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19 Days Europe Balkan Countries Tour

Istanbul, Plovdiv, Sofia, Rila Monastery, Sandanski, Melnik, Thessaloniki, Vergina, Thermopylae, Athens, Kalambaka, Ohrid, Tirana, Budva, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Travnik, Bihać, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Ljubljana, Zagreb,
Duration

19 day(s)

Tour type

Private

Group size

10-30 people

Physical Level

relax

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Tour Overview

Experience the rich history, cultural treasures, and stunning landscapes of Southeast Europe on this immersive 19-day Balkan tour. Spanning 8 countries, this journey takes you through ancient empires, Byzantine churches, Ottoman towns, coastal paradises, and alpine beauty.

Begin your adventure in Istanbul, the vibrant gateway between Europe and Asia. Travel through the historical heart of Bulgaria, from Plovdiv's Roman ruins to the charming town of Melnik. In Greece, explore Thessaloniki, the sacred site of Vergina, legendary Thermopylae, the classical majesty of Athens, and the breathtaking Meteora monasteries in Kalambaka.

Continue north to Ohrid, Macedonia’s lakeside gem, before discovering the spirited city of Tirana in Albania. Enjoy the Adriatic beauty of Budva and the walled city of Dubrovnik, before moving through Bosnia and Herzegovina, with cultural stops in Mostar, Sarajevo, Travnik, and Bihac. End your journey in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana and the charming old town of Zagreb, Croatia.

Activities
In-depth Cultural Photography Sightseeing Solo Travel Walking Tour Adventure Combined Country Discovery Explorer Family Historical

Tour Features

Duration
19 day(s)

Max Group Size
10-30 people

Tour Code
19DEBCT

Departure Type
scheduled

Tour Category
Combined Country

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In

Age Requirement
10 - 90

Istanbul

Pickup Time:

----------------

Zagreb

Dropoff Time:

Highlights
Embarking on a journey from Istanbul, Turkey, through Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia, and concluding in Zagreb, Croatia, promises an enriching exploration of diverse cultures, historical sites, and natural landscapes.

Itinerary

Day 1

(Dinner included)
Welcome to Turkey Istanbul Airport.
Meet with TravelShop Booking staff and transfer to your hotel.
Transfer from the airport & check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, we have Istanbul City Tour. Our first visit will be HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Than we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Our next see will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Today it is a mosque. You can see it from outside.  After that see TOPKAPI PALACE, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. You can see it from outside.    The Basilica Cistern Museum is one of the most important cultural assets where we can trace the traces of glorious Istanbul history. With its 80,000-ton water storage capacity, Yerebatan Cistern is the largest covered cistern in the city and stands out with more reclaimed supporting elements compared to other covered cisterns. Covering an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, this colossal structure has a rectangular shape with a length of 140 meters and a width of 70 meters. You can see it from outside.  After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Dinner at Indian restaurant and Overnight in Istanbul.

 

If you would like to visit with entrance below sites;

Topkapi Palace Museum Entrance Fee. You pay the door price.

The Basilica Cistern Museum Entrance You pay the door price.

Please Note: Please do not forget to carry Scarf with you because of visiting to Blue Mosque & Haghia Sophia Mosque

Day 3

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and Depart for BulgariaArrive in Plovdiv around noon.in Bulgaria.
Check in to the hotel and the rest of the day is yours. Explore Plovdiv city, shop in the local markets, or enjoy many big parties or games in Casinos.Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 4

(Breakfast included)
Departure for Sofia.Guided sightseeing tour of the city center, including a visit to Alexander Nevski Cathedral - one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction; St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, National Theatre, former Royal Palace, today housing the National Revival Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, Presidency, etc. Upon request – dinner at a traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 5

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Departure for Rila Monastery - the most exquisite example of the monastery art and architecture in Bulgaria.
Guided tour of the monastery complex.
Visit Nativity of the Virgin Church with its miraculous icon of the Virgin and splendid gilded iconostasis, the old kitchen, the monastery museum where you can learn about the long and heroic history of the monastery, the wood-carved cross made for a period of twelve years by a monk called Rafael, Hrelyo’s Tower and many spectacular views from the mountain and the surrounding nature.Drive to Sandanski in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Sandanski.

Day 6

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Drive to Melnik - the smallest town in Bulgaria famous for its excellent wines and sandstone rocky pyramids.
Visit Kordopulova museum-house. Around noon departure for GreeceIt is your free day to explore and enjoy Thessaloniki on your own.
Depending on the time of arrival, you can spend the day walking around, doing the shopping, or relaxing in one of many cafeterias or Taverns in Thessaloniki downtown. Dinner in Thessaloniki

Day 7

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, drive to Vergina, the most important remains of the monumental palace of the Kingdom of Macedonia, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tombs some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world. Lunch will be offered at a local restaurant in Vergina. After lunch, drive back to Athens. On the way, make a short stop at Thermopylae where a fierce battle took place between the Persians and Greeks during the Persian invasion of 480-479 BC. The Greek force (300 strong) was very small but was determined to make a stand against the huge Persian army. Overnight in Athens.

Day 8

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
After Breakfast Athens's full-day city tour starts with a visit to Acropolis, Parthenon, Olympic Stadium, Olympian Zeus Temple, Lycabettus Hill, and Greek Ancient Market. Lunch and Shopping afterward at Syntagma Square, MonastirakiBack to hotel, Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 9

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Proceed to KalambakaLunch at arrival. 
Half-day city tour with a visit to Meteora, Theopetra CaveCheck-in hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kalambaka

Day 10

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included) Breakfast.
Proceed to OhridArrival, lunch.
Half-day city tour with a visit to Hadzi Turgut Mosque, Old Bazaar, Zeynel Abidin Pasha Tekke, Krst DazmijaCheck-in and have dinner at the hotel

Day 11

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Proceed to Tirana.
Half-day city tour: Mosque of Ethem Bay, Clock Tower, National Museum. Lunch. Proceed to Budva.
Arrival, check-in hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Budva

Day 12

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Half-day city tour of Old town BudvaLunch at arrival.
Proceed to DubrovnikArrival, check-in at the hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 13

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of this UNESCO protected pearl of the Adriatic and its Cathedral, Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery (included Old Pharmacy), Clock Tower, Orlando’s Columns, Sponze Plaza, Dubrovnik City. Lunch in the old city. Free time, Dinner, and Overnight at hotel in Dubrovnik.

Day 14

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Breakfast, Check out hotel. Transfer to Mostar, Proceed for city tour – visit Karadjoz Bey mosque and Muslibegovic house – walk through the old town and old bridge listed as UNESCO heritage site. Continue to drive to SarajevoLunch at Local Restaurant on the Way at Jablanica, arrive at Sarajevo, Free time at Old City and check-in the hotel, Dinner, and Overnight in Sarajevo

Day 15

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for tour to visit Vrelo Bosne – spring of river Bosnia, Tunnel museum – the only means of going in and out during the siege of Sarajevo in last war.
On Foot Tour of old town Bascarsija, Latin bridge, a place where the Austro Hungarian Archduke was assassinated, what triggered the 1st World War; Brusa resistant – covered market place; Gazi Husref Bey Mosque- built-in 1530 year during the Ottoman era – and Gazi Husref Bey Madras; Monica Han built-in 1551; Vijecnica – town hall for the Austro-Hungarian era. Lunch at the local restaurant. Afternoon, free for shopping. Back to hotel, Dinner, and Overnight in Sarajevo

Day 16

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Breakfast at hotel, check-out the hotel to Bihac on the way visit of the Pyramids of Bosnia.
Continue driving to Travnik, visit the mosque in Travnik including Suleiman. Travnik has located 90 km to the west of the city of Sarajevo, the Bosnian governor from 1697 to 1850, Lunch at Local Restaurant in Travnik, continue to drive to Bihac, Check-in the hotel, Leisure time enjoying the waterfalls and Una river which is best for Rafting, Dinner, and Overnight in Bihac.

Day 17

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Breakfast at hotel, Check-Out and proceed to Ljubljana, towards Plitvice National Park, a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour of the 16 crystal-blue lakes cascading into 92 spectacular waterfalls.
Walk on the wooden promenades with magnificent views on the waters where every turn leads to breathtaking scenery and yet another waterfall. Surrounded by dense woods, Plitvice Lake is a natural phenomenon of rare and unique beauty. Continue drive to Ljubljana, view the Central open-air Market, Baroque Town Hall, Robba's Fountain, the Three Bridges, and Lunch at Local Restaurant, Check-in the hotel, Dinner, and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 18

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Proceed to city visit of the highlights after the breakfast including the upper and lower town, the majestic Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, Lunch at Local Restaurant, free time exploring the winding streets of the old town, free at leisure for the rest of the day, Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 19

(Open buffet breakfast included)
Breakfast at hotel. Check-out the hotel. Departure to the airport. We hope this was a memorable tour for you and looking forward to see you again on another tour of ours. Thank you for joining us

Included

2 Nights’ accommodation in Istanbul - Pullman Hotel or or 5 Star La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul

1 Night accommodation in Plovdiv - Ramada Trimontsium Hotel

1 Night accommodation in Sofia - Princess Hotel Sofia - Jasmin Hotel

1 Night accommodation in Sandanski - Sveti Nikola Hotel 4*

1 Night accommodation in Thessaloniki - Holiday Inn Hotel

2 Nights’ accommodation in Athens - Polis Grand Hotel 4*

1 Night accommodation in Kalambaka Antoniadis Hotel 4*

1 Night accommodation in Ohrid - Miracle Hotel

1 Night accommodation in Budva - Tino Hotel & SPA

2 Nights’ accommodation in Dubrovnik - Neptun Hotel 4*

2 Nights’ accommodation in Sarajevo - Hollywood Hotel 4* - Grand Hotel 3*

1 Night accommodation in Bihac - Kostelski Buk Deluxe 4*

1 Night accommodation in Ljubljana - Plaza hotel 4*

1 Night accommodation in Zagreb - Movie hotel 3*

PS: If This hotel list not available at the time of your booking then we will arrange similar other hotel for your group.

If you prefer a Different category hotel, there might be an additional cost

Professional English speaking tour guides

Meals mentioned in above Itinerary

All Airport transfers mentioned in above program

All coach transportation by fully equipped buses

All Guided Sightseeing Trips with entrance fees as above

Excluded

International flights

Insurance: All types

City Tax

Country entry Visas

Optional land excursion

Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry

Any others expenses which are not mentioned at the included section.

Hotel room taxes

Tipping

Tour Booking

Travelers
Departure Month
Private Tour Prices
Start End
Jan 12, 2026 Jan 30, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 13, 2026 Jan 31, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 14, 2026 Feb 1, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 15, 2026 Feb 2, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 16, 2026 Feb 3, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 17, 2026 Feb 4, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 18, 2026 Feb 5, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 19, 2026 Feb 6, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 20, 2026 Feb 7, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 21, 2026 Feb 8, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 22, 2026 Feb 9, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 23, 2026 Feb 10, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 24, 2026 Feb 11, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 25, 2026 Feb 12, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 26, 2026 Feb 13, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 27, 2026 Feb 14, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 28, 2026 Feb 15, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 29, 2026 Feb 16, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 30, 2026 Feb 17, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room
Jan 31, 2026 Feb 18, 2026 €6675 (%10 Off) €6008
Triple room

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