The Raven Brothers’ Black Sea Circuit Celebrates 10 Years of Adventure and Discovery

A decade ago, adventurers Simon and Chris Raven, known as the Raven Brothers, set out on a journey that would take them into the heart of one of the world’s oldest and most storied regions—the Black Sea. Their book, Black Sea Circuit, marked this ambitious voyage, captivating readers with a blend of history, culture, and firsthand encounters along the shores of an ancient and mystical body of water at the birthplace of civilisation. Now, ten years later, their work has become a classic for lovers of travel and adventure, celebrated for its unique look into a region steeped in myth, mystery, and resilience.

Black Sea Circuit brings to life the cradle of legends such as Jason and the Argonauts, Noah’s Ark, and the fierce Amazons. This mysterious and fascinating part of the world has long intrigued scholars and travelers alike, but few have embarked on a journey quite like the Raven Brothers’. Armed with a trusty twenty-year-old Volvo, which they describe as looking “as rustic and weather-beaten as a Cold War tank,” Simon and Chris set out to make a full loop around the Black Sea, connecting its ancient shores by road. Their journey was both a throwback to nomadic explorers and an immersion into the lives of people whose daily existence is shaped by a complex mix of tradition, folklore, and political tension.

The brothers’ route took them through six Black Sea nations, each with its own distinct personality and history. They ventured through Ukraine, navigating its shadow of rising geopolitical tensions, and onward to the stark beauty of Crimea. From there, they journeyed to the Caucasus region in southern Russia, often likened to the “Wild West” for its rugged landscapes and strong local identities. In Georgia, they encountered the legendary land of Colchis, where the Argonauts supposedly found the Golden Fleece, while Turkey’s Pontic coast offered glimpses into the enduring beauty of ancient trade routes. Their odyssey reached its climax in the bustling megacity of Istanbul, a city where East meets West, before finally concluding in Romania at the River Danube’s outfall, where the waters of Europe meet the Black Sea.

The Raven Brothers’ background in overland travel prepared them for the rough roads and surprises of this journey. Their passion for forging their own path started years earlier when they coaxed an old Ford Sierra across the length of Siberia, from the UK to Vladivostok. With each journey, they honed a style that combined humor, grit, and an unsentimental look at the world’s more remote corners, earning them praise from Lonely Planet for their “accurate view of what to expect.”

Living out of their Volvo and subsisting much like the nomadic horsemen who once ruled these lands, the brothers connected with a cast of fascinating individuals: shepherds, traders, and city-dwellers, each with their own tales of hardship, pride, and survival. In their book, readers discover not just landscapes but also the humanity of the Black Sea’s people—people shaped by history and yet resilient in the face of modern-day challenges.

Black Sea Circuit is more than a travelogue; it’s a tribute to the endurance of ancient cultures, the interconnectedness of people, and the sense of adventure that can still be found on the road less traveled. As the book celebrates its 10th anniversary, it stands as both a snapshot of a region undergoing change and a timeless invitation for readers to step outside their comfort zones and discover the world with a sense of curiosity and respect.

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