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- Ankara Moving Great Balkan Tour 9 Countries in 9 Days (All Tours, Dinner Meals, and Balkan Nights Included)
Ankara 9-Day 9-Country Great Balkans Moving Tour
Large Balkan Tour by Bus Starting from Ankara, 9 Countries in 9 Days
Greece - Macedonia – Kosovo – Albania – Montenegro - Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Serbia – Bulgaria
23 Cities – 5 Capitals
Kavala – Thessaloniki – Bitola–Resne-Ohrid – Struga – Tetova - Skopje – Pristina – Prizren – Shkodra – Bar – Petrovac – Budva – Kotor – Herceg Novi –Trebinje – Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo – Belgrade – Sofia – Plovdiv
7 Nights 9 Days
Accommodation in 4* Hotels – Dinner Included
No Extra Tours – All Inclusive - Kosovo Program
Dubrovnik – Matka Canyon – Blagaj Tekke – Vrelo Bosna - Sarajevo Bosnian Meatballs and Real Macedonian and Bulgarian Night Programs in Local Restaurants Included
Day 1 Ankara – Kavala
On the first day of our tour, we arrive at the Ipsala border gate via Tekirdağ with departures at 14:30 from the National Library Front, 15:00 from Ümitköy Bridge, and 15:45 from in front of Eryaman Optimum. After completing passport and customs procedures, we arrive in Kavala via Dedeağaç, Gümülcine, and İskeçe.
Day 2 Kavala – Thessaloniki – Bitola (Manastır) – Resne – Ohrid
After arriving in Kavala, we stop for breakfast and to taste the delicious Kavala cookies. After the breakfast break, we take a short photo stop on Kavala’s stunning coastline and then depart for Thessaloniki. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we begin our panoramic city tour. During our panoramic city tour, we see the Waterfront, White Tower, Round Tower, Fair Grounds, Thessaloniki Castle, and Ottoman and Byzantine monuments. After visiting Aya Dimitros Church, the largest church in Greece, and the house of Great Leader Atatürk, whose garden is now also the site of the Turkish consulate, we head to Bitola. Upon arrival, the places to see include Şirok Street, the Bedesten, Ishak Mosque, New Mosque, and the Military High School from which Atatürk graduated, where we will experience the most emotional moments of the trip. After our visit to Bitola, passing through Resne, the hometown of Resneli Niyazi, we arrive in Ohrid, the pearl of the Balkans. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an extra at the rest stop in Kavala.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time in Thessaloniki city center.- You can taste all local delicacies. Guide’s recommendation: Seafood and appetizers.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or at a restaurant and is included in the tour price.
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 to Be Covered: 870 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:00
Day 3 Ohrid – Sveti Naum- Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After breakfast at the hotel, we continue by crossing the Mavrovo Mountains and depart for an Ohrid tour, a town in the Balkans with a Mediterranean character. We begin our tour introducing the city of Ohrid at the Port Square, and while mentioning the statues we will see there, we end our tour with a walk in the district where the historic Ohrid houses used in the filming of the series Elveda Rumeli are located, seeing historic Ottoman houses, the Hagia Sophia Church, and the presentation of the famous Ohrid pearl, the city’s biggest symbol. Guests who wish may join the Ohrid Lake boat activity organized by our guide. (15EUR) After our tour, we carry out the St. Naum tour, the birthplace of Ohrid Lake, hosting magnificent views. After the tour, we begin our journey to the capital Skopje. Along our route, we visit Tetova (Kalkandelen), the country’s 3rd largest city and the one with the densest Albanian population. We visit the colorful mosque and soup kitchen built by two sisters. We begin our city tour of this city, where two different cultures are separated by the famous Vardar River, on the Macedonian side, which we can call the land of statues; among the statues we will first see is the enormous Alexander the Great statue. Then, crossing the historic Skopje Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, we witness how cultures change in an instant and move on to the Skopje Turkish Bazaar, one of the most distinguished bazaars of the Ottoman Balkans. We begin our bazaar tour with the historic Davut Pasha Bath, mentioning the statues at the entrance of the bazaar; then we end our tour by seeing the Kapan Han, one of the most important structures of Ottoman bazaar organization, and the Murat Pasha Mosque, which has managed to survive despite earthquakes. After our visits, one hour of free time will be given for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Among items you can buy are Šuška peppers, Strumica peanuts, and opanci. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel and check in to the rooms. Afterwards, Macedonian Night with extra local food and music at a 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 price.
Lunch: Will be taken as an extra at facilities offering unique flavors on the Ohrid – Skopje route.
Dinner: Macedonian Night with extra local food and music at a place determined 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 to Be Covered: 170 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 20:00
Day 4 Skopje – Prizren – Shkodra or Podgorica
After breakfast at the hotel, we carry out the Matka Canyon tour, known for its unique beauty (Included in the price). Then we start our journey to the capital of Kosovo, Pristina. After crossing the Kosovo border gate, the journey continues with a panoramic pass through Pristina, the Kosovo Plain where the Kosovo War took place, and a visit to the Tomb of Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigar, followed by the trip to Prizren. Arrival in Prizren. City tour in Prizren, the authentic city with the highest Turkish population in the country. During our panoramic tour in Prizren, perhaps one of the cutest cities in the Balkans, the 17th-century Turkish Bath, the Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615, and Prizren Castle are among the places to see. After our visits, free time for lunch. After meeting, the journey continues to Podgorica by crossing into Albania. Travel through Shkodra to Montenegro, one of Europe’s youngest states. Border crossing and arrival at the accommodation point with the ongoing journey in Montenegro. Check in to 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 price.
Lunch: Can be taken extra at facilities recommended by our guide in the Şadırvan Square area in Prizren.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or at a restaurant and is included in the tour price.
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 to Be Covered: 415 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:00
Day 5 Podgorica - Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik – Trebinje or Surroundings
After breakfast, our first stop is a break where you can panoramic view the magnificent St. Stefan from above, currently a holiday destination for high society, after it was once an island inhabited by fishermen, then expropriated and later sold to a Singaporean multimillionaire. (Depending on parking availability) We continue along the Adriatic coast roads with extraordinary views, reaching Kotor with a panoramic pass through Budva. In Kotor, the Old Town, St. Tryphon and St. Nicholas Churches, and the historic Clock Tower are some of the places we will see. After our Kotor visit, in the afternoon we cross to Croatia, one of the three main states that made up the former Yugoslavia, known for adopting Catholicism and for its geography more dominated by the Adriatic coast, which makes it closer to Italian-Mediterranean culture than Balkan culture. After a scenic, short journey for the Dubrovnik tour (Included in the price), arrival in Dubrovnik, whose Italian name is Ragusa, one of the Adriatic’s oldest trade ports and a city that retained Venetian influence for many years, combining a magnificent history-nature synthesis with its Italian-style architecture and urban fabric. We begin our tour introducing this beautiful city with the Old Town Square, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The City Towers and Walls, St. Blaise Church, the Rector’s Palace, the statue of the famous poet Gundulic, the historic Fountain, and the Pharmacy dating from the 14th century are some of the other places we will see. Then free time to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this beautiful city. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel in Trebinje or surroundings. (The accommodation city may change depending on season density)
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time in Kotor city center.- You can taste all local delicacies. Guide’s recommendation: Seafood, appetizers, grills, local drinks
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or at a restaurant and is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Leotar etc.
Currencies: Montenegro – Euro , Croatia – Euro , Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (Average exchange 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 to Be Covered: 230 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 21:00
Day 6 Trebinje or (Neum) - Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo
After breakfast, departure for Mostar. Before arriving in Mostar, we carry out the Blagaj Tekke Blagaj tour. (Included in the price). Upon arrival in Mostar, on our walking city tour we first see the Mostar Bridge. (Built in 1557 by architect Hayreddin, the bridge is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture.) The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992, but with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004. We walk around the old town bazaar. After free time where you can shop at Mostar’s local markets, we depart for Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we carry out a panoramic city tour in Sarajevo, which for centuries served as the cultural capital of the Balkans, where the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbs in 1914 triggered World War I, and which suffered great destruction in the 1992 war due to devastating internal wars among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but still largely preserves its beauty. We stroll through Baščaršija, the most distinguished bazaar in Europe. In our tour introducing this cultural city, we begin with the Sarajevo Sebilj Fountain, which has become almost the symbol of the Bazaar; then we see Morica Han, one of the city’s most authentic spots. After that, we visit the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, a relative of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Continuing our tour, we see the Clock Tower, the famous fountain that has become a ritual, and the meeting point of cultures; this street is also where the symbolic Eternal Flame monument is located, after which we move on to free time. Guests who wish may photograph the Latin Bridge, where World War I broke out, during free time. After our tour and free time, transfer to our hotel.
Then Bosnian meatballs at a local restaurant chosen by the guide. (Included in the price) Accommodation at our hotel in Sarajevo.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time in Mostar city center.- You can taste all local delicacies. Guide’s recommendation: Bosnian burek, stuffed onions, meatballs, Bosnian coffee
Dinner: Bosnian meatballs at a local restaurant. (Included in the tour price.)
Accommodation: Hotel Holiday etc. – Sarajevo
Currencies Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (Average exchange rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM)
Route: Trebinje-Počitelj (108 km), Počitelj – Blagaj (23 km) ,Blagaj - Mostar (12 km), Mostar– Sarajevo (126 km)
Total Distance to Be Covered: 269 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:00
Day 7 Sarajevo – Belgrade
After breakfast, journey to Belgrade. Before the trip, we carry out the Vrelo Bosna tour, located at the foot of Mount Igman, Sarajevo’s water source and Bosnia’s largest national park. (Included in the price) After our journey, we begin our Belgrade city tour, one of Europe’s oldest cities and a new symbol of vibrancy and movement, with Knez Mihailova Street, the city’s most elegant avenue. Then we move on to Belgrade Fortress, one of the supply centers of the Ottoman fleet, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for its sake but whose conquest became the fortune of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent; inside the fortress we end our tour at the terrace area where we will see the Key Handover Monument, the French statue, Istanbul Gate, Military Museum, Damat Ali Pasha’s tomb, Sokollu Fountain, and the confluence point of the Danube and Sava rivers, the city’s most beautiful view. Guests who wish may join the Danube and Sava river boat activity organized by our guide. (20 EUR) After our tour, we move on to free time. Accommodation at our hotel in Belgrade.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Free time at a rest stop determined by the guide between Sarajevo and Belgrade.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or at a restaurant and is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel B etc. - Belgrade
Currencies Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (Average exchange rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM) , Serbia – Dinar (Average exchange rate 1 Euro : 115 Dinar )
Route: Sarajevo – Belgrade (284 km)
Total Distance to Be Covered: 284 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:00
Day 8 Belgrade – Sofia
After breakfast, departure for Sofia. Upon arrival, we begin our panoramic Sofia city tour. Places to be seen during our panoramic city tour include Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest church in the Balkans, the National Library, Sofia University, the Old Royal Palace, the National Bulgarian Theatre built in neoclassical style, the Archaeological Museum, Old Sofia - Union City, and Rotunda Church. Then, walking past the parliament building, panoramic view and photo stop at the Sofia Statue, and we visit the Banya Bashi Mosque, the city’s symbol. After our visits and free time, transfer to our hotel. Afterwards, Bulgarian Night with extra local food and music at a place determined by the guide. (Included in the price) Accommodation at our hotel in Sofia.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time in Sofia.
Dinner: Bulgarian Night with extra local food and music at a place determined by the guide. Included in the price.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Astoria etc. - Sofia
Currencies: Bulgaria – Lev (Average exchange rate 1 Euro : 1.95 Lev )
Route: Belgrade - Sofia (393 km)
Total Distance to Be Covered: 393 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:00
Day 9 Sofia – Plovdiv – Ankara
After breakfast, we begin our journey to Plovdiv. After approximately a 2-hour journey, we begin our city tour. As a city with a 4000-year history, it is a beautiful city that combines today’s modern buildings with the architecture of ancient times. The most interesting place in the city is undoubtedly located on Nebet Tepe in the oldest part of the city called “Old Plovdiv.” Among the places to see are Argır Kuyumcuoğlu’s house, now serving as the Ethnography Museum; the most perfect example of a symmetrical house unique to Plovdiv and, with its original house layout, Balabanov House, which now hosts all kinds of cultural activities, and the house of Georgi Mavridi; the Roman Amphitheater from ancient Roman times; the Roman Stadium; Hisar Gate; the Kaleiçi Quarter; the Hindliyan Museum; the Friday Mosque, which attracts much attention with its Turkish architecture; and Aya Konstantin, Elena, and Aya Nedelya churches, among the oldest churches in Plovdiv. Free time for shopping and to explore the city as you wish. After free time, we depart for Turkey. After passport and customs procedures and a free shop shopping break at the Kapıkule border gate, where we arrive in the evening, we enter Turkey. Proceeding via the Çorlu road, the program ends with arrival at the Ankara starting points.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Extra free time in Plovdiv city center.
Dinner: Rest stop on the Edirne – Istanbul highway.
Currencies Bulgaria – Lev (Average exchange rate 1 Euro : 1.95 Lev )
Route: Sofia – Plovdiv (145 km) , Plovdiv – Kapıkule (155 km) , Kapıkule – Istanbul ( 258 km)
Total Distance to Be Covered: 558 km
İstanbul Entrance Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 21:00
What's Included
✅ Transportation with luxury buses
✅ Local professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
✅ Accommodation with breakfast included for a total of 7 nights in 4* hotels: 1 night in Skopje, 1 night in Ohrid, 1 night in Podgorica or surroundings, 1 night in Trebinje or surroundings, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, 1 night in Sofia.
✅ Four dinners taken at the hotels in Ohrid, Podgorica, Trebinje, and Belgrade
✅ Macedonian Night (Balkan Night) at a local restaurant
✅ Bosnian Meatballs at a local restaurant
✅ Bulgarian Night at a local restaurant
✅ Panoramic city tours of Thessaloniki, Skopje, Tetovo, Ohrid, Kotor, Mostar, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Sofia, Plovdiv
✅ Monastery Tour
✅ Dubrovnik tour
✅ Matka Canyon tour
✅ Prizren Tour
✅ Blagay Tour
✅ Vrelo Bosna tour
✅ Plovdiv Tour
✅ Kosovo entrance fee
✅ Mandatory local guiding services taken in some cities
✅ All highway check-point and parking fees
✅ Customs duties
✅ Panoramic city tours specified in the program.
✅ Limited water service on board the vehicle
Not Included
❌ Museums and archaeological sites
❌ Tours organized by the guide
❌ All personal expenses
❌ Lunches
❌ Drinks taken with meals
❌ Driver and guide tips
❌ Multi Schengen Visa (Green Passport holders are exempt from visas).
❌ Overseas departure tax
❌ Overseas travel health insurance
INFORMATION
- Our guests who participate must have a valid Multi (Multiple-Entry) Schengen visa for the entire duration of the tour. (Holders of Green Passports are exempt from visa requirements.)
- During the tour, having Euros is sufficient for shopping and spending in all countries included in the program. In regions where local currency is used, the guide will assist with currency exchange.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers should be preferred during the trip. It is advisable to bring a cardigan or similar clothing for the night.
- On our tours, seat rotation (seat changes) is implemented daily in the seating arrangement, and no fixed seat or front-row seat guarantee is provided. Seat changes are organized by the vehicle guide.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, there is a minimum 3-day accommodation requirement in order to bring goods (alcohol, cigarettes, etc.).
- Duty-free shopping limits when entering Turkey from abroad: Cigarettes: 3 cartons, Alcoholic Beverages: 1 liter of alcoholic drink (excluding alcoholic beverages containing more than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne), Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters of alcoholic drink (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
- In the tour program, guides may make changes to the flow of the program depending on weather and road conditions, provided that all places specified in the program are shown.
- Guests who register for the tour have the right to cancel free of charge up to 30 days before departure. If there are fewer than 30 days left until the tour date, a 30% penalty applies; if there are 20 days or less, a 100% penalty applies. Unfortunately, hospital reports, workplace permission documents, etc. issued by authorities in Turkey and submitted with the participant's cancellation request are not accepted for the cancellation of hotels and services to be used outside Turkey.
- Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, the latest cancellation notification date is 20 days before the tour departure. The tour canceled due to insufficient participation will be announced by Lidya Tour.
- In cases where only category information is provided without specifying a hotel name in the tour program and/or there are alternatives for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be announced by Lidya Tour 2 days before the trip departure.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified kilometers. In such a case, information will be provided by Lidya Tour 15 days before the tour departure date.
- Triple rooms may be provided depending on hotel availability, and the bed allocated to the 3rd person in such rooms is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or coach beds, tour participants are deemed to have accepted the possible cramped space in the rooms and the bed type in 3rd-person and/or child reservations. Child discounts are valid only for one child staying with 2 adults, provided the child falls within the applicable age group.
- Breakfasts included among the services in the tour program are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country visited and generally consist of a limited menu called continental breakfast, including butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall allocated to the group.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours organized for the general introduction of cities, lasting at most 2-3 hours, conducted panoramically from inside the vehicle with guide commentary, and do not include entrance fees to museums or historical sites. Lidya Tour is not responsible for the inability to carry out such tours, including other tours specified in the program, if they cannot take place on the day and time scheduled due to restrictions by local authorities, road closures caused by any event, or if weather conditions make the tour impossible. Some tours may be conducted by public transport or on foot where possible in areas with closed roads or where vehicle entry is not permitted.
- Waiting times at customs gates crossed by road during the trip may exceed standards, and Lidya Tour cannot be held responsible for any inconveniences arising from such waiting times.
- Extra tours are organized by the local provider we work with, Lidya Tour, with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If the required number is not reached, excursions cannot be held, or the prices, content, and vehicle used for extra excursions 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 historical sites at the destinations and weather conditions.
- Extra tours are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to participate in extra tours organized during the tour 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 those participating in tours by plane, the required check-in and boarding procedures are personal procedures and must be completed by the guest before the flight at the relevant airline counters at airports or online on the airline companies' websites.
- Lidya Tour is not responsible for the failure of persons who are not present at the specified airport at the times announced by Lidya Tour for participation in the tour, who do not complete check-in and boarding procedures on time, or who complete check-in and boarding procedures on time but do not board the plane, to take the flight. The cost of new round-trip plane tickets required for those who miss the plane to join the tour, and all expenses for transfers in the destination area, are their responsibility.
- Lidya Tour is an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. Delays may occur on scheduled and special flights, or the times before the current trip and flight may change. Lidya Tour 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 people. The vehicle types below are assigned according to the number of participants in each tour.
Buses: (Used for 25 - 46 people) *Mercedes Travego/Tourismo *NEOPLAN Cityliner/Tourliner -*Temsa Safir/Maraton *Man Fortuna
Midibuses: (Used for 17 - 24 people) *Isuzu Turkuaz , *Otokar Mega
Minibuses: (Used for up to 16 people) *Vw Volt , *Mercedes Sprinter
- All guests are deemed to have sold the tour by accepting the above-mentioned items.
- Book Now & Pay Later. · Make your reservation now, pay anytime before the tour starts.