Great Italy Greece Balkan Tour - Ankara
Tour details
Special Days:
January Semester: January 23
April Semester and Ramadan Feast: March 14
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day: April 17
Day 1/2 – Ankara – Sofia – Belgrade
On the first day of the tour, we will depart from in front of the National Library at 14:30, from the Ümitköy Bridge at 15:00 and from the Eryaman Optimum at 15:45, arriving at Kapıkule via Edirne. After completing customs and passport procedures, we will enter Bulgaria. Following this, we will arrive in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. A panoramic city tour of Sofia will be conducted after arrival. Points of interest during our tour include St. Nedelya Church, Rotunda Church, Russian Church, St. Sofia Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Prime Ministry, Parliament, Sofia University, and Banya Bashi Mosque. After our Sofia tour, we will head towards Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. After arrival, transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: Rome
After breakfast, we will carry out a city introduction tour of Rome. Points of interest include Vatican, considered the center of Christianity, St. Peter's Cathedral, and the Venetian Square designed by famous architect Bernini. After that, we will see the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trajan's Forum, Circus Maximus, Venice Square where Mussolini addressed the public, Victor Emmanuel Monument, the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), and the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna). Free time in the city. Overnight stay at your hotel. After some rest, guests wishing to can join the optional Night Tour of Rome (Extra €45) organized by your guide. During the tour, we will have the opportunity to capture the view of Rome illuminated at night from the Lovers' Hill, and we will see major sights such as Navona Square, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, Via Del Corso, and Piazza Del Popolo under the evening lights. Overnight at the hotel.
LARGE ITALY & GREECE & BALKAN TOUR
7 Nights – 9 Days
Sofia – Belgrade – Ljubljana – Verona – Milan – Venice – Florence – Pisa
Siena – Rome – Pompeii – Igoumenitsa – Thessaloniki
7 Nights – 9 Days
Sofia – Belgrade – Ljubljana – Verona – Milan – Venice – Florence – Pisa
Siena – Rome – Pompeii – Igoumenitsa – Thessaloniki
Tour Departure Dates:
January 23 / March 14 / April 17 / April 24 / May 15 / May 22 / May 23 / June 5 / June 12 / June 19 / June 26 / June 27 / July 3 / July 4 / July 10 / July 11 / July 17 / July 18 / July 24 / July 25 / July 31 / August 1 / August 7 / August 8 / August 14 / August 15 / August 21 / August 22 / August 28 / August 29 / September 4 / September 18 / September 25 / October 9 / October 16 / October 23 / November 6 / November 7
January 23 / March 14 / April 17 / April 24 / May 15 / May 22 / May 23 / June 5 / June 12 / June 19 / June 26 / June 27 / July 3 / July 4 / July 10 / July 11 / July 17 / July 18 / July 24 / July 25 / July 31 / August 1 / August 7 / August 8 / August 14 / August 15 / August 21 / August 22 / August 28 / August 29 / September 4 / September 18 / September 25 / October 9 / October 16 / October 23 / November 6 / November 7
Special Days:
January Semester: January 23
April Semester and Ramadan Feast: March 14
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day: April 17
May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day: May 15
Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice): May 22 / May 23
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: July 10 / July 11
Republic Day: October 23
November Semester: November 6 / November 7
Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice): May 22 / May 23
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: July 10 / July 11
Republic Day: October 23
November Semester: November 6 / November 7
Day 1/2 – Ankara – Sofia – Belgrade
On the first day of the tour, we will depart from in front of the National Library at 14:30, from the Ümitköy Bridge at 15:00 and from the Eryaman Optimum at 15:45, arriving at Kapıkule via Edirne. After completing customs and passport procedures, we will enter Bulgaria. Following this, we will arrive in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. A panoramic city tour of Sofia will be conducted after arrival. Points of interest during our tour include St. Nedelya Church, Rotunda Church, Russian Church, St. Sofia Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Prime Ministry, Parliament, Sofia University, and Banya Bashi Mosque. After our Sofia tour, we will head towards Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. After arrival, transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: Belgrade - Venice
After breakfast, we will empty our rooms and head towards Venice. Guests wishing to can visit Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana (Extra €45), organized by your guide along the route. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the Ljubljana River, the Parliament building, Ljubljana University, Old Square, Dragon Statue, Dragon Bridge, Tivoli Park, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and Preseren Square. After leaving the city, we will arrive in Venice. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will empty our rooms and head towards Venice. Guests wishing to can visit Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana (Extra €45), organized by your guide along the route. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the Ljubljana River, the Parliament building, Ljubljana University, Old Square, Dragon Statue, Dragon Bridge, Tivoli Park, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and Preseren Square. After leaving the city, we will arrive in Venice. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4: Venice - (Milan & Verona)
After breakfast, we have free time. Guests wishing to can join the full-day optional Milan & Verona tour (Extra €95) organized by your guide. First, we will visit Verona, where the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet took place. We will have the opportunity to see the Historic Arena where concerts still take place, the Signori Palace, and Erbe Square. After departing from Verona, we will head to Milan, the city of industry and fashion. During our Milan city tour, we will walk along the chic streets to arrive at the famous Duomo Square. In the square, we will see the Duomo Cathedral, one of Italy's most important and architecturally magnificent works. We will complete our time in Milan by shopping on the famous Buenos Aires Boulevard and return to Venice. Accommodation at our hotel.
After breakfast, we have free time. Guests wishing to can join the full-day optional Milan & Verona tour (Extra €95) organized by your guide. First, we will visit Verona, where the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet took place. We will have the opportunity to see the Historic Arena where concerts still take place, the Signori Palace, and Erbe Square. After departing from Verona, we will head to Milan, the city of industry and fashion. During our Milan city tour, we will walk along the chic streets to arrive at the famous Duomo Square. In the square, we will see the Duomo Cathedral, one of Italy's most important and architecturally magnificent works. We will complete our time in Milan by shopping on the famous Buenos Aires Boulevard and return to Venice. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 5: Venice - Florence
After breakfast, we will head to the center of Venice. Upon arrival in Venice, we will walk towards St. Mark's Square to get to know Venice. Guests who confirm will reach the historic St. Mark's Square via special vaporetto (Extra €15). The sights include St. Mark's Square and Cathedral, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal, and the Rialto Bridge, all visited with our guide. Guests wishing to can join the optional Gondola ride organized by your guide (Extra €45). With gondolas, we will take a tour of the canals, allowing us to explore the romantic and historical canals in more detail. After our visit to Venice, we will proceed to Florence. Guests wishing to can participate in the Pisa tour. In Pisa, we will see the bell tower famous for its lean, Campo dei Miracoli (Duomo Square), and the cylindrical Baptistery. (Extra €55) Transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will head to the center of Venice. Upon arrival in Venice, we will walk towards St. Mark's Square to get to know Venice. Guests who confirm will reach the historic St. Mark's Square via special vaporetto (Extra €15). The sights include St. Mark's Square and Cathedral, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal, and the Rialto Bridge, all visited with our guide. Guests wishing to can join the optional Gondola ride organized by your guide (Extra €45). With gondolas, we will take a tour of the canals, allowing us to explore the romantic and historical canals in more detail. After our visit to Venice, we will proceed to Florence. Guests wishing to can participate in the Pisa tour. In Pisa, we will see the bell tower famous for its lean, Campo dei Miracoli (Duomo Square), and the cylindrical Baptistery. (Extra €55) Transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Florence – Rome
After breakfast, we will empty our rooms and upon arrival in the city, we will conduct a city tour of Florence. During this tour, we will see the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Uffizi Art Gallery, San Giovanni Baptistery, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, and Signoria Palace. After the tour, guests will have free time in the city center to explore and shop. After the tour, we will head to Rome. Guests wishing to can join the optional tour of Siena, an important historical city in the Tuscany region. We will make a journey through time by exploring the historic medieval streets from etruscan times. We will see the Siena square and examples of Gothic Roman architecture. (Extra €65) Transfer to the hotel, room distribution, and overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will empty our rooms and upon arrival in the city, we will conduct a city tour of Florence. During this tour, we will see the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Uffizi Art Gallery, San Giovanni Baptistery, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, and Signoria Palace. After the tour, guests will have free time in the city center to explore and shop. After the tour, we will head to Rome. Guests wishing to can join the optional tour of Siena, an important historical city in the Tuscany region. We will make a journey through time by exploring the historic medieval streets from etruscan times. We will see the Siena square and examples of Gothic Roman architecture. (Extra €65) Transfer to the hotel, room distribution, and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: Rome
After breakfast, we will carry out a city introduction tour of Rome. Points of interest include Vatican, considered the center of Christianity, St. Peter's Cathedral, and the Venetian Square designed by famous architect Bernini. After that, we will see the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trajan's Forum, Circus Maximus, Venice Square where Mussolini addressed the public, Victor Emmanuel Monument, the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), and the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna). Free time in the city. Overnight stay at your hotel. After some rest, guests wishing to can join the optional Night Tour of Rome (Extra €45) organized by your guide. During the tour, we will have the opportunity to capture the view of Rome illuminated at night from the Lovers' Hill, and we will see major sights such as Navona Square, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, Via Del Corso, and Piazza Del Popolo under the evening lights. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Rome – Brindisi (Bari)
After breakfast, we will head to Italy’s port city of Bari or Brindisi. A tour of the ancient city of Pompeii will be organized by your guide along the route at a discounted price (Extra €80). In this tour, we will visit Pompeii, one of the few ancient cities that has been preserved the best, located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, where remains of shops, homes of villagers, an amphitheater, and city squares were found due to the volcanic eruption. After the tour, we will proceed to the port. After completing customs procedures, we will take our seats, and depart at 23:30. Our night will be spent on the ferry.
After breakfast, we will head to Italy’s port city of Bari or Brindisi. A tour of the ancient city of Pompeii will be organized by your guide along the route at a discounted price (Extra €80). In this tour, we will visit Pompeii, one of the few ancient cities that has been preserved the best, located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, where remains of shops, homes of villagers, an amphitheater, and city squares were found due to the volcanic eruption. After the tour, we will proceed to the port. After completing customs procedures, we will take our seats, and depart at 23:30. Our night will be spent on the ferry.
Day 9: Igoumenitsa – Thessaloniki – Ankara
In the morning, we will arrive at Igoumenitsa port and head towards Thessaloniki. Afterward, we will conduct a city tour of Thessaloniki. During the city tour, we will see the waterfront, White Tower, Rotunda, Exhibition Square, Ottoman and Byzantine monuments, the largest cathedral in Greece, Ayia Dimitrios Cathedral, and the statue of Alexander the Great. At the end of the tour, we will visit the house of our Great Leader Atatürk. After a short break, we will take a walk along the waterfront famous for its cafes and try the famous Greek coffee Frappe. After the city tour, we will have free time. Meeting at the appointed time by the guide and we will arrive at Ipsala via İskece, Gümülcine, and Dedeağaç. After the customs procedures, we will arrive in Ankara via Tekirdağ. Our tour comes to an end. We hope to see you again on another tour organization. (Due to customs passage, the estimated arrival time is 08:30 the next day.)
In the morning, we will arrive at Igoumenitsa port and head towards Thessaloniki. Afterward, we will conduct a city tour of Thessaloniki. During the city tour, we will see the waterfront, White Tower, Rotunda, Exhibition Square, Ottoman and Byzantine monuments, the largest cathedral in Greece, Ayia Dimitrios Cathedral, and the statue of Alexander the Great. At the end of the tour, we will visit the house of our Great Leader Atatürk. After a short break, we will take a walk along the waterfront famous for its cafes and try the famous Greek coffee Frappe. After the city tour, we will have free time. Meeting at the appointed time by the guide and we will arrive at Ipsala via İskece, Gümülcine, and Dedeağaç. After the customs procedures, we will arrive in Ankara via Tekirdağ. Our tour comes to an end. We hope to see you again on another tour organization. (Due to customs passage, the estimated arrival time is 08:30 the next day.)
What's included
*Bus transportation service between Ankara – Sofia – Belgrade – Venice – Florence – Rome – Bari – Igoumenitsa – Thessaloniki.
*City tours to be conducted in Roma – Florence – Venice – Thessaloniki – Belgrade – Sofia.
*1 Night Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Belgrade.
*2 Nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Venice (surrounding area).
*1 Night Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Florence (surrounding area).
*2 Nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Rome.
*Ferry journey between Bari (Brindisi) and Igoumenitsa.
*Professional Turkish guiding services.
*Limited water supply on board.
*All highway check-point and parking fees.
*Customs duties.
*City tours to be conducted in Roma – Florence – Venice – Thessaloniki – Belgrade – Sofia.
*1 Night Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Belgrade.
*2 Nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Venice (surrounding area).
*1 Night Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Florence (surrounding area).
*2 Nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Rome.
*Ferry journey between Bari (Brindisi) and Igoumenitsa.
*Professional Turkish guiding services.
*Limited water supply on board.
*All highway check-point and parking fees.
*Customs duties.
Not included
*Visa fee and service charge (Multiple Entry Schengen Visa)
*Departure tax,
*Travel Health Insurance
*Extra tours.
*City Accommodation Taxes, Italy Headset Service, Venice Entrance Fee (50 EUR per person, paid to the guide during the tour)
*Museum, archaeological site, etc. entrance fees
*Lunch and Dinner,
*Extra tours organized by the guide
*All personal expenses,
*Voluntary chauffeur tips
*Departure tax,
*Travel Health Insurance
*Extra tours.
*City Accommodation Taxes, Italy Headset Service, Venice Entrance Fee (50 EUR per person, paid to the guide during the tour)
*Museum, archaeological site, etc. entrance fees
*Lunch and Dinner,
*Extra tours organized by the guide
*All personal expenses,
*Voluntary chauffeur tips
Need to Know
- Participants must have a valid multi-entry Schengen visa for the entire duration of the tour. (Green passport holders are exempt from visa requirements.)
- To shop and spend money in all countries included in the tour itinerary, having Euros is sufficient. In regions where the local currency is used, the guide will assist with currency exchange.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sports shoes should be preferred during the trip. It is advisable to bring a cardigan or similar clothing for the evening.
- On our tours, a rotation system is applied daily in seat planning; fixed seats and front seat guarantees are not provided. Seat changes are organized by the tour guide.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, in order to bring goods (alcohol, cigarettes, etc.) you must have stayed at least 3 days.
- Free shop purchase limits when entering Turkey from abroad: Cigarettes: 3 cartons; Alcoholic beverages: 1 liter of alcoholic drinks (except alcoholic beverages containing more than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne); Alcoholic beverages: 2 liters of alcoholic drinks (including alcoholic beverages containing less than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne); Perfume: 600 ml; Makeup or skincare products: 5 items; Chocolate and confectionery: 2 kg; Coffee: 1 kg; Tea: 1 kg
- Guides may make changes to the program flow depending on weather and road conditions, provided that all places specified in the program are shown.
- Registered guests have the right to cancel free of charge up to 30 days before the tour. If less than 30 days remain until the tour date, a 30% penalty applies; if 20 days or less remain, a 100% penalty applies. Documents submitted with the cancellation request, such as hospital reports, work leave documents, etc. obtained from authorities in Turkey, are unfortunately not accepted for the cancellation of hotel and service bookings outside Turkey.
- Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the latest cancellation notification date is 20 days before departure. The tour canceled due to insufficient participation will be notified by Viyatravel.
- When only category information is provided without specifying names in the tour program and/or there are optional hotels for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be announced by Viyatravel 2 days before departure.
- During fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used farther than the distances stated. In such a case, information will be provided by Viyatravel 15 days before the departure date.
- Triple rooms may be provided subject to hotel availability, and in such rooms the bed allocated to the third person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are folding or coach beds, participants making reservations for a third person and/or child are deemed to have accepted the possible cramped conditions in the room and the type of bed. Child discounts apply only for one child in the relevant age group staying with 2 adults.
- Breakfasts included in the tour program are served according to the breakfast culture of the country visited, and are usually offered as a limited continental breakfast menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee; for groups, they may be served in a separate hall assigned to the group.
- Panoramic city tours included in the package are tours conducted for the general introduction of cities, lasting at most 2-3 hours, with guide commentary from the vehicle and excluding museum and archaeological site entrance fees. Viyatravel is not responsible if such tours, including other tours stated in the program, cannot be carried out on the day and time of the tour due to closure by local authorities, roads closed because of any event, or because weather conditions make the tour impossible. Some tours may be conducted by public transportation or on foot where roads are closed or vehicle access is not permitted, if possible.
- Waiting times at border crossings passed by road during the trip may exceed standard durations, and Viyatravel cannot be held responsible for any inconveniences caused by these waiting times.
- Extra tours are organized by the local service provider we work with, with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If the required number is not met, the tours cannot be carried out, or the extra tour price, content, and the vehicle used may vary depending on the number of participants. In addition, the days and times of the tours may be changed by the guide according to the opening/closing status of museums and archaeological sites at the destinations and according to weather conditions.
- Participation in extra tours is optional and not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to join the extra tours organized during the trip are deemed to have accepted waiting at a suitable rest stop along the route. These passengers will be left at a roadside rest facility before the extra tour begins and picked up from the point where they were left after the tour is completed.
- For participants in tours involving flights, check-in and boarding procedures are personal responsibilities and must be completed before the flight at the relevant airline counters at the airport or online through the airline’s website.
- Viyatravel is not responsible for passengers who do not arrive at the airport at the times announced by Viyatravel for participation in the tour, do not complete check-in and boarding on time, or complete check-in and boarding on time but do not board the plane. The new round-trip airline tickets and all transfer costs required for those who miss the plane in order to join the tour will be their own responsibility.
- Viyatravel acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol dated 28.09.1955. Delays may occur on scheduled and charter flights, or times may change before the current trip and flight. Viyatravel is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. The passenger has purchased the trip accepting the risk of schedule changes. Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport tax and airport service fees.
- The types of vehicles used in our tours are classified as follows according to the number of participants. The following vehicle types are assigned based on the number of participants in each tour. Coaches: (used for 25–46 participants) *Mercedes Travego/Tourismo *NEOPLAN Cityliner/Tourliner *Temsa Safir/Maraton *Man Fortuna. Midibuses: (used for 17–24 participants) *Isuzu Turkuaz, *Otokar Mega. Minibuses: (used for up to 16 participants) *VW Volt, *Mercedes Sprinter.
- All guests are deemed to have sold the tour by accepting the above-mentioned terms.