real life experiences eastern europe intrepid europe is about more than just the sights discover the sounds scents tastes and feel of every place you visit too to get that first-hand real life experience we travel in small groups and we don t do coaches we get with the locals taking trains and taking the trouble to interact for the variety of trip styles please see guide on page 5 rail journeys step into a world of medieval villages opulent churches and post-war prosperity from the mysterious lands of transylvania and the charming villages of poland to the grand cities of russia and epic journeys into the heart of asia unearth the beauty and explore the rich and turbulent history of eastern europe and beyond cultural performance mongolia ewen bell 22
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eastern europe rail · intrepid rail journeys reach as far east as beijing tribal village namibia trans-mongolian express east a taste of russia russia and beyond trans-asia express trans-mongolian rail journey 24 24 25 25 26 balkan adventure baltic states express baltic experience eastern highlights eastern europe explorer 27 27 28 29 29 photography competition 2006 naadam festival mongolia jean-francois creusot photography competition 2006 gourd man russia david hessell photography comp 2006 prague busker martin bosch 23
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rail journeys trans-mongolian express eastbound original 21 days st petersburg to beijing itinerary days 1-3 st petersburg the gargantuan hermitage museum and the illustrious winter palace are mustsees days 4-5 moscow russia s capital is a unique blend of plus local payment us$300 physical culture shock orthodox churches communist relics and emerging capitalism days 6-7 suzdal en route to the golden ring city of suzdal we stop at vladimir and the assumption cathedral its foremost attraction days 8-10 trans-siberian this renowned rail journey takes us deep into the forests of the siberian taiga the perfect opportunity to chill out sip vodka with the locals and watch the world pass by days 11-12 irkutsk/listvyanka from the military post of irkutsk we head to listvyanka on the shores of lake baikal here we are welcomed into the lives of the locals in an overnight homestay days 13-14 transmongolian depart the land of lenin and venture into the grasslands of ghengis khan days 15-17 ulaan
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rail journeys russia and beyond basix 18 days moscow to beijing itinerary days 1-3 moscow our journey starts in moscow where orthodox churches stand proudly alongside soviet icons and chic boutiques be transported back in time on visits plus local payment us$200 physical culture shock to the kremlin and red square days 4-6 trans-siberian our first leg of this great train journey lasts 65 hours so there s ample opportunity to appreciate the mountain ranges taiga forests and quaint villages to pass the time you can always share a vodka with the locals in the dining car days 7-9 irkutsk/lake baikal receive a traditional siberian welcome in pretty listvyanka on the shores of the world s deepest lake our homestay provides an insight into the lives of the locals and there s plenty of time to explore the area or take a dip in the lake days 10-11 trans-mongolian departing lake baikal we join the trans-mongolian railway cities make way for towns then villages and isolated huts as we emerge fro
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rail journeys trans-mongolian rail journey comfort 16 days beijing to moscow itinerary days 1-3 beijing our journey commences in exciting beijing after a morning visit to the great wall we explore the forbidden city and tiananmen square with a plus local payment us$200 physical culture shock local guide in the evening feast on delicious beijing duck day 4 train to ulaan baatar an overnight train offers ample time to take in the scenery it is not unusual to see gers and camels as we travel through some of the most beautiful but inhospitable terrain in the world days 5-7 ulaan baatar in mongolia s sprawling capital nomads wearing traditional dress are as common a sight as business people and 4wds visit the winter palace gandan monastery and a nearby ger camp to gain an insight into mongolia s rich history and traditional life day 8 trans-mongolian the russian border crossing is a great chance to interact with the locals and learn some handy russian phrases try some typical snacks sold b
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eastern europe balkan adventure original 14 days budapest to dubrovnik itinerary day 1 budapest we converge in this historical city which with its imposing architecture monuments and quaint air gives us a glimpse of what s in store days 2-3 plus local payment eu200 physical culture shock novi sad vegetarians may feel somewhat neglected in novi sad capital of serbia s bacon heartland but its sights have a universal appeal originally established by the romans the hilltop petrovaradin fortress offers beautiful views of town days 4-5 belgrade one of europe s oldest cities belgrade is a curious mish-mash of modernity and tradition observe how the orthodox churches jostle for space with up-andcoming nightclubs days 6-8 sarajevo travel through serene countryside to the capital of bosnia-herzegovina we take a stroll down the streets of this rejuvenated city and head to some thermal springs nearby there is free time to visit sites including the sarajevo tunnel museum which offers a behind-th
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eastern europe baltic experience original 12 days helsinki to warsaw departs weekly from may to sep itinerary days 1-2 helsinki experience helsinki s diverse heritage on visits to the senate square the russian orthodox church and the national theatre later we marvel at the plus local payment eu200 physical culture shock grandeur of suomenlinna an 18th century sea fortress days 3-4 tallinn travel by ferry across the gulf of finland to estonia s charming capital we visit the impressive kadriorg palace designed for peter the great and now home to the estonian museum of art and the president s office there is also time to explore the quaint old town and the stately toompea castle make sure you try some of the local delicacies which include pigs trotters and marinated eel days 5-6 riga resting on the shores of the daugava river pretty riga is renowned for its fine collection of art nouveau architecture and welcoming locals we take a walk around town and visit the fascinating open-air eth
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eastern europe eastern highlights original 10 days warsaw to vienna departs weekly from may to oct itinerary day 1 warsaw the busy polish capital is a shining symbol of the country s enduring spirit these days it s hard to believe that in 1945 the city of warsaw was mere plus local payment eu100 physical culture shock rubble visit the uprising museum and old town to truly appreciate the extraordinary reconstruction that has taken place days 2-4 krakow one of poland s most beautiful cities and the former royal capital krakow is a fascinating place a visit to the hilltop wawel castle is essential as is a sobering walk through the now-silent jewish quarter a guided tour of auschwitz and birkenau is an option days 5-6 prague the old town of prague is graced with winding cobblestone lanes picture-perfect churches and a wealth of gothic and baroque architecture after a hard day s exploring relax with a pilsner at one of the many atmospheric restaurants and pubs days 7-8 cesky krumlov comple
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