Highlights ofTurkey & Georgia21 days, Istanbul to Tbilisi or v.v.NEWCode ZITRussiaHighlights8 days, ex MoscowNEWCode IWBSR29 Middle East & Europe - Turkey, Georgia, RussiaFor those with atrue thirst foradventure! The firsthalf is spent in Turkey,exploring the AegeanCoast. The second halfis spent in the littlevisited country ofGeorgia, home to themost wonderfulscenery and remotefortified mountainvillages. My favouriteaspect is the homestayaccommodation herewhich is genuinelyunique.Liddy says...''''Moscow and StPetersburg form thebackbone of this trip.However, my highlighthas to be the tea party,Russian-style and thechance to try yourhand at Russiancooking with a localfamily in Suzdal. Liddy says...''''For trip notes, availability and more, enter the trip code at imaginative-traveller.com.Explore surreal Cappadocia andPamukkale.Tour Ephesus, Troyand Gallipoli.Enjoy a wild camp inthe remote Caucasus.Stock up on the local tipple in Georgia's Telavi wine region.Compare the cosmopolitan cities ofIstanbul and TbilisiTour highlightsITINERARY... Days 1-2 MoscowExplore the Kremlin and see itshuge collection of imperial treasures, including exquisite Fabergeeggs and ceremonial regalia. Walk among the cathedrals andmuseums within the Kremlin walls and get a glimpse of Lenin in hismausoleum. While here, be sure to explore Moscow's metrostations - these lavishly decorated 'Palaces of the People' are unlikeany other in the world. Days 3-4 SuzdalMarvel at this glitteringformer capital, which forms part of Russia's legendary Golden Ring.Stroll past wooden cottages and crumbling churches that line thenarrow streets of this magical spot. Hone your skills in a cookingclass before watching the shadows lengthen across the weatheredcity walls. Return to Moscow before taking an overnight train toRussia's oldest city. Day 5 NovgorodSee how well preservedarchitectural treasures linger like echoes of a medieval time. Checkout the Millennium of Russia monument and the Cathedral of StSophia, both concealed within the walls of Novgorod's riversideKremlin. In free time, perhaps join locals at the public banya (bathhouse). Days 6-8 St PetersburgHear tales about the colourfulcharacters who are associated with each historical attraction on atour of St Petersburg. Later, be a guest of a local family for a Russiantea party. See famous artworks in the Hermitage or visit theKunstkamera, home to Peter the Great's ghoulish oddities.ACCOMMODATIONHotel (5 nts), guesthouse (1 nt), overnight train (1 nt) MEALS6 Breakfasts, 1 DinnerTRANSPORTMetro, bus, taxi, train, boatGROUPSIZEMaximum 12StartFinish201226 Mar-02 Apr16 Apr-23 Apr30 Apr-07 May14 May-21 May21 May-28 May28 May-04 Jun04 Jun-11 Jun11 Jun-18 Jun18 Jun-25 Jun25 Jun-02 Jul02 Jul-09 Jul09 Jul-16 Jul23 Jul-30 Jul06 Aug-13 Aug20 Aug-27 Aug03 Sep-10 Sep10 Sep-17 Sep17 Sep-24 Sep24 Sep-01 Oct01 Oct-08 Oct15 Oct-22 Oct201325 Mar-01 Apr01 Apr-08 Apr15 Apr-22 Apr29 Apr-06 May13 May-20 May20 May-27 May27 May-03 Jun03 Jun-10 Jun10 Jun-17 Jun17 Jun-24 Jun24 Jun-01 Jul.Take tours of Moscow and St Petersburg.Journey back in time tothe monasteries andwooden cottages ofSuzdal.Enjoy the wellpreserved architectural treasures of Russia's oldest city, NovgorodTour highlightsPlusTravellerTour price from£980ppSee website for details£231ppFlight ex London fromThe Trans-Siberian RailwayWhy not enjoy the ultimate Russian experienceand travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway?Starting in St Petersburg and Moscow, you hopaboard this famous train and journey all theway to Beijing, enjoying a Siberian homestayat Lake Baikal and a nomadic ger camp inMongolia en route. See Russia & Beyond(IWBRL) on page 66.ITINERARY...Day 1 IstanbulArrive Istanbul. Day 2 GallipoliToday we visit the Gallipoli beaches & museum. Days 3-4 Selcuk &Troy We drive to Selcuk visiting the historic remains of Troy en-route. Enjoy a guided visit of Ephesus. Day 5 Pamukkale VisitPamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis. Day 6 Konya Overnight inKonya, home of the whirling dervishes. Days 7-8 Cappadocia &Goreme Take a guided tour of stunning Cappadocia and theunderground troglodyte cities and caves. Days 9-10 EasternTurkey & Sumela Arrive at the stunning mountain monasteries ofSumela. Day 11 Georgia & Black Sea Crossing into Georgia wehead for the Black Sea port of Batumi. Days 12-13 Mestia &Homestay Passing snow-covered peaks we arrive at our hosts forthe night. The next day we hike to Chalato Glacier and wildcamp.Day 14 Kutaisi HomestayMore Georgian wine, feasting andsinging at a homestay near the city. Day 15 Gori Visit Stalin'sbirthplace. Days 16-17 Kazbegi Homestay Another homestaycomplete with a morning hike to the Tsminda Sameba Church.Days 18-19 Telavi Homestay Telavi is the centre of the wine-growing area, so we will visit the Tsinandali Winery. Days 20-21Tbilisi Tour ends.StartFinish201204 Mar-24 Mar25 Mar-14 Apr*29 Apr-19 May20 May-09 Jun*201312 May-01 Jun02 Jun-22 Jun*23 Jun-13 Jul14 Jul-03 Aug*11 Aug-31 Aug01 Sep-21 Sep*This is a truck based overland tour (see page 7)ACCOMMODATIONHotel (6 nts), Georgian homestays (6 nt),campsites (5 nts), wildcamps (3 nts)Upgrades from camping to rooms usually available on the roadMEALS20 Breakfasts, 18 Lunches, 13 DinnersTRANSPORTOverland vehicleGROUPSIZEMaximum 19NOTEThe trip runs in both directions.Departures Tbilisi to Istanbul are marked with an *.KITTY NOTEThese are group funds paid on the road, please see page 9 BasicTraveller£290ppFlight ex London from£1,576pp£1,160ppTour (paid in advance)$640ppTrip Kitty (paid locally in US$)So what will it cost me?Based on current exchange rates

30Middle East & Europe - IcelandBook now at imaginative-traveller.com or call 01728 885561This is one of myfavourite trips in thebrochure. Most toursof Iceland just hug theedge of this wild andextraordinarilybeautiful country butthis one takes youdeep into theincredible landscapesof the interior. Part ofthe journey is by foot,on a challenging butwonderfully rewardingtrek, and part is by4WD jeep, the onlyvehicle suitable for therugged terrain that wepass through. Thismeans that we notonly see the highlightsbut also venture toareas that are almostimpossible to exploreon your own.Liddy says...''''ITINERARY... Day 1 ReykjavíkArrive and check in to your hotel.Day 2 ReykjavíkA full day tour of the Golden Circle, home toIceland's most iconic natural sights, the Thingvellir National Park(one of only two tectonic rift valleys in the world), Geysir HotSprings and the incredible Gullfoss Waterfall. Days 3-5Landmannalaugar Highland TrekWe spend three daystrekking through Iceland's most dramatic scenery, home to ragingglacial rivers, deep canyons, highland desert, white glaciers, crystalclear lakes and steaming geothermal pools. The views are incredibleand constantly changing. Day 6 Landmannalaugar - LangisjórUsing 4WD trucks we head deep into the wilds, to one of the mostremote areas of Europe, the Langisjór Highland Lake. The scenery isextraordinary, a moonlike desert that is home to black volcanic ash,green vegetation and white glaciers. Our campsite this evening hasstunning views over the lake and there is the chance to climb MtSveinstindur for views over Vatnajökull glacier, the largest icecap inEurope. Day 7 Langisjór - Eldgjá - LakagígarContinue via themassive Eldgjá volcanic fissure, the Ófærufoss Waterfall and theextraordinary Lakagígar craters before reaching the south coast.Day 8 Lakagígar - SkaftafellDrive to Skaftafell, the gateway tothe largest national park in Europe, an awe inspring landscape ofmountains, glaciers and breathtaking views. Day 9 SkaftafellAmorning glacier hike on one of the most impressive outlet glaciersof the Vatnajökull icecap. In the afternoon, visit Jökulsárlón glacierlagoon, home to numerous floating icebergs. This is one of Iceland'smost famous natural phenomena. Day 10 ReykjavíkThe morningis free in Skaftafell. You could take a mountain biking trip orperhaps head to the Ingólfshöfdi Cape, an isolated island caughtbetween the black sands of the south coast and the North Atlanticocean. In the afternoon, drive back to Reykjavík. Day 11 ReykjavíkTour ends.ACCOMMODATIONHotel (2 nts), camping (8 nts) MEALS9 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 8 DinnersTRANSPORT4WD 'superjeep'GROUPSIZEMaximum 12StartFinish201201 Jul-11 Jul22 Jul-01 Aug12 Aug-22 Aug201330 Jun-10 Jul21 Jul-31 Jul11 Aug-21 Aug.Awe-inspiringGullfoss Waterfall.Three day trek throughthe spectacular Icelandic highlands.4WD jeep trip through remote interior.Glacier hike on the largest icecap in Europe.Extraordinary andever-changing landscapesTour highlightsTour price from£1,810ppSee website for details£297ppFlight ex London fromThe Wildsof Iceland11 days, ex ReykjavíkNEWCode IWIPlusTraveller