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A historic mosque with multiple minarets and domes, surrounded by trees and a body of water. 1
A group of people standing on a bridge with a historic building in the background. 2
An aerial view of a historic town square with a prominent church and surrounding buildings. 3
A classical Greek temple with columns and a statue in the foreground, set against a cityscape with buildings and trees. 4
An aerial view of a city with a large circular structure, possibly a stadium, surrounded by residential buildings and greenery. 5
By Radfesta Travel and Tours
Free cancellation available
Price is €3,692 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 15d
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup

Overview

  • See nine countries in one 15-day private Balkan journey from Istanbul, with hotels, transport, border crossings, and daily routing arranged for you.

    Travel through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia. Along the way, explore Plovdiv, Sofia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Ohrid, and Skopje, with stops at monasteries, fortresses, historic old towns, and scenic areas including Transylvania, the Drina River valley, and Lake Ohrid.

    This Balkan multi-country tour includes a private guide/driver, 14 nights in 4-star hotels, land transport, airport transfers, border assistance, and 14 breakfasts.

    • Private 15-day Balkan tour from Istanbul
    • Explore 9 countries across Southeast Europe
    • 14 nights in 4-star hotels
    • Private guide/driver and arranged land transport
    • Airport transfers and border assistance included

Activity location

  • Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Turkiye

Check availability

Grand Balkan Tour From Istanbul to Ljubljana Slovenia

  • Activity duration is 15 days15d
    15d

Pickup included

Starting time: 08:00
Price details
€3,692.31 x 2 Adults€7,384.62
Total
Price is €7,384.62
Until Wed, 4 Nov

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Border assistance
  • Inclusions
    14 nights accommodation in selected 4★ hotels
  • Inclusions
    All land transport Turkey – Balkans – Albania – North Macedonia
  • Inclusions
    Airport arrival & departure transfers
  • Inclusions
    Private guide/driver for 15 days
  • Inclusions
    Lunch
  • Inclusions
    Rent-a-car for the entire itinerary
  • Inclusions
    Dinner
  • Inclusions
    Tour planning and operational coordination
  • Exclusions
    Lunch and dinners excluded
  • Exclusions
    Flights
  • Exclusions
    Entrance fees (museums, monasteries, fortresses, UNESCO sites)
  • Exclusions
    Bosphorus cruise and other optional excursions
  • Exclusions
    Local specialist guides where required
  • Exclusions
    Tips and personal expenses
  • Exclusions
    Travel insurance
  • Exclusions
    Visa fees (if applicable)

Know before you book

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transport options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Specialised infant seats are available
    • Transport options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
    • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Turkey

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: snacks
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Istanbul

  • 8h
Arrive in Istanbul and meet your driver for the transfer from the airport to your hotel. Check in and take some time to rest after your journey. In the evening, join a welcome dinner and briefing to go over the route and what to expect during the days ahead.

Day 2: Istanbul City Tour

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Istanbul

  • 8h
Spend the day exploring some of Istanbul’s best-known landmarks, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and Topkapi Palace. In the afternoon, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise before having free time to explore the Grand Bazaar at your own pace.

Day 3: Istanbul – Plovdiv, Bulgaria

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Plovdiv Old Town

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket not included
Leave Istanbul and travel to Plovdiv, a drive of approximately five hours. Explore Plovdiv’s Old Town on foot, including the Roman Theatre and the lively Kapana District. In the evening, you can choose to join an optional Bulgarian folklore dinner.

Day 4: Plovdiv – Sofia

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Bachkovo Monastery

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket not included
Begin the day with a visit to Bachkovo Monastery before continuing to Sofia. After arriving in the Bulgarian capital, see landmarks including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Theatre, and Roman ruins. Finish with free time around Vitosha Boulevard.

Day 5: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Veliko Tarnovo

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Rila Monastery

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket not included
Travel from Sofia to UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria’s most important historic and religious sites. After the visit, continue to Veliko Tarnovo, the country’s medieval capital.

Day 6: Veliko Tarnovo – Bucharest, Romania

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Tsarevets

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket not included
Start with a short tour of Veliko Tarnovo and a visit to Tsarevets Fortress. Then cross the border into Romania and continue to Bucharest. On arrival, take a panoramic city tour before settling in for the night.

Day 7: Bucharest – Sibiu – Hunedoara – Timisoara

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Transylvania

  • 8h
Travel through the landscapes of Transylvania, stopping in Sibiu along the way. Continue to Hunedoara Castle before heading west to Timisoara, where you will spend the evening.

Day 8: Timisoara – Novi Sad – Belgrade, Serbia

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Petrovaradin Fortress

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket not included
Cross into Serbia and stop in Novi Sad to visit Petrovaradin Fortress, overlooking the Danube River. Continue to Belgrade, arriving in the evening for a city tour of the Serbian capital.

Day 9: Belgrade – Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Sarajevo

  • 8h
Leave Belgrade and travel through the scenic Drina River valley towards Sarajevo. On arrival, explore Sarajevo’s historic Old Town, Baščaršija, along with the Latin Bridge and Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque.

Day 10: Sarajevo – Mostar – Dubrovnik, Croatia

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Dubrovnik

  • 8h
Travel from Sarajevo towards the Adriatic coast, stopping in Mostar to see its famous Old Bridge and historic Ottoman quarter. Continue to Dubrovnik, where the evening is free for you to explore or relax at your own pace.

Day 11: Dubrovnik – Kotor – Budva, Montenegro

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Kotor Old City

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket not included
Begin with a walking tour around Dubrovnik’s historic city walls before continuing south into Montenegro. Visit UNESCO-listed Kotor Old Town, with its narrow streets, historic buildings, and setting beneath the surrounding mountains.

Day 12: Budva – Shkodra – Tirana, Albania

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Rozafa Castle

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket not included
Leave Budva and continue towards Albania. Stop in Shkodra to explore Rozafa Fortress before travelling on to Tirana. In the capital, visit Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku District.

Day 13: Tirana – Ohrid, North Macedonia

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Tirana

  • 8h
Leave Tirana and cross into North Macedonia. Continue to the Lake Ohrid area, where you will visit the Church of St. John at Kaneo and explore the Old Bazaar.

Day 14: Ohrid – Skopje

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel 4★

Lake Bled

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket not included
Travel from Ohrid towards Skopje. On arrival, explore some of the city’s main landmarks, including the Old Bazaar, Stone Bridge, and Mother Teresa Memorial House. End the journey with a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.

Day 15: Departure from Skopje or Return to Istanbul

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Not included

Istanbul (Pass by)

After breakfast, transfer to Skopje Airport for your departure. Depending on your travel arrangements, an optional return journey to Istanbul can also be made by road or flight.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Turkiye

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