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

EUROPEESTONIA  LATVIA  LITHUANIA  RUSSIA 162 " Seeing all the sites was incredible. But in the end it was the smaller things that really made it - the fantastic group we had, our excellent leader and the people we met along the way." Joanna Boraston europe Baltic Explorer Imaginative Facts Tour code: UTBX • Activities: Extensive walking in towns • Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights sleeper train • Transport: Local and private transport - trains, buses • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader days 2- 15 • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Combine with ' Central Europe Explorer' and join our ' Budapest to Moscow' tour DAY 1: VILNIUS- Arrive and transfer to the hotel. DAY 2: VILNIUS- After breakfast we have a walking tour of the delightful old town with its winding streets, narrow alleys and many old churches. The city boasts the largest old quarter in Europe which was constructed over many centuries and as a result is a unique hotchpotch of architectural styles. Rather bizarrely you can also find a statue of the American rock musician Frank Zappa. ( B) DAYS 3 & 4: KLAIPEDA- After breakfast we take a train to Klaipeda, our base for visiting the Curonian Spit. The next day we have a guided tour of the Curonian Spit, an enormous peninsula dominated by impressive sand dunes and forests, split between Russia and Lithuania and recognised by UNESCO as an area of outstanding natural beauty. ( B) DAYS 5 & 6: RIGA- Travel by bus to Riga in Latvia. The following day take a morning walking tour of this cosmopolitan capital city, with the afternoon free to explore further. There is plenty to occupy the eye, and it is easy to see why the old quarter has been recognised as a World Heritage Site with a stunning collection of Art Nouveau architecture on offer. ( B) DAY 7: SIGULDA- After breakfast we have a short bus ride to Sigulda, situated at the edge of a beautiful forested valley with many hiking trails. We have nearly a full day to enjoy the area. ( B) DAY 8: SIGULDA - TALLINN- In the morning we have time to explore more in the nearby National Park. In the afternoon we transfer by bus to Tallinn. ( B) DAY 9: TALLINN- Morning walking tour of the impressive old city. Later we board the overnight train to St Petersburg. ( B) DAYS 10- 12: ST PETERSBURG- Today we have a guided tour of this awe inspiring city including the Hermitage and the Winter Palace. St Petersburg is home to some of the most splendid architecture in the world and is awash with stunning buildings, exceptional museums and opulent palaces. Its numerous canals and waterways have led it to be known as the ' Venice of the North'. Free time in St Petersburg to explore the city's many treasures - you may wish to visit Peterhof ( Peter the Great's palace) or take a tour on the canals, among many other options. On Day 12 we take the overnight train to Moscow. ( Days 11 & 12 - B) DAYS 13 & 14: MOSCOW- On arrival we enjoy a tour of the city, taking in the Kremlin, Red Square and Tretyakov Gallery. Enjoy a free day in Moscow to take in further highlights of this atmospheric city. Must see sights include the iconic Saint Basil's Cathedral, synonymous with Moscow's landscape. ( Day 14 - B) DAY 15: MOSCOW- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) Visit the Baltic plus the two greatest Russian cities • Enjoy the delights of Lithuania's capital, Vilnius • Discover the natural beauty of the Curonian Spit peninsula • Admire Riga's Art Nouveau buildings and hike in the Latvian countryside • Explore the jewel of Northern Europe, mediaeval Tallinn • Visit the main highlights of Moscow and St Petersburg Lithuania Latvia Estonia Russia Romania Bulgaria Turkey Hungary Slovakia Czech Rep. Poland Latvia EstoniaRussia Prague Krakow Vilnius Klaipeda RigaSigulda Tallinn St Petersburg Moscow Cesky Krumlov BrnoHigh Tatras Mountains Eger BudapestCluj Napoca Sighisoara Suceava Brasov Sinaia Tulcea Bucharest Istanbul Warsaw Baltic Explorer Budapest to Moscow Istanbul to Moscow Lithuania Single Supplement £ 340 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 3.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 1499and local payment of € 350All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1765pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat VilniusMoscow 2009 23- May- 0906- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0911- Jul- 09 18- Jul- 0901- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0905- Sep- 09 12- Sep- 0926- Sep- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat VilniusMoscow 2010 22- May- 1005- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1010- Jul- 10 17- Jul- 1031- Jul- 10 21- Aug- 1004- Sep- 10 11- Sep- 1025- Sep- 10 Istanbul has the third oldest subway in the world, built in 1875. amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243