HEAD-TO-HEAD BALKANS TOUR 8 COUNTRIES
2026
FULL DAY TOURS AND DINNERS INCLUDED
VRELO BOSNIA NATIONAL PARK – POÇITEL TOUR – SVETI NAUM TOUR – MATKA CANYON TOUR – BLAGAY TOUR SARAJEVO BOSNIAN MEATBALLS AND LOCAL RESTAURANTS WITH AUTHENTIC MACEDONIAN PROGRAMS INCLUDED, DIFFERENTLY
Civilizations, Cultures and Beliefs,
At the Convergence Point of the Balkans Journey to the Heart of the Region
Date and Civilizations Meeting Point.
Bulgaria – Serbia – Bosnia & Herzegovina – Croatia
Montenegro – Albania – North Macedonia - Greece
Sofia – Belgrade – Sarajevo – Konjic - Mostar – Blagaj - Poçitel – Trebinje – Dubrovnik – Herceg Novi - Kotor – Budva – Igoumenitsa – Tirana – Ohrid – Struga – Tetovo – Skopje
Tour Departure Dates :
April 19 / April 26 / May 17 / May 24 / May 31 / June 7 / June 14 / June 21 / June 28 / July 5 / July 12 / July 19 / July 26 / August 2 / August 9 / August 16 / August 23 / August 30 / September 13 / September 27 / October 11 / October 25 / November 8
Special Days :
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day : April 19
May 19 Atatürk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day : May 17
Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı) : May 24
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day : July 12
Republic Day : October 25
November Break : November 8
Day 1 Ankara - Sofia
Our first day, departing at 14:30 from the Front of the National Library, at 15:00 from the Ümitköy Bridge, and at 15:45 from in front of Eryaman Optimum, heading to Kapıkule border crossing. After completing customs, passport, and border procedures, we head towards Sofia.
Day 2 Sofia – Belgrade
Early morning arrival in Sofia and starting our panoramic city tour. Places to see include St. Nedelya Church, Russian Church, Rotunda Church, Hagia Sophia Church, Parliament, National Library, Old Royal Palace, Sofia University, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Prime Ministry, and Banya Başı Mosque. We will also have the chance to see the army barracks where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wore Janissary uniforms and participated in a balloon event. After the tour, we depart for Belgrade, Serbia.
Upon arrival in Belgrade, we start a panoramic city tour; the vibrant and bustling symbol of Europe’s oldest cities, begins with Knez Mihailova street. Next, we visit the Belgrade Fortress, historically one of the supply centers of the Ottoman navy, including the Keyguard Monument, French Monument, Istanbul Gate, Military Museum, Damat Ali Pasha Mausoleum, Sokullu Fountain, and a terrace with the most beautiful view of the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Guests can optionally participate in a boat activity on the Danube and Sava rivers (20 EUR). After the tour, free time is provided. Accommodation in Belgrade at the hotel.
Breakfast: Extra breakfast at the rest area, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Serbian Restaurant at Sofia; extra free time as determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be at our hotel or a restaurant and included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Abba etc. – Belgrade
Currency : Bulgarian Lev (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 Leva)
Route: İstanbul-Sofia (551 km), Sofia – Belgrade (392 km)
Total Distance Covered: 943 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 19:00 depending on border crossing time
Day 3 Belgrade – Sarajevo – Vrelo Bosna
After breakfast, we depart for the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo. After arrival, we will tour the city, which has been the cultural center of the Balkans for centuries, and was the place where World War I started after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, it was heavily damaged due to the destructive conflicts between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but it still preserves much of its beauty. We will undertake a panoramic city tour of Sarajevo, including Baščaršija Square, with its symbolic Saraybosna Sebil Fountain, Morica Han, Hüsrev Bey Mosque (relatives of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent), Clock Tower, the famous fountain, and the meeting point of cultures, which is also home to the Unquenchable Fire monument. Free time can be spent photographers at the Latin Bridge where World War I started. After the tour, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
The local Bosniak Köfte (meatball) dinner will be arranged at a traditional restaurant (included in the price). The overnight stay will be at a hotel in Sarajevo.
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel, included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Free time in Sarajevo city center, extra charged, opportunity to taste local specialties recommended by the guide, such as Bosnian Burek, Onion Dolma, Köfte, Bosnian Coffee.
Dinner: Will be at the hotel or a restaurant, and included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Leotar etc., Sarajevo or surrounding areas
Currency : Bosnia & Herzegovina Convertible Marka (Average Rate 1 Euro: 1.95 KM)
Route: Sarajevo – Mostar (126 km), Mostar – Trebinje (116 km)
Total Distance Covered: 242 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Depending on border crossing, estimated: 19:00
Day 4 Sarajevo – Blagaj - Mostar – Trebinje (Dubrovnik)
After breakfast, we depart for Mostar. Before that, we visit Blagaj, then reach Mostar. (Included in the price!) Upon arrival, we visit the famous Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by architect Hayreddin, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. The bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992 but was reconstructed and reopened in 2004 with significant Turkish contributions. We explore the Old Town bazaar. After free time for shopping in the local markets, we head for accommodation in the city. First, we visit the 16th-century Ottoman village Poçitel, preserved in its original form. Dwellers there still speak Turkish. Afterward, we arrive in Trebinje or nearby regions based on regional density. Overnight at the hotel. Optional evening tour in Dubrovnik with local dinner (45 EUR).
During the Dubrovnik panoramic tour, we explore the old city square listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site by walking; walls, towers, Franciscan Monastery, Rector’s Palace, city gates, watchtowers, and other significant structures. After the tour, we transfer back to our hotel.
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel, included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Free time in Mostar city center, extra charge, opportunity to taste local flavors such as Bosnian Fish Pie, Goulash, Meatballs, Bosnian Coffee.
Dinner: Will be at the hotel or a restaurant, included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Leotar etc., Trebinje or nearby
Currency : Bosnia & Herzegovina Convertible Marka (Average Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM)
Route: Sarajevo – Mostar (126 km), Mostar – Trebinje (116 km)
Total Distance Covered: 242 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Depending on border crossing, estimated: 19:00
Day 5 Trebinje – Kotor – Budva – Tirana – Ohrid
After breakfast, we cross into Montenegro, one of the youngest countries in the world. Our first stop is Kotor, a place of great history, nature, and touristic interest. In Kotor, we will walk through the Old Town (Stari Grad) and get to know this charming town. After the tour, we pass through Budva, once a fishing settlement, now a place under restoration by a Singaporean billionaire. We will enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful St. Stefan island. Then, we cross into Albania through Tirana and head to Ohrid. Overnight stay in Ohrid.
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel, included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Free time in Kotor city center; extra charge; opportunity to taste local delicacies like seafood, mezze, grilled meats, and native beverages.
Dinner: Will be at our hotel or a restaurant, included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc., Ohrid
Currency : 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 Covered: 417 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Depending on border crossing, estimated: 23:30
Day 6 Ohrid – St. Naum - Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After breakfast at the hotel, we continue through the Mavrovo mountains and head towards Ohrid, a Mediterranean-like town in the Balkans. We start the Ohrid city tour with Liman Square, where we will see statues and learn about the history of the area, including the filming spot of the TV series "Elveda Rumeli." We explore the historic Ottoman houses, Hagia Sophia Church, and the famous Ohrid Pearl presentation. Optional boat tour on Lake Ohrid is available for our guests (15 EUR). Afterward, we proceed to Skopje, the capital, passing through Tetovo, famous for the Alaca Mosque and Imam Hatun Mosque, built by two sisters. We will introduce the city with Macedon’s sculptures, including the enormous Alexander the Great statue, and cross the Old Turkish Bazaar through the Stone Bridge. We visit Topkapi Hamam, Kapan Han, and Murat Pasha Mosque, with free time for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Typical Macedonian items such as Shushka peppers, ustrumca peanuts, and traditional slippers are available. At the end of the day, transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. There is a Macedonian Night with local food and music (additional cost). Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel, included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Free time in Ohrid city center; extra charge; opportunity to taste local dishes such as Ohrid trout, Köfte, and stews.
Dinner: Will be at our hotel or a restaurant, included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc., Skopje or nearby
Currency : Macedonia – Denar (Average Rate 1 Euro : 60 Denar)
Route: Ohrid - Tetovo (Kalkandelen) (133 km), Tetovo - Skopje (45 km)
Total Distance Covered: 178 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 19:00
Day 7 Skopje – Matka Canyon - Thessaloniki - Ankara
After breakfast, we visit the breathtaking Matka Canyon (included in the price!). Afterwards, we head to Thessaloniki. Upon arrival, we start the Thessaloniki city tour, including Kordon Street, White Tower, Rotunda, Fairs Square, and sites of Ottoman and Byzantine heritage, such as Agios Dimitrios Cathedral, Alexander the Great Statue, Hamza Bey Mosque, and notable squares and monuments. The tour concludes with a visit to the house where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born. Then, we follow the route via Didim, Dedeağaç, and Ipsala border crossing to Ankara.
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel, included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Serbest time in Thessaloniki city center; extra charge.
Dinner: Will be at the rest stop on the way back, extra or included depending on arrangements.
Route: Thessaloniki - Kavala (153 km), Kavala - Istanbul (443 km)
Total Distance Covered: 830 km
Istanbul Entry Time: Estimated: 02:00 depending on border crossing