Bus Tour of Great Italy Greece Balkans 6 Nights 8 Days
Day 1
DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL TO THESSALONIKI
Our journey starts by meeting at 20:00 at Kadıköy Marriage Office, at 20:30 in front of Mecidiyeköy Trump Tower, at 21:00 in front of İncirli Ömür Plaza and at 21:30 in front of Beylikdüzü Marmara Park Havaist Station. We continue our tour via Tekirdağ to reach İpsala. After customs and passport procedures, we enter Greece. We continue our way through Alexandroupolis, Komotini, and Xanthi.
Route: İpsala– Kipi-Kavala-Thessaloniki
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 570 km
Day 2
THESSALONIKI – IGOUMENITSA
Then, we will take a city tour of Thessaloniki. During our city tour, places such as the Waterfront, White Tower, Rotunda, Fair Square, Ottoman and Byzantine artifacts, and the Aya Dimitros Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Greece, will be visited. At the end of our tour, we will visit the house of our great leader Atatürk. After a short break, we will take a walk along the famous cafes of Thessaloniki in the waterfront and taste Greece's famous coffee, Frappe. After the city tour, we have free time. We will meet at the time indicated by our guide and move towards Igoumenitsa Port. After the necessary customs procedures, we will proceed to our reserved seats and embark. Our night will be spent on a ferry journey.
Breakfast: Free to be taken in Thessaloniki (not included in the price)
Lunch: Free to be taken in Thessaloniki (not included in the price)
Dinner: Free to be taken en route (not included in the price)
Currency: Euro
Route: Thessaloniki- Igoumenitsa
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 320 km
Boarding Time: Approximately at 21:00, depending on port entry
Day 3
BARI–NAPOLI - ROME (POMPEII)
After arriving in Italy's port city of Bari/Brindisi, we head to Rome, where we will be staying. Our first stop will be Naples. In the well-known city of warm-hearted people in Southern Italy, Castel Nuovo, Piazza del Plebiscito Square, and Teatro di San Carlo will be among the places to visit. If our passengers are agreeable, we will have the option of an optional paid (39€) tour to the Ancient City of Pompeii. During this tour, we will visit the remarkably preserved ruins of Pompeii, a city established at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, where shops, homes of the villagers, an amphitheater, and the city square are preserved as remnants of the volcanic eruption. Then we head to Rome, the capital of Italy, and upon arrival, if time permits, we will conduct a night tour of Rome. We will see landmarks including the iconic Colosseum, Navona Square, the Pantheon, and Via Del Corso during our visit. We will transfer to our hotel and after room assignments, we will spend the night in our hotel.
Breakfast: Free to be taken in Bari (not included in the price)
Lunch: Free to be taken in Pompeii (not included in the price)
Dinner: Free to be taken in Rome (not included in the price)
Currency: Euro
Route: Bari – Napoli-Pompeii-Rome
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 370 km
Check-in Time at Hotel: Estimated 21:30
Day 4
VATICAN - ROME – SIENA
After breakfast, we will conduct a city introduction tour of Rome. Places to be visited include Vatican City, considered the center of Christianity, and St. Peter's Cathedral, where we will see Michelangelo's famous sculpture, the Pieta, depicting the moment after Jesus' crucifixion. We will also see the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trajan's Forum, Circus Maximus, the Venice square where Mussolini addressed the public, the Vittoriano Monument, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Afterward, we will move to the medieval city of Siena and upon arrival, we will step back in time while walking through the historic medieval streets that date back to the Etruscans. We will see the Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Mangia Tower, and Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral (Duomo), examples of Gothic Roman architecture. Then we will proceed to our accommodation hotel and after room assignments, we will spend the night in our hotel.
Breakfast: Provided at the hotel (included in the price)
Lunch: Free to be taken in Rome (not included in the price)
Dinner: Free to be taken in Siena (not included in the price)
Currency: Euro
Route: Rome – Siena - Hotel
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 360 km
Check-in Time at Hotel: Estimated 21:30
Day 5
FLORENCE& PISA& MILAN (OUTLET SHOPPING)
After breakfast, we will vacate the rooms and head to Florence, the capital of the Renaissance, which awaits our group with a private bus. After arrival in Florence, we will have a city tour. During this tour, we will see the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Uffizi Gallery, Baptistery of Saint John, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, and Signoria Palace. After the tour, we will have free time in the city center. Then we will see Pisa, another icon of the Tuscany region, known for its Leaning Tower. The visit to Campo die miracoli (Duomo, Miracle Square) and the cylindrical Baptistery will offer an opportunity for interesting photos. After the Pisa visit, if the passengers agree, we can carry out an optional paid (25€) visit to the Outlet for shopping. The shopping visit will allow you to buy world-renowned brands at very affordable prices. Afterward, we will head to Milan for accommodation, completing room assignments and settling in.
Breakfast: Provided at the hotel (included in the price)
Lunch: Free to be taken in Florence (not included in the price)
Dinner: Free to be taken in Verona (not included in the price)
Currency: Euro
Route: Pisa-Florence-Milan
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 465 km
Check-in Time at Hotel: Estimated 22:30
Day 6
MILAN-VERONA-VENICE
After breakfast, we will travel to Milan, Italy's industrial and fashion capital. During our Milan city tour, we will walk on the elegant streets and arrive at the famous Duomo Square. In this square, we will see the Duomo Cathedral, one of Italy’s most important and architecturally magnificent works. We will complete our city tour with shopping in the Galeria Vittoria Emanuele II and the famous Buenos Aires Boulevard. In the afternoon, we will head to Verona and begin our introduction tour. Upon our arrival in Verona, known for its marble and as the setting for the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet, we will visit the historic Arena, the Seniors’ Palace, and Erbe Square. Afterward, we will proceed to Venice. Upon arrival, we will reach the historic Saint Mark’s Square by private water taxis, where we will see the square, Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal, and the Rialto Bridge with our guide. If you wish, you can join an optional paid gondola trip to explore the romantic and historical canals in more detail. At the end of our city tour, we will have free time. We will transfer to our hotel, complete room assignments, and spend the night at our hotel.
Breakfast: Provided at the hotel (included in the price)
Lunch: Free to be taken en route (not included in the price)
Dinner: Free to be taken in Venice (not included in the price)
Currency: Euro
Route: Milan-Verona-Venice
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 265 km
Check-in Time at Hotel: Estimated 21:00
Day 7
VENICE – LJUBLJANA-BELGRADE
After breakfast, we will vacate our rooms and head towards Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. First, we will stop in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Upon arrival, we will commence our walking tour of this small but romantically charming city. During our tour, we will see Preseren Square, the Triple Bridge, the Dragon Bridge, and the castle. Afterward, we will cross Croatia and arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Upon our arrival in Belgrade, we will have a walking tour where we will see Knez Mihajlova Street, Kalemegdan Fortress, the French Respect Monument, Istanbul Gate, the Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, the panorama point, the statue of Victor, the Dungeon Gate, Leopold’s Gate, the clock tower, and the fortress walls. After our walking tour, you can wander the lively streets of Belgrade or try different ice cream flavors at the ice cream shop recommended by your guide, or enjoy a pleasant coffee while watching the scenery and the city.
Breakfast: Provided at the hotel (included in the price)
Lunch: Free to be taken in Ljubljana (not included in the price)
Dinner: Free to be taken in Belgrade (not included in the price)
Currency: Euro
Route: Venice- Ljubljana-Belgrade
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 725 km
Check-in Time at Hotel: Estimated 22:00
Day 8
BELGRADE - SOFIA – ISTANBUL
After breakfast, we will vacate the rooms and move: In the afternoon, we will reach Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. After arrival, we will conduct a panoramic city tour of Sofia. During our tour, we will see the St. Nedelya Church, the Rotunda Church, the Russian Church, the Church of Saint Sofia, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Prime Ministry, the Parliament, Sofia University, Banya Bashi Mosque, and the National Palace of Culture (NDK). After the bus journey, we will head towards Istanbul. This marks the end of our tour and services.
Breakfast: Provided at the hotel (included in the price)
Lunch: Free to be taken in Sofia (not included in the price)
Dinner: Free to be taken en route (not included in the price)
Currency: Euro
Route: Belgrade-Sofia-Istanbul
Approximate Distance to be Covered: 890 km
Check-in Time at Hotel: Estimated 00:30
Due to potential traffic, arrival in Istanbul might occur late at night on the following day/early morning after the scheduled date.
What's Included
Comfortable transportation services by Luxury Buses between Istanbul–Thessaloniki-Igoumenitsa-Bari-Naples-Rome-Siena-Pisa-Florence-Verona-Milan-Venice-Ljubljana-Belgrade-Sofia-Istanbul.
City tours will be conducted in Rome – Naples- Florence -Siena-Pisa- Milan-Verona-Venice – Ljubljana Thessaloniki – Belgrade- Sofia.
Accommodation in 3,4* hotels with breakfast included in the specified cities in the program.
Ferry journey between Igoumenitsa – Bari/Brindisi.
·Professional Turkish Guiding services.
Not Included
Visa fee and service charge (Multiple Entry Schengen Visa)
International exit tax
Travel Health Insurance
Lunch and Dinner
Vaporetto fare (round trip 29 Euro and 9 Euro Venice city entrance tax)
Optional tours organized by the guide
Admission fees for museums, historical sites, etc.
Hotel City taxes total 69€ (Accommodation taxes collected per person under the name City tax, city entrance taxes are collected by the guide at the start of the “check-point” tour and paid to the authorities)
All personal expenses,
Optional driver tips
