19 Day Grand Balkan Combined Country Tour

Meet at the airport and Transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Open buffet breakfast included)
After breakfast, we have Istanbul City Tour. Our first visit will be HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Than we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Our next see will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Today it is a mosque. You can see it from outside.  After that see TOPKAPI PALACE, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. You can see it from outside.    The Basilica Cistern Museum is one of the most important cultural assets where we can trace the traces of glorious Istanbul history. With its 80,000-ton water storage capacity, Yerebatan Cistern is the largest covered cistern in the city and stands out with more reclaimed supporting elements compared to other covered cisterns. Covering an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, this colossal structure has a rectangular shape with a length of 140 meters and a width of 70 meters. You can see it from outside.  After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Dinner at Indian restaurant and Overnight in Istanbul.

If you would like to visit with entrance below sites;

Topkapi Palace Museum Entrance Fee. You pay the door price.

The Basilica Cistern Museum Entrance You pay the door price.

Please Note: Please do not forget to carry Scarf with you because of visiting to Blue Mosque & Haghia Sophia Mosque

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After breakfast, at 08:00 am, we depart for Bursa; the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and one of the great treasure houses of Islamic architecture. Visit the Green Mosque and the neighboring Green Mausoleum, both world-renowned for their superb tile decoration. See Great Mosque, which has the largest indoor space within all the mosques in Ottoman architecture. Visit Kozahan, once the center of silk trade. Textile fabrics of silk obtained from cocoons of Bursa has played an important role in Bursa’s being the center of textile. After that, drive to the village of Cumalikizik. This is one of the best-preserved Ottoman villages in Turkey with scores of picturesque houses built in the traditional style. The historical texture of the village has been well protected and the civilian countryside architectural structures of the early Ottoman period are still intact. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Bursa.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After breakfast and at 08:00, we have 5 Hour drive to Ephesus. We have lunch in Ephesus and then we will do a Turkish Village Tour. Sirince's construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all original with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. We will visit the vineyards and it is time to learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish wine makers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. After the art tour, we drive to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After breakfast and at 08:00 We will visit to Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world en - route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curates street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theatre. After the tour, we will visit the place of one of our sponsors which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey in a carpet weaving center. During our visit, we will have a chance to see the Turkish women who are working in the factory. After the art tour, we drive to back to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
We depart at 08:30 and drive around 3 hours to Pergamon. Lunch break around 13:00pm and after the lunch, we depart for tour of the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre at that times. Bergamon is a famous city for its jewellery, stones and silver. So on the way, we will visit a jewellery center for 30 minutes, after lunch, drive to ancient sight of Troy. Visit the famous archeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After Troy tour, Arrival to Canakkale by 18:00pm. Overnight in Canakkale. 

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
At 07:30am, we depart for Gallipoli to visit the battle fields. Two hours later, we will give you 20 minutes to relax in a restaurant area. We arrive Gallipoli around 12:00am and we have lunch break, relax a little bit and then depart for the battle fields. Visit Gabatepe Museum. Start visiting the fields with Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove because these are the places where the war had started. Then Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau. Afterwards, we drive towards to border. Overnight in Edirne.

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, we check out from the hotel and depart for Bulgaria. Arrival in Plovdiv around noon in Bulgaria. Check in to hotel and rest of day is yours. Explore Plovdiv City, shop in the local markets or enjoy many big parties or games in Casinos. Overnight in Plovdiv.

(Breakfast included)

Departure for Sofia. Guided sightseeing tour of the city center including visit to Alexander Nevski Cathedral - one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction; St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, National Theatre, former Royal Palace, today housing the National Revival Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, Presidency, etc. Upon request - dinner at a traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight in Sofia

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at Hotel, Check-out and departure for the Bulgarian - Macedonian border followed by Skopje. Arrival in Skopje. Afternoon Skopje Tour. The Stone Bridge – symbol of the city, Skopje fortress Kale, Old Bazaar with inns and Turkish Baths, the city center and main pedestrian zone. Lunch at Local Restaurant, proceed to hotel. Overnight in Skopje.

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at hotel and check out to proceed to Ohrid. Arrival at Ohrid City, transfer for City Tour – visit Hadzi Turgut Mosque, Krst Dazmija, Zeynel Abedin Pasha Tekke, Old Bazaar. Lunch at Local Restaurant in Ohrid , proceed to Tirana, arrive Tirana , Proceed with On Foot Tour of Tirana – visit Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and spend some time for shopping. Check in to the hotel. Overnight in Tirana.

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at hotel and check out to departure for Montenegro via Shkodra, old town of Shkodra - visit the traditional road build in the XXth century which bears the distinctive , stop for taking Photos at Molo Promenade , Shetitorja , Skadar lake , continue drive to Budva ,visiting Sveti Stefan , Old City Budva , Lunch in Tivat ,continue drive to Dubrovnik. Check-in the hotel. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at hotel , city tour of this UNESCO protected pearl of the Adriatic and its Cathedral , Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery (included Old Pharmacy), Clock Tower, Orlando’s Columns, Sponze Plaza, Dubrovnik City. Lunch in the old City. Overnight at hotel in Dubrovnik 

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast, Check out hotel. Transfer to Mostar), Proceed for city tour – visit to Karadjoz Bey Mosque, and Muslibegovic house – walk through the old town and old bridge listed as UNESCO heritage site. Continue drive to Sarajevo, Lunch at Local Restaurant on the way at Jablanica, arrival to Sarajevo, Free time at Old City, check-in the hotel. Overnight in Sarajevo

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for tour to visit Vrelo Bosne – spring of river Bosnia, Tunnel museum – the only means of going in and out during the siege of Sarajevo in last war. On Foot Tour of old town Bascarsija, Latin bridge, place where the Austro Hungarian Archduke was assassinated, what triggered the 1st World War; Brusa bezistan – covered market place; Gazi Husref Bey Mosque- built in 1530 year during the Ottoman era – and Gazi Husref Bey Madrass; Morica Han built in 1551; Vijecnica – town hall for the Austro-Hungarian era. Lunch at the local restaurant. Afternoon, free for shopping. Back to hotel. Overnight in Sarajevo

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at hotel, check-out the hotel to Bihac on the way visit of the Pyramids of Bosnia Visoco, Visoco Mountain,that is the first European pyramid located in the heart of Bosnia. Continue driving to Travnik, visit to the mosque in Travnik including Suleimania. Travnik is located 90 km to the west of the city of Sarajevo, the Bosnian governor from 1697 to 1850, Lunch at Local Restaurant in Travnik , continue drive to Bihac , Check-in the hotel , Leisure time  enjoying the waterfalls and Una river which is best for Rafting. Overnight in Bihac.

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at hotel, Check-Out and proceed to Ljubljana, towards Plitvice National Park, a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour of the 16 crystal - blue lakes cascading into 92 spectacular waterfalls. Walk on the wooden promenades with magnificent views on the waters where every turn leads to a breathtaking scenery and yet another waterfall. Surrounded by dense woods, Plitvice Lake is a natural phenomenon of rare and unique beauty. Continue drive to Ljubljana, view the Central Open-air Market, Baroque Town Hall, Robba's Fountain, the Three Bridges, and Lunch at Local Restaurant, Check-in the hotel. Overnight in Ljubljana.

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at hotel, Check-Out to proceed to Zagreb and drive to Lake Bled, a beautiful glacial lake in the Julian Alps. Lake Bled is set amid forests and mountains and is one of the most picturesque destinations in Europe, continue drive to Zagreb, arrive Zagreb, City Tour with a wealth of historic monuments. Visit of the highlights including the upper and lower town, the majestic Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, Lunch at Local Restaurant, free time exploring the winding streets of the old town. Proceed to hotel, Check-In, free time. Overnight at the Hotel in Zagreb.

(Breakfast included)

Breakfast at hotel. Check-out the hotel.  Departure to the airport. We hope this was a memorable tour for you and looking forward to see you again on another tour of ours. Thank you for joining us.