to the ship via the old Cazino. Not a lot to do, but in fairness it was a Sunday.

Istanbul: We'd spent a few days in Istanbul a few years before and we'd already done Topkapi, Blue Mosque, Haga Sofia and the Grand and Spice bazaars. So, this time we got the tram to the ferry terminal, and go the ferry over to the Asian side of the city. Had a close up look at the Leander Tower, and then walked past the Scutari hospital (Florence Nightingale fame) and got the ferry back. Be warned, this was a long walk on a very hot day. Fantastic views across to Topkapi. Then light lunch, followed by the Grand Bazaar and then the Cistern. We both thought the Cistern was great, a bit eery. It was used to film a scene in From Russia With Love. We spent the evening in a bar close to the Galata bridge. It's walkable, but we got the tram back. The following day, we got the undergroung funicular up to Taksim Square, and walked back to the ship, with a couple of beers en-route - there's a surpise.

[arrbee]

Thanks both. Sounds like there's plenty to do.... and drink!!!! Don't think we're doing Constanza but sounds like we're not missing a lot there.
Rhona