Express Balkan Tour 2 Nights 4 Days
EKPRESS BALKAN TOUR
3 COUNTRIES – 2 CAPITALS
2 NIGHTS 4 DAYS
Greece - Macedonia – Bulgaria
Greece - Macedonia – Bulgaria
Tour Departure Dates :
January 22 / January 29 / February 12 / March 19 / April 23 / April 30 / May 16 / May 28 / June 11 / June 25 / July 9 / July 23 / August 6 / August 20 / September 3 / September 17 / October 15 / October 29 / November 12 / November 26 / December 10
January 22 / January 29 / February 12 / March 19 / April 23 / April 30 / May 16 / May 28 / June 11 / June 25 / July 9 / July 23 / August 6 / August 20 / September 3 / September 17 / October 15 / October 29 / November 12 / November 26 / December 10
Special Days :
January Semester: January 22 / January 29
Ramadan Feast and April Semester : March 19
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day: April 23
May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day: April 30
May 19 Youth and Sports Day: May 16
Sacrifice Festival: May 28
November Semester: November 12
Tour Program
Day 1 Istanbul – Kavala
On the first day of our trip, we depart from Kadıköy Marriage Office at 21:00, from Mecidiyeköy Oto Ekspertiz at 21:30, and from İncirli Ömür Plaza at 22:00, continuing our journey from Beylikdüzü Marmara Park Front. We proceed to the Ipsala border gate via Tekirdag. After completing passport and customs procedures, we arrive in Kavala via Dedeagac, Gumulcine, and Iskece.
Day 1 Istanbul – Kavala
On the first day of our trip, we depart from Kadıköy Marriage Office at 21:00, from Mecidiyeköy Oto Ekspertiz at 21:30, and from İncirli Ömür Plaza at 22:00, continuing our journey from Beylikdüzü Marmara Park Front. We proceed to the Ipsala border gate via Tekirdag. After completing passport and customs procedures, we arrive in Kavala via Dedeagac, Gumulcine, and Iskece.
Day 2 Kavala – Thessaloniki - Skopje
After arriving in Kavala, we stop to have breakfast and taste the delicious Kavala cookies. After the breakfast break, we take a brief photo stop along the beautiful Kavala beaches and head towards Thessaloniki. Upon our arrival in Thessaloniki, we begin our panoramic city tour.During our panoramic city tour, we will see the Kordon, White Tower, Rotunda, Fair, Thessaloniki Fortress, and Ottoman and Byzantine artifacts. After visiting the house of Ulu Önder Atatürk, which is currently in the garden of the Turkish consulate, we proceed to Skopje. Upon arrival, we start our Skopje city tour; we will make a half-day panoramic tour of Skopje, the birthplace of Yahya Kemal Beyatlı. Among the places to see are the Old Train Station, the statue and house of Mother Teresa, Stone Bridge, Fortress, Old Town from the Ottoman period, Bazaar, and Mustafa Pasha, Sultan Murad Mosques, Davud Pasha Bath, Kapan, Sulu and Kurshunlu Hancers, which are among the finest architectural heritages of the Ottomans in the Balkans. We will stay at our hotel in Skopje.
Day 3 Skopje (Tetovo - Ohrid) )
After having breakfast at our hotel, we have a full day of free time. Guests who wish can join the optional Tetovo - Ohrid tour including a boat trip (60 EUR). We set off for Ohrid, known as the Pearl of the Balkans. On the way, we stop in Tetovo (Kalkandelen) to visit the Alaca Mosque and city center. After our visits, we make a short journey to Ohrid. During our walking tour, we will see the Historical Plane Tree Square, the Churches of St. Bogorodica Kameusko, St. Sophia (from outside), the Statue of St. Clement of Ohrid and its Square, the Old Turkish Mansions used as a museum, the Ancient Theater from the Roman era, and St. Pantaleon Church. After our city tour, we take a boat trip on Ohrid Lake to explore the city in a different way. After the boat trip and free time, we head back to Skopje. Overnight at our hotel. Guests who wish can join the optional Macedonian Night tour (40 EUR).
Day 4 Skopje – Sofia – Istanbul
After breakfast, we depart from Skopje towards Sofia. Guests who wish can join the optional tour of Matka Canyon, which is known for its unique beauty (25 EUR). After the journey, we arrive in Sofia. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the largest church in the Balkans, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Library, Sofia University, Old Royal Palace, National Bulgarian Theater built in neoclassical style, Archaeological Museum, Old Sofia - Syndicate city, and Rotunda Church. After visiting, we will walk from the parliament building to have a panoramic view of Sofia Statue and take a photo break; we will visit the landmark Banya Bashi Mosque. After our visits and free time, we head towards Istanbul. After a short free time, we embark on our journey to Istanbul. After passport and customs procedures at Svilengrad border gate, we reach Istanbul via Edirne and bid farewell until our next tour.
After breakfast, we depart from Skopje towards Sofia. Guests who wish can join the optional tour of Matka Canyon, which is known for its unique beauty (25 EUR). After the journey, we arrive in Sofia. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the largest church in the Balkans, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Library, Sofia University, Old Royal Palace, National Bulgarian Theater built in neoclassical style, Archaeological Museum, Old Sofia - Syndicate city, and Rotunda Church. After visiting, we will walk from the parliament building to have a panoramic view of Sofia Statue and take a photo break; we will visit the landmark Banya Bashi Mosque. After our visits and free time, we head towards Istanbul. After a short free time, we embark on our journey to Istanbul. After passport and customs procedures at Svilengrad border gate, we reach Istanbul via Edirne and bid farewell until our next tour.
What's Included
* Transportation with Lux Buses
* Local professional Turkish guiding services
* 2 Nights accommodation in Skopje in 3 or 4* Hotels and breakfast
* Mandatory local guiding services in some cities
* Kavala tour
* Thessaloniki tour
* Skopje tour
* Sofia tour
* All highway check-point and parking fees
* City Taxes
* Customs Fees
* Panoramic city tours specified in the program.
* Limited water service on the bus
* Local professional Turkish guiding services
* 2 Nights accommodation in Skopje in 3 or 4* Hotels and breakfast
* Mandatory local guiding services in some cities
* Kavala tour
* Thessaloniki tour
* Skopje tour
* Sofia tour
* All highway check-point and parking fees
* City Taxes
* Customs Fees
* Panoramic city tours specified in the program.
* Limited water service on the bus
Not Included
* Museum and historical site entrance fees.
* Extras purchased at the hotel.
* All personal expenses
* Breakfast taken during the break in Kavala.
* Lunch and dinner
* Tips for the driver and guide
* MULTI SCHENGEN VISA (HOLDERS OF GREEN PASSPORTS ARE EXEMPT FROM VISA).
* International departure fee
* International travel health insurance
INFORMATION,
- All participating guests must hold a valid Multi-Entry Schengen visa for the entire duration of the tour. (Green passport holders are exempt from this requirement.)
- To enable shopping and expenses in all countries included in the tour program, it is sufficient to carry Euros. In regions where local currency is used, the guide will assist with currency exchange.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers should be worn during the trip. It is advisable to bring a sweater or similar clothing for the evening.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, a minimum stay of 3 days is required to bring goods (alcohol, tobacco, etc.).
- Duty-free shopping limits when entering Turkey from abroad: Cigarettes: 3 cartons; Alcoholic Beverages: 1 liter of spirits (excluding beverages containing more than 22% alcohol, wine, and champagne); Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters of spirits (including 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.
- During the tour, guides may modify the itinerary due to weather and road conditions, while ensuring that all locations specified in the program are visited.
- Guests who register for the tour have the right to cancel free of charge up to 30 days before the tour date. If cancellation occurs less than 30 days before the tour, a 30% penalty applies; if less than 20 days remain, a 100% penalty applies. Hospital reports, work leave certificates, and other documents issued by Turkish authorities submitted with a participant's cancellation request are unfortunately not accepted as grounds for cancelling accommodation or services booked outside Turkey.
- Our tour programs are organized subject to a minimum participation of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date will be 20 days prior to the tour departure. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be notified by Viyatravel.
- In cases where the tour program provides only category information without specific hotel names and/or offers options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be communicated by Viyatravel 2 days before the tour departure.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located at distances greater than those specified. In such cases, information will be provided by Viyatravel at least 15 days before the tour departure date.
- Triple rooms are subject to hotel availability. In such rooms, the third bed is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of one large bed plus one additional bed. Since these additional beds are foldable or coach-style beds, participants booking triple rooms (third person and/or children) are deemed to have accepted potential crowding in the room and the type of bed provided. Child discounts apply only to one child per two adults, within the specified age group.
- Breakfasts included in the tour package are served according to the local country's breakfast culture, typically as a limited continental menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall allocated exclusively for the group.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are short tours (maximum 2–3 hours) designed for general city introductions, conducted from the vehicle with a guide's commentary, and do not include entry fees to museums or historical sites. If panoramic tours cannot be carried out due to reasons such as closure of sites, restricted access by local authorities on the scheduled day and time, adverse weather conditions making the tour impossible, or any other event, Viyatravel shall not be held responsible. Some tours may be conducted on foot or via public transport at points where vehicle access is restricted, depending on available facilities.
- At border crossings reached by road during travel, waiting times may exceed standard limits. Viyatravel cannot be held liable for any inconveniences arising from such waiting periods.
- Extra tours are organized by our local partner, Viyatravel, subject to a minimum participation of 20 people. If this number is not met, the extra tours may not take place. Additionally, prices, content, and vehicles used for extra tours may vary depending on the number of participants. Furthermore, the dates and times of these tours may be changed by the guide based on the opening/closing status of museums and historical sites at the destinations, as well as weather conditions.
- Extra tours are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who choose not to participate in extra tours organized during the trip are deemed to have agreed to wait at a suitable rest facility along the route. These passengers will be dropped off at the roadside rest facility before the extra tour begins and picked up again at the same location after the main tour is completed.
- Check-in and boarding procedures for flights are personal responsibilities. Guests must complete these procedures either at the airline counters in the airport before departure or online via the airline's website.
- Viyatravel is not responsible if guests fail to board their flights due to not being present at the designated airport at the time specified by Viyatravel, failing to complete check-in and boarding procedures on time, or completing these procedures but not boarding the aircraft. All costs associated with new round-trip flight tickets and transfers in the destination area for passengers who miss their flights are borne by the passengers themselves.
- Viyatravel acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. There may be risks of delays in scheduled and special flights, or flight times may change prior to the current tour and flight. Viyatravel is obligated to notify passengers of any changes as soon as possible. By purchasing the tour, the passenger accepts the risk of schedule changes. Children aged 0–2 years are exempt from airport taxes and air service fees.
- Vehicle types used in our tours are classified according to the number of passengers as follows. The appropriate vehicle type is assigned based on the number of participants in 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 upon confirming the tour purchase.
- To enable shopping and expenses in all countries included in the tour program, it is sufficient to carry Euros. In regions where local currency is used, the guide will assist with currency exchange.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers should be worn during the trip. It is advisable to bring a sweater or similar clothing for the evening.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, a minimum stay of 3 days is required to bring goods (alcohol, tobacco, etc.).
- Duty-free shopping limits when entering Turkey from abroad: Cigarettes: 3 cartons; Alcoholic Beverages: 1 liter of spirits (excluding beverages containing more than 22% alcohol, wine, and champagne); Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters of spirits (including 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.
- During the tour, guides may modify the itinerary due to weather and road conditions, while ensuring that all locations specified in the program are visited.
- Guests who register for the tour have the right to cancel free of charge up to 30 days before the tour date. If cancellation occurs less than 30 days before the tour, a 30% penalty applies; if less than 20 days remain, a 100% penalty applies. Hospital reports, work leave certificates, and other documents issued by Turkish authorities submitted with a participant's cancellation request are unfortunately not accepted as grounds for cancelling accommodation or services booked outside Turkey.
- Our tour programs are organized subject to a minimum participation of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date will be 20 days prior to the tour departure. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be notified by Viyatravel.
- In cases where the tour program provides only category information without specific hotel names and/or offers options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be communicated by Viyatravel 2 days before the tour departure.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located at distances greater than those specified. In such cases, information will be provided by Viyatravel at least 15 days before the tour departure date.
- Triple rooms are subject to hotel availability. In such rooms, the third bed is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of one large bed plus one additional bed. Since these additional beds are foldable or coach-style beds, participants booking triple rooms (third person and/or children) are deemed to have accepted potential crowding in the room and the type of bed provided. Child discounts apply only to one child per two adults, within the specified age group.
- Breakfasts included in the tour package are served according to the local country's breakfast culture, typically as a limited continental menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall allocated exclusively for the group.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are short tours (maximum 2–3 hours) designed for general city introductions, conducted from the vehicle with a guide's commentary, and do not include entry fees to museums or historical sites. If panoramic tours cannot be carried out due to reasons such as closure of sites, restricted access by local authorities on the scheduled day and time, adverse weather conditions making the tour impossible, or any other event, Viyatravel shall not be held responsible. Some tours may be conducted on foot or via public transport at points where vehicle access is restricted, depending on available facilities.
- At border crossings reached by road during travel, waiting times may exceed standard limits. Viyatravel cannot be held liable for any inconveniences arising from such waiting periods.
- Extra tours are organized by our local partner, Viyatravel, subject to a minimum participation of 20 people. If this number is not met, the extra tours may not take place. Additionally, prices, content, and vehicles used for extra tours may vary depending on the number of participants. Furthermore, the dates and times of these tours may be changed by the guide based on the opening/closing status of museums and historical sites at the destinations, as well as weather conditions.
- Extra tours are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who choose not to participate in extra tours organized during the trip are deemed to have agreed to wait at a suitable rest facility along the route. These passengers will be dropped off at the roadside rest facility before the extra tour begins and picked up again at the same location after the main tour is completed.
- Check-in and boarding procedures for flights are personal responsibilities. Guests must complete these procedures either at the airline counters in the airport before departure or online via the airline's website.
- Viyatravel is not responsible if guests fail to board their flights due to not being present at the designated airport at the time specified by Viyatravel, failing to complete check-in and boarding procedures on time, or completing these procedures but not boarding the aircraft. All costs associated with new round-trip flight tickets and transfers in the destination area for passengers who miss their flights are borne by the passengers themselves.
- Viyatravel acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. There may be risks of delays in scheduled and special flights, or flight times may change prior to the current tour and flight. Viyatravel is obligated to notify passengers of any changes as soon as possible. By purchasing the tour, the passenger accepts the risk of schedule changes. Children aged 0–2 years are exempt from airport taxes and air service fees.
- Vehicle types used in our tours are classified according to the number of passengers as follows. The appropriate vehicle type is assigned based on the number of participants in 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 upon confirming the tour purchase.