Balkan Gems by Bus (6 Nights) Departing from Izmir
Tour Detail
Tour Program
Izmir – Manisa – Balikesir – Bursa
Balkan Pearls by Bus
(8 Days 7 Nights, 6 Nights Accommodation)
8 Countries – 6 Capitals – 24 Cities
Greece – North Macedonia – Albania – Montenegro – Croatia –
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Serbia - Bulgaria
Kavala – Thessaloniki – Skopje (1) – Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Kičevo – Ohrid (1)
Elbasan – Tirana – Lezhë – Shkodër (1) – Podgorica – Petrovac – Budva – Kotor –
Herceg Novi – Dubrovnik – Medjugorje (1) – Mostar – Blagaj – Jablanica – Konjic – Sarajevo (1) – Belgrade (1) – Sofia
Departure Dates
18 January – 25 January – 19 March – 22 April – 26 April – 24 May – 14 June – 28 June – 12 July – 26 July – 9 August – 23 August – 6 September – 25 September – 23 October – 8 November – 15 November
Üç Kuyular 15:00, Üç Yol 15:30, Lozan Square, 16:00 Karşıyaka Monument 16:30, in front of Bornova Ege University Emergency Department 17:00, Manisa Bus Station 18:00, Balıkesir Bus Station 20:00, in front of Bursa Old Stadium 22:00, we begin our tour by picking up our valued guests from our departure points. We arrive at the İpsala border gate via Gallipoli. After completing the passport and customs procedures here, we continue our journey overnight.
Kavala – Thessaloniki – Skopje
After breakfast, which is taken independently in Kavala in the morning, we will taste the famous Kavala cookies and take a short photo break on the Kavala coast. We will then continue our journey toward Thessaloniki. In Thessaloniki, we will visit the house where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born, depart from here, and continue toward the Greek-Macedonian border. After passport and customs procedures, we will continue toward Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Upon arrival in Skopje, we will set out to explore the streets of this city embracing East and West. As we walk through the surviving section of the largest bazaar built outside the capital in Ottoman history, Kapan Han, Sulu Han, Çifte Hamam, Murat Pasha Mosque, Sultan Murat Mosque, the clock tower, the Stone Bridge, Skopje Fortress, the groups of statues built as part of the 2019 European Capital of Culture program, Macedonia Square, the Vardar River, and the statue of Alexander the Great are just some of what we will see in this magnificent city. If you are lucky and they have not sold out early that morning, you should try the famous acıbadem; if it is in season, you should definitely drink a cold boravitsa and taste kikiriki. After our tour, transfer to our hotel and accommodation in the rooms. Overnight at our hotel.
Skopje – Matka Canyon – Tetovo – Ohrid
After having our breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave our hotel with our luggage. Guests who wish may join the Matka Canyon tour to be organized as an extra (20 Euro) (Guests who do not join the tour will rest at a café along the way). Our guide takes us to Matka Canyon to enjoy a pleasant walk in nature and breathe in the fresh air. After our enjoyable walk here, we continue our journey toward Tetovo (Kalkandelen). You will be amazed when you see the Alaca Mosque, built by two sisters. We visit this mosque, decorated with the traditional hand-painted ornamentation known as kalem işi, an important form of decorative art in the Balkans, and taste the ice-cold water flowing from Mount Šar through its fountain before continuing our journey to Ohrid. After a short and delicious break in Straza along the route, we arrive in Ohrid and begin our walking city tour. During our tour of this beautiful city, famous for its pearl and itself as lovely as a pearl, situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid, some of the places we will see include the Ohrid houses, the Church of Hagia Sophia, the Damat Ali Pasha Mosque, the Halveti Tekke and Mosque, and the Turkish quarter. After exploring Ohrid on foot, free time is provided for shopping and enjoying yourselves. We recommend that you have a glass of Turkish tea or Turkish coffee in the Turkish quarter. Guests who wish may join the Ohrid Lake Boat Tour to be organized as an extra after the city tour (15 Euro). After an enjoyable and peaceful boat trip lasting approximately one hour on the lake, we return to Ohrid. Following our tour, we meet at the designated place and time and depart for our hotel. Upon arrival, we settle into our rooms. In the evening, guests who wish may join the Macedonian Night tour to be organized as an extra, featuring dinner, music, and entertainment (45 Euro) After enjoying the food and having lots of fun to Rumelian, Balkan, and Macedonian melodies, we transfer to our hotel and spend the night.
Ohrid – St. Naum – Tirana – Shkodër
After having breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave our hotel with our luggage. Guests who wish may join the Sv. Naum and boat tour to be organized as an extra (30 Euros). We head to the location of the Sv. Naum Monastery, also known as Sarı Saltuk, built right on the shore of the source of Lake Ohrid. We take a boat tour on the natural spring known as Black Drim, which boasts magnificent natural beauty. During the free time provided here after the boat tour, you may visit the church that houses the tomb of Sv. Naum. Following our tour, we proceed to the North Macedonia–Albania border crossing. After completing the customs and passport procedures here, we arrive in Albania’s capital, Tirana, via Elbasan. During the panoramic tour we will take here, Skanderbeg Square, the Skanderbeg statue, the opera house, Ethem Bey Mosque, and Enver Hoxha’s pyramid are just some of the sights we will see. During the free time provided, we recommend that you taste the famous Albanian dessert Trileçe, meaning “three milks.” Following our tour, we head via Lezhë to our hotel in Shkodër. Upon arrival, we settle into our rooms. Overnight at our hotel.
Shkodër – Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik – Medjugorje or Surroundings
After having breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave our hotel with our luggage. After completing our passport and customs procedures at the Albania–Montenegro border, we continue via Podgorica, Sutomore and Petrovac, and give our valued guests a short photo break at a viewpoint overlooking the island of Sv. Stefan, which was purchased by a Singaporean multi-billionaire. Following the photo break, we continue while viewing the famous coastal city of Budva panoramically from our vehicle. Immediately after Budva, one of the ideal destinations abroad for a seaside holiday, we arrive in Kotor, one of the important medieval sites that has survived to the present day. When you see the city of Kotor, which has defied the centuries in the depths of the bay and on the mountainside, one of Montenegro’s tourist centers, both your minds and hearts will remain here. During the city tour we will take on foot upon our arrival, the mansions of families that are very important to Kotor, St. Tryphon’s Church, the Orthodox church, squares and beautiful stories are just some of what we will see and hear. During our free time in this city, if the season and weather are suitable, you can climb the stairs to the chapel at the very top of the walls and take magnificent landscape photographs from there, follow the aromas in the narrow streets of the city to taste different and wonderful dishes, sip your drink in one of the squares, or visit the Cat Museum, one of the city’s most interesting museums. Do not forget to ask your guide where that wonderful cake is; it is our recommendation for all dessert lovers. After our free time, we leave Kotor and first travel from Montenegro to Croatia. Our guests who wish may join the extra Dubrovnik tour (40 Euro) (Guests who do not join the tour will rest at a facility). We arrive in Dubrovnik, one of the most popular holiday destinations in recent years, which was also used as a filming location for the popular series Game of Thrones and, historically, was a very important settlement in terms of its relations with the Ottoman Empire. During our walking tour inside the fortress, the Pile Gate, Ploče Gate, Onofrio’s Fountain, the world’s first pharmacy, the Franciscan Monastery, the Orlando Column, Sponza Palace and the Rector’s Palace are among the places we will see. Following our pleasant tour in this medieval-scented city, during our free time you can explore the city’s side streets, shop in the stores, taste seafood, or enjoy a pleasant coffee while watching the sea or the medieval streets. After our free time, we meet at the time and place specified by our guide, leave Dubrovnik and first travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Transfer to our hotel and check-in. Overnight at our hotel. (Depending on the density of the region, accommodation will be provided in the Medjugorje or Trebinje area.)
Medjugorje – Kravica – Mostar – Blagaj – Sarajevo
After having breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Guests who wish may join the Kravica Waterfalls tour, which will be organized as an extra (25 Euros). You will be fascinated by the Kravica Waterfalls, a wonder of nature. You should definitely enjoy a coffee overlooking the waterfall. After the pleasant time we will spend here, our next stop is Mostar, one of the most important cities in the region, famous for its bridge, which was destroyed by Croatian artillery fire during the Bosnian War in our recent history and later rebuilt with contributions from the Republic of Türkiye, and which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Mostar will take you to a completely different world with its narrow and authentic Ottoman-era streets. During our tour here, the Mostar Bridge, Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Catholic Cathedral, Turkish Consulate, and the martyrs' cemetery are among the places we will see. If we are lucky, we may also see young men who jump from the bridge for show, although this tradition dates back many years. During the free time we will provide after our tour, you may buy souvenirs unique to Mostar or take a pleasant meal break. After the free time, we meet our vehicle at the time and place specified by our guide and continue our journey. Guests who wish may join the Blagaj tour, which will be organized as an extra (20 Euros). Blagaj, where we will visit the Alperen Dervish Lodge built right beside the source of the Buna River, which springs from beneath the mountain, will allow you to create unforgettable memories. In addition to its natural beauty, we will also hear the story and history of the lodge from our guide. After our tour, we continue our journey toward Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the city center on foot. During our walking tour, some of the sights we will see include the sebil, Gazi Husrev Bey Madrasa, Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, the covered bazaar, the clock tower, the various shops of Baščaršija, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Eternal Flame, the Latin Bridge, and the Fatih Mosque. After our walking tour, you may enjoy Bosnian coffee in cafés unique to Bosnia, indulge in the wonderful Bosnian pastry, or explore the city by getting lost in its European and Ottoman-era streets. Transfer to our hotel after our tour. In the evening, guests who wish may join the Bosnian Night tour, which will be organized as an extra and will feature music, dinner, and entertainment. We recommend that you do not miss this enjoyable evening, during which we will taste Bosnia’s delicious dishes accompanied by Bosnian music (55 Euros). Transfer to our hotel after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.
Sarajevo – Belgrade
After having breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we check out and leave the hotel with our luggage. Guests who wish may join the Vrelo Bosna and Tunnel of Hope tour, which will be organized as an extra activity (30 Euros). On our tour, we first go to Vrelo Bosna, the source of the Bosna River. After taking a pleasant walk and photographs in this natural park, located at the foot of Mount Igman, just outside Sarajevo, we go to see the remaining section of the tunnel that gave hope to the people of Sarajevo and the country during the Bosnian War, which witnessed some of the most dramatic events in our recent history. After listening to our guide’s information about the war and the tunnel, we visit the house of Sida Nine, located in the garden of the tunnel, which is now open to visitors as a museum. Following our tour, we depart for Belgrade. With a pleasant journey through the highlands and villages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we cross the border gate over the Drina River, a river familiar to us from books, and enter another country included in our itinerary. After the winding roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we reach Belgrade while enjoying views of vast plains, villages and magnificent landscapes, the complete opposite of what we have seen. During the walking tour after our arrival, Knez Mihajlova Street, Kalemegdan Fortress, the Monument to France, Istanbul Gate, the Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, the panoramic viewpoint, the Victor statue, Zindan Gate, Leopold Gate, the clock tower and the city walls are just some of the sights we will see. Following our walking tour, you can stroll through the lively streets of Belgrade, taste different flavors of ice cream at the ice cream shop recommended by your guide, or enjoy a pleasant coffee while taking in the surroundings and the city. Following our tour, guests who wish may join the Belgrade Boat Tour, which will be organized as an extra activity (20 Euros). On this tour, which will take place on the Danube and Sava Rivers, you will have the opportunity to view the city of Belgrade from the river and see the War Island more closely. Following our tour, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms. Overnight at our hotel.
Belgrade – Sofia – İzmir
After the breakfast we will have at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and depart for Sofia with our luggage. Upon arrival in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, we begin our panoramic city tour. Some of the places we will see during this tour include Alexander Nevsky, the second-largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, the Russian Church, the Church of Hagia Sophia, the Rotunda Church, the Archaeological Museum, the Presidency, the Prime Ministry, and the Banya Bashi Mosque. After the free time we will have following the panoramic tour, we leave Sofia and continue towards the border crossing. Upon reaching the Kapıkule border crossing and completing the passport and customs procedures there, we return to Istanbul via the highway. Upon our arrival in İzmir, we drop off our valued guests at the points where we picked them up and bid you farewell, hoping to see you again on our next tour.
General Information
- Guests participating must have a valid Multi (Multiple-Entry) Schengen visa for the entire duration of the tour. (Green Passport holders are exempt from the visa requirement.)
- During the tour, having Euros will be sufficient for shopping and spending in all countries included in the program. In regions where the local currency is used, the Guide will assist with currency exchange.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sports shoes should be preferred throughout the trip. It is advisable to bring a cardigan or similar clothing for the evening.
- On our weekly tours, rotation (seat changes) is applied to the daily seating plan; therefore, a fixed seat or front-seat guarantee is not provided. Seat changes are organized by the vehicle guide.
- When entering Türkiye from abroad, staying for at least 1 day is mandatory in order to bring goods (alcohol, cigarettes, etc.).
- When entering Türkiye from abroad, the duty-free shopping limits are: Cigarettes: 3 cartons; Alcoholic Beverages: 1 liter of alcoholic beverages (excluding alcoholic beverages containing more than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne); Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters of alcoholic beverages (including alcoholic beverages containing less than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne); Perfume: 600 ml; Makeup or Skin Care Products: 5 items; Chocolate and Confectionery: 2 kg; Coffee: 1 kg; Tea: 1 kg
- Guides may make changes to the program flow, depending on weather and road conditions, provided that all places specified in the program are visited.
- The Travel Protection Package can only be added during the tour purchase process. It cannot be added later. It provides guests with an unconditional, uninterrupted cancellation right until 7 days before the travel date. It is non-refundable if not used. If the cancellation protection package is not purchased, guests have the right to cancel free of charge up to 30 days before the tour. A 30% penalty applies if fewer than 30 days remain before the tour date, and a 100% penalty applies if 20 days or fewer remain. Hospital reports, workplace permission documents, or similar documents obtained from authorities in Türkiye and submitted with the participant’s cancellation request unfortunately cannot be accepted for the cancellation of hotels where they will stay and services they will receive outside Türkiye.
- Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 25 people. If sufficient participation cannot be achieved for the trip, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days before the tour departure. İTC TUR will notify participants of tours canceled due to insufficient participation.
- In cases where only category information is provided without specifying a hotel name and/or where there are options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be announced by İTC TUR 2 days before the trip departure.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, and sports tournaments, hotels may be used at distances exceeding the specified kilometers. In such cases, İTC TUR will provide information 15 days before the tour departure date.
- Triple rooms may be provided depending on hotel availability, and the bed assigned to the 3rd person in such rooms is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds consist of beds referred to as folding beds and coach beds, tour participants making reservations for a 3rd person and/or child are deemed to have declared that they accept the possible lack of space in the rooms and the bed type. Child discounts are valid for one child accompanying 2 adults and belonging to the applicable age group.
- Breakfasts included in the tour program are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country visited and generally consist of a limited menu known as a continental breakfast, including butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee. For groups, breakfast may be served in a separate room allocated to the group.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours of no more than 2–3 hours, organized for a general introduction to the cities and conducted panoramically with commentary by the guide from inside the vehicle; they do not include museum or archaeological site admissions. İTC TUR is not responsible if panoramic tours, including the other tours specified in the program, cannot take place because local authorities do not permit visiting or entering the relevant places on the day and at the time corresponding to the tour, roads are closed due to any event, or weather conditions make it impossible to conduct the tour. Some tours may be conducted by public transportation or on foot, where possible, in locations with closed roads or where vehicle access is not permitted.
- At customs gates crossed by road during the journey, waiting times may exceed standard durations. İTC TUR cannot be held responsible for inconveniences arising from these waiting times.
- Optional tours are organized by the local İTC TUR with which we receive services, with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient participation cannot be achieved, the excursions may not take place, or the prices, content, and vehicle used for the optional excursions may vary according to the number of participants. In addition, the days and times of the tours may be changed by the guide depending on whether the museums and archaeological sites at the destinations are open or closed and on weather conditions.
- Optional tours are at the participant’s discretion and are not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to participate in optional tours organized during the tour are deemed to have accepted waiting at an available rest facility along the route. These passengers will be dropped off at a roadside rest facility before the optional tour begins and picked up from the same point after the tour is completed.
- For persons participating in tours involving flights, check-in and boarding procedures are personal responsibilities and must be completed by the guest before the flight at the relevant airline counters at the airports or online via the airlines’ websites.
- İTC TUR is not responsible for the inability to take the flight of persons who are not present at the specified airport at the times notified by İTC TUR for participation in the tour, who do not complete their check-in and boarding procedures on time, or who complete their check-in and boarding procedures on time but do not board the aircraft. All costs of the new round-trip flight tickets required for persons who miss the flight to join the tour and of their transfers in the destination region shall be borne by those persons.
- İTC TUR is an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delays on scheduled and charter flights, or the times may change before the existing trip and flight. İTC TUR is obliged to notify passengers of these changes as soon as possible. The passenger has purchased the trip by accepting the risk of schedule changes. Children aged 0–2 do not pay airport taxes or airport service fees.
- The types of vehicles used on our tours are classified according to the number of people as follows. The vehicle types listed below are assigned according to the number of participants on each tour.
- Buses: (Used for groups of 25–46 people) *Mercedes Travego/Tourismo *NEOPLAN Cityliner/Tourliner -*Temsa Safir/Maraton *Man Fortuna, Midibuses: (Used for groups of 17–24 people) *Isuzu Turkuaz, *Otokar Mega, Minibuses: (Used for groups of up to 16 people) *VW Volt, *Mercedes Sprinter
- All guests are deemed to have accepted the above terms and completed the purchase of the tour.