Bus Tour of Greater Italy & the Balkans Including 6 Nights Accommodation with Surrounding Excursions 2026

Day 1: Istanbul - Edirne

In front of the open parking lot of Kadıköy Nautilus Shopping Mall: 21:00

In front of Mecidiyeköy Polat Holding: 21:30

In front of İncirli Ömür Plaza: 22:00

We begin our tour by picking up our valued guests. Following the E80 highway via Selimpaşa and Silivri, we arrive at the Kapıkule border gate. After completing passport and customs procedures here, we continue our journey with an overnight drive.

Day 2: Sofia – Belgrade

After breakfast, which is taken freely on the road in the morning, we arrive in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and begin our panoramic city tour. During this tour, some of the places we will see include Alexander Nevsky, the second largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, the Russian Church, Saint Sophia Church, Rotunda Church, the Archaeological Museum, the Presidency, the Prime Ministry, and the Banya Bashi Mosque. After the panoramic tour, we will have free time, then meet at our vehicle and depart for Belgrade. After arriving in Belgrade, during our walking tour we will see Knez Mihajlova Street, Kalemegdan, the Monument of Gratitude to France, Istanbul Gate, Damat Ali Pasha Tomb, the panorama point, the Victor statue, the Zindan Gate, the Leopold Gate, the clock tower, and the walls, among many others. After our walking tour, you can stroll through Belgrade’s lively streets, taste different ice cream flavors at the ice cream shop recommended by your guide, or enjoy a pleasant coffee while watching the surroundings and the city. Overnight at our hotel.

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Belgrade (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Bulgarian Lev – Serbian Dinar

Route: Kapıkule Border Gate – Sofia (295 km), Sofia – Belgrade (393 km)

Approximate Distance to be Covered: 688 km

Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:30

Day 3: Belgrade – Ljubljana – Padova and surroundings

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. We pass through the Serbia - Croatia border and continue via Zagreb to reach the Slovenian border. Although both countries are members of the European Union, customs and passport controls still continue between them, so after completing our procedures we continue our journey toward the capital Ljubljana. Upon arrival, we begin our walking tour in this small but most romantic city in Europe. Ljubljana is a hidden gem among places to visit. During our tour, some of what we will see in this gem include Preseren Square, the Triple Bridge, the Dragon Bridge, and the castle. After the tour, during the free time given, you can eat and drink at the riverside cafes, shop for souvenirs, and if your visit coincides with market day, you can lose yourself in the neighborhood market. Meeting at the time given by our guide, we leave Ljubljana and cross into Italy to reach Padova. Transfer to our hotel for accommodation and overnight at our hotel. (Depending on seasonal availability, accommodation may be in the Padova region and surroundings.)

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Belgrade

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Ljubljana (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely on the way (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Croatian Kuna - Euro

Route: Belgrade – Ljubljana (531 km), Ljubljana – Padova (267 km)

Approximate Distance to be Covered: 798 km

Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 22:00

Day 4: Padova - Venice – Verona – Bergamo and Surroundings

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Our first stop is Venice, founded on 118 islands as a pirate colony in history. To reach San Marco Island, the largest among these islands and known as the real Venice, we go to our private vaporetto waiting for us at the Tronchetto port. After approximately a half-hour journey over the sea, we begin our walking tour on this island, which is named after Venice’s patron saint. Apart from the large natural canal called the Canal Grande, many artificially made canals also allowed easy access from the sea into the depths of the island. Today, because of these canals, you need to cross many bridges while walking around the island. In this beautiful place, where every corner holds history, some of what we will see include the Doge’s Palace, the prison, the Bridge of Sighs, the Basilica of San Marco, which contains some artifacts brought from Istanbul, San Marco Square, the bell tower, the astronomical clock, and the Rialto Bridge. After this beautiful visit, where we will find ourselves in different worlds through our guide’s narration and different stories, there will be free time. During free time, you can look around the shops selling items made of Murano glass, buy from the hundreds of mask varieties associated with Venice, sit in pleasant cafes and sip your drinks accompanied by the music played by the orchestra, or taste seafood cuisine. Guests who wish may join the optional Gondola tour, a must-do when it comes to Venice (30 Euro). This dreamlike half-hour journey among the waterways is an unforgettable experience that everyone should live at least once in their life. (Gondolas are for 6 people, and the stated price is per person. However, if our valued guests request it, a gondola tour can be arranged specially for couples, with music accompaniment if desired. For these special requests, you can learn the special prices from our guide.) After the free time, we meet at the place and time given by our guide, return to Tronchetto by private vaporetto, and continue our tour by bus. Our next stop is Verona, one of Italy’s most special cities, where the Romeo and Juliet love story took place. Upon arrival in the city where we can see Italy’s second largest arena, during our walking tour, some of what we will see include Bra Square, Verona Arena, and Juliet’s House. After the tour, during the free time we give, you can visit the shops of famous brands on Verona’s granite-paved shopping street, shop, sit in cafes in Bra Square and especially taste forest fruit panna cotta, or enjoy the day by sipping local drinks. After the free time, meeting at the place and time indicated by our guide, we head toward Bergamo accompanied by the scenery of the Alps. After arrival, transfer to our hotel and check-in to rooms. Overnight at our hotel. (Depending on the density of the region, accommodation will be in Bergamo or around Milan)

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Padova

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Venice (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Verona (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Euro

Route: Padova – Venice (44 km), Venice – Verona (121 km), Verona – Bergamo (116 km)

Approximate Distance to be Covered: 281 km

Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on traffic density: 20:30

Day 5: Bergamo – Milan – Pisa – Montecatini

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Our first stop is Milan, the capital of fashion in the Lombardy region. During our walk here, some of what we will see include the Milan Duomo, whose original name is Mariae Nascenti and which is the city’s symbol, Vittoria Emanuele II Gallery, La Scala Theater, the Leonardo da Vinci statue, Vittoria Emanuele Square and statue, and Sforza Castle. After the tour, during the free time we give, you can visit stores of world-famous brands and shop. With the end of our tour, we set off toward the city of Pisa, home to one of the world’s most interesting and most visited towers. Upon arrival, we walk to the religious complex that also includes the Pisa Tower, where Galileo Galilei conducted his experiments. After listening to our guide about the interesting story of the tower and the city, we take the famous photos with the tower, which is a must-do when coming here. After shopping at the souvenir stalls in the area during the free time given, we proceed by bus to the Montecatini Terme region where we will stay. After arrival, transfer to our hotel and check-in to rooms. After settling into the hotel, we especially recommend that you take an evening walk in this pleasant town. Overnight at our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Bergamo

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Milan (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Montecatini (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Euro

Route: Bergamo – Milan (54 km), Milan – Pisa (282 km), Pisa – Montecatini (47 km)

Approximate Distance to be Covered: 383 km

Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on traffic density: 20:30

Day 6: Montecatini – Florence – Siena – Rome

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. First, we go to Florence, one of the most important cities of the Renaissance, where there are more works of art per square meter than anywhere else in the world. During the city tour we will do on foot here, some of what we will see include the Florence Duomo, known as Santa Maria del Fiore, the baptistery, Signoria Square, Palazzo Vecchio, Neptune Fountain, Vecchio Bridge, and Republic Square. During the free time we give here, we especially recommend that you see the leather market and taste Florence’s delicious meats. After the free time, meeting at the place and time told by our guide, we set off toward another medieval wonder. When we arrive in Siena, a city made famous by the world-renowned bareback horse races called Palio, during the walking tour we will do, you will truly feel as if you have been transported to the Middle Ages. Every part of Italy is beautiful in its own way, but you will never be able to erase Siena from your memory. In Campo Square, which we will reach by walking through its winding streets, the Mangia Tower and the Palazzo Pubblico will welcome us. Siena Cathedral, which is just behind the square, is one of the structures that must be seen architecturally. After our walking tour, during which we will also see many other works, you can buy flags representing Siena’s districts and eat and drink snacks at the cafes around the square during free time. After the free time, we meet with our guide and walk to the point where our bus will pick us up. Our direction now is the capital, Rome. Upon arriving in this history-filled city that was once the capital of one of the most important empires in history, our first stop will be Castel Sant’Angelo and its bridge, mentioned by Dan Brown in his books and where Cem Sultan was once held captive. Next, our visit point is Navona Square, which was used as a stadium for races in imperial times and today has the same structural plan but is surrounded by houses and a magnificent church, and where various artists perform freely in the evenings. This square, with the fountain of the four rivers in the middle and the church made behind it by Bernini, will fascinate you. This important point, which is now highly frequented by painters, mime artists, and musicians, is also known as the artists’ square. After taking our photos here, we go to the Pantheon, one of the oldest structures in the city. After listening to the story of this building, which has defied centuries, from our guide, there will be free time. You can have your dinner during free time at one of the many restaurants around you. Pizza, pasta, or seafood are just a few of the options. After the free time, we return to our bus and set off toward the Colosseum to take night photos. After taking night photos of this giant arena built in Rome for gladiator fights, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Montecatini

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Florence (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Rome (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Euro

Route: Montecatini – Florence (41 km), Florence – Siena (59 km), Siena – Rome (233 km)

Approximate Distance to be Covered: 333 km

Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on traffic density: 23:30

Day 7: Rome – Vatican – Naples

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Our first stop is the Vatican, the smallest state in the world. This small state, consisting of the area around St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, is a very important place of worship for Christians. After receiving information from our guide about many important topics such as the construction process of the basilica, the square, its architects, important statue groups on and inside the structure, and the assassination attempt on the Pope, we take our photos during the free time given and, if the church visit is appropriate, complete our visit and leave the Vatican. Our next plan is a Rome city tour. We begin our walking tour with the Colosseum to explore the city of Rome, where every stone you step on bears a trace of history. We see the structure we photographed under the night lights yesterday, this time in daylight. After listening to our guide about the story of this magnificent structure, where hundreds of people lost their lives, we reach Venice Square at the end of the road we walked by seeing the Roman Forum. After this square, which includes the Vittoria Emanuele II monument, one of the city’s most special structures, we follow Via Del Corso street and see the Trevi Fountain (Fountain of Love), then the Four Prophets monument, the Spanish Steps, and Popolo Square, among only a few of the places we will see during this tour. The city has such an important historical fabric that it is possible to discover a new detail at every corner. After our walking tour, there will be free time. We strongly recommend tasting the Italian ice cream and handmade pastas associated with Rome. Be sure to ask your guide where the best tiramisu in the city is. After our tour and free time, we meet at the time our guide tells us and set off for Naples. Upon arrival, be ready to encounter an Italy different from the one we have seen so far. However, its people are very warm and sincere. During the tour we will do here, some of what we will see include the Umberto I Gallery, Castel Nuovo, Naples Cathedral, and the port. During the free time we give after the tour, we recommend tasting the iced drinks made with lemon and the local baba dessert. With the end of our tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Rome

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Rome (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Naples (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Euro

Route: Rome – Vatican (29 km), Rome – Naples (225 km)

Approximate Distance to be Covered: 254 km

Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on traffic density: 21:00

Day 8: Naples – Pompeii – Brindisi / Bari

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Our first stop is Pompeii, located right on the edge of Mount Vesuvius, one of the important ancient cities in history. In this city, famous for its petrified people, sidewalks, houses, pedestrian crossings, baths, temples, and incredible stories await you. (Pompeii entrance fee and local fees are the responsibility of the guest) After the tour in Pompeii, there will be free time for your souvenir shopping. After meeting at the time given by our guide, we head toward the port of Brindisi or Bari for our ferry journey to Greece. After customs procedures, we board the ship. We continue our journey to Greece with an overnight voyage. Overnight on the ship.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Naples

Lunch: Will be taken at a local restaurant in Pompeii (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Bari/Brindisi (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Euro

Route: Naples – Pompeii (25 km), Pompeii – Bari (386 km) Brindisi

Approximate Distance to be Covered: 436 km

Ship Check-in Time: Estimated depending on the ship arrival time: 00:00

Day 9: Brindisi / Bari – Igoumenitsa – Kavala – Istanbul

In the morning, after the ship docks at the port of Igoumenitsa, we disembark from the ship with our vehicle. After a rest stop on the road, upon arriving in Kavala we taste the famous Kavala cookie and then give you free time for lunch. After lunch, we continue our journey toward the Ipsala border gate. Upon arrival at the border, we complete passport and customs procedures and continue toward Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, we bid farewell to you, our valued guests, by dropping you off at the points where we picked you up, hoping to see you again on our next tour.

Breakfast: Will be taken freely on the ship (Not included in the price)

Lunch: Will be taken at a local restaurant in Kavala (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely at a facility on the way (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Euro

Route: Igoumenitsa – Kavala (473 km), Kavala – Istanbul (460 km)

Approximate Distance to be Covered: 933 km

Ship Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 00:30

SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Transportation by luxury buses,

• 6 nights accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels

• 6 breakfasts to be taken at hotels

• Brindisi or Bari – Igoumenitsa ferry ticket (Deck type)

• All intercity transfers explicitly stated as included in the program

• All tours and excursions stated as included in the program

• Professional Turkish-language guiding services

• Local guiding services required in some regions

• Checkpoint and parking fees

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Multiple-entry Schengen visa

• Personal and extra expenses

• Lunches and Dinners

• Pompeii entrance and local fees

• Drinks taken during meals

• Overseas exit fee

• Optional guide and driver tips (5 Euro per person)

• Museum and archaeological site entrance fees

• Vaporetto fee (15 Euro)

• Gondola tour optional (30 Euro)

• Florence and Venice headset fee (1.5 or 2 Euro)

• Overseas travel health insurance

• Hotel city taxes (per person taxes collected under the name of City Tax, between 5 and 9 euros per person; since they vary depending on the hotel’s proximity to the city center, the hotel star rating, and the number of nights stayed, they are collected by the guide at the beginning of the tour and paid to the hotel)