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- Izmir Moving Great Balkan Tour 9 Countries in 9 Days (All Tours, Dinner, and Balkan Nights Included)
9 Countries in 9 Days Grand Balkan Tour from Izmir
Great Balkan Tour in 9 Days, 9 Countries
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 – 4* Hotels – Dinner Included
No Extra Tours – All Inclusive - Kosovo Program
Dubrovnik – Matka Canyon – Blagaj Tekke – Vrelo Bosne Sarajevo
Bosnian Meatballs and Real Macedonian and Bulgarian Night Programs in Local Restaurants Included
Day 1 Izmir – Kavala
On the first day of our tour, we depart at 16:00 from in front of Üçkuyular Shell, at 16:30 from Lozan Square, and at 17:00 from Girne Yunuslar, arriving at the İpsala border gate via Tekirdağ. After passport and customs procedures are completed, we arrive in Kavala via Dedeağaç, Gümülcine, and İskeçe.
Day 2 Kavala – Thessaloniki – Bitola (Manastır) – Resne – Ohrid
Upon our arrival in Kavala, we stop for breakfast and to taste the delicious Kavala cookies. After the breakfast break, we set off for Thessaloniki, making a short photo stop on the unique and beautiful Kavala coast. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we begin our panoramic city tour. During our panoramic city tour, we see the Waterfront, White Tower, Rotating Tower, Fair, Thessaloniki Castle, and Ottoman and Byzantine monuments. After visiting the Church of Saint Demetrius, the largest church in Greece, and the house of Atatürk, the Great Leader, which is now located in the garden of the Turkish consulate, we head to Bitola. After our arrival, the places to see include Shirok Street, Bedesten, Ishak Mosque, New Mosque, and the Military High School where Atatürk graduated, which will be among the most emotional moments of the trip. After our visit to Bitola, we pass through Resne, the hometown of Resneli Niyazi, and arrive in Ohrid, the pearl of the Balkans. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken as an extra at a rest stop in Kavala.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time in Thessaloniki city center. - You can taste all local delicacies. Guide Recommendation: Seafood and Appetizers.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or in 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: Approximate, 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 set off for the Ohrid tour, a Mediterranean-like town in the Balkans. We start our tour introducing the city of Ohrid with Liman Square, and after mentioning the statues we will see in the square, we end our tour with a walk through the historic Ohrid houses district where the Elveda Rumeli series was filmed, seeing the 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. (15 EUR) After the tour, we carry out the St. Naum Tour, the place where Lake Ohrid originates and home to 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 Painted Mosque and its soup kitchen, built by two sisters. We begin our tour of 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. First among the statues we will see will be the massive statue of Alexander the Great; then, crossing the historic Stone Bridge of Skopje built over the Vardar River, we experience how cultures suddenly change and proceed to the Turkish Bazaar of Skopje, one of the most distinguished bazaars of the Balkans under Ottoman rule. By mentioning the statues at the entrance of the bazaar, we begin our bazaar tour with the historic Davut Pasha Bath, then continue by seeing Kapan Han, one of the most important structures of 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 the items we can buy are Shuska peppers, Strumica peanuts, and opanak shoes. At the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel and check-in to the rooms. Afterwards, Macedonian Night with extra local dishes and music at the 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 at facilities serving authentic flavors on the Ohrid – Skopje route.
Dinner: Macedonian Night with extra local dishes and music at the 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: Approximate: 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 begin our journey to the capital of Kosovo, Pristina. After crossing the Kosovo border gate, we continue with a panoramic passing through Pristina and a visit to the Kosovo Plain, where the Kosovo War took place, and the Tomb of Sultan Murad I before continuing to Prizren. Arrival in Prizren. City tour in Prizren, an authentic city with the highest Turkish population in the country. During our panoramic tour of Prizren, one of the most charming cities in the Balkans, we will see the Turkish Bath from the 17th century, Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615, and Prizren Castle. After the visits, free time for lunch. After meeting again, crossing into Albania and continuing to Podgorica. Travel through Shkodra and continue to Montenegro, one of the youngest states in Europe. Arrival at the accommodation point after border crossing and the journey through Montenegro. Check-in at 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: May be taken extra at facilities recommended by our guide in the Şadırvan Square area in Prizren.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or in 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: Approximate, 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 see from above the magnificent St. Stefan, once a fishing settlement island that was expropriated and later sold to a Singaporean multimillionaire, and is now a holiday destination for jet-set society. (Depending on parking availability) We continue along the Adriatic coast roads with extraordinary views, arriving in Kotor via a panoramic passage 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 into Croatia, one of the three main states that formed the former Yugoslavia, known more for its closeness to Italian-Mediterranean culture rather than Balkan culture due to its Catholic identity and its geography dominated by the Adriatic coast. After a scenic short journey for the Dubrovnik tour (Included in the price), arrival in Dubrovnik, Italian name Ragusa, one of the Adriatic’s oldest trading ports, with a magnificent history-nature synthesis in its Italian-style architecture and urban fabric, as it remained under Venetian influence for many years. We begin our tour of 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 14th-century pharmacy are among the other places we will see. Then free time to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this beautiful city. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel in Trebinje or surrounding area. (The accommodation city may change depending on season intensity)
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, Grilled Dishes, Local Drinks
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or in 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: Approximate, depending on customs crossing time: 21:00
Day 6 Trebinje or (Neum) - Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo
After breakfast, depart for Mostar. Before arriving in Mostar, we carry out the Blagaj Tekke Blagaj tour. (Included in the price) Upon our arrival in Mostar, during our city tour on foot, we first see Mostar Bridge. (The bridge, built in 1557 by Architect Hayreddin, is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture.) The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992, but it was reopened in 2004 with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey. We walk around the old city bazaar. After free time where you can shop at Mostar’s local markets, depart for Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we carry out a panoramic city tour of Sarajevo, which for centuries was the cultural capital of the Balkans, was the place where the First World War broke out after the Austrian-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated here by the Serbs in 1914, and in the 1992 war was severely damaged due to devastating internal wars among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet still largely preserves its beauty. We stroll through Bascarsija, Europe’s most exceptional bazaar. In our tour introducing this cultural city, we start with the Sarajevo Sebilj Fountain, which has almost become the symbol of the Bazaar, then see Morića Han, one of the city’s most authentic spots. Then we visit the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, a relative of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Continuing our tour, we see the Clock Tower, the famous ritual fountain, and the meeting point of cultures; this street is also where the iconic Eternal Flame monument is located, after which we move on to free time. Guests who wish may photograph the Latin Bridge, where the First World War began, during free time. After our tour and free time, transfer to our hotel.
Afterwards, 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: Will be taken extra during free time in Mostar city center. - You can taste all local delicacies. Guide 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: Approximate, depending on customs crossing time: 20:00
Day 7 Sarajevo – Belgrade
After breakfast, journey to Belgrade. Before the journey, we carry out the Vrelo Bosne tour, located on the slopes of Mount Igman, Sarajevo’s water source and the largest national park in Bosnia. (Included in the price) After our journey, as the new symbol of vitality and movement, we begin our Belgrade city tour, one of Europe’s oldest cities, 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 navy, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for its sake but whose conquest came to Suleiman the Magnificent. Inside the fortress, we end our tour at the terrace area where we will see the Victory Monument, the French statue, Istanbul Gate, the Military Museum, the Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, the Sokullu Fountain, and the confluence point of the Danube and Sava rivers, offering the city’s most beautiful view. Guests who wish may participate in the Danube and Sava river boat activity organized by our guide. (20 EUR) After our tour, we proceed 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 in 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: Approximate, depending on customs crossing time: 20:00
Day 8 Belgrade – Sofia
After breakfast, departure for Sofia. Upon arrival, we begin our panoramic city tour of Sofia. Among the places to be seen during our panoramic city tour are the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest church in the Balkans, the National Library, Sofia University, the Old Royal Palace, the National Bulgarian Theater built in neo-classical style, the Archaeological Museum, Old Sofia - Trade Union City, and the Rotunda Church. Then, walking by the parliament building, we enjoy a panoramic view and photo stop at the Sofia Statue, and visit the Banya Bashi Mosque, the symbol of the city. After our visits and free time, transfer to our hotel. Afterwards, Bulgarian Night with extra local dishes and music at the 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 dishes and music at the 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: Approximate : 20:00
Day 9 Sofia – Plovdiv – Izmir
After breakfast, we begin our journey to Plovdiv. After about a 2-hour journey, we begin our city tour. As a city with a 4,000-year history, it is a beautiful city that combines modern buildings and the architecture of ancient times. The place that attracts the most attention in the city is undoubtedly the oldest part of the city called “Old Plovdiv,” located in the Nebet Tepe area. Among the places to be seen are the house of Argır Kuyumcuoğlu, now serving as the Ethnography Museum, the finest example of a symmetrical house unique to Plovdiv with its original house layout, the Balabanov House and the house of Georgi Mavridi, both of which now host all kinds of cultural activities, the Roman Amphitheater from ancient Roman times, the Roman Stadium, Hisar Gate, the old city district, and the Hindliyan Museum, the Cuma Mosque, which is highly interesting with its Turkish architecture, and the Aya Konstantin, Elena and Aya Nedelya churches, among the oldest churches in Plovdiv, and the Ancient Amphitheater from ancient Roman times, and the Djumaya Mosque, which is highly interesting with its Turkish architecture, are among the places worth seeing. Free time for shopping and exploring 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 along the Çorlu road, the program ends upon arrival at the Izmir 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
Hotel Check-in Time: Approximate, depending on customs crossing time: 21:00
What's Included
✅ Transportation by luxury buses
✅ Local professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
✅ Accommodation with breakfast included for a total of 7 nights in 4* hotels: 1 night Skopje, 1 night Ohrid, 1 night Podgorica or surroundings, 1 night Trebinje or surroundings, 1 night Sarajevo, 1 night Belgrade, 1 night Sofia
✅ Four dinners at hotels or restaurants in Ohrid for 1 night, Podgorica for 1 night, Trebinje for 1 night, Belgrade for 1 night
✅ Macedonian Night (Balkan Night) at a local restaurant
✅ Bosnian kebabs at a local restaurant
✅ Bulgarian Night at a local restaurant
✅ Panoramic city tours of Thessaloniki, Skopje, Tetova, 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 checkpoint and parking fees
✅ Customs duties
✅ Panoramic city tours specified in the program
✅ Limited water service on the vehicle
Not Included
❌ Museum and Historical Sites
❌ Tours organized by the guide
❌ All personal expenses
❌ City Taxes (20 EUR per person)
❌ Lunches
❌ Beverages taken with meals
❌ Driver and guide tips
❌ Multi Schengen Visa (Green Passport Holders are Exempt from Visa).
❌ Overseas departure tax
❌ Overseas travel health insurance
INFORMATION
During the tour, to be able to shop and spend in all countries included in the program, it is sufficient to have Euros with us. In regions where the local currency is used, the guide will assist with currency exchange.
During the trip, comfortable walking shoes or sneakers should be preferred. It is advisable to bring a cardigan, etc. with you for the evening.
On our tours, rotation (seat change) is applied daily in seat planning, and fixed seats and front seat guarantees are not given. Seat changes are organized by the vehicle guide.
When entering Turkey from abroad, there is a minimum 3-day accommodation requirement to bring goods (alcohol - cigarettes, etc.).
When entering Turkey from abroad, the free shop shopping limit is: Cigarettes: 3 cartons, Alcoholic Beverages: 1 liter alcoholic drink (alcoholic drinks containing more than 22% alcohol, excluding wine and champagne), Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters alcoholic drink (alcoholic drinks containing less than 22% alcohol, including wine and champagne), Perfume: 600 ml, Makeup or Skin Care Products: 5 items, Chocolate and Confectionery: 2 kg, Coffee: 1 kg, Tea: 1 kg
On the tour program, the 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.
Our tour program is arranged 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 cancelled due to insufficient participation will be notified by us.
When only category information is provided without specifying a name in the tour program and/or there are alternatives for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be notified by us 2 days before the trip departure.
During fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified km’ s. In such a case, information will be provided by us 15 days before the tour departure date.
Triple rooms are provided subject to hotel availability, and in such rooms, the bed allocated to the 3rd person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable and coach bed type beds, tour participants are deemed to have accepted the potential crampedness in rooms and the bed type in 3rd person and/or child reservations. Child discounts are valid only for one child staying with 2 adults and matching the relevant age group.
Breakfasts included in the tour program services are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country visited, and generally with 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.
The panoramic city tours included in the tour package are organized for the general introduction of the cities and are panoramic tours conducted from inside the vehicle with guide commentary, lasting at most 2-3 hours and not including museum or historical site entrances. Panoramic tours, including the other tours specified in the program, if they are not carried out because the local authorities do not permit visiting or entering at the day and time coinciding with the tour, or due to closed roads because of any event, or if the tour becomes impossible due to weather conditions, LİDYA TOUR is not responsible for the inability to carry out the tours in question. Some tours may be conducted by public transportation or on foot where possible at closed roads or points where vehicle entry is not allowed.
Waiting times at customs gates crossed by road during the journey may exceed the standards, and Lidya Tour cannot be held responsible for any negative situations arising from these waiting times.
Extra tours are organized with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If the required number is not reached, the excursions cannot be carried out, or the prices, content, and vehicles 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 the museums and historical sites at the destinations and the weather conditions.
Extra tours are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to join the extra tours organized during the tour are deemed to have accepted waiting at a suitable rest facility on the route. These passengers are dropped off at a roadside rest facility before the extra tour starts 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 airports or online on the airlines' websites.
Lidya Tour is not responsible for the failure of persons who are not present at the airport at the specified times 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. The new round-trip plane tickets required for those who miss the plane to join the tour, and all expenses related to their transfers in the destination region, are their own responsibility.
LİDYA TOUR is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol dated 28.09.1955. On scheduled and special flights, there may be a risk of delay, or times may change before the current trip and flight. LİDYA TOUR is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. The passenger has purchased the trip by accepting the risk of schedule changes. Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport tax and airport service fees.
The types of vehicles used on our tours are classified as follows according to the number of people. The vehicle types below are assigned according to the number of people on each of our tours.
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.