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- Istanbul Dynamic Head-to-Head Balkan Tour 8 Countries (All Day Tours, Dinner and Balkan Nights Included)
Istanbul Departure Comprehensive Balkans Tour
Istanbul Departure End-to-End Balkans Tour 8 Countries
Bulgaria – Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatia - Montenegro – Albania – Macedonia - Greece
Sofia – Belgrade – Sarajevo – Konjic - Mostar – Blagay - Poçitel – Trebinje – Dubrovnik – Herceg Novi - Kotor – Budva – Shkodër – Tirana – Ohrid – Struga – Tetovo – Skopje – Thessaloniki
Vrelo Bosne National Park – Poçitel Tour – Sveti Naum Tour – Matka Canyon Tour – Blagay Tour Sarajevo Bosnian Meatballs and Authentic Macedonian Programs in Local Restaurants Included
All Day Tours and Dinners Included
Day 1 Istanbul – Sofia
On the first day of our trip, we depart for the Kapıkule border gate with departure at 21:00 from Kadıköy Marriage Office, at 21:30 from in front of Mecidiyeköy Auto Expertise, at 22:00 from in front of İncirli Ömür Plaza, and at 22:30 from in front of Beylikdüzü Marmara Park. After customs, passport, and border crossing procedures, we head to Sofia.
Day 2 Sofia – Belgrade
After arriving in Sofia in the early morning, we begin our panoramic city tour. St. Nedelya Church, Russian Church, Rotanda Church, Hagia Sophia Church, Parliament, National Library, Old Royal Palace, Sofia University, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Presidency, Prime Ministry, and Banya Bashi Mosque are among the places to see. We will also have the opportunity to see the army house where the ball attended by the great leader M. Kemal Atatürk in a janissary uniform was held. After our tour and free time, we depart for Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Upon arrival, during our panoramic city tour in Belgrade; one of the oldest cities in Europe and a new symbol of vibrancy and movement, we begin with Knez Mihailova Street, the city’s most stylish avenue. Then we move on to Belgrade Fortress, one of the supply centers of the Ottoman fleet, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded in its conquest, but which was conquered by Suleiman the Magnificent. Inside the fortress we will see the Key Handover Monument, the French monument, Istanbul Gate, Military Museum, the Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, Sokullu Fountain, and we end our tour on the terrace area where we will see the confluence point of the Danube and Sava rivers, offering the city’s most beautiful view. Guests who wish may join the Danube and Sava River boat activity arranged by our guide. (20 EUR) After our tour we have free time. Accommodation at our hotel in Belgrade.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an extra at the rest stop.
Lunch: Free time in a Turkish restaurant to be determined by the guide in Sofia.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
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 depending on border crossing duration: 19:00
Day 3 Belgrade – Sarajevo – Vrelo Bosne
After breakfast, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we carry out our panoramic city tour in Sarajevo, a city that served as the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries, where in 1914 the First World War broke out after Austria-Hungary’s heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated here by Serbs, and which suffered great destruction during the 1992 war due to devastating internal conflicts among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet still largely preserves its beauty. We stroll through Baščaršija, the Balkans’ most distinguished bazaar. On our tour introducing this cultural city, we begin with the Sarajevo Sebilj Fountain, which has become almost the symbol of the bazaar, and continue to Morića Han, one of the most authentic spots in the city. Then we visit the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, a relative of Suleiman the Magnificent. As our tour continues, 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 iconic Eternal Flame monument is located, after which we have free time. Guests who wish may photograph Latin Bridge, where World War I began, during free time. After the tour and free time, transfer to our hotel.
Then Bosnian Meatballs at a local restaurant determined 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: Free time at a rest stop between Belgrade and Sarajevo to be determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken as extra during free time in the city center.
Accommodation: Hotel Holiday etc. – Sarajevo
Currencies: Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (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 depending on border crossing duration 19:00
Day 4 Sarajevo –Blagay - Mostar – Trebinje (Dubrovnik)
After breakfast, we depart for Mostar. Beforehand, we visit Blagay and then arrive in Mostar. (Included in the price) After arriving in Mostar, on our walking city tour we first see Mostar Bridge. (The bridge, built by Architect Hayreddin in 1557, 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 tour the old city bazaar. After free time where you can shop at Mostar’s local markets, we depart for the city where we will stay overnight. First, we stop at Poçitel, an Ottoman village furnished with Ottoman works from the 15th century and preserved in its 16th-century texture to this day without corruption. (Included in the price.) After our visit in this authentic village, where even small children walking in the street speak Turkish, we arrive in Trebinje. Accommodation may be in Trebinje or nearby provinces depending on regional density. Overnight at our hotel. Guests who wish may join the Dubrovnik evening tour. (45 EUR)
During the Dubrovnik panoramic tour, we walk through the old town square, which has been included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Towers, magnificent walls, the Franciscan Monastery dating back to the 14th century and also home to the world’s oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace, city gates, towers and other important structures will be seen. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel.
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 Recommendation: Bosnian börek, stuffed onions, meatballs, Bosnian coffee
Dinner: Will be taken as extra during free time in the city center.
Accommodation: Hotel Leotar etc.– Trebinje or surroundings
Currencies Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (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 depending on road conditions: 18:00
Day 5 Trebinje – Kotor – Budva – Tirana – Ohrid
After breakfast, we pass into Montenegro, one of the world’s youngest states. Our first stop is Kotor, an important historical and natural paradise and a tourist attraction… Here, on a walking tour in Stari Grad (Old Town-Fortress), you will get to know this charming town. After our Kotor tour, finally passing through Budva, after a break where we can panoramically see the magnificent St. Stefan and Budva from above (depending on parking availability), which was once an island inhabited by fishermen, then expropriated and later sold to a Singaporean multimillionaire, and is now in the process of being brought into tourism through restoration works, we arrive in Ohrid by crossing Albania via Tirana. Overnight at our hotel.
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 Recommendation: Seafood, appetizers, grills, local drinks
Dinner: Will be taken at a roadside rest stop and is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Village etc, Ohrid
Currencies: Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (Average Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM), Montenegro – Euro, Macedonia – Denar (Average Rate 1 Euro : 60 Denar)
Route: Trebinje-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: Estimated depending on border crossing duration: 23:30
Day 6 Ohrid – St.Naum - Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After the breakfast taken at the hotel, we continue by crossing the Mavrovo Mountains and depart for the Ohrid tour, which has the character of a Mediterranean town in the Balkans. We begin our tour introducing Ohrid with Port Square; by speaking about the statues we will see in the square, and during our walk in the district where the historical Ohrid houses used for the filming of the TV series Farewell Rumelia are located, we end our tour with the historical Ottoman houses, Hagia Sophia Church, and the presentation of the famous Ohrid Pearl, the greatest symbol of the city of Ohrid. Guests who wish may join the Ohrid Lake boat activity arranged by our guide. (15 EUR) After our tour, we carry out the St. Naum Tour, the source of Ohrid Lake and home to magnificent views. After the tour, we begin our journey to the capital, Skopje. On our route, we visit Tetova (Kalkandelen), the country’s 3rd largest city and the place with the highest Albanian population. We visit the Painted Mosque and its Imaret, founded by two sisters. We begin our tour introducing this city, where two different cultures are separated by the famous Vardar River, with the Macedonian side, which we can call the land of statues; the first statue we will see is the Great Alexander statue, notable for its huge size, then we cross the Historic Skopje Stone Bridge over the Vardar River and experience how cultures change in an instant, and move on to the Skopje Turkish Bazaar, one of the most refined bazaars of the Balkans under the Ottomans. Mentioning the statues at the entrance of the bazaar, we begin our bazaar tour with the historical Davut Pasha Bath, and continue by seeing Kapan Han, one of the most important structures of the Ottoman bazaar organization, and Murat Pasha Mosque, which managed to survive despite earthquakes, and end our tour. After our visits, one hour of free time will be given for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Among what you can buy are Shuska peppers, Ustrumca peanuts, and sandals. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel and check into the rooms. Afterwards, Balkan Night with local dishes and music at a place determined by the guide. (Included in the price) Overnight at our hotel.
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 Ohrid city center.- You can taste all local delicacies. Guide Recommendation: Ohrid trout, meatballs, and dry beans in casserole.
Dinner: Balkan Night with extra local dishes and music at a place determined by the guide. Included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc. – 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 - Istanbul
After breakfast, we visit the Matka Canyon, known for its unique beauty. (Included in the price) Then we depart for Thessaloniki. After arrival, we start our Thessaloniki tour. Kordon, White Tower, Leaning Tower, Fair Square, Ottoman and Byzantine works, Hagia Dimitrios Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Greece, Alexander the Great Statue, Hamza Bey Mosque, E. Venezelo-P. Konstantin Statues, and Vardar, Macedonia, Aristotle, and Eleftherios squares are among the places to see. We complete our Thessaloniki tour by visiting the house where the great leader M. Kemal Atatürk was born, and by bus journey we follow the route via Xanthi, Alexandroupoli, and İpsala to arrive at the İpsala border gate. After passport and customs procedures, depart for Istanbul via Tekirdağ.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Free time in Thessaloniki city center extra.
Dinner: Will be taken as extra at the rest stop on the Keşan – Istanbul road.
Currencies Greece - Euro
Route: Skopje – Thessaloniki (234 km) , Thessaloniki – Kavala (153 KM), Kavala – Istanbul (443 KM)
Total Distance to Be Covered: 830 km
Istanbul Arrival Time: Estimated depending on border crossing duration : 02:00
What's Included
✅ All transportation services throughout the program
✅ Local professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
✅ Accommodation with breakfast included for 1 night in Belgrade, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Trebinje or surroundings, 1 night in Ohrid, and 1 night in Skopje in 3 or 4* hotels
✅ Vrelo Bosna National Park Tour
✅ Blagaj Tour
✅ Počitelj Tour
✅ Sveti Naum Tour
✅ Matka Canyon Tour
✅ Thessaloniki Tour
✅ Mandatory local guiding services in some cities
✅ All highway checkpoint and parking fees
✅ Customs duties
✅ Panoramic city tours specified in the program.
✅ Limited water service on the vehicle
Not Included
❌ Museum and archaeological site entrance fees
❌ Tours organized by the guide
❌ All personal expenses
❌ Lunch and dinner
❌ Drinks taken with meals
❌ Driver and guide tips
❌ Multiple Schengen Visa or Multiple-Entry Bulgarian Visa (Green Passport holders are exempt from visas)
❌ Overseas exit fee
❌ Overseas travel health insurance
INFORMATION
- Our guests participating in the tour must обязательно have a valid Multi (Multiple Entry) Schengen visa or a multiple-entry Bulgarian visa for the entire duration of the tour. (Green Passport holders are exempt from visas.)
- During the tour, in order to make purchases and spend money in all countries included in the program, it is sufficient to have Euro with us. In regions where the 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 evening.
- On our tours, a rotation (seat change) system is applied daily in the seat arrangement, and no fixed seat or front seat guarantee is given. 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 items (alcohol - cigarettes, etc.).
- Duty-free shopping limit when entering Turkey from abroad: Cigarettes: 3 cartons, Alcoholic Beverages: 1 liter alcoholic drink (excluding alcoholic drinks containing more than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne), Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters alcoholic drink (including alcoholic drinks containing less than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne), Perfume: 600 ml, Makeup or Skin Care Products: 5 pieces, Chocolate and Confectionery: 2 kg, Coffee: 1 kg, Tea: 1 kg
- During the tour program, Guides may make changes to the itinerary 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 remaining until the tour date, a 30% penalty applies; if there are 20 days or less remaining, a 100% penalty applies. Unfortunately, hospital reports, workplace leave documents, etc. obtained from authorities in Turkey and submitted together with the participant's cancellation request are not accepted for the cancellation of the hotel and services they will receive outside Turkey.
- Our Tour Program is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, the final 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 name in the tour program and/or there are options 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 a distance greater than the specified km. In such a case, information will be provided by Lidya Tour 15 days before the departure date of the tour
- Triple rooms may be provided depending on the availability of hotels, and the bed assigned to the 3rd person in such rooms is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since the extra beds are foldable and called coach beds, participants in the tour are deemed to have declared that they accept the possible cramped conditions in the rooms and the bed type in 3rd person and/or child reservations. Child discounts are valid only for one child who meets the relevant age group and stays with 2 adults.
- Breakfasts included in the services in the tour program are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country where the hotel is located, and generally as a limited menu called continental breakfast, consisting of 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 of up to 2-3 hours organized for the general introduction of the cities and carried out panoramically from inside the vehicle with guide commentary, excluding museum and archaeological site entries. Panoramic tours, including the other tours specified in the program, are not the responsibility of Lidya Tour if they cannot be carried out on the day and time of the tour due to places not being allowed to be visited or entered by local authorities, or due to closed roads caused by any event, or in cases where it becomes impossible to conduct the tour due to weather conditions. Some tours may be conducted by public transport or on foot where possible at closed roads or points where vehicle entry is not allowed.
- Waiting time at border gates crossed by road during the trip may exceed standards, and Lidya Tour cannot be held responsible for any inconveniences arising from these waiting times.
- Extra tours are organized by the local Lidya Tour service provider with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If the required number is not met, the excursions cannot be carried out, or the prices, content, and vehicle used for the extra excursions may vary according to 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.
- Extra tours are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to participate in the extra tours organized during the tour are deemed to have accepted waiting at a suitable rest facility along the route. These passengers are dropped off at the roadside rest facility before the extra tour begins and picked up from the point where they were dropped off after the tour is completed.
- For people participating in tours with flights, the check-in and boarding procedures to be carried out are personal procedures and must be completed by the guest before the flight at the relevant airline counters at the airport or online on the airlines' websites.
- Lidya Tour is not responsible for the inability of persons who are not present at the airport at the times notified by Lidya Tour for participation in the tour, who do not complete their check-in and boarding procedures on time, or who complete their check-in and boarding procedures on time but do not board the plane, to make the flight. The cost of new round-trip airline tickets and all expenses related to transfers in the region to be visited, which will be necessary for those who miss the plane to join the tour, are their own responsibility.
- Lidya Tour is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delay on scheduled and private flights, or the times of the current trip and before the 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 charges.
- The types of vehicles used in our tours are classified as follows according to the number of participants. The vehicle types below are assigned according to the number of people 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.