EUROPETURKEY  ROMANIA 160 " Our guide had an incredible knowledge of history and dates just poured out. He was very amusing and patient and made the trip for us." Michael Goffe europe Istanbul to Bucharest Imaginative Facts Tour code: UTIB • Activities: Extensive walking in towns and at sites, hiking at Brasov • Accommodation: 9 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights sleeper trains • Transport: Local and private transport - trains, buses • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Istanbul Heart of the City Tour' page 77 DAY 1: ISTANBUL- Arrival day. DAY 2: ISTANBUL- We have a guided walking tour of the old part of this amazing city including sites such as Aya Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Unique in that it straddles Europe and Asia it is very much a cultural and ethnic melting pot which makes for a spellbinding experience. Overnight train to Bucharest. ( B) DAY 3: BUCHAREST- Arrive in Bucharest and transfer to the hotel. DAY 4: BUCHAREST - TULCEA- This morning we explore Bucharest on foot. Here we have the opportunity to stroll tree- lined boulevards and discover the fantastic architecture on offer, such as the extravagant Palace of Parliament and the city's many monasteries and orthodox churches. This afternoon we take the train to Tulcea, gateway to the Danube Delta. ( B) DAY 5: DANUBE DELTA - Today we take a cruise on the Danube Delta, a World Heritage Site and renowned for its fantastic scenery and superb wildlife. Later we drive back to Bucharest and take the overnight train to Suceava. ( B) DAY 6: SUCEAVA- We have a full day excursion to visit the various monasteries and painted churches that are found in this region. Later we take the train to Cluj Napoca. DAY 7: CLUJ NAPOCA- This one time capital of Transylvania is now a major university town, which gives the town a laid back ambience in which to admire its fantastic Baroque architecture. We have time to explore the various sites such as St Michael's church, dating back to the 14th Century, and the National History Museum of Transylvania. In the evening we take the train to Sighisoara. ( B) DAY 8: SIGHISOARA- We wander the cobbled streets of this perfectly preserved medieval town, one of the most important towns in Transylvania during the Roman Empire, before moving on to Brasov. ( B) DAY 9: BRASOV- A full day in Brasov, a very popular destination with a magnificent central square, which is awash with cosmopolitan outdoor cafes and baroque facades. ( B) DAY 10: BRAN CASTLE- We hike through picturesque scenery and villages to Bran Castle and visit this well preserved building, also known as Dracula's Castle. Later we travel to Sinaia. ( B) DAY 11: SINAIA- Spend time discovering this picturesque town, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountain resorts in Romania. We then return to Bucharest. ( B) DAY 12: BUCHAREST- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) The first section of our ' Istanbul to Moscow' trip • Take a walking tour of exotic Istanbuland elegant Bucharest • Cruise the Danube from Tulcea, gateway to the Delta's World Heritage Site • Discover the amazing painted churches and monasteries of Suceava • Visit ' Dracula's Castle', the most infamous site in Transylvania • Enjoy the baroque and mediaeval architectureof Cluj Napoca and Sighisoara Turkey Bulgaria Romania Romania Bulgaria Turkey Hungary Slovakia Czech Rep. Poland Prague Krakow Cesky Krumlov Brno High Tatras Mountains Eger Budapest Sighisoara Suceava Brasov SinaiaTulcea Bucharest Istanbul Istanbul to Bucharest Central Europe Explorer Istanbul to Krakow Cluj Napoca Single Supplement £ 280 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 4.19 * Price includes tour price of £ 875and local payment of € 200All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1030pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 12 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Wed IstanbulBucharest 2009 02- May- 0913- May- 09 06- Jun- 0917- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0908- Jul- 09 01- Aug- 0912- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0902- Sep- 09 Starts SatEnds Wed IstanbulBucharest 2010 01- May- 1012- May- 10 05- Jun- 1016- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1007- Jul- 10 31- Jul- 1011- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1001- Sep- 10 The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the biggest old covered bazaar in the world, with over 3,000 shops. amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

TURKEY  ROMANIA  HUNGARY  SLOVAKIA  CZECHREPUBLIC  POLAND 161 EUROPE Central Europe Explorer Imaginative Facts Tour code: UTCX • Activities: Extensive walking in towns, optional hiking in the High Tatras Mountains • Accommodation: 10 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night sleeper train • Transport: Local and private transport - trains and buses • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader days 2- 12 DAY 1: BUDAPEST- Arrive in Budapest. DAY 2: BUDAPEST- In the morning we have a guided orientation tour. The rest of the day is free to explore this beautiful city which offers such an endless succession of wonderful views - the old city of Buda, crowned by Castle Hill and the stunning Matthius Church, and the new city of Pest with the unmistakable claret spires and dome of the parliament building. ( B) DAY 3: EGER- After breakfast we take a train to Eger. The rest of the day is free to explore the beautiful villages and vineyards of the region, famous for the Bull's Blood red wine, or the city of Eger itself, with its wonderful baroque architecture. ( B) DAYS 4 & 5: HIGH TATRAS MTNS- We take a train to Slovakia's breathtaking High Tatras Mountains. We can take hikes in the spectacular surrounding scenery, often in the company of locals who consider taking a ' stroll' in the dramatic peaks a daily tradition. Alternatively take a trip to see nearby Spis Castle or rural Zdiar on the Polish border. ( B) DAY 6: BRNO- We take the train to Brno. Afternoon to explore the old town centre, the Capuchin Monastery mummies or open air market. ( B) DAYS 7 & 8: CESKY KRUMLOV- Travel by train to Cesky Krumlov, possibly the most beautiful town in the Czech Republic. We have plenty of time to explore the beautiful palace or old town centre, hike in the surrounding hills or raft on the river. In the evening of Day 8 we take a train to Prague. ( B) DAYS 9 & 10: PRAGUE- We have two days in this beautiful city. Walk along the Charles Bridge with its selection of buskers and street artists, relax in a pavement cafe or climb a church spire for wonderful views over the terracotta rooftops of the city. On Day 10 we take an overnight train to Krakow. ( B) DAY 11: KRAKOW- Arrive in Krakow, Poland's most celebrated city, where the rest of the day is free to explore. Perhaps take a trip to the Wieliczka salt mine or alternatively make a poignant visit to Auschwitz. DAY 12: KRAKOW- Tour ends. ( B) An insight into some of the most enchanting cities in Europe • Explore Hungary's capital city, Budapest, and the countryside around Eger • Hikein the imposing High Tatras Mountainsof Slovakia • Enjoy the Czech Republic's beautiful towns of Cesky Krumlov and Brno • Two full days to explore the wonderful sights of Prague • Finish in Poland's most celebrated city, Krakow Hungary Slovakia Czech Republic Poland Istanbul to Krakow Imaginative Facts Tour code: UTIK • Activities: Extensive walking in towns and at sites, optional hiking in Tatra Mountains and hiking at Brasov • Accommodation: 17 nights tourist class hotels, 4 nights sleeper trains • Transport: Local and private transport - trains, buses • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Istanbul Heart of the City Tour' page 77 DAY 1: ISTANBUL DAY 2: ISTANBUL- ( B) DAY 3: BUCHAREST DAY 4: BUCHAREST - TULCEA- ( B) DAY 5: DANUBE DELTA- ( B) DAY 6: SUCEAVA DAY 7: CLUJ NAPOCA- ( B) DAY 8: SIGHISOARA- ( B) DAY 9: BRASOV- ( B) DAY 10: BRAN CASTLE- ( B) DAY 11: SINAIA- ( B) DAY 12: BUDAPEST- ( B) DAY 13: EGER- ( B) DAYS 14 & 15: HIGH TATRAS MTNS- ( B) DAY 16: BRNO- ( B) DAYS 17 & 18: CESKY KRUMLOV- ( B) DAYS 19 & 20: PRAGUE- ( B) DAY 21: KRAKOW DAY 22: KRAKOW- ( B) A shorter variant of our ' Istanbul to Moscow' tour • Discover the baroque architecture of Transylvania and rural Romania • Hikein the High Tatras Mountainsand cruise the Danube • Enjoy the Czech charms of Cesky Krumlov and Poland's Krakow • Explore the ancient town of Brnoand Hungary's baroque city of Eger • Time in all the major cities including Prague, Budapest and Bucharest Turkey Bulgaria Romania Hungary Slovakia Czech Republic Poland Single Supplement £ 315 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 2.71 * Price includes tour price of £ 1049and local payment of € 330All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1299pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 570 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 3.62 * Price includes tour price of £ 1775and local payment of € 450All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 2120pp Land Only * travellertraveller Tour duration 12 daysTour duration 22 days Starts TueEnds Sat BudapestKrakow 2009 12- May- 0923- May- 09 16- Jun- 0927- Jun- 09 07- Jul- 0918- Jul- 09 11- Aug- 0922- Aug- 09 01- Sep- 0912- Sep- 09 Starts TueEnds Sat BudapestKrakow 2010 11- May- 1022- May- 10 15- Jun- 1026- Jun- 10 06- Jul- 1017- Jul- 10 10- Aug- 1021- Aug- 10 31- Aug- 1011- Sep- 10 Starts SatEnds Sat IstanbulKrakow 2009 02- May- 0923- May- 09 06- Jun- 0927- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0918- Jul- 09 01- Aug- 0922- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0912- Sep- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat IstanbulKrakow 2010 01- May- 1022- May- 10 05- Jun- 1026- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1017- Jul- 10 31- Jul- 1021- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1011- Sep- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243