A journey through the rich and varied landscape of South East Europe with majestic scenery of the High Tatras Mountains, fairy tale castles of Romania and Slovakia and fascinating and beautiful Istanbul.

Itinerary:

Day 1,PRAGUE Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Day 2,PRAGUE Morning walking tour of this wonderful city, one of the most beautiful and romantic in Europe. Day 3,PRAGUE A free day. In the evening we board an overnight train to Stary Smokovec in the High Tatras Mountains of Slovakia, Eastern Europe's highest mountain range. (B) Day 4,HIGH TATRA MOUNTAINS Today we have a full day trek in this stunning mountain range. Day 5,HIGH TATRA MOUNTAINS - BUDAPEST A free morning. You can visit nearby Levoca, Slovakia's most beautiful walled town and Spissky Hrad, one of the largest castles in Europe. Afternoon train to Budapest. (B) Day 6,BUDAPEST Budapest is known as the Paris of the East and is a wonderful place to wander - lose yourself in the romantic medieval city or take a boat cruise on the Danube. (B) Day 7,BUDAPEST A free day. In the late afternoon we board an overnight train to Brasov in Romania. (B) Day 8,BRASOV Full day to explore the atmospheric medieval city of Brasov. Alternatively take a day trip to the stunning resort of Sinaia and spend the day walking through spectacular alpine pastures and forests. Day 9,DRACULA'S CASTLE - BUCHAREST This morning, option to visit Rasnov Castle and Dracula's Castle, or Bran's Castle as it is known to those with less imagination! In the afternoon, take the train to Bucharest. (B) Day 10,BUCHAREST A full day to explore Bucharest and its contrast of exquisite old streets and the Soviet splendour of the 'civic centre'. (B) Day 11,BUCHAREST After a free morning in Bucharest we board our final overnight train and head for Istanbul. (B) Day 12,ISTANBUL Arrive in the morning. The day is free to explore. Day 13,ISTANBUL Tour ends. (B)

Included

Maximum Group Size 18
Trek Grade A Easy
Fully Escorted By Imaginative Traveller tour leader
Transport Bus and train
Activities Extensive walking in towns, optional hiking in High Tatras Mountains and around Brasov
Accommodation 9 nights simple hotels, 3 overnight trains
Meals Breakfast included most days.

Excluded

Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour Entrance fees: Not included. Allow approx EUR35 (US$40) though this will vary according to how many sights you want to visit
Airport transfers: Not included
Visa costs: Not included
Border Taxes: Not included
A : Not included
Drinks, tips, laundry and other items of a personal nature.: Not included
International flights: Not included
Meals other than those listed: Not included
The single supplement does not apply to the nights spent on trains.: Not included

Note: This tour is designed to link with our Turkey or Middle Eastern combination tours a?' so you could continue your adventure and travel all the way to Cairo!
Note: These trips use a number of overnight trains through Eastern Europe. Whilst the itinerary is accurate at time of printing, train schedules may change resulting in amendments to the itinerary. Whilst we will try to keep these to a minimum please be prepared.

Trip Reference: UAPI