Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana - Apollonia - Gjirokaster
- Start point
- Tirana, Albania (9 days Tour Balkan and Greece & Istanbul : Capitals, Culture, and History Expedition from Tirana to Istanbul)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Kodra, Gjirokaster (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Apollonia archaeological site
- Guided tour of Gjirokaster
- Visit Gjirokastra Fortress
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants (guide-directed)
- Dinner at local restaurants (guide-directed)
- Shopping at local vendors in Gjirokaster Bazaar
Landmarks Apollonia Gjirokastra Fortress Cerciz Topulli Square 
- Day 2
Gjirokaster - Blue Eye - Butrint - Vlore
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Kraal, Vlore (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Blue Eye natural monument
- Guided tour of Butrint National Park
- Albanian Riviera scenic drive
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants (guide-directed)
- Dinner at local restaurants (guide-directed)
- Beach activities along the Ionian Sea
Landmarks Blue Eye Butrint National Park Albanian Riviera 
- Day 3
Vlore to Tirana
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Albanopolis Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Berat and its castle
- Visit Mangalemi and Gorica quarters
- Visit Belsh Lake
Optional Activities
- Wine tour and lunch in Roshnik village (one of the most famous wine regions in Albania)
Landmarks Berat Castle Gorica Bridge Belsh Lake - Day 4
Tirana to Ohrid
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Sky Corner (or similar))
Included Activities
- Panoramic Tirana city tour including Skanderbeg Square and Skanderbeg Statue
- Visit Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Visit Clock Tower
- Visit Ohrid Old Town
- Visit Quarantine Church
- Visit Hagia Sophia Church
Landmarks Skanderbeg Square Skanderbeg Statue Et'hem Bey Mosque Ohrid Port Quarantine Church Ancient Via Egnatia Hagia Sophia Church Samoil's Fortress 
- Day 5
Ohrid
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Sky Corner (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Half-day tour to Sveti Naum Monastery (45 Euros)
- Visit the source of Lake Ohrid
Landmarks Sveti Naum Monastery Lake Ohrid - Day 6
Ohrid to Meteora
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alexiou Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Kastoria city
- Visit Lake Kastoria
- Visit Byzantine churches in Kastoria
- Explore Ottoman architecture in Kastoria
Landmarks Lake Kastoria Kastoria 
- Day 7
Meteora to Thessaloniki
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Egnatia (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO-listed Meteora Monasteries
- Explore Meteora Monasteries
- Visit White Tower
- Visit Arch of Galerius
Landmarks Meteora Monasteries White Tower Arch of Galerius 
- Day 8
Thessaloniki to Sofia
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Terminus Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery
- Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Visit St. Sofia Basilica
- Visit National Art Gallery
- Visit Presidential Palace
- Guided city tour of Sofia
Landmarks Rila Monastery Alexander Nevsky Cathedral St. Sofia Basilica National Art Gallery Presidential Palace 
- Day 9
Sofia to Istanbul
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Armagrandi Spina Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Istanbul during free time
- Local dining and refreshments
- Day 10
Istanbul
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Armagrandi Spina Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Half-day Istanbul city tour with licensed guide
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Visit Sultanahmet Mosque
- Visit Grand Bazaar
- Bosphorus boat trip
- Street food experience
Optional Activities
- Additional shopping at the Grand Bazaar
- Independent exploration of the Old City
Landmarks Hagia Sophia Sultanahmet Mosque Grand Bazaar Bosphorus 
- Day 11
Istanbul to Cappadocia
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cave Hotel, Cappadocia (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Devrent Valley
- Visit Zelve Open-Air Museum
- Visit Monk Valley
- Visit Goreme Open-Air Museum
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Visit Uchisar Castle
Landmarks Devrent Valley Zelve Open-Air Museum Monk Valley Goreme Open-Air Museum Pigeon Valley Uchisar Castle 
- Day 12
Cappadocia
- End point
- Istanbul, Türkiye (9 days Tour Balkan and Greece & Istanbul : Capitals, Culture, and History Expedition from Tirana to Istanbul)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kizilcukur
- Visit Cavusin Village
- Visit Derinkuyu Underground City
- Visit Ortahisar
- Visit Catalkaya
Optional Activities
- Early morning hot air balloon ride at 05:30 am
Landmarks Kizilcukur Cavusin Village Derinkuyu Underground City Ortahisar Catalkaya
