Itinerary
- Day 1
Dubrovnik to Tirana via Kotor
Your driver picks you up from your Dubrovnik hotel and heads toward Tirana, Albania's capital. The route takes you through Montenegro, and you'll stop in Kotor, a coastal town where a local guide meets you to walk through key sites like Triphun Cathedral, the archive museum, and the Wall of Shame. After that, you have time to explore on your own before getting back on the road. Later in the day you'll arrive in Tirana and settle into your hotel for the night.
- Start point
- Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Croatia (Old Town)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Albanopolis Hotel Tirana (or similar))
Included Activities
- Kotor city tour with local guide
- Visit Triphun Cathedral
- Visit archive museum
- See the Wall of Shame
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants in Kotor (available at additional cost)
Landmarks Triphun Cathedral Wall of Shame 
- Day 2
Tirana to Ohrid
After breakfast you'll join a panoramic city tour of Tirana covering Skanderbeg Square, the Skanderbeg Statue, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower. Then you'll drive through the Rila Mountains toward Ohrid, passing through various historic sites. Once you cross into Macedonia and handle customs, you'll reach Ohrid and tour the Old Town with its lake views, visiting the Quarantine Church, Ancient Via Egnatia, and Hagia Sophia Church before the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Hotel Sky Corner or similar)
Included Activities
- Panoramic Tirana city tour
- Visit Skanderbeg Square
- View Skanderbeg Statue
- Explore Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Visit Clock Tower
- Visit Ohrid Old Town
- View Ohrid Port
- Visit Quarantine Church
- Explore Ancient Via Egnatia
- Visit Hagia Sophia Church
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants on the route (additional cost)
- Dinner at local restaurants on the route (additional cost)
Landmarks Skanderbeg Square Skanderbeg Statue Et'hem Bey Mosque Clock Tower Ohrid Port Quarantine Church Ancient Via Egnatia Hagia Sophia Church 
- Day 3
Ohrid
After breakfast you have a full day to wander the streets of Ohrid. If you're interested, there's a half-day guided tour option to Sveti Naum Monastery on the lake shore, where you can see the source of Lake Ohrid and take in the views from there. Otherwise the day is yours to spend how you like around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Hotel Sky Corner or similar)
Included Activities
- Free time to explore Ohrid
Optional Activities
- Half-day tour to Sveti Naum Monastery - 45 EUR per person
- Visit the source of Lake Ohrid
Landmarks Sveti Naum Monastery Lake Ohrid - Day 4
Ohrid to Kastoria to Meteora
After breakfast you'll cross into Greece and continue toward Kastoria, which is known for its Byzantine churches, Ottoman architecture, and its scenic lake setting. You'll have time to explore the city before heading to Meteora for the night, which sets you up for the monastery visits the next day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alexiou Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Kastoria city
- View Lake Kastoria
- Visit Byzantine churches
- Experience Ottoman architecture
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants on the route (additional cost)
- Dinner at local restaurants on the route (additional cost)
Landmarks Lake Kastoria 
- Day 5
Meteora to Thessaloniki
Start early with breakfast, then head to the Meteora Monasteries, which sit on cliff tops and offer interesting views of these Byzantine structures. Your guide from Ajdinis meets you at Kalabaka, and from there the trip continues to Thessaloniki. Once you arrive, you'll see the White Tower and the Arch of Galerius before checking in at your accommodation for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Hotel Egnatia or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Meteora Monasteries with entrance ticket included
- Discover White Tower in Thessaloniki
- Visit Arch of Galerius in Thessaloniki
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants on the route (available at additional cost)
- Dinner at local restaurants (available at additional cost)
Landmarks Meteora Monasteries White Tower Arch of Galerius 
- Day 6
Thessaloniki to Rila Monastery to Sofia
After breakfast you'll drive toward Sofia, making a significant stop at Rila Monastery in the Rila Mountains, Bulgaria's largest Eastern Orthodox monastery. You'll walk through and see the intricate frescoes and architecture. Once in Sofia you'll visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Sofia Basilica, the National Art Gallery, and the Presidential Palace. The city tour can shift to the next morning if preferred.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Terminus Hotel Sofia or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery entrance and explore
- Tour Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Visit St. Sofia Basilica
- Explore National Art Gallery
- View Presidential Palace
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants on the route (additional cost)
- Dinner at local restaurants on the route (additional cost)
Landmarks Rila Monastery Alexander Nevsky Cathedral St. Sofia Basilica National Art Gallery Presidential Palace 
- Day 7
Sofia - Veliko Tarnovo - Bucharest
After breakfast, you'll head to Bucharest with a lunch break in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's historic former capital. Once you arrive in Bucharest, check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day on your own to wander around and get familiar with the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Lido by Phoenicia or similar)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Bucharest via Veliko Tarnovo
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants en route (driver directed)
- Day 8
Bucharest
You have the option to join a full-day guided tour to Transylvania that visits Bran Castle, the medieval town of Brașov, and Peleș Castle (book this in advance). If you're not doing the tour, you can spend the day exploring Bucharest at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Lido by Phoenicia or similar)
Optional Activities
- Full-day Transylvania tour including Bran Castle, medieval town of Brașov, and Peleș Castle (150 EUR per person, includes entrance fees and licensed tour guide)
Landmarks Bran Castle Peleș Castle Brașov 
- Day 9
Bucharest
Start with breakfast at the hotel, then join a guided tour of Bucharest's main sites including Revolution Square, the Romanian Atheneum, Old Town, Manuc's Inn, and the Old Princely Court. After the tour finishes, you'll have free time to relax and recover before spending another night in Bucharest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Lido by Phoenicia or similar)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bucharest highlights including Revolution Square, Romanian Atheneum, Old Town, Manuc's Inn, and Old Princely Court with licensed local guide
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants en route (guide directed)
Landmarks Revolution Square Romanian Atheneum Old Town Manuc's Inn Old Princely Court - Day 10
Bucharest to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll head to the airport for your included flight to Istanbul. When you arrive, a transfer takes you to your hotel where you can settle in and relax. Later in the afternoon, you'll get details about what comes next in your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Armagrandi Spina Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
- Flight to Istanbul
- Day 11
Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll be picked up for a half-day guided tour through the city's historical sites. You'll see Hagia Sophia, the Sultanahmet Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar in the Old City while trying street food along the way. After that, you'll take a scenic boat trip on the Bosphorus where you can see where Asia and Europe meet.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Armagrandi Spina Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Half-day Istanbul city tour with licensed tour guide
- Bosphorus boat trip
- Street food experience
Landmarks Hagia Sophia Sultanahmet Mosque Grand Bazaar - Day 12
Istanbul to Cappadocia
You'll transfer from your hotel to Istanbul airport for your flight to Kayseri, then head to Cappadocia. The afternoon and evening cover Northern Cappadocia's landscapes including Devrent Valley, Zelve Monastery, Monk Valley, Goreme Open-Air Museum, Pigeon Valley, and Uchisar Castle. You'll stay at a cave hotel in Cappadocia for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cave Hotel, Cappadocia (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Devrent Valley
- Visit Zelve Monastery
- Explore Monk Valley
- Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum
- Explore Pigeon Valley
- Visit Uchisar Castle
Landmarks Devrent Valley Zelve Monastery Göreme Open-Air Museum Pigeon Valley Uchisar Castle 
- Day 13
Cappadocia
After breakfast and checkout you'll explore Southern Cappadocia visiting Kizilcukur, Cavusin Village, Derinkuyu Underground City, Ortahisar, and Catalkaya. There's an optional early morning hot air balloon ride at 5:30 am if you want to sign up. After your tour you'll transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight back to Istanbul, arriving at 20:50. The tour ends there.
- End point
- Istanbul, Türkiye (Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Kizilcukur
- Visit Cavusin Village
- Tour Derinkuyu Underground City
- Explore Ortahisar
- Visit Catalkaya
Optional Activities
- Early morning hot air balloon ride at 05:30 am (additional cost)
Landmarks Derinkuyu Underground City Ortahisar
