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Duration
10 days
Max Group Size
40
Tour Code
BET10D9N
Tour Type
Request as private tour
Departure Type
Scheduled
Age Requirement
11 - 99 Ages
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Operated In
English
Physical level
easy
İstanbul
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İstanbul
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Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Balkans, exploring its diverse cultures, historical landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. This 10-day, 9-night tour takes you through some of the most iconic cities and hidden gems across Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, and Greece. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the serene waters of Lake Ohrid and the vibrant culture of Thessaloniki, this immersive tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, culture seekers, and adventure lovers.
Highlights
- Istanbul (Turkey) Explore the iconic Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a scenic Bosphorus Cruise for stunning views of the city.
- Plovdiv (Bulgaria) Walk through the historic Old Town and Roman Ancient Theatre. Visit the artistic neighborhood of Kapana. Sofia (Bulgaria) Discover the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Boyana Church (UNESCO site). Explore the Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia’s shopping and dining hub. Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria) Visit the impressive Tsarevets Fortress, a medieval stronghold.
- Bucharest (Romania) Tour the massive Palace of the Parliament. Stroll through the historic Lipscani District and charming city center. Timisoara (Romania) Discover this cultural gem, known for its Baroque architecture and vibrant squares.
- Belgrade (Serbia) Explore the lively Kalemegdan Fortress and bustling Skadarlija Street. Enjoy Belgrade's vibrant nightlife and riverside views. Nis (Serbia) Visit the historical Skull Tower and explore the ruins of the Nis Fortress.
- Skopje (North Macedonia) Explore the blend of modern and historic at Macedonia Square. Visit the landmark Stone Bridge and Old Bazaar.
- Prizren (Kosovo) Wander through Prizren Fortress for panoramic views. Enjoy the charming Ottoman-era architecture.
- Shkodër & Ulcinj (Albania/Montenegro) Visit Rozafa Castle in Shkodër with spectacular lake views. Explore Ulcinj's beaches and medieval charm.
- Tirana (Albania) Discover Skanderbeg Square and Blloku District, a lively area for cafes and culture.
- Ohrid (North Macedonia) Relax by the picturesque Lake Ohrid. Visit the historic Church of St. John at Kaneo overlooking the lake
- Thessaloniki (Greece) Explore the vibrant port city with sites like the White Tower and Rotunda. Enjoy local Greek cuisine in its lively waterfront tavernas.
Itinerary
- Arrival:
Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) . After clearing customs and
collecting luggage, you'll depart directly for a hotel located on the
outskirts of Istanbul, along the route to Bulgaria, to minimize travel
time the following day.
- Travel
to Hotel: The hotel will be situated in the
suburbs of Istanbul, closer to the highway that leads toward Bulgaria.
- Activities:
No sightseeing due to late arrival; time to rest and prepare for the next
day’s travel.
- Overnight: Istanbul
- Travel:
- Hotel
to Plovdiv (approx. 360 km from the
outskirts of Istanbul, estimated 4.5 hours, mostly highway).
- Plovdiv
to Sofia (approx. 145 km, estimated 1.5
hours, highway).
- Activities:
- In
Plovdiv, visit the Roman Amphitheater and the Old Town
for photo stops.
- In
Sofia, photo stops at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and St.
George Rotunda.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo (approx. 220
km, estimated 6.5 hours, non-highways).
- Veliko
Tarnovo to Bucharest (approx. 180 km,
estimated 4.5 hours, mix of highways and non-highways).
- Activities:
- In
Veliko Tarnovo, explore Tsarevets Fortress (photo stops).
- In
Bucharest, photo stops at Parliament Palace and Revolution
Square.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Bucharest
to Bran Castle (approx. 185 km,
estimated 5 hours, non-highways).
- Bran
Castle to Timisoara (approx. 400 km,
estimated 7.5 hours, mix of highways and non-highways).
- Activities:
- Bran
Castle: Photo stop.
- In
Timisoara, quick orientation with photo stops at Victory Square
and Unirii Square.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Timisoara
to Belgrade (approx. 160 km,
estimated 2 hours, mostly highway).
- Belgrade
to Nis (approx. 235 km, estimated 2.5
hours, mostly highway).
- Activities:
- Photo
stops in Belgrade at Kalemegdan Fortress, St. Sava
Temple, and Republic Square.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Nis
to Skopje (approx. 200 km, estimated 2.5
hours, mostly highway).
- Skopje
to Prizren (approx. 95 km, estimated 2.5
hours, non-highways).
- Activities:
- In
Skopje, photo stops at Stone Bridge, Macedonia Square,
and the Old Bazaar.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Prizren
to Shkoder (approx. 100 km, estimated 3
hours, non-highways).
- Shkoder
to Ulcinj (approx. 40 km, estimated 1 hour,
non-highways).
- Activities:
- Photo
stops in Shkoder at the Rozafa Castle and Lake Skadar.
- Free
time in Ulcinj to explore the coastal town.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Ulcinj
to Tirana (approx. 125 km, estimated 3.5
hours, mostly non-highways).
- Tirana
to Ohrid (approx. 135 km, estimated 4
hours, mostly non-highways).
- Activities:
- In
Tirana, visit Skanderbeg Square and take photo stops at the
Pyramid of Tirana.
- Overnight: Ohrid
- Travel:
- Ohrid
to Thessaloniki (approx. 265 km,
estimated 5 hours, mix of highways and non-highways).
- Thessaloniki
to Kesan (approx. 265 km, estimated 3
hours, mostly highways).
- Activities:
- In
Thessaloniki, photo stops at the White Tower, Aristotelous
Square, and the Rotunda.
- Overnight: Kesan.
- Travel:
- Kesan
to Istanbul (approx. 200 km,
estimated 2.5 hours, mostly highways).
- Activities:
- Final
day in Istanbul with photo stops at Topkapi Palace and
along the Bosphorus.
- Departure:
Evening transfer to Istanbul Airport (IST) for your flight.
Trip includes
Included
Accommodation with breakfast:
- 1 x night in Istanbul egg. Hotel Hampton by Hilton Çerkezköy 3* or similar
- 1 x night in Sofia egg. Hotel Niky 3* or similar
- 1 x night in Bucharest egg. Hotel My Continental 3* or similar
- 1 x night in Timisoara egg. Hotel Ibis 3* or similar
- 1 x night in Nis egg. Hammeum Hotel 4* or similar
- 1 x night in Prizren egg. Hotel Centrum Prizren 4* or similar
- 1 x night in Ulcinj egg. Spa Hotel Montefila 4* or similar
- 1 x night in Ohrid egg. Hotel & Spa Tino Sveti Stefan 4* or similar
- 1 x night in Kesan egg. Bloom Suite Hotel 4* or similar
PS: If
This hotel list not available at the time of your booking then we will arrange
smilar other hotel for your group. If you prefer a Different category hotel,
there might be an additional cost
Professional English-speaking tour guides
Guiding Method
Fully guided
EnglishAll Tour & airport
transfer services mentioned inside the itinerary
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned,
non-smoking coach
Guided Istanbul - Plovdiv - Sofia
Guided Sofia - Veliko Tarnovo - Bucharest
Guided Bucharest - Bran Castle - Timisoara
Guided Timisoara - Belgrade - Nis
Guided Nis - Skopje - Prizren
Guided Prizren - Shkoder - Ulcinj
Guided Ulcinj - Tirana - Ohrid
Guided Ohrid - Thessaloniki - Kesan
Guided Kesan - Istanbul
Here’s a draft for the Balkan Escorted Tours 10-Day, 9-Night program with sections for Introduction, Highlights, and Good to Know.
Balkan Escorted Tours: 10 Days, 9 Nights
Introduction
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Balkans, exploring its diverse cultures, historical landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. This 10-day, 9-night tour takes you through some of the most iconic cities and hidden gems across Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, and Greece. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the serene waters of Lake Ohrid and the vibrant culture of Thessaloniki, this immersive tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, culture seekers, and adventure lovers.
Highlights
Istanbul (Turkey)
Explore the iconic Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar.
Enjoy a scenic Bosphorus Cruise for stunning views of the city.
Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
Walk through the historic Old Town and Roman Ancient Theatre.
Visit the artistic neighborhood of Kapana.
Sofia (Bulgaria)
Discover the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Boyana Church (UNESCO site).
Explore the Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia’s shopping and dining hub.
Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria)
Visit the impressive Tsarevets Fortress, a medieval stronghold.
Bucharest (Romania)
Tour the massive Palace of the Parliament.
Stroll through the historic Lipscani District and charming city center.
Timisoara (Romania)
Discover this cultural gem, known for its Baroque architecture and vibrant squares.
Belgrade (Serbia)
Explore the lively Kalemegdan Fortress and bustling Skadarlija Street.
Enjoy Belgrade's vibrant nightlife and riverside views.
Nis (Serbia)
Visit the historical Skull Tower and explore the ruins of the Nis Fortress.
Skopje (North Macedonia)
Explore the blend of modern and historic at Macedonia Square.
Visit the landmark Stone Bridge and Old Bazaar.
Prizren (Kosovo)
Wander through Prizren Fortress for panoramic views.
Enjoy the charming Ottoman-era architecture.
Shkodër & Ulcinj (Albania/Montenegro)
Visit Rozafa Castle in Shkodër with spectacular lake views.
Explore Ulcinj's beaches and medieval charm.
Tirana (Albania)
Discover Skanderbeg Square and Blloku District, a lively area for cafes and culture.
Ohrid (North Macedonia)
Relax by the picturesque Lake Ohrid.
Visit the historic Church of St. John at Kaneo overlooking the lake.
Thessaloniki (Greece)
Explore the vibrant port city with sites like the White Tower and Rotunda.
Enjoy local Greek cuisine in its lively waterfront tavernas.
Good to Know
Travel Documents: Ensure you have a valid passport and necessary visas for Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and other Balkan countries.
Weather: The Balkans have varied climates. Bring layered clothing to adapt to coastal, mountain, and urban weather conditions.
Currency: Multiple currencies are used (Euro, Bulgarian Lev, Romanian Leu, Serbian Dinar, etc.). Carry a mix of cash and cards for convenience.
Languages: English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but knowing a few phrases in local languages is appreciated.
Cuisine: Prepare to enjoy a mix of flavors—Turkish kebabs, Bulgarian banitsa, Serbian ćevapi, and Greek souvlaki. Vegetarian options are available.
Walking Tours: Many destinations involve walking on uneven terrain, so comfortable shoes are a must.
Excluded
International flights
Lunch & Dinner
Insurance: All types
Turkey entry visa
Europe Visa Romania Bulgaria Serbia Bosnia Albania
Croatia
Tipping
Hotel
room taxes
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold
drinks, laundry
Any others expenses which are not mentioned at the
included section
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
Request a Private, Customizable Departure
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
Protected
Travel withing your own bubble.
Professional
Access our Travel Specialists insider knowledge.
Privacy
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