My wife & I are on the 24-day Black Sea & Egyptian Explorer departing Rotterdam on Sept 7, 2010. I have been researching non-HAL shore tours and we are looking for one to two couples to share the private guide costs. You see a lot more on a private tour; however, it can be a little pricey. We did several private tours last year in the Black Sea and it worked great. Respond if you are interested.