Silversea’s Silver Wind to host 2010 World Leaders Symposium on the Black Sea featuring Condoleezza Rice

Exclusive educational travel event from Moscow to Istanbul also features William J. Perry, Mikhail Gorbachev, luxurious accommodations, and customiszed excursions

Building on the past success of the World Leaders Symposium cruises in Asia and the Middle East, ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises today announced its collaboration with San Francisco-based World Leaders Travel to host the 2010 World Leaders Symposium, a Black Sea voyage aboard Silver Wind headlined by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other dignitaries.

This one-of-a-kind travel event from August 30 to September 15, 2010, includes a 10-night cruise aboard the award-winning, all-suite Silver Wind and a range of specially arranged shore excursions in Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Turkey. In addition to former Secretary of State Rice, featured speakers include former Secretary of Defense William Perry, former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, and leading figures in fields ranging from technology and the U.S.-Russian space race to cultural history and global affairs.

“It’s a great honor for us to host this year’s World Leaders Symposium aboard our elegant Silver Wind,” said Steve Odell, Silversea’s Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific. “Through our collaboration with World Leaders Travel, we’re able to offer inquisitive travelers an unmatched educational experience featuring some of the world’s most sought-after speakers. It’s such a great program for our guests that we’re already looking at possibly hosting additional Symposium cruises in the future.”

“We’re pleased to be able to bring a distinguished array of leaders and experts to the ships of Silversea,” said Bill Diebenow, president of World Leaders Travel. “Their intimate vessels, offering spacious accommodations and exotic itineraries, are the perfect complement to these compelling, leader-driven and customized travel events. We look forward to developing future educational travel events with Silversea.”

Focusing on the cultural, historical, and political highlights of the Black Sea region, the Symposium begins in Moscow with three nights at The Ritz-Carlton. Travelers will experience a Moscow rarely seen by visitors and attend a gala dinner with Gorbachev. Participants then fly by chartered jet to Istanbul, Turkey, to board the luxurious Silver Wind, which serves as the primary venue for presentations by Rice and others. The ship, among the highest-rated small cruise vessels afloat, will circumnavigate the Black Sea with visits to Batumi, Georgia; Sochi, Russia; Baku, Azerbaijan; and Yalta, Sevastopol, and Odessa in Ukraine before returning to Istanbul. After disembarking the Silver Wind, guests will move in to Istanbul’s elegant Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel for two nights, and enjoy special excursions and lectures during the trip’s final days. Optional extensions to Kiev, Chernobyl, and Moscow, and to Istanbul and Ephesus, are also available.

An unparalleled educational program includes off-the-record discussions with globally significant leaders and valuable context and insight provided by a team of scholars from sponsoring organisations. Featured speakers include Librarian of Congress James Billington; Google’s Vinton G. Cerf, widely regarded as one of the “fathers of the Internet”; former diplomatic correspondent Marvin Kalb; EastWest Institute president John Mroz; and astrophysicist Michael Shara, among others.

Aboard Silver Wind, guests will enjoy a generous all-inclusive shipboard policy (all beverages, including a premium assortment of wines, champagne and spirits are complimentary), impeccable service from a courteous and efficient staff, and unparalleled onboard amenities. The ship’s all-suite accommodations include a butler service, ocean views and a wide range of features, from walk-in closets and flat-screen televisions to 24-hour room service and Wi-Fi Internet access. All bathrooms have marble tiles, shower/bathtub combinations, hair dryers, and plush robes. Of the ship’s 149 suites, 115 feature private verandas. There are eight suite categories, ranging in size from the 240 square-foot Vista Suites to the 1,314 square-foot Grand Suites.

Silver Wind’s public venues include the top-deck Observation Lounge, offering spectacular ocean views, and the two-deck-high Show Lounge. There is a small, well-stocked library, Internet Center, card room, gym with stair climbers and treadmills, a pool and two whirlpools, jogging track, full-service spa, and beauty salon. Dining options include The Restaurant, the ship’s main dining venue featuring signature dishes by Relais & Châteaux; Le Champagne, the Wine Restaurant by Relais & Châteaux, where some of the world’s rarest vintages are paired with a six-course menu; and La Terrazza, specializing in authentic Italian cuisine.

Symposium sponsors include American Museum of Natural History Expeditions, Chautauqua Institution, Foreign Affairs magazine, Harvard Alumni Association Travels, Princeton Journeys, Alumnae Association of Smith College, Smithsonian Journeys, and Yale Educational Travel.

For fares, a detailed brochure, or to book today, please contact your professional travel.

About World Leaders Travel
World Leaders Travel, formerly High Country Passage, specialises in creating extraordinary educational travel events defined by a compelling combination of experts, access, and insight. Under the banner explore the world with the people who shape it, each travel event is built around a prominent leader and a timely theme, with highlights including a comprehensive educational program, exclusive access, private events, customized excursions, and the highest level of luxury and service.

About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is recognised as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit — all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents.

In the U.S., Silversea has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and rated Number-One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI). International awards include “Best Innovation in Products and Services” from the Italian Innovazione Marketing Oggi Awards (2009); “World’s Leading Small Ships Cruise Line” from World Travel Awards (2009); “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2009); “Number One” small-ship line in the Readers’ Choice” survey conducted by Britain’s Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Spain’s Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Australia’s Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2009); and “Best Luxury Cruise Operator” according to Asia’s Travel Weekly (2008).

For more information on Silversea Cruises, please visit www.silversea.com.

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