Grand Balkan Tour From Istanbul to Ljubljana Slovenia

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul (Turkey)
1 stop
1
Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, where East meets West. After a warm welcome at the airport, transfer to your centrally located 4★ hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a leisurely walk through the lively Sultanahmet district or along the Galata Bridge, watching fishermen cast their lines against the shimmering Bosphorus. In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner of Turkish mezze and grilled specialties, setting the tone for your Balkan adventure. Overnight: Istanbul
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Istanbul’s Treasures: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı & Bosphorus
1 stop
2
Istanbul
Today is devoted to the cultural heart of Istanbul. Step inside Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece that has been a cathedral, mosque, and museum, glowing with golden mosaics. Wander into the Blue Mosque, with its iconic six minarets and delicate blue İznik tiles. Walk across the Hippodrome, once the stage of chariot races in Byzantine times. In the afternoon, explore the Topkapı Palace, once home of sultans, with its courtyards, harem, and jewel-studded treasury. Later, bargain for souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets. Optional sunset cruise on the Bosphorus to see Istanbul illuminated from the water. Overnight: Istanbul
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Istanbul → Edirne → Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
1 stop
3
Plovdiv Old Town
Depart Istanbul, driving west to Edirne, the second Ottoman capital. Pause to admire the Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site designed by master architect Mimar Sinan. Continue across the border into Bulgaria and arrive in Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Explore the cobbled lanes of the Old Town, lined with colorful 19th-century mansions, and marvel at the Roman Theatre, still used for concerts today. In the trendy Kapana district, enjoy free time for dinner in one of its creative cafés. Overnight: Plovdiv
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Plovdiv → Bachkovo Monastery → Sofia
1 stop
4
Bachkovo Monastery
This morning, visit Bachkovo Monastery, nestled in the Rhodope Mountains. Its medieval frescoes and serene courtyards make it a spiritual treasure. Journey onward to Sofia, Bulgaria’s lively capital. Visit the majestic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, its golden domes gleaming against the sky. Explore Roman Serdica ruins beneath the city center and stroll along Vitosha Boulevard, the city’s main pedestrian avenue. In the evening, enjoy Bulgarian cuisine paired with local wine. Overnight: Sofia
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Sofia → Rila Monastery → Skopje (North Macedonia)
1 stop
5
Rila Monastery
Depart for the forested Rila Mountains to visit the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site famed for its arcaded balconies and vibrant 19th-century frescoes. Afterward, cross into North Macedonia, reaching Skopje, a city of contrasts: Ottoman bazaars, Byzantine churches, and modern statues. See the Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, wander through the Old Bazaar, and admire the city from Kale Fortress. Evening free to taste Macedonian tavče gravče (bean stew). Overnight: Skopje
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Skopje → Matka Canyon → Ohrid
1 stop
6
Ohrid
Morning option: a short boat ride through Matka Canyon, where limestone cliffs rise dramatically and caves hide underground rivers. Later, drive to Ohrid, the “Pearl of the Balkans,” set on the shores of a deep-blue lake. Visit the clifftop Church of St. John at Kaneo for postcard-perfect views, stroll the bazaar filled with pearl shops, and relax on the lakeside promenade. Sunset over Lake Ohrid is unforgettable. Overnight: Ohrid
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Ohrid UNESCO → Tirana (Albania)
1 stop
7
Ohrid
Spend the morning exploring UNESCO-listed Ohrid, once known as the “Slavic Jerusalem.” Visit St. Sophia Church, Plaošnik archaeological site, and the unique Bay of Bones museum. Continue through mountain scenery into Albania, arriving in Tirana. Discover the colorful Skanderbeg Square, the bustling New Bazaar, and the café-lined Blloku district, once closed to common Albanians during the communist era. Overnight: Tirana
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Tirana → Shkodra → Kotor Bay (Montenegro)
1 stop
8
Kotor
Stop in Shkodra, Albania’s oldest town, dominated by Rozafa Castle with sweeping lake views. Continue to Montenegro’s jewel: the Bay of Kotor, a fjord-like bay dotted with medieval towns. Visit Perast, with its baroque palaces, and take a boat to the tiny island church of Our Lady of the Rocks. End the day inside the fortified walls of Kotor Old Town, where marble lanes and Venetian palaces evoke another era. Overnight: Kotor
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Kotor → Budva → Dubrovnik (Croatia)
1 stop
9
Dubrovnik
Enjoy a seaside coffee in Budva, known for sandy beaches and medieval ramparts. Cross into Croatia to reach legendary Dubrovnik. Walk along the UNESCO-protected city walls, gaze at the terracotta rooftops and Adriatic Sea, and stroll the marble-paved Stradun boulevard. Free evening for seafood dining overlooking the harbor. Overnight: Dubrovnik
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Dubrovnik → Mostar → Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
1 stop
10
Sarajevo
Head inland to Mostar, a city blending Ottoman and Mediterranean influences. Walk across the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), rebuilt after war, and browse artisan copper workshops. Continue through mountain passes to Sarajevo, the “Jerusalem of Europe.” Stroll the Baščaršija bazaar, sip Bosnian coffee at the Sebilj fountain, and learn about history at the Latin Bridge, where WWI began. Dinner with Bosnian specialties such as ćevapi. Overnight: Sarajevo
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Sarajevo → Belgrade (Serbia)
1 stop
11
Belgrade
Visit the moving Tunnel of Hope, a lifeline during the 1990s siege. Drive through rolling landscapes into Serbia, arriving in dynamic Belgrade. Explore Kalemegdan Fortress, overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, and stroll lively Knez Mihailova Street. Evening option: dine in the bohemian Skadarlija quarter, where traditional taverns echo with folk music. Overnight: Belgrade
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 12
Belgrade → Zagreb (Croatia)
1 stop
12
Zagreb
Morning visit to Zemun riverside or a quick coffee at Belgrade’s floating barges before heading north to Zagreb. Explore the colorful Upper Town, ride the world’s shortest funicular, and admire the tiled roof of St. Mark’s Church. Shop for local produce at Dolac Market and enjoy Zagreb’s café culture. Overnight: Zagreb
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 13
Zagreb → Postojna/Predjama → Ljubljana (Slovenia)
1 stop
13
Ljubljana
Stop at Postojna Cave, riding a small train into a vast underground world, and nearby Predjama Castle, dramatically built into a cliff. Arrive in Ljubljana, one of Europe’s greenest capitals. Walk the lively Ljubljanica riverside, cross the iconic Triple Bridge, and take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for panoramic views. Overnight: Ljubljana
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 14
Ljubljana + Lake Bled → Departure
1 stop
14
Lake Bled
End your journey with a magical excursion to Lake Bled, where you can row to the island church and taste the famous Bled cream cake. Transfer to Ljubljana Airport for your onward flight. Tour ends, but the memories of the Balkans will last a lifetime.
8 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available

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