From Istanbul to Dubrovnik: Balkan Capitals & Culture Tour

Enjoy the Adventure

Experience a captivating 7-day journey from Istanbul to Dubrovnik, exploring some of the Balkans’ most vibrant cities. Begin in Istanbul with its stunning landmarks and rich history, then fly to Sofia for a glimpse of Bulgaria’s cultural treasures. Continue to Skopje, where you’ll discover the city’s historical sites, and head to Prizren to enjoy its charming streets and local cuisine. In Tirana, immerse yourself in Albania’s capital before traveling through Montenegro’s picturesque Kotor. Conclude your adventure in the stunning city of Dubrovnik, with its medieval beauty and coastal charm. This tour offers a blend of city tours, optional excursions, and unique cultural experiences.

Your journey concludes in the breathtaking city of Dubrovnik, often celebrated as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” With its stunning blend of medieval beauty and coastal charm, Dubrovnik provides the perfect setting to wrap up your adventure. Enclosed within magnificent stone walls and overlooking the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, the city offers a unique mix of history, architecture, and vibrant local life.

As part of your experience, you’ll enjoy guided city tours that take you through the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Stroll along narrow cobblestone streets, admire the elegant palaces and churches, and walk atop the famous city walls for panoramic views that are nothing short of unforgettable. The combination of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture creates a timeless atmosphere that transports you back through centuries of history.

In addition to city tours, this journey allows you to take part in optional excursions, whether it’s a boat ride along the coast, a culinary experience highlighting local Dalmatian flavors, or an exploration of nearby cultural gems. Each moment offers the chance to immerse yourself in the region’s unique traditions and warm hospitality.

Blending scenic landscapes, cultural encounters, and historic charm, Dubrovnik marks the perfect finale to a journey designed to leave lasting impressions and unforgettable memories.

Itenirary

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul and self transfer to the hotel. Check-in and enjoy some free time to explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Accommodation:
Dosso Dossi Hotel or Recital Hotel Istanbul

Day 2: Istanbul

After breakfast start your half day city tour with hotel pick up and visiting famous places like Spice Bazaar and Rustem Pasha Mosque. Cruise along from the Rumeli Hisarı Fortress along the Bosphorus Strait, take some photos, relax and watch the panoramic view of Istanbul.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) was built between 1597 and 1664, also it is the second oldest covered bazaar in the city. You can find exotic aromas and various spices. It contains fruit vegetable, flower and fish shops inside.
Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and splits the European and Asian sides of Turkey. This romantic cruise along the Bosphorus will allow you to admire the Dolmabahce Palace, the Beylerbeyi Palace the Ciragan Palace. Ancient wooden villas and bridges and all the wonderful and unique maritime landscapes.

Accommodation:
Dosso Dossi Hotel or Recital Hotel Istanbul
Meal:
Daily Breakfast
Lunch and Dinner:
Will be purchased additionally at local restaurants directed by the guide on the route.
Visit:
Istanbul city tour with licensed tour guide.

Day 3: Istanbul to Sofia (by flight)

After breakfast, organized transfer to the airport for your flight to Sofia, Bulgaria (flight included, with varying times). Upon arrival in Sofia, organized transfer to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy some free time to relax or explore the city. In the evening, join a welcome meeting with your guide to learn more about the upcoming journey. Overnight in Sofia.

Accommodation:
Best Western Terminus Hotel, Sofia
Meal:
Daily Breakfast

Day 4: Sofia to Skopje

After a hearty breakfast, delve into Sofia’s rich cultural heritage with a guided tour of its major landmarks. Visit the awe-inspiring Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a monumental symbol of Bulgarian Orthodoxy, and the historic St. Sofia Basilica, one of the city’s oldest churches, continue your exploration with National Art Gallery, Presidential Palace, known for its impressive architecture and ceremonial significance. Following your Sofia tour, embark on a journey to another country of Balkan, capital city of North Macedonia Skopje, the bustling capital of North Macedonia. Upon arrival, enjoy a comprehensive city tour, discovering highlights such as the ancient Kale Fortress overlooking the city, the iconic Stone Bridge spanning the Vardar River, the lively Macedonia Square with its grand statue of Alexander the Great, and the historic Mustafa Pasha Mosque. Spend a relaxing evening at a comfortable Skopje hotel, reflecting on your day’s adventures.

Accommodation:
Doa Hotel, Skopje
Meal:
Daily Breakfast
Lunch and Dinner:
will be purchased additionally at local restaurants directed by the guide on the route.
Visit:
Panoramic Sofia City Tour, Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, Skopje city tour, Vardar River, Stone Bridge.
Route:
Sofia-Skopje 244km

Day 5: Skopje to Tirana via Matka Canyon, and Prizren

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before setting out for Tirana. Along the way, consider a picturesque stop at Matka Canyon, a natural wonder renowned for its dramatic landscapes and serene lake (optional 25 euros per person). Continue to the city of Prizren, visiting another Balkan country Kosovo. Prizren is a charming city in Kosovo known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Explore notable sites such as Prizren Castle, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, the elegant Sinan Pasha Mosque, the tranquil White Drin River, and the bustling Sadrvan Square. Take some time to shop for local handicrafts and savor traditional cuisine before proceeding to Tirana, the lively capital city of another Balkan country, Albania. Check in to your hotel and enjoy an overnight stay in this dynamic city.

Accommodation:
Albanopolis Hotel, Tirana
Meal:
Daily Breakfast
Lunch and Dinner:
will be purchased additionally at local restaurants directed by the guide on the route.
Visit:
Sadrvan Square, Sinan Pasha Mosque
Route:
Skopje – Prizren 105km Prizren – Tirana 180km

Day 6 :Tirana - Kotor (Montenegro) - Dubrovnik

Enjoy a flavorful breakfast in Tirana before departing for another Balkan countries Montenegro and Croatia to Dubrovnik. Meeting with your driver at your hotel and continue to the journey, visit the historic city of Kotor, guided by a local expert who will unveil the city’s secrets. Discover Kotor’s captivating highlights, including the medieval Castle of Kotor perched high on the city walls, the stunning Triphun Cathedral, the intriguing Archive Museum, and the renowned Wall of Shame, a testament to the city’s storied past. Kotor Bay, with its stunning natural beauty and cultural significance, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring Kotor, relish some free time to soak in the picturesque views and local atmosphere before continuing to Dubrovnik. Arrive in Dubrovnik, check in at your hotel, and spend the night in this enchanting city, known for its stunning old town and crystal-clear waters.

Accommodation:
Ivka Hotel, Dubrovnik
Meal:
Daily Breakfast
Lunch and Dinner:
will be purchased additionally at local restaurants directed by the guide on the route.
Visit:
Kotor old town
Route:
Tirana-Kotor 201km; Kotor-Dubrovnik 92km
Important notice:
because of seasonal crowds, there may be a delay in arrival times at the hotel.

Day 7: Dubrovnik

After breakfast, self-transfer to the airport for your departure, marking the end of your tour.

Meal:
Daily Breakfast

Included

Accommodation:

Stay in 4 or 3-star hotels: Enjoy comfortable accommodations throughout the expedition in double or twin rooms. Bed and Breakfast Service: Start each day with a hearty breakfast to fuel your explorations.

Flights:

Flights included. Day 3: From Istanbul to Sofia.

Guide:

Professional Guide: A guided tour in Istanbul, Ohrid, Skopje, Kotor covering iconic landmarks and historical sites with local guide. Professional and knowledgeable guides accompanying you from Day 4 in Sofia through to Day 5 in Tirana, ensuring an insightful and enriching experience throughout your journey.

Meals:

Daily breakfast provided at the hotels.

Additional Services:

Immerse in Culture: Engage with the local culture through visits to historic sites, museums, and old town areas. Free Time for Exploration: Personalized Exploration: Enjoy free time in each location for self-guided exploration, shopping, and savoring local cuisine. Flexibility: Strike the perfect balance between structured tours and independent discovery.

Transport:

Transportation: Luxurious bus journey for the specified routes, ensuring a pleasant travel experience. Coordination with the Ajdinis Group for specific parts of the journey, enhancing the overall experience. We customize our vehicle selection according to group size and needs. Sedans are deployed for smaller groups of up to 3 people, while minivans accommodate groups of up to 8 individuals. For larger groups exceeding 8 passengers, we rely on Sprinter vans. This special approach has been designed to ensure the comfort and efficiency of all passengers, regardless of group size, providing a seamless travel experience for everyone onboard.

Excluded

Insurance:

Not included, yet highly recommended.

Optional:

Enhance your experience with optional excursions, such as Canyon Matka in Skopje 25eu.

Important reminder:

Entrance fees to museums, historical sites, airport transfers at the start and end of the tour are not included., city taxes in Greece, and any other items not specified in the program are not included in the tour price. These expenses must be covered directly by the guests.

Gallery

Map

Murat M.

14:17 17 Nov 24

If you want to have a quality holiday experience, you should choose Ajdinis travel.

medyen V.

18:15 12 Nov 24

It was a nice tour, we were satisfied

Bashkim Q.

13:19 12 Nov 24

I had an absolutely unforgettable experience with You on our adventure tour! From start to finish, every detail was perfectly planned, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in each activity without a worry. Your guides were knowledgeable and very passionate about making sure everyone had a great time. Whether we were trekking through it stunning landscapes, visiting old parts of the cities or walking through every moment was filled with excitement and camaraderie. I can’t recommend this tour enough to anyone seeking thrills and unforgettable memories!

Albin A.

09:03 12 Nov 24

Well-organized trips with excellent service.

Hayley W.

00:02 05 Oct 24

5/5 for accomodation
5/5 for airport transfers, pre and post accomodation and communication with main office when needed.
Young company that is looking to continually improve. They are going to upgrade their small vans which is essential. All guides are extremely informative. Still learning and adjusting their tours based on feedback, they are going to be great!

stefansi S.

22:02 14 Sep 24

İt was small group of guest arround world,
And unique intinerry arround Balkans,Greece and Turkey.
For 10days we visited Athens,Meteora,Sofia,Dubrovnik,istanbul Cappadokia..
Rich destination,good hotels and perfect helpfull guides.

Thank you guys.