Rivers Travel

Many people prefer their holidays to be relaxing and stress free so choose to holiday in a familiar resort each year. They want to know that the hotel will be what they expect and the weather will be gorgeous. There are many packages available to cover a holiday like this – tried and tested.

But others prefer something different – with the added spice of excitement and adventure. There are adventure holidays like this for families, couples, honeymooners, singles and gap-year travellers. Imaginative Traveller offers something for everybody, even the experienced traveller. You can find out more about adventure travel here.

Walking Holidays are a great way to experience any country. In the UK and Europe there are many scenic routes. Maybe the best way to start your walking adventures is to find a place near to home and get your fitness up to speed. You can also try out your walking or hiking boots and wear them in. You are sure to find other walkers along the way when you can exchange tips and stories.

When hiking, it is important to protect your feet. It may seem self evident but you good hiking boots are your most important piece of equipment.

Men’s hiking boots and women’s hiking boots come in a range of different styles. There is no perfect pair of hiking boots, it all depends on the conditions you might encounter on your hiking holiday, and, of course, your personal preference for style, colour and price. And also your level of hiking experience.

Possibly price should be the least of your considerations because a good pair of hiking boots can last for many walking holidays over a number of years.

Here are some of the main points to consider regarding the characteristics of your hiking boots:-

Hiking boot weight

If you hiking boots are lighter, then walking will be easier. Even an extra pound in weight carried over a number of miles can take a lot out of you. Hiking boots are becoming lighter but there still needs to be good support.

Hiking boots – water resistance

Moisture causes blisters. So it is important that you feet are kept dry. At the same time the hiking boots need to allow your feet to breathe so that they don’t become sweaty. This means that the material must be watertight. The design must also be good.

Support for your feet and ankles

The boots should help prevent your feet and ankles from twisting when walking over uneven terrain. So you may consider a higher boot for ankle support.

Support for your heel and toes

Too much weight on your toes or heels can cause discomfort and pain especially on hilly terrain. So a good boot will allow you to walk with a natural step but protect your feet from over bending.

Support for your arches

Make sure your boots have good arch support

Established in 1991, The Imaginative Traveller has grown steadily to become one of the world’s leading operators of small group adventure tours. Imaginative Traveller is a worldwide company with offices in the United Kingdom, Australia, South East Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, China, India, USA and Canada. The company is ABTA, ATOL and IATA bonded and a member of The TUI Travel PLC Group of Companies

What makes Imaginative Traveller stand out?

The Imaginative part of the name is the key to its uniqueness. Tours are designed to enable travellers to get under the skin of a destination and meet and interact with real people in those destinations. Imaginative Traveller has a very firm responsible travel policy and aims to provide tours that benefit people in the destinations visited. These adventure holidays are for travellers who are ecologically aware and who are looking for that imaginative something extra.

Something for everybody?

Imaginative Traveller offers a wide range of tour styles to suit various tastes and levels of experience. The seasoned traveller looking for a pioneering adventure to remote destinations is catered for. Honeymoon couples looking for an adventure holiday in style will find what they are looking for. These tours are for anybody who is looking for something different. There is even something for families looking for adventure, single travellers and gap year travellers.

More details?

Low deposit of £150 per person secures a place. 5% discount for booking 6 months in advance, 5% past client discount and 5% group booking discount (groups of 6 or more). No single supplement on many tours. Tour leaders rated excellent by 96% of previous travellers. Most tours are between 6-15 in size – small enough to get to know one another. Destination managers make sure everyone is satisfied.

Best time to book?

Year-round holidays on different continents means something for any month of the year. But main months for holiday bookings are November, December, January and February, with travellers looking for their main holiday during the summer months. A new brochure is published on 1st November each year.

Tips to Save a Bundle on eBooker Holiday Packages

1. eBookers are well known for their bundled bargains.

2. Check the cost of add-ons, such as rental cars and tours when booking packages with online travel agencies. Sometimes the agencies offer those extras at a discount.

3. Get one price on your trip with all-inclusive deals – makes you holiday budget easier to manage

4. Don’t forget to add travel insurance to your bundle – You could then be covered for a refund if you need to cancel or change plans. Travel insurance generally covers you for trip delays, baggage losses and medical expenses.

Balkan Holidays: 10 City Breaks in the Balkans

A city break is an ideal way to learn something of a different culture in a few days. A city break gives you a chance to absorb a new experience. The Balkan region has a diverse mix of geography, history and culture.

City breaks in the Balkans offer something for everyone no matter what your age, taste, or whether you are part of a group or travelling alone.

Here are 10 cities that could whet your appetite:-

1. Belgrade – Serbia

St Mark's Church Belgrade

Belgrade is known for being a vibrant and trendy city and has a reputation for offering a vibrant nightlife the best features of which are the barges spread along the banks of the Sava and Danube Rivers.

Belgrade boasts two opera houses, a number of museums, including the National Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also some stunning architecture

A former river island, Ada Ciganlija, on the Sava river, is Belgrade’s biggest sports and recreational complex. It is the most popular destination for Belgraders and visitors alike during the city’s hot summers.

2. Bucharest – Romania

Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Époque buildings and a reputation for the high life, which at one time,  earned it the nickname of “Little Paris”.

Bucharest has much historical charm – from the streets of the Old City Centre, which are slowly being restored, to the grand architecture of the Royal Palace and the lush green of Cismigiu Park. The city also claims a large number of museums, art galleries, exquisite Orthodox churches and unique architectural sites.

3. Dubrovnik – Croatia

Dubrovnik is one of the world’s finest and best preserved fortified cities and features two kilometres of walls, some 6 metres thick in places lined with turrets and towers, that run around the city. George Bernard Shaw said in 1929: “If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik”.

4. Ljubljana – Slovenia

Ljubljana is a charming city, the numerous parks and a vibrant cultural scene. There are numerous art galleries and museums and a mediaeval castle located at the summit of the hill that dominates the city centre.

Ljubljana Zoo covers has 152 animal species. An antique flea market takes place every Sunday in the old city. Tivoli Park is the largest park in in the city, has 3 main avenues, planted with chestnut-trees.

5. Sarajevo – Bosnia

Sarajevo is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated around the Miljacka river, commonly known as the Sarajevo River. This river is one of the main features of the city. In December 2009, Lonely Planet listed Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010

A great way to get around this city is on the electric tram system. Sarajevo was the first city in Europe to have a full-time operational electric tram network running through the city.

6. Skopje – Macedonia

Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, and the Memorial House of Mother Teresa commemorates this. There are many old churches and mosques to visit for those who love history and architecture.

Many famous worldwide artists have attended the music festivals over the years. The Skopje Jazz Festival is part of the European Jazz Network. The Blues and Soul Festival in early July is part of the Skopje Cultural Summer Festival and the May Opera Evenings have been one of the most visited events in Skopje.

The City Park is home to the main museum, several monuments, small lakes, cafes and restaurants. The city Zoo and stadium are also here along with several nightclubs.

7. Sofia – Bulgaria

Sofia is nestled in the foothills of Vitosha Mountain, which makes it an ideal location for hiking and skiing. The city of Sofia is a lively, bustling and cosmopolitan city with many nightclubs, live venues and traditional Bulgarian taverns and restaurants. Many famous musicians have played in Sofia.

Sofia houses numerous museums and art galleries, including the National Historical Museum, the Bulgarian Natural History Museum, the Museum of Earth and Men.

The city has many places of special interest, museums and churches, and has a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Boyana Church

8.  Split – Croatia

The city is located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and offers great links to surrounding seaside towns and to the numerous Adriatic Islands.

The city centre is taken up by the Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Athens – Greece

Athens is home to the world famous Acropolis? The Parthenon and the other main buildings on the Acropolis were built by Pericles in the fifth century BC as a monument to the cultural and political achievements of the inhabitants of Athens. You could spend some days exploring this and it is best to start early on the hot summer days.

The Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. It is now a pedestrian area of restaurants, tourist shops, and cafes and is an enjoyable place to relax.

The National Archaeological Museum ranks among the top ten museums in the world.

10. Istanbul – Turkey

Istanbul, the historic city that stands in Europe and Asia and has the status of 2010 European Capital of Culture

Views of Istanbul

In Istanbul’s steep and bustling streets, and visitors can spend hours buying or viewing the wonderful products on offer in the markets, where bargaining is essential. The Grand Bazaar, has over 4,000 craft shops, selling carpets, pottery, jewels, and antiques in its labyrinths.

There are many monuments and historical sites including the Hagia Sophie and one of the greatest examples of Islamic architecture, the “Blue Mosque”

Be sure to take a ferry along the Bosphorus strait, and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city especially at sunset.

There are many more places in the Balkans that make it ideal for a short city break.

Balkan Holidays: The Countries of the Balkans

The Balkans is a diverse cultural and geographical region. In this are of Europe you will find, spectacular lakes and mountains, skiing and great beaches, beautiful rivers and medieval castles. In most of the English-speaking world, the countries commonly included in the Balkan region are, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Mecedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Romania. Sometimes, countries like Moldova, Slovenia and Turkey are included.

The Balkans, also referred to as the Balkan Peninsula, is a region of southeastern Europe. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains, which run through the centre of Bulgaria into eastern Serbia. “Balkan” comes from a Turkish word meaning “a chain of wooded mountains”.

The Balkan Peninsula may be defined as an area of south eastern Europe surrounded by water on three sides: the Adriatic Sea to the west, the Mediterranean Sea (including the Ionian and Aegean seas) to the south and the Black Sea to the east. Its northern boundary is often given as the Danube, Sava and Kupa rivers.

Here are some of the interesting countries you can visit in this region

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a beautiful country, bordered by the River Danube in the north and the Black Sea in the east. There are mountain ranges and sparkling lakes.

Sofia is the capital city. And on the Black Sea coast there are long hot summers with the beaches to match at Varna and Burgas.beaches Varna. If a winter holiday in the snow is more to your taste, then Bansko is the resort for you. The village of Bozhentsi in rural Bulgaria was proclaimed an architectural and historical reserve in 1964 and is part of UNESCO’s cultural monuments.

Other popular attractions include the 10th century Rila Monastery and the 19th century Euxinograd château.

Croatia

Croatia is famed for the sapphire waters of the Adriatic that gently lap onto its stunning beaches and into the secluded coves. There are medieval castles to take your breath away and eight areas in the country have been designated national parks.

Among the World Heritage Sites are the Old town of Dubrovnik, the Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian and the historic city of Trogir.

Montenegro

Montenegro’s mild Mediterranean climate boasts an average of 240 sunny days each year with some of the finest beaches imaginable. While the mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe.

The Tourism Masterplan of Montenegro (a 3 year plan started in 2007) is also paving the way for a national development program for nature based tourism, especially hiking and biking, with new infrastructure and services.

Slovenia

The beautiful country of Slovenia correctly holds the crown of the “Green Heart of Europe” it touches the Alps and borders the Mediterranean Sea.

The nation’s capital, Ljubljana, proudly shows its Baroque and Art Nouveau influence

Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A national symbol of Slovenia is Mount Triglav and the Triglav National Park named after it. It is part of the Julian Alps that supplies water to two large river systems, the Soča and the Sava, flowing to the Adriatic and Black Sea, respectively.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia has also become an increasingly popular skiing and Ecotourism destination. Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the last undiscovered regions of the Southern Alps, with vast tracks of wild and untouched nature attracting adventurers and nature lovers.

The central Dinaric Alps are loved by hikers & walkers, containing both Mediterreanean & Alpine climates. Whitewater rafting is something akin to a national pastime, with 3 rivers including the deepest river canyon in Europe, the Tara River.

Next time you consider a holiday in Europe, consider the Balkans. You will not be disappointed and it could be the start of a long-standing love for the region.

Save Money on Train Fares by Booking In Advance

Everyone knows book early and you can get cheaper fares yet often these disappear quicker than empty seats on a commuter trip. The key stat is, that under contract terms, Network Rail must have the timetable set 12 weeks in advance; therefore this is commonly (though not definitely) when tickets are released. So if you can, try and book 12 weeks ahead to bag super bargain fares.

Early booking is still cheaper even when it’s not so early. Advance tickets can be available as late as 6pm the night before; so it’s worth a call to check.

Book online using thetrainline.com These sites always seek out any cheap seats that may still be available.

Save Money on Train Fares by Split Ticketing

One of the best ways to save money on rail fares is to book early and take advantage of those discounted tickets that the rail companies offer. But how can you make a saving if you leave things till the last minute when all the cheap tickets have gone?

Well, there is a way! It is called ‘split ticketing’. This is where you can break your journey into smaller chunks but stay on the same train and pay less than the standard open or saver return, or even on a one way fare.

Many experienced UK rail travellers can save more than 60% on their fares by ‘splitting tickets’. Split ticketing can occur where a journey can be broken into smaller sectors and costed separately.
If you wanted to travel from Station A to Station C, you would expect to buy a ticket direct from A to C. With Split Your Ticket, depending on your route you may find it cheaper to buy a ticket from A to B and B to C. You still complete the same journey from A to C but stay on the same train without getting off – saving money!

Consumer researchers at Which? found a same-day, peak fare rail journey from London Paddington to Swansea would cost £109.50.

However, buying a single from Paddington to Swindon, then another from Swindon to Swansea reduces the overall journey’s cost to £76.70 – a saving of £32.80.

On certain journeys, researchers found, passengers using split ticketing could end up paying up to 60% less for fares but rail firms don’t advertise split ticketing savings.

The reason why split ticketing often works out cheaper is because different rail companies set the prices for different parts of the journey. This is one of the anomalies of deregulation.

For example, a fare from Carlisle to Manchester will be set by Virgin Trains because they are the leading operator on that route.

If you split your ticket at Preston, then the first portion of the trip, Carlisle to Preston, is set by Trans Pennine, while the second portion, from Preston to Manchester, is controlled by Northern. So you may find that the sum of the parts is less than the whole.

Although rail firms don’t advertise that money can be saved by splitting tickets, the practice is perfectly legal. You simply make the same journey with two tickets instead of one – and you do not need to break your journey at the middle station. The only condition is that the train you take must stop at all the places you have bought tickets for, not just pass through them.

It’s perfectly allowed within the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, and has been confirmed by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC). The only rule is that the train must call at the stations you’ve bought tickets for.

A London to Penzance return fare could be split into two returns as follows:-
1. London to Plymouth return
2. Plymouth to Penzance return
Or it may work out cheaper to buy four one way fares like so:-
1. London to Plymouth
2. Plymouth to Penzance
3. Penzance to Plymouth
4. Plymouth to London

How much can you save? Well on those Penzance examples above, you could cut a standard return of over £200, to less than £100. It’s the same train at the same time, the difference is that you have four tickets covering the journey not one.

How can you find split ticket bargains?

1. Use the Trainline search engine to find the cheapest standard fare for your journey.

2. Check at which stations your train will stop

3. If your journey involves changing trains, the Trainline itinerary will reveal when and where the train stops; try splitting your ticket there (One thing to watch for when you are buying tickets like this is to make sure that your tickets will be valid for the onward journey if one of the trains is late and misses your preferred connection)

The number of options that you check depends on the amount of time you have. On a long journey with a number of stops there will be a number of permutations.

It is always worth checking a few options. When it comes to saving money on your UK train fares, remember to split your ticket not your journey.

Save Money on Your Train Fares by Buying a Rail Card

If you’re under 26, over 60, or travelling with children, you can cut a third off most ticket prices with a railcard, costing £26 a year.

There is also a railcard for you if you are disabled, for just £18 and a friend travelling with you will also get the discount.

Also a Network Railcard covers London and the Southeast and allows three friends to travel with you at the same discount and up to four children at 60% discount.

These can be bought at stations or better still, online, as then you can upload a Jpeg photo, saving £3.50 on buying a passport photo.

Railcards do come with conditions, so if you do a regular journey, first check whether the card is valid for saving money on that journey.

For journeys costing over £60, always get a railcard. The saving on the fare will cover the cost of the Railcard.

Save Money on Train Fares by Only Paying Peak For The Portion That is Peak

Peak times are usually before 10am and between 5pm and 7pm. If at all possible avoid these times and you’ll find better bargains.

You can still cut the cost by buying two singles instead of a return if only one part of your journey is during peak times or else by using split ticketing (see above), so that if some of your journey isn’t during peak time, you’re not paying a peak price for your whole ticket.

Why not consider an eco-friendly hybrid car on your next trip or holiday? Hybrid cars are more friendly to the environment because they produce about 80 % less pollutants than conventional cars.
A hybrid car is one that uses at least two different fuel sources – generally petrol and electricity. A hybrid car may be more expensive to hire but you could make big savings on fuel costs. In cities like London a hybrid car is exempt from congestion charges – other cities planning congestion charges are expected to follow this example.

Check to see if a hybrid car is available in your destination. You will see the ‘eco’ sticker on the photo of the car.

You can also compare carhire prices from a number of operators in the box below and book direct with them if you prefer

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