The itinerary of a cruise from Sochi to Israel on the Astoria Grande liner has been changed due to the dangerous situation in the Middle East.

The vessel departed from the port of the resort city on the evening of March 14. According to the company servicing the liner, approximately 900 tourists embarked on the journey.

The ship was scheduled to make a stop at the Israeli port of Ashdod on March 22 and 23, in addition to ports in Turkey and Egypt. However, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development recommended altering travel schedules to Middle Eastern countries.

Consequently, the liner’s passengers will spend two days in Istanbul instead of one. Tourists will visit Alanya, and instead of the city of Kusadasi, they will go to Izmir.

Once the situation in the Middle East improves and the Ministry of Economic Development lifts its recommendations, the cruise operator plans to reinstate the port of Ashdod into the route.

Sochi

Sochi is a major resort city on the Black Sea coast in southern Russia, historically developed as a premier health and vacation destination under the Soviet Union. It gained significant global recognition after hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, which led to extensive modern infrastructure development. The surrounding region also features the UNESCO-listed Western Caucasus mountains and was historically part of ancient Colchis.

Israel

Israel is a modern state established in 1948 in the historic region of the Levant, an area with profound significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its territory contains numerous ancient cultural and religious sites, such as Jerusalem’s Old City, which has a layered history spanning thousands of years of Canaanite, Israelite, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader rule.

Ashdod

Ashdod is a major port city on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, originally established as a modern urban center in 1956. Its history, however, stretches back millennia, as it was once a powerful Philistine city-state and a significant port in ancient times, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Today, it is Israel’s largest port and a hub for industry and diverse cultural communities.

Turkey

Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, renowned for its deep historical layers as the heart of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its cultural landscape is marked by iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the ancient ruins of Ephesus, reflecting a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences. Modern Turkey was founded as a republic in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

Egypt

Egypt is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 5,000 years along the Nile River, famous for its pharaohs, pyramids, and hieroglyphic writing. Its iconic cultural sites, such as the Giza pyramid complex and the Valley of the Kings, are monumental remnants of the ancient Egyptian kingdoms that profoundly influenced art, religion, and governance. Today, Egypt’s rich heritage continues to be central to its identity, attracting global interest in both its ancient wonders and its later historical layers from Greco-Roman, Coptic Christian, and Islamic periods.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a historic metropolis straddling Europe and Asia, originally founded as Byzantium before becoming the Eastern Roman capital Constantinople. It later served as the illustrious capital of the Ottoman Empire for nearly five centuries, renowned for architectural marvels like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Today, it remains Turkey’s cultural and economic heart, where ancient bazaars, grand mosques, and modern life converge.

Alanya

Alanya is a coastal city in southern Turkey, historically known for its strategic location on the Mediterranean. Its most famous landmark is the Alanya Castle, a Seljuk-era fortress built in the 13th century on the remains of earlier Roman and Byzantine fortifications. Today, it is a major tourist destination renowned for its beaches, historic sites, and the iconic Red Tower guarding its harbor.

Izmir

Izmir, historically known as Smyrna, is a major port city on Turkey’s Aegean coast with a history stretching back over 3,500 years. It has been a significant center for Greek, Roman, and Ottoman civilizations, though much of its ancient architecture was destroyed in a great fire in 1922. Today, it is a vibrant, modern metropolis known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, bustling bazaar, and the well-preserved ruins of the ancient Agora at its heart.