Home / Europe, Turkey Tours / Combined Country

21 Day Europe Balkan Combined Tour

Istanbul, Bursa, Uludag, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Bergama, Troy, Canakkale, Edirne, Plovdiv, Sofia, Rila Monastery, Sandanski, Melnik, Thessaloniki, Vergina, Kalambaka, Skopje, Ohrid, Tirana, Budva, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Visoko, Travnik, Bihać, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Ljubljana, Bled, Zagreb,
Duration

21 day(s)

Tour type

Private

Group size

10-30 people

Physical Level

relax

img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 21-day odyssey through the crossroads of Europe and the Balkans, exploring 9 countries filled with cultural treasures, legendary battlefields, ancient cities, and dramatic natural beauty.

Start in the timeless city of Istanbul, then journey through Turkey's historical heartlands—from Ottoman-era Bursa and the ancient ruins of Troy, to the poignant WWI memorials of Gallipoli and charming Edirne. Cross into Bulgaria to explore the Roman heritage of Plovdiv, the capital Sofia, and the picturesque towns of Melnik and Sandanski.

In Greece, marvel at ancient Thessaloniki, the royal tombs of Vergina, and the sky-high monasteries of Meteora in Kalambaka. Discover the vibrant cultures of the Western Balkans—Skopje and Ohrid in North Macedonia, the capital of Albania, scenic Budva on the Adriatic coast, and the medieval jewel of Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Travel deep into Bosnia & Herzegovina, uncovering its Ottoman bridges in Mostar, the complex heritage of Sarajevo, and the mystical allure of Visoko, Travnik, and Bihac. End your journey in Slovenia, visiting fairytale-like Ljubljana and stunning Lake Bled, before concluding in Zagreb, Croatia’s elegant capital.

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

Tour Features

Duration
21 day(s)

Max Group Size
10-30 people

Tour Code
21DEBCT

Departure Type
guaranteed

Tour Category
Combined Country

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In

Age Requirement
11 - 90

Istanbul

Pickup Time:

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

Zagreb

Dropoff Time:

Highlights
Embarking on a journey from Istanbul to Zagreb offers a rich exploration of diverse cultures, historical sites, and natural landscapes across Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Croatia. Here are the highlights you can expect from each destination:

Itinerary

Day 1

Meet at the airport and Transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2

(Open buffet 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 and Dinner included)
After breakfast, at 08:00 am, we depart for Bursa; the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and one of the great treasure houses of Islamic architecture. Visit the Green Mosque and the neighboring Green Mausoleum, both world-renowned for their superb tile decoration. See Great Mosque, which has the largest indoor space within all the mosques in Ottoman architecture. Visit Kozahan, once the center of silk trade. Textile fabrics of silk obtained from cocoons of Bursa has played an important role in Bursa’s being the center of textile. After that, drive to the village of Cumalikizik. This is one of the best-preserved Ottoman villages in Turkey with scores of picturesque houses built in the traditional style. The historical texture of the village has been well protected and the civilian countryside architectural structures of the early Ottoman period are still intact. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Bursa.

Day 4

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After breakfast and at 08:00, we have 5 Hour drive to Ephesus. We have lunch in Ephesus and then we will do a Turkish Village Tour. Sirince's construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all original with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. We will visit the vineyards and it is time to learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish wine makers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. After the art tour, we drive to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After breakfast and at 08:00 We will visit to Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world en - route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curates street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theatre. After the tour, we will visit the place of one of our sponsors which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey in a carpet weaving center. During our visit, we will have a chance to see the Turkish women who are working in the factory. After the art tour, we drive to back to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
We depart at 08:30 and drive around 3 hours to Pergamon. Lunch break around 13:00pm and after the lunch, we depart for tour of the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre at that times. Bergamon is a famous city for its jewellery, stones and silver. So on the way, we will visit a jewellery center for 30 minutes, after lunch, drive to ancient sight of Troy. Visit the famous archeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After Troy tour, Arrival to Canakkale by 18:00pm. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 7

(Breakfast and Dinner included)
At 07:30am, we depart for Gallipoli to visit the battle fields. Two hours later, we will give you 20 minutes to relax in a restaurant area. We arrive Gallipoli around 12:00am and we have lunch break, relax a little bit and then depart for the battle fields. Visit Gabatepe Museum. Start visiting the fields with Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove because these are the places where the war had started. Then Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau. Afterwards, we drive towards to border. Overnight in Edirne.

Day 8

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

Day 9

(Breakfast included)
Departure for Sofia. Guided sightseeing Tour of the city center including 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 10

(Breakfast included)
Departure for Rila Monastery - the most exquisite example of the monastery art and architecture in Bulgaria. Guided tour of the monastery complex. Visit to Nativity of the Virgin Church with its miracle 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. Overnight in Sandanski.

Day 11

(Breakfast included)
Drive to Melnik - the smallest town in Bulgaria famous for its excellent wines and sandstone rocky pyramids. Visit to Kordopulova museum-house. Around noon departure for Greece. It 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 down town. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 12

(Breakfast 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 to Kalambaka. Overnight in Kalambaka.

Day 13

(Breakfast included)
Breakfast at hotel and check out to proceed to Ohrid. Arrival at Ohrid City, transfer for City Tour. A visit to Hadzi Turgut Mosque, Old Bazaar, Zeynel Abidin Pasha Tekke, Krst Dazmija. Lunch at a local restaurant in Ohrid. Proceed to Tirana, arrival and On Foot Tour of Tirana. Visit Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower and free time for shopping. Check in to the hotel. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 14

(Breakfast included)
Breakfast at the Hotel and check out to proceed to Montenegro via Shkodra, old town of Shkodra- visit the traditional road built in the XXth Century which bears the distinctive features, stop for taking photos at Molo Promenade, Shetitorja, Skadar Lake, continue to drive to Budva, visiting Sveti Stefan, Old City Budva. Lunch in Tivat, continue drive to Dubrovnik. Check in to the hotel. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 15

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

Day 16

(Breakfast 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 drive to Sarajevo, Lunch at Local Restaurant on the Way at Jablanica, arrive at Sarajevo, Free time at Old City and check-in the hotel. Overnight in Sarajevo.

Day 17

(Breakfast included)
Breakfast at 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, place where the Austro Hungarian Archduke was assassinated, what triggered the 1st World War; Brusa bezistan – covered market place; Gazi Husref Bey Mosque- built in 1530 year during the Ottoman era – and Gazi Husref Bey Madrass; Morica Han built in 1551; Vijecnica – town hall for the Austro-Hungarian era. Lunch at the local restaurant. Afternoon, free for shopping. Back to hotel. Overnight in Sarajevo

Day 18

(Breakfast included)
Breakfast at hotel, check-out the hotel to Bihac on the way visit of the Pyramids of Bosnia Visoco, Visoco Mountain, that is the first European pyramid located in the heart of Bosnia. Continue driving to Travnik, visit to the mosque in Travnik including Suleimania. Travnik is 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 drive to Bihac , Check-in the hotel , Leisure time enjoying the waterfalls and Una river which is best for Rafting. Overnight in Bihac.

Day 19

(Breakfast 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 a 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. Overnight at the Hotel in Ljubljana.

Day 20

(Breakfast included)
Breakfast at hotel, Check-Out to proceed to Zagreb and drive to Lake Bled, a beautiful glacial lake in the Julian Alps. Lake Bled is set amid forests and mountains and is one of the most picturesque destinations in Europe, continue drive to Zagreb, arrive Zagreb, City Tour with a wealth of historic monuments. Visit of the highlights 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. Proceed to hotel, Check-In, free time. Overnight at the Hotel in Zagreb.

Day 21

(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 Ramada Golden Horn Hotel

1 Night accommodation in Bursa - Uludag - Bursa Sheraton

2 Nights’ accommodation in Kusadasi - Suhan 360 Hotel

1 Nigh accommodation in Canakkale - Troia Tusan Hotel

1 Night accommodation in Edirne - Ramada Hotel

2 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

1 Night accommodation in Kalambaka - Antoniadis Hotel 4*

1 Night accommodation in Tirana -- Mondial Hotel

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 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

Insurance: All types

All Tour & Airport transfers mentioned in above program

All Guided Sightseeing Trips with entrance fees as above

Excluded

International flights

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
Nov 3, 2025 Nov 23, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 4, 2025 Nov 24, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 5, 2025 Nov 25, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 6, 2025 Nov 26, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 7, 2025 Nov 27, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 8, 2025 Nov 28, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 9, 2025 Nov 29, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 10, 2025 Nov 30, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 11, 2025 Dec 1, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 12, 2025 Dec 2, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 13, 2025 Dec 3, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 14, 2025 Dec 4, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 15, 2025 Dec 5, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 16, 2025 Dec 6, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 17, 2025 Dec 7, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 18, 2025 Dec 8, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 19, 2025 Dec 9, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 20, 2025 Dec 10, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 21, 2025 Dec 11, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 22, 2025 Dec 12, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 23, 2025 Dec 13, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 24, 2025 Dec 14, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 25, 2025 Dec 15, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 26, 2025 Dec 16, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 27, 2025 Dec 17, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 28, 2025 Dec 18, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 29, 2025 Dec 19, 2025 €3484
Triple room
Nov 30, 2025 Dec 20, 2025 €3484
Triple room

Curaçao Fascinating Travel

Curaçao Fascinating Travel
Hi there 👋

How can I help you?
×
Chat with Us
Logo