Grand Balkan Tour 9 COUNTRIES IN 9 DAYS
2026
7 Nights 9 Days – 4* Hotels – Dinner Included
NO EXTRA TOURS – ALL INCLUSIVE!!!! KOSOVAR PROGRAM
DUBROVNIK – MATKA CANYON – BLAGAJ TOMB – VRELO BOSNA SARAJEVO BOSNIAN MEATBALLS AND LOCAL RESTAURANTS' REAL MACEDONIAN AND BULGARIAN NIGHTS WITH A DIFFERENCE
Civilizations, Cultures, and Religions,
Traveling to the Heart of the Balkans at the Meeting Point
The Meeting Point of History and Civilizations.
Greece - Macedonia – Kosovo – Albania – Montenegro
Croatia – Bosnia Herzegovina – Serbia – Bulgaria
23 CITIES – 5 CAPITALS
Kavala – Thessaloniki – Bitola–Resne-Ohrid – Struga – Tetovo - Skopje – Pristina – Prizren – Shkodra – Bar – Petrovac – Budva – Kotor – Herceg Novi –Trebinje – Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo – Belgrade – Sofia – Plovdiv
Tour Departure Dates :
March 13 / March 18 / April 10 / April 24 / May 15 / May 22 / May 23 / June 12 / June 19 / June 26 / July 3 / July 10 / July 17 / July 24 / July 31 / August 7 / August 14 / August 21 / August 28 / September 4 / September 18 / October 9 / October 23 / November 6
Special Days :
April Semester and Eid al-Fitr : March 13 / March 18
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day : April 18
May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day : May 15
Eid al-Adha : May 22 / May 23
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day : July 10
August 30 Victory Day : August 28
Republic Day : October 23
November Semester : November 6
Tour Program
Day 1 Istanbul – Kavala
On the first day of our tour, we depart at 21:00 from Kadıköy Marriage Office, at 21:30 from Mecidiyeköy Oto Ekspertiz front, and at 22:00 from İncirli Ömür Plaza front, and at 22:30 from Beylikdüzü Marmara Park front, heading through Tekirdağ to reach the İpsala border gate. After completing passport and customs procedures, we arrive in Kavala via Dedeağac, Gümülcine, and İskeçe.
Day 2 Kavala – Thessaloniki – Bitola (Manastir) – Resne – Ohrid
After arriving in Kavala, we make a stop for breakfast and to taste delicious Kavala cookies. After breakfast, we take a short photo break at the beautiful Kavala beaches and move towards Thessaloniki. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we start our panoramic city tour. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the Waterfront, White Tower, Rotunda, Fair, Thessaloniki Fortress, Ottoman and Byzantine monuments. After visiting the Church of Aya Dimitros, the largest church in Greece, and then the house of the Great Leader Atatürk, currently located in the garden of the Turkish consulate, we proceed to Bitola. After our arrival, we will visit Shirok Street, the Bedesten, Ishak Mosque, the New Mosque, and experience the most emotional moments of the trip at the Military School where Atatürk graduated. After the Bitola visit, we arrive at Ohrid, the pearl of the Balkans via Resne, the hometown of Resneli Niyazi. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken at a resting facility in Kavala for an additional cost.
Lunch: Will be taken during free time in the city center of Thessaloniki for an additional cost. You can taste all local flavors. Guide's Recommendation: Seafood and Mezes.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or restaurant and is included in the tour fare.
Accommodation: Hotel Aqulina etc. – Ohrid
Currencies : Greece - Euro, Macedonia – Denar ( Average 1 Euro : 60 Denar )
Route: Istanbul-Kavala (445 km), Kavala – Thessaloniki (136 km), Thessaloniki-Bitola (219 km), Bitola – Ohrid (70 km)
Total Distance Covered: 870 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 20:00
Day 3 Ohrid – Sveti Naum- Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After breakfast at the hotel we depart for a tour of Ohrid, a Mediterranean town in the Balkans, crossing the Mavrovo mountains. We start our tour of Ohrid city at the Harbor Square, sharing information about the statues we see before proceeding to a walking tour in the historical area where Elveda Rumeli was filmed, seeing the historical Ottoman houses, the Church of Aya Sofya, and concluding our tour with the presentation of the famous Ohrid Pearl. Guests wishing to participate in the boat activity on Ohrid Lake arranged by our guide may do so (15EUR). Afterwards, we will visit St. Naum, which is the birthplace of Ohrid Lake and boasts breathtaking views. After the tour, we will head to the capital Skopje. On our route, we will visit Tetova (Kalkandelen), the third largest city in the country, with a dense Albanian population, where we will visit the Alaca Mosque and the Imaret. Starting from the Makedon side, known as the land of statues, we will first see the Great Alexander statue, which is notable for its massive size, then cross the historic Skopje Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, experiencing how cultures change all at once, and we will proceed to the Üsküp Turkish Bazaar, one of the most qualified bazaars of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Our city tour will include information about the statues at the entrance of the bazaar, the historical Davut Paşa bath, and we will conclude our tour at the Kapan Han, one of the most important buildings of Ottoman bazaar organization, and the Murat Pasha Mosque, which has survived despite earthquakes. After our visits, we will have an hour of free time for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. You can buy stuffed peppers, Ustrumca peanuts, and çarık (traditional shoes). After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. The night will be filled with extra local food and music at a Makedonian Night at the place determined by the guide. (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!!). Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour fare.
Lunch: Will be taken in typical establishments serving authentic flavors along the Ohrid-Skopje route as an extra.
Dinner: Extra authentic food and music will be enjoyed at a Makedonian Night at a place selected by the guide. INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!!
Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc. – Skopje
Currencies : Macedonia – Denar ( Average 1 Euro : 60 Denar )
Route: Ohrid – Skopje (175 km)
Total Distance Covered: 170 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 20:00
Day 4 Skopje – Prizren – Shkodra or Podgorica
After breakfast at the hotel, we will tour the Matka Canyon known for its stunning beauty (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!). Afterwards, we will head toward Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. As we pass through the Kosovar border, we will see panoramic views of Pristina and visit the site of the Kosovo War at the Kosovo Plain, followed by a visit to the tomb of Sultan Murat Hüdavendigar. After that, we will continue to the journey to Prizren. Upon arrival in Prizren, we will have a city tour in the most authentic city in the country home to the highest proportion of Turkish population. Prizren, perhaps one of the most charming cities in the Balkans, will be featured during our tour, including the Turkish Bath from the 17th century, the Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615, and the Prizren Fortress. After the visits, we will have free time for lunch. After gathering, we will cross into Albania and continue our journey to Podgorica. Passing through Shkodra, we will continue to the youngest state in Europe, Montenegro. After the border crossing and continuing our journey in Montenegro, we will arrive at our accommodation point. Check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour fare.
Lunch: Extra time for lunch can be taken at recommended establishments in the Şadırvan Square area of Prizren.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or restaurant and is included in the tour fare.
Accommodation: Hotel Oasis etc. – Podgorica
Currencies : Kosovo - Euro, Montenegro – Euro
Route: Skopje – Pristina (92 km), Pristina – Prizren (85 km), Prizren – Podgorica (238 km)
Total Distance Covered: 415 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 20:00
Day 5 Podgorica - Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik – Trebinje or Surroundings
After breakfast, our first stop will be at a vantage point where we can see the magnificent St. Stefan, which was once a settlement area for fishermen and has now been sold to a Singaporean billionaire and is currently a vacation spot for the jet set. (Depending on parking availability) We will continue along the breathtaking Adriatic coastal roads and make a panoramic pass through Budva to arrive in Kotor, located within the Kotor Bay. In Kotor, we will see the Old Town, Saint Tripun and Nikola Churches, and the historical Clock Tower among the places we will visit. After our visit to Kotor, we will have a pleasant journey to Dubrovnik, known for its Mediterranean culture, as it was one of the three main states that made up the former Yugoslavia. After a short scenic drive, we will arrive in Dubrovnik, known in Italian as Ragusa, one of the oldest trade ports in the Adriatic and characterized by its Italian-style architecture and historical charm due to its long-standing Venetian influence. We will begin our tour in this beautiful city at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town Square. The city walls and towers, the Church of Saint Vlah, the Knez Palace, the statue of the famous poet Gundulic, the historical Fountain, and the Pharmacy from the 14th century are among the places we will see. Later, you will have free time to enjoy this beautiful city.
After our tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Accommodation will be in Trebinje or nearby location. (City of accommodation may change depending on season intensity)
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour fare.
Lunch: Can be taken at leisure in Kotor city center at additional cost. All traditional dishes can be tasted. Guide's Recommendation: Seafood, Mezes, Grilled Items, Local Drinks.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or restaurant and is included in the tour fare.
Accommodation: Hotel Leotar etc.
Currencies :Montenegro – Euro, Croatia – Euro, Bosnia Herzegovina – Convertible Marka ( Average rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM )
Route:Shkodra-Budva (86 km), Budva – Kotor (23 km), Kotor - Dubrovnik (90 km), Dubrovnik – Trebinje (31 km)
Total Distance Covered: 230 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated around 21:00
Day 6 Trebinje or (Neum) - Blagay – Mostar – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we will head towards Mostar. Before reaching Mostar, we will tour Blagay (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!). Upon arrival in Mostar, during our walking city tour, we will first see the Mostar Bridge (built by Architect Hayreddin in 1557, the bridge is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture). The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992, but it was rebuilt in 2004 thanks to the significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey. We will visit the old town bazaar. After shopping at the local markets of Mostar, we will head towards Sarajevo. After our arrival, Sarajevo, which has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries, was where World War I began when the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated by Serbs, and it suffered great destruction during the 1992 war among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks. Despite this, Sarajevo has largely preserved its beauty, and we will have a panoramic city tour. We will stroll through the Europe's most unique bazaar, Baščaršija. Starting our tour from the symbolic Sebil Fountain of the city, we will continue to visit the most authentic spots, including Morica Han. Following that, we will visit the Hüsrev Bey Mosque, which is a relative of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. During our tour, we will see the Clock Tower, the famous fountain that has become a ritual, and the meeting point of cultures, which also houses the Emblematic Eternal Flame monument. Afterward, we will have free time, and guests may enjoy taking photos of the Latin Bridge, where World War I began. After our tour and free time, we will transfer to our hotel.
Afterward, we will enjoy Bosnian Meatballs at a local restaurant determined by the guide. (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!!) Accommodation will be in our hotel in Sarajevo.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour fare.
Lunch: Will be taken during free time in the center of Mostar for an extra cost, where you can taste all local flavors. Guide's Recommendation: Bosnian Pie, Stuffed Onions, Meatballs, Bosnian Coffee.
Dinner: Will be Bosnian meatballs at a local restaurant. The tour cost includes this.
Accommodation: Hotel Holiday etc. – Sarajevo
Currencies Bosnia Herzegovina – Convertible Marka ( Average exchange rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM )
Route:Trebinje-Počitelj (108 km), Počitelj – Blagay (23 km), Blagay - Mostar (12 km), Mostar– Sarajevo (126 km)
Total Distance Covered: 269 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated around 20:00
Day 7 Sarajevo – Belgrade
After breakfast, we will head towards Belgrade. Before the trip, we will conduct a tour of Vrelo Bosna, located at the foot of Mount Igman, which is the largest national park in Bosnia (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!). After our journey, we will start our city tour in Belgrade, which is the new symbol of vitality and activity and one of the oldest cities in Europe, starting from the most elegant street of the city, Knez Mihailova Street. Then we will visit the Belgrade Fortress, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded, but the conquest was destined for Kanuni Sultan Suleiman. In the fortress, we will see the Key Monument, the French statue, the Istanbul Gate, the Military Museum, the Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, the Sokullu Fountain, and the terrace area with the best view where the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers can be seen. Later, guests can participate in the boat activity on the Danube River organized by our guide for an additional cost (20 EUR). After the tour, we will have free time. Overnight at our hotel in Belgrade.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour fare.
Lunch: On the route from Sarajevo to Belgrade, there will be free time at a rest stop determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or restaurant and is included in the tour fare.
Accommodation: Hotel B etc. - Belgrade
Currencies Bosnia Herzegovina – Convertible Marka ( Average exchange rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM ), Serbia – dinar ( Average exchange rate 1 Euro : 115 dinar )
Route: Sarajevo – Belgrade (284 km)
Total Distance Covered: 284 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated around 20:00
Day 8 Belgrade – Sofia
After breakfast, we will set out for Sofia. Upon arrival, we will start our panoramic city tour of Sofia. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the largest church in the Balkans, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Library, Sofia University, the Old Royal Palace, the National Bulgarian Theater built in Neo-Classical style, the Archaeological Museum, Old Sofia - the Syndicate city, and the Rotunda Church. Then we will have a panoramic view of the Sofia statue and stop for photos from the side of the parliament building, followed by a visit to the Banya Başı Mosque, which is the symbol of the city. After our visits and free time, we will transfer to our hotel. Later, guests may enjoy extra local food and music at a Bulgarian Night session selected by the guide. (INCLUDED IN PRICE!!!!) Accommodation will be in our hotel in Sofia.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour fare.
Lunch: Will be taken during free time in Sofia for an additional cost.
Dinner: Will be enjoyed with extra local dishes and music at a Bulgarian Night session selected by the guide. INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!!
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Astoria etc. - Sofia
Currencies Bulgaria - Lev ( Average rate 1 Euro : 1.95 Lev )
Route: Belgrade - Sofia (393 km)
Total Distance Covered: 393 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated arrival around 20:00