GREECE  TURKEY 151 EUROPE Athens to Istanbul Imaginative Facts Tour code: TAAI • Activities: Swimming and walking • Accommodation: 14 nights simple hotels, 2 nights overnight ferries ( deck class) • Transport: Inter- island ferry, private air- conditioned coach/ intercity public bus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Explore Istanbul on our ' Istanbul Heart of the City Tour' page 77. DAY 1: ATHENS- Check in to your hotel. DAY 2: ATHENS- Free day to explore the Acropolis and the charming old Plaka district of Athens. Transfer to Piraeus and board the overnight ferry to Santorini. ( B) DAY 3: SANTORINI - The volcanic island of Santorini is thought by many to be the Atlantis of legend. Dramatic black cliffs of the volcano's caldera rise from the sea whilst whitewashed walls and blue- domed churches decorate the rim. Free day to explore by foot or small boat. DAY 4: SANTORINI - PAROS- Enjoy the beaches of Santorini, visit Akrotiri or take a trip to the Black Island at the centre of the volcano. Evening ferry to Paros. DAYS 5 & 6: PAROS- This island has everything you would expect of an island of the Cyclades; small villages, lovely beaches, and rocky landscapes. Plenty of time to relax or shop. DAYS 7 & 8: NAXOS- Naxos is the largest and possibly most beautiful island of the Cyclades. Full of antiquities and ancient sites it is usually overlooked by travellers but there are some superb hiking opportunities as well as some excellent beaches. Overnight ferry to Samos. DAYS 9 & 10: SAMOS- Time to explore Samos. If weather permits, you can make a day excursion by hydrofoil to the Holy Island of Patmos. DAY 11: SAMOS - SELCUK- Free morning in Samos before taking a ferry to the resort of Kusadasi in Turkey. A short drive then brings us to Selcuk. DAY 12: SELCUK - EPHESUS- Free day in Selcuk to explore this delightful town and of course the incredibly preserved ancient site of Ephesus. ( B) DAY 13: CANAKKALE- Today we drive north to the small town of Canakkale. ( B) DAY 14: CANAKKALE - GALLIPOLI - TROY- Free day in Canakkale. There is the opportunity to visit legendary Troy or the poignant Anzac memorials of Gallipoli. ( B) DAY 15: GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL- We cross the Dardanelles and drive to Istanbul. ( B) DAY 16: ISTANBUL- A full free day to visit the highlights of the bustling old city of Istanbul. ( B) DAY 17: ISTANBUL- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to ferry schedules. Note: It is possible to upgrade the ferry accommodation to cabin class - see trip dossier for details. Island hop to the Turkish coast • Island hop from Greece to Turkeyby ferry • Visit the dramatic volcanic island of Santorini or ' Atlantis' • Relaxon the beaches of the Cycladic islandsof Paros and Naxos • Explore magnificent Ephesus with the chance to visit Troy or Gallipoli • Time amongst the famed sights of Athens and Istanbul Greece Turkey Imaginative Facts Tour code: TAAM • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 8 night simple hotels, 2 nights apartments • Transport: Public bus, train • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader DAY 1: ATHENS- Arrival day. DAYS 2 & 3: METEORA- Travel by train to Kalambaka, close to the awesome monasteries of Meteora. We then have a full day to explore the monasteries. These amazing buildings are situated at the top of almost inaccessible pillars of rock and are one of the most spectacular sites in Greece often being used as a movie location. ( B) DAY 4: IOANNINA- Travel by bus to Ioannina, a city rich with history and situated surrounded by mountains in a valley dominated by Lake Pamvotis. In the afternoon we have time to explore the 6th century castle and can also visit the Perama Caves, the largest on mainland Greece, which are full of impressive stalagmites and stalactites. ( B) DAY 5: PERDIKA- Free time before we travel by bus to Perdika. ( B) DAYS 6 & 7: PERDIKA- Perdika is a delightful village situated near the Ionian Sea, with old stone houses, a small village square with restaurants and a great view over the surrounding beaches and bays. We have free time to experience the ' real Greece'. We can choose from visiting local vineyards, accompanying the locals for a spot of fishing, taking walks along a nearby river and exploring an ancient town that is still under excavation. Of course there is also time to relax on the beach! ( B) DAY 8: LOUTRAKI- Today we travel to Loutraki. ( B) DAY 9: KORINTHOS- Free day to visit the ancient site of Corinth and the Corinth Canal. We can also take a walk to the stunning acropolis at Acrocorinth. ( B) DAY 10: ATHENS- A short drive to Athens, where the reminder of the day is free to explore the Acropolis and the charming district of Plaka, a great place to wander round and explore. ( B) DAY 11: ATHENS- Tour ends. ( B) From the mountainous monasteries to the coastal canals of Greece • Explore the spectacularly located monasteries at Meteora • Visit the rich history of ancient Ioannina, gateway to the Pindos Mountains • Relax on the Ionian Coast at the delightful village of Perdika • Tour the ancient site of Corinthwith its famous canal • Time to explore the numerous attractions of Athens Athens, Meteora and Beyond Single Supplement £ 130 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 4.28 * Price includes tour price of £ 549and local payment of € 200All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 699pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 185 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 4.44 * Price includes tour price of £ 835and local payment of € 200All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 990pp Land Only * adventureradventurer Tour duration 11 daysTour duration 17 days Starts SunEnds Wed AthensAthens 2009 17- May- 0927- May- 09 14- Jun- 0924- Jun- 09 12- Jul- 0922- Jul- 09 09- Aug- 0919- Aug- 09 06- Sep- 0916- Sep- 09 04- Oct- 0914- Oct- 09 Starts SunEnds Wed AthensAthens 2010 16- May- 1026- May- 10 13- Jun- 1023- Jun- 10 11- Jul- 1021- Jul- 10 08- Aug- 1018- Aug- 10 05- Sep- 1015- Sep- 10 03- Oct- 1013- Oct- 10 Starts SatEnds Mon AthensIstanbul 2009 02- May- 0918- May- 09 30- May- 0915- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0913- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0910- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0907- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0905- Oct- 09 Starts SatEnds Mon AthensIstanbul 2010 01- May- 1017- May- 10 29- May- 1014- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1012- Jul- 10 24- Jul- 1009- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1006- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1004- Oct- 10 new tour for 2009 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

EUROPESLOVENIA 152 " This holiday has been well planned and organised. Thank you and keep up the good work! " Sharon Beresford europe Alpine Slovenia Imaginative Facts Tour code: UTAP • Activities: Hiking around Lake Bohinj, cycling, extensive walking in towns • Accommodation: 2 nights tourist class hotels, 5 nights farm stay/ homestay • Transport: Public bus, train, foot • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader ( except days 7- 8), services of local representatives in Ljubljana • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Coastal Croatia' tour DAY 1: LJUBLJANA- Arrive in Ljubljana and make your way to the hotel. DAY 2: BOHINJ- After breakfast we enjoy a morning walking tour of this lovely mediaeval city. In the afternoon we transfer to a local farmhouse in Bohinj, where we spend the next two nights. Bohinj is located in the Triglav National Park, an area of rivers, canyons, forests and alpine meadows and home to Slovenia's highest mountain. ( BD) DAY 3: LAKE BOHINJ- We spend the day hiking in the mountains around Lake Bohinj, an exquisite glacial lake surrounded by towering peaks and alpine pastures. ( BD) DAY 4: BLED - MARIBOR- This morning we travel to picturesque Bled, where we have time to wander the area around the lake with its idyllic 9th century island church. Later, we visit the elegant city of Maribor before continuing to our farm stay, nestled between the vineyards of the Stajerska region. ( BD) DAYS 5 & 6: FARM STAY- A full free day to enjoy the area. There are opportunities to learn about the local way of life by helping the farmers as they go about their everyday routine, to visit Ptuj, the oldest city in Slovenia, or to experience a traditional Slovenian spa. The next day there is a full day excursion to the Dolenjska region, home of the best wine in the country! ( BD) DAY 7: LJUBLJANA- We take a train to Ljubljana. The afternoon is free to further explore the cobbled streets of Slovenia's capital city. ( B) DAY 8: LJUBLJANA- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) Pristine alpine landscapes and crystal clear lakes • Discover one of Europe's most spectacular and unspoilt countries • Enjoy the dramatic mountain scenerysurrounding glacial Lake Bohinj • Hikeamidst the forested alpine peaksof Triglav National Park • Explore the Stajerska and Dolenjska regions - famous for superb local wine • Visit the elegant cities of Ljubljana and Maribor as well as Lake Bled Croatia Slovenia Dubrovnik Split Zadar Plitvice Zagreb Rovinj Maribor Farmstay Lake Bohinj Lake Bled Alpine Slovenia Coastal Croatia Alpine Slovenia and Coastal Croatia Ljubljana Single Supplement £ 150 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 2.30 * Price includes tour price of £ 725and local payment of € 150All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 840pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 8 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sun LjubljanaLjubljana 2009 24- May- 0931- May- 09 21- Jun- 0928- Jun- 09 19- Jul- 0926- Jul- 09 16- Aug- 0923- Aug- 09 13- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun LjubljanaLjubljana 2010 23- May- 1030- May- 10 20- Jun- 1027- Jun- 10 18- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 15- Aug- 1022- Aug- 10 12- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 Slovenia lies literally at the heart of Europe, where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Pannonian plains and the mysterious Karst. amazing fact ... new tour for 2009 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243