BALKANS TOUR FROM START TO FINISH8 COUNTRIES
2026
ALL DAY TOURS and DINNERS INCLUDED
VRELO BOSNA NATIONAL PARK – POČITEL TUR – SVETI NAUM TOUR – MATKA CANYON TOUR – BLAGAJ TOUR REAL MACEDONIAN PROGRAMS IN SARAJEVO WITH BOSNIAN MEATBALLS AND LOCAL RESTAURANTS INCLUDED DIFFERENTLY
Civilizations, Cultures, and Beliefs
A Journey to the Heart of the Balkans at the Meeting Point
The Meeting Point of History and Civilizations.
Bulgaria – Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatia
Montenegro – Albania – Macedonia – Greece
Sofia – Belgrade – Sarajevo – Konjic - Mostar – Blagay - Počitel – Trebinje – Dubrovnik – Herceg Novi - Kotor – Budva – Shkodra – Tirana – Ohrid – Struga – Tetova – Skopje – Thessaloniki
Tour Departure Dates:
April 19 / April 26 / May 17 / May 24 / June 31 / June 7 / June 14 / June 21 / June 28 / July 5 / July 12 / July 19 / July 26 / August 2 / August 9 / August 16 / August 23 / August 30 / September 13 / September 27 / October 11 / October 25 / November 8
Special Days:
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day: April 19
May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day: May 17
Kurban Bayramı: May 24
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: July 12
Republic Day : October 25
November Semester: November 8
Day 1 Bursa - Sofia
On the first day of our tour, we depart at 17:30 from Bursa Nilüfer Migros and head to the Kapıkule border gate. After the customs, passport, and border crossing procedures, we continue our journey to Sofia.
Day 2 Sofia – Belgrade
After arriving in Sofia early in the morning, we start our panoramic city tour. The places to visit include St. Nedelya Church, Russian Church, Rotunda Church, Aya Sofya Church, Parliament, National Library, Old Royal Palace, Sofia University, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Presidency, Prime Ministry, and Banya Başı Mosque. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to see the army house where our great leader M.Kemal Atatürk participated in a ball dressed as a Janissary. After our tour and free time, we head to Serbia's capital, Belgrade.
Upon arrival, we start the panoramic city tour in Belgrade; we begin our tour with the city's most stylish street, Knez Mihailova Street, a symbol of vitality and movement, being one of Europe's oldest cities. Then we visit the Belgrade Fortress, a naval supply center of the Ottoman Empire that Fatih Sultan Mehmed sustained injuries over but the conquest was destined for Suleiman the Magnificent. Within the fortress, we will see the Key Monument, French statue, Istanbul Gate, Military Museum, Damat Ali Pasha Tomb, Sokollu Fountain, and the terrace where we will witness the beautiful view of the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Guests may participate in a boat activity on the Danube and Sava rivers organized by our guide (20 EUR) if they wish. After our tour, we have free time, and accommodation is in our hotel in Belgrade.
Breakfast: To be taken in the rest area additionally.
Lunch: A Turkish Restaurant determined by the guide in Sofia during extra free time.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or restaurant included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Abba etc. – Belgrade
Currencies:Bulgaria – Lev (Average Rate 1 Euro: 1.95 Lev)
Route: Istanbul-Sofia (551 km), Sofia – Belgrade (392 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 943 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 19:00, depending on the customs crossing duration
Day 3 Belgrade – Sarajevo – Vrelo Bosna
After breakfast, we head towards Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After our arrival, we have a panoramic city tour in Sarajevo, which has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries, known as the place where Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Serbs in 1914, triggering World War I. Sarajevo suffered great destruction during the 1992 war among the Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks but still largely retains its beauty. We walk through the most significant market of Europe, Baščaršija. On this cultural city tour, we start with the Sebilj Fountain, which has become a symbol of the market, followed by the Morica Han, one of the most authentic spots in the city. Then we visit the Husein Bey Mosque, 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 is also where the Eternal Flame monument is located. Afterward, we have free time, and guests can also take photos of the Latin Bridge, where World War I broke out. After the tour and free time, we transfer to our hotel. Later, we will have Bosnian Meatballs in a local restaurant determined by the guide. (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!!)
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Free time at a rest area as determined by the guide on the way from Belgrade to Sarajevo.
Dinner: Bosnian Meatballs at a local restaurant. Included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Homestory etc. – Sarajevo
Currencies:Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Marka (Average Rate 1 Euro: 1.95 KM), Serbia – Dinar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 115 Dinar)
Route: Belgrade-Sarajevo (294 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 294 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated 19:00 depending on the customs crossing duration
Day 4 Sarajevo – Blagay - Mostar – Trebinje (Dubrovnik)
After breakfast, we move to Mostar. Before that, we will visit Blagay and then proceed to Mostar. (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!) After arrival in Mostar, we will have a walking city tour starting with the Mostar Bridge. (The bridge, which was built in 1557 by architect Hayreddin, is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture). The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery fire during the war in 1992 but was reopened in 2004 with great contributions from the Republic of Turkey. We will walk around the Old Town Bazaar. After shopping in the local markets of Mostar, we will head to the town where we will be staying. First, we will stop at Počitelj, an Ottoman village that has remained unchanged since the 16th century, embellished with Ottoman works from the 15th century. (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!) After visiting this authentic village, where even the children in the streets speak Turkish, we will arrive in Trebinje. Accommodation may be in Trebinje or nearby cities according to regional intensity. Overnight at our hotel. Guests who wish can participate in the evening tour of Dubrovnik. (45EUR)
During the panoramic tour of Dubrovnik, we will walk through the old city square, which is on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Towers, magnificent walls, Francis Monastery from the 14th century, which also hosts the world’s oldest pharmacy, Rector's Palace, city gates, towers, and other important buildings will be seen. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and included in the tour fee.
Lunch: To be taken during the free time in Mostar, where you can taste all the local delights. Guide's Recommendation: Bosnian Pastry, Stuffed Onion, Meatballs, Bosnian Coffee.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or restaurant and is included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Leotar v.b. – Trebinje or surroundings
Currencies:Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Marka (Average Rate 1 Euro: 1.95 KM)
Route: Sarajevo – Mostar (126 km), Mostar – Trebinje (116 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 242 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 18:00 depending on road conditions
Day 5 Trebinje – Kotor – Budva – Tirana – Ohrid
After breakfast, we cross into Montenegro, one of the youngest countries in the world. Our first stop is Kotor, an important historic and nature reserve and tourist attraction... Here, you will explore this charming town during a walking tour in Stari Grad (Old Town-Castle). After the Kotor tour, we will pass by Budva and see the wonderful St. Stefan, which was nationalized from fishermen's settlements and sold to a Singaporean multimillionaire and is currently undergoing restoration works to be gained for tourism. After a panoramic stop to see Budva from above (Depending on the availability in the vehicle park), we will pass through Tirana, Albania, and arrive in Ohrid for the night.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and included in the tour fee.
Lunch: To be taken during the free time in Kotor, where you can taste all the local delights. Guide's Recommendation: Seafood, Appetizers, Grills, Local Beverages.
Dinner: Will be served at a rest area on the way, included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Village v.b, Ohrid
Currencies:Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Marka (Average Rate 1 Euro: 1.95 KM), Montenegro – Euro, Macedonia – Denar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 60 Denar)
Route:Kotor (81 KM), Kotor-Budva (22 KM), Budva – Tirana (180 KM), Tirana – Ohrid (134 KM)
Total Distance to be Covered: 417 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Gümrük geçiş süresine bağlı olarak tahmini: 23:30
Day 6 Ohrid – St.Naum - Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After having breakfast at the hotel then we head to Ohrid, a Mediterranean town in the Balkans, crossing the Mavrovo mountains. We start our city tour in Ohrid with the Harbor Square, discussing the statues we see and walking in the neighborhood where the historic Ohrid houses where the series Elveda Rumeli were filmed are located, showing the historical Ottoman houses, the Church of St. Sophia, and presenting the famous Ohrid Pearl, which is the biggest symbol of Ohrid. Guests may participate in a boat activity on Ohrid lake, organized by our guide (15EUR). After our tour, we will visit St.Naum, where Ohrid Lake was born and which hosts magnificent views. After that, we start our journey to the capital, Skopje. On our route, we will visit the country's third-largest city and the place with the highest Albanian population, Tetova (Kalkandelen). We will visit the Alaca Mosque, founded by two sisters, and the soup kitchen. We will begin our tour in the Makedon side of the city, famous for its statues, first observing the enormous statue of Alexander the Great, then crossing the Historical Skopje Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, witnessing how cultures quickly change as we pass into the Skopje Turkish Bazaar, which is one of the most important structures of the Ottoman marketplace in the Balkans, starting our tour by visiting the historical Davut Pasha bath, continuing to Kapan Han, one of the most important structures of Ottoman Bazaar organization, and ending our tour with the Murat Pasha mosque, which has somehow survived the earthquakes. After our visits, we will have an hour of free time for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Some of the items we can buy include Shushka pepper, Ustrumca peanuts, and çarıklar. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel and settle into the rooms. After that, we will enjoy the local dishes and music at a place determined by our guide for an extra Macedonian Night (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!!). Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Free on-site in Ohrid during your free time, where you can taste all the local delights. Guide's Recommendation: Ohrid Trout, Meatballs, and Bean Stew.
Dinner: Exotic local dishes with music accompaniment will be provided at a place determined by the guide (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!!)
Accommodation: Hotel Gold v.b – Skopje
Currencies:Macedonia – Denar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 60 Denar)
Route: Ohrid-Tetova (Kalkandelen) (133 KM), Tetova - Skopje (45 KM)
Total Distance to be Covered: 178 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 19:00
Day 7 Skopje – Matka Canyon - Thessaloniki - Bursa
After breakfast, we visit the astonishing Matka Canyon. (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!) Afterward, we head towards Thessaloniki. Upon our arrival, we commence our city tour in Thessaloniki: Kordon, White Tower, Rotunda, fair square, Ottoman and Byzantine works, Greece's largest cathedral Aya Dimitros Cathedral, statue of Alexander the Great, Hamza Bey Mosque, E.Venezelo-P.Konstantin Statues, and squares of Vardar, Macedonia, Aristotel, Elefterios will be among the places to visit. We conclude our Thessaloniki tour by visiting the house where our great leader M.Kemal Atatürk was born and proceed to our bus journey through İskeçe, Dedeağaç, following the İpsala road towards the İpsala border gate. After passport and customs procedures, we head back to Bursa via Tekirdağ.
Breakfast:: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and included in the tour fee.
Lunch: During free time in the city center of Thessaloniki, it will be taken extra.
Dinner: Will be taken at a rest area on the way from Keşan to Istanbul, extra.
Currencies: Greece – Euro
Route: Skopje – Thessaloniki (234 km), Thessaloniki – Kavala (153 KM), Kavala – Istanbul (443 KM)
Total Distance to be Covered: 830 km
Estimated Arrival Time in Istanbul: Depending on customs crossing time: approximately 02:00