New Year Express Balkan Tour 2 Nights 4 Days
NEW YEAR EXPRESS BALKAN TOUR
3 COUNTRIES – 2 CAPITALS
2 NIGHTS 4 DAYS
2 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION IN A 4* HOTEL
Greece - North Macedonia – Bulgaria
Tour Departure Dates :
December 30
Day 1 Istanbul – Kavala
On the first day of our tour, we depart at 21:00 from Kadıköy Marriage Office Parking, 21:30 from Mecidiyeköy Auto Expertise Front, and 22:00 from Bakırköy Ömür Shopping Center Front. Accompanied by in-vehicle refreshments, we follow the Silivri – Keşan highway to reach İpsala border crossing. After passport and customs procedures, we follow the Dedeağaç - Gümülcine - İskeçe route to arrive in Kavala.
Day 2 Kavala – Thessaloniki - Skopje
After arriving in Kavala, we stop for breakfast and to taste the delicious Kavala cookies. After the breakfast break, we take a short photo stop on the Kavala waterfront before heading to Thessaloniki. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we begin a panoramic city tour; places to see include the Kordon, White Tower, Rotunda, Exhibition Square, Ottoman and Byzantine monuments, the Agios Dimitrios Cathedral (the largest cathedral in Greece), the Alexander the Great Statue, Hamza Bey Mosque, statues of E. Venezelo and P. Konstantin, Vardar, Makedonia, Aristotle, and Eleftherios squares. At the end of the tour, we visit the house of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. After a short free time at Aristotle Square, we meet with the vehicle and begin the journey to Skopje. After crossing the border, upon arrival in the capital Skopje, we start our city tour. In our half-day panoramic tour introducing Skopje, the birthplace of Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, places to see include the Old Train Station, the monument and house of philanthropist Mother Teresa (born in Skopje), Stone Bridge, Castle Walls, the Old City dating back to the Ottoman period, Çarşı, and Ottoman architectural heritage in the Balkans including Mustafa Paşa, Sultan Murad, and Gazi Isa Bey Mosques, Davud Paşa Hammam, Kapan, Sulu, and Kurşunlu Han. Accommodation is at our hotel in Skopje. We join the New Year celebrations held in the city square. (Return transfers are at the guests' own expense.)
Morning Breakfast: Will be taken additionally at a rest facility in Kavala.
Lunch: Will be taken additionally during free time in Thessaloniki. You can taste all local flavors. Guide recommendation: Seafood and Meze.
Dinner: Will be taken additionally during free time in Skopje. You can taste all local flavors. Guide recommendation: Skopje meatballs, dry beans in a clay pot.
Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc. – Skopje
Route: Istanbul-Kavala (445 km), Kavala – Thessaloniki (136 km) , Thessaloniki-Skopje (245 km)
Total Distance Covered: 826 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs clearance time: 20:00
Day 3 Skopje (Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Ohrid)
After breakfast at the hotel, you have a full day of free time. Guests who wish may join the Tetovo – Ohrid tour organized by our guide, which includes a boat tour. (65 EUR). After meeting with the vehicle in front of the hotel, we head to the Pearl of the Balkans, Ohrid. On the route, we stop in Tetovo (Kalkandelen) to visit the Alaca Mosque and Imaret. After our visit, we continue our journey to Ohrid. In our walking tour, places to see include the historic Çınar Square, Pir Mehmet Hayati Mosque and Tekke, Aziz Bogorodica Kameusko, Hagia Sophia Churches (exterior view), the statue and square of St. Kliment of Ohrid, old Turkish mansions used as museums, the ancient theater dating back to the Roman period, and St. Pant Alemon Church. After our city tour, we carry out our exclusive boat tour where the group will have the opportunity to view and admire the silhouette of the UNESCO city of Ohrid from the lake. After the boat tour and free time for shopping in Ohrid bazaar, we head to Skopje. Upon arrival in Skopje, we transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Morning Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken additionally during free time in Ohrid city center.- You can taste all local flavors. Guide Recommendation: Ohrid Trout, Meatballs, and Dry Beans in a Clay Pot.
Dinner: Will be taken additionally during free time in Skopje. You can taste all local flavors. Guide recommendation: Skopje meatballs, dry beans in a clay pot.
Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc. – Ohrid
Route: Skopje – Tetovo (45 km) , Tetovo - Ohrid (133 km) , Ohrid – Skopje (172 km)
Total Distance Covered: 350 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 19:30
Day 4 Skopje – Sofia – Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, we begin the journey to Bulgaria. Guests who wish may join the extra Matka Canyon Tour organized by our guide. Enjoy a pleasant walk and photo stops amidst the unique natural landscapes of the Matka Canyon, known for its exceptional beauty. (25 EUR). After crossing the border, we embark on an approximately 4-hour journey to the capital Sofia. Upon arrival in Sofia, we begin a panoramic city tour. Places to see during our tour include the Alexander Nevski Cathedral (the largest church in the Balkans), the National Library, Sofia University, the Old Royal Palace, the National Bulgarian Theatre built in Neoclassical style, the Archaeology Museum, the Old Sofia - Sendika district, the Rotonda Church. Afterward, after a panoramic view and photo stop at the Sofia Monument near the parliament building, we visit the Banya Bashi Mosque, the symbol of the city. After our visits and free time, we head to Istanbul. After passport and customs procedures at the Svilengrad border crossing, we arrive at our starting points in Istanbul via Edirne, concluding our tour.
Morning Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Free time in Sofia city center.- You can taste all local flavors.
Dinner: At a rest facility along the route.
Route: Skopje – Sofia (230 km) , Sofia – Istanbul (550 km)
Total Distance Covered: 780 km
Istanbul Arrival Time: Estimated depending on customs clearance time: 02:00