Intrepid predicts second ‘Palin Effect’

Intrepid Travel, one of the world’s leading adventure travel operators, is predicting a second ‘Palin Effect’, this time for Eastern Europe. The responsible tourism award-winner is envisaging a significant upturn in sales to this lesser-known corner of Europe following the launch of Michael Palin’s latest book on 13th September and the BBC1 television series, ‘Michael Palin’s New Europe’, which begins on Sunday, 16th September.

The original ‘Palin Effect’ occurred in 2004 when the comedian and travel presenter’s television series ‘Himalaya with Michael Palin’ lead to a dramatic increase in travel to Asia’s spectacular mountain region.

Daniel Pawlyn from Intrepid believes that the predicted ‘Palin Effect’ will have a positive impact on tourism to Eastern and Central Europe, encouraging visitors to explore the unconventional hidden gems as well as the icons.

“The great thing about the way Michael Palin travels is that he really gets under the skin of a country; travelling on local transport, staying in traditional accommodation and generally doing what the locals do. Because Intrepid have the same travel philosophy we’re expecting to see a dramatic rise in popularity of trips like our Eastern Europe Explorer where we enjoy a home-cooked meal with a local Transylvanian family or the Balkan Adventure where we join pilgrims on their journey to a monastery built into the side of a rock face in Montenegro. Like Michael, we have a lot of fun along the way”

EASTERN EUROPE EXPLORER, from £680
Travel across romantic Eastern Europe from Hungary to Turkey on this 22-day adventure. From beautiful Budapest to the haunted castles of Transylvania, be enchanted by medieval monasteries, old-world towns and the warm hospitality of this little-travelled region.

Sample local wine in beautiful Eger, overnight with a Transylvanian family, spook yourself at Dracula's Castle, check out Bulgarian nightlife in Sofia, explore Byzantine ruins in Plovdiv and admire Istanbul's majestic skyline.

Prices start from £680 per person, excluding international flights, plus a local payment of €450. The trip departs from Budapest and finishes in Istanbul. Book through Intrepidtravel.com/wry.

BALKAN ADVENTURE, from £605
East meets west on this diverse 14-day discovery. Experience the natural beauty, mouth-watering cuisine, pulsating nightlife and hospitable people of this enchanting land, virtually untouched by tourism.

Dine on the shores of the Danube, stay with pilgrims in a simple konak at Ostrog Monastery, visit bustling markets in Belgrade, work on your tan in the Montenegrin Miami and admire the Adriatic from Dubrovnik's city walls.

Prices start from £605 per person, excluding international flights, plus a local payment of €300. The trip departs from Budapest and finishes in Dubrovnik. Book through Intrepidtravel.com/wsk.