Balkan Trio Tour 3 Nights 5 Days
Balkan Trio 5 Days 3 COUNTRIES
3 Nights 5 Days
NO MANDATORY EXTRA PAYMENT
Greece - Macedonia - Bulgaria
9 CITIES - 2 CAPITALS
Kavala - Thessaloniki - Bitola (Manastir) - Resne - Ohrid - Tetovo (Kalkandelen)
Skopje – Sofia – Plovdiv
Tour Departure Dates:
January 28 / March 18 / April 22 / May 15 / May 27 / June 17 / July 15 / August 12 / October 28 / November 11
Special Days:
January Semester: January 28
Ramadan Feast: March 18
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day: April 22
May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day: May 15
Kurban Bayramı: May 27
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: July 15
Republic Day : October 28
November Semester: November 11
Day 1 Istanbul – Kavala
On the first day of our tour, we will depart at 20:00 from Kadıköy Marriage Office, 21:00 from Mecidiyeköy Oto Ekspertiz and 21:30 from İncirli Ömür plaza, with a 22:00 departure from Beylikdüzü Marmara Park. We will travel through Tekirdag to reach Ipsala border gate. After completing passport and customs procedures, we will proceed to Kavala via Dedeagac, Gumulcine, and Iskece.
Day 2 Kavala – Thessaloniki – Manastir – Resne - Ohrid
Upon arrival in Kavala, we will take a break for breakfast and enjoy the delicious Kavala cookies. After breakfast, we will have a short photo stop at the stunning Kavala beaches before heading to Thessaloniki. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we will start our city tour by visiting the Thessaloniki Fortress, which offers panoramic views of the city. During our city tour in Thessaloniki, we will see the Waterfront, White Tower, Rotunda, Fair Square, Ottoman and Byzantine artifacts, the largest cathedral of Greece, the Church of St. Dimitrios, the Alexander the Great Statue, Egnatia and Tsimski Boulevards, and the Fortress. At the end of the tour, we will visit the house of the Great Leader Atatürk. After the city tour, we will proceed to Bitola (Manastir) in Macedonia. After arriving, we will visit sights including Shirok Street, the Covered Bazaar, Isaac Mosque, New Mosque, Haydar Pasha Mosque, and the Military School where Atatürk graduated, marking one of the emotional highlights of the trip. Afterwards, we will visit Resne, where we will tour the palace of Resneli Niyazi, known for his significant contributions during the Turkish-Greek War, then transfer to our hotel in Ohrid. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: This will be taken at a resting spot in Kavala for an extra fee.
Lunch: Lunch can be purchased during free time in Thessaloniki city center. You can taste all the regional flavors. Guide's Recommendation: Seafood and Mezes.
Dinner: Can be purchased during free time.
Accommodation: Hotel Aqualina, etc. – Ohrid
Currencies:Greece - Euro, Macedonia – Denar ( Average 1 Euro : 60 Denar )
Route: Istanbul-Kavala (445 km), Kavala – Thessaloniki (136 km), Thessaloniki-Bitola (200 km), Bitola-Resne (32 km), Resne-Ohrid (36 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 849 km
Hotel Check-In Time: Estimated: 20:30 depending on customs clearance
Day 3 Ohrid – Tetova - Skopje
After breakfast, we will start our city tour of Ohrid, the jewel of Macedonia. During our panoramic city tour, we will visit St. Panteleymon, the most important Byzantine church in Ohrid, the Church of St. Sophia still in use for concerts, the Roman theater from antiquity, Samuel's Fortress, St. Bogorodica Perivlerta, 4th-century churches, Keşanlı Imaret, Kuloğlu and Emin Mahmut Mosques, and Çınar Square, as well as the Ohrid Halveti Tekke. Guests wishing can join an extra organized Boat Tour on Lake Ohrid (15 EUR) or the St. Naum Tour, which boasts stunning views (25 EUR). After the city tour, we will depart for Skopje. On the way, we will stop at Tetova (Kalkandelen) to visit the Alaca Mosque and the city center. After our visit, we will arrive in Skopje and start our city tour; we will conduct a panoramic tour introducing Skopje, the birthplace of Yahya Kemal Beyatlı. Sights include the Old Train Station, memorial of Sister Teresa born in Skopje, the Stone Bridge, Fortress, Old Town from the Ottoman era, Bazaar, and some of the most beautiful architectural heritages of the Ottomans in the Balkans such as Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Sultan Murad Mosque, Gazi Isa Bey Mosque, Davud Pasha Bath, Kapan, Sulu and Kurşunlu Hans. Overnight at our hotel. Guests wishing can join an extra organized Macedonian Night Tour (45 EUR).
Breakfast: This will be taken at the hotel as a buffet and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Lunch can be purchased during free time in Ohrid city center. Guests can taste all the regional flavors. Guide's Recommendation: Ohrid Trout, Meatballs and Baked Beans.
Dinner: Can be purchased during free time in Skopje city center. Additional local dishes and music will be organized for the Macedonian Night by the guide.
Accommodation: Hotel Gold, etc. – Skopje
Currencies:Macedonia – Denar ( Average Rate 1 Euro : 60 Denar )
Route: Ohrid - Tetova (134 km), Tetova – Skopje (46 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 180 km
Hotel Check-In Time: 19:00
Day 4 Skopje – Sofia
After breakfast, we will depart from Skopje towards Sofia. Guests wishing can join an additional organized tour to the stunning Matka Canyon (20 EUR). After approximately 5 hours of travel, we arrive in Sofia. During our panoramic city tour, sights will include the largest church in the Balkans, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Library, Sofia University, the Old Royal Palace, the National Bulgarian Theater in neoclassical style, the Archaeological Museum, the Old Sofia - Union City, and Rotonda Church. Next, we will take a walk for a panoramic view and photo stop by the parliament building, and then visit the Banya Bashi mosque, a symbol of the city. Afterward, we will head to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Guests wishing can join an additional Bulgarian Tavern Tour (50 EUR).
Breakfast: This will be taken at the hotel as a buffet and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Lunch can be purchased at the Turkish restaurant in Sofia designated by the guide during free time.
Dinner: More local dishes will be served with music during Bulgarian Night at a venue chosen by the guide.
Accommodation: Hotel Best Western Terminus, etc. – Sofia
Currencies: Bulgaria – Lev ( Average Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 Lev )
Route: Skopje - Matka (19 km), Matka - Sofia ( 248 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 267 km
Hotel Check-In Time: Estimated: 20:00 depending on customs clearance
Day 5 Sofia – Plovdiv - Istanbul
Following the breakfast at the hotel, we will start our journey towards Plovdiv. After approximately 2 hours, we will start our city tour. Plovdiv is a city with a history of 4000 years; it beautifully combines modern buildings and ancient architecture. The most striking place in the city is, of course, “Old Plovdiv” – the oldest part of the city located at Nebet Hill. Notable sights include Argır Kuyumcuoğlu’s house, which now serves as the Ethnographic Museum, the Balabanov House and Georgi Mavridi’s house, typical examples of symmetrical homes, the Ancient Roman Amphitheater, the Roman Stadium, Hisar Gate, the Kaleiçi Neighborhood, and the Cuma Mosque, a remarkable example of Turkish architecture, along with the oldest churches in Plovdiv, the church of St. Constantine, Elena, and St. Nedelya. After a short free time, we will head back to Istanbul. After passport and customs procedures at the Svilengrad border, we will reach Istanbul through Edirne and bid farewell until we meet in our next tour.
Breakfast: This will be taken at the hotel as a buffet and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Free time in Plovdiv city center for lunch.
Dinner: At a resting facility on the Edirne – Istanbul highway.
Currencies: Bulgaria – Lev ( Average 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
Estimated Entry Time to Istanbul: Estimated: 22:30 depending on customs clearance