Big Italy Greece Balkan Tour - Istanbul
Tour Detail
LARGE ITALY & GREECE & BALKAN TOUR
7 Nights – 9 Days
Sofia – Belgrade – Ljubljana – Verona – Milan – Venice – Florence – Pisa
Siena – Rome – Pompeii – Igoumenitsa – Thessaloniki
7 Nights – 9 Days
Sofia – Belgrade – Ljubljana – Verona – Milan – Venice – Florence – Pisa
Siena – Rome – Pompeii – Igoumenitsa – Thessaloniki
Tour Departure Dates :
January 23 / March 14 / April 17 / April 24 / May 15 / May 22 / May 23 / June 5 / June 12 / June 19 / June 26 / June 27 / July 3 / July 4 / July 10 / July 11 / July 17 / July 18 / July 24 / July 25 / July 31 / August 1 / August 7 / August 8 / August 14 / August 15 / August 21 / August 22 / August 28 / August 29 / September 4 / September 18 / September 25 / October 9 / October 16 / October 23 / November 6 / November 7
January 23 / March 14 / April 17 / April 24 / May 15 / May 22 / May 23 / June 5 / June 12 / June 19 / June 26 / June 27 / July 3 / July 4 / July 10 / July 11 / July 17 / July 18 / July 24 / July 25 / July 31 / August 1 / August 7 / August 8 / August 14 / August 15 / August 21 / August 22 / August 28 / August 29 / September 4 / September 18 / September 25 / October 9 / October 16 / October 23 / November 6 / November 7
Special Days :
January Semester : January 23
April Semester and Ramadan Feast: March 14
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day: April 17
May 19 Atatürk Memorial Youth and Sports Day: May 15
Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice): May 22 / May 23
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: July 10 / July 11
Republic Day: October 23
November Semester: November 6 / November 7
Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice): May 22 / May 23
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: July 10 / July 11
Republic Day: October 23
November Semester: November 6 / November 7
Day 1/2 – Istanbul – Sofia – Belgrade
On the first day of our trip, we will depart at 22:00 from Kadıköy Marriage Office, 22:30 from Mecidiyeköy Oto Ekspertiz front and 23:00 from Incirli Ömür Plaza front, reaching Kapıkule through Edirne. After customs and passport procedures, we will enter Bulgaria. Then we will arrive in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. After arrival, we will have a panoramic city tour of Sofia. The places to be seen include St. Nedelya Church, Rotunda Church, Russian Church, St. Sophia Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Prime Ministry, Parliament, Sofia University, and Banya Bashi Mosque. After our Sofia tour, we will head towards the capital of Serbia, Belgrade. After arrival, we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Belgrade- Venice
After breakfast, we will check out of the rooms and head towards Venice. Guests who wish can join an optional excursion organized by the guide to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, which won the 2016 European Green Capital award (Extra €45). During our panoramic city tour, we will see the Ljubljana River, the Parliament building, Ljubljana University, the Old Square, the Dragon Statue, the Dragon Bridge, Tivoli Park, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and Prešeren Square. After leaving the city, we will arrive in Venice. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will check out of the rooms and head towards Venice. Guests who wish can join an optional excursion organized by the guide to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, which won the 2016 European Green Capital award (Extra €45). During our panoramic city tour, we will see the Ljubljana River, the Parliament building, Ljubljana University, the Old Square, the Dragon Statue, the Dragon Bridge, Tivoli Park, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and Prešeren Square. After leaving the city, we will arrive in Venice. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Venice- (Milan & Verona)
After breakfast, we will have free time. Guests who wish can join an optional full-day excursion organized by the guide to Milan & Verona (Extra €95). On our trip, we first arrive in Verona, known for its marble and the house where the world's most famous love story occurred, that of Romeo and Juliet. We will have the chance to see the historic Arena where concerts still take place, the Senior Palace, Dante's statue, and Erbe Square. After leaving Verona, we will proceed to Milan, the city of Industry and Fashion. During our Milan city tour, we will walk through the chic streets to reach the famous Duomo Square. In the square, we will see the Duomo Cathedral, which is one of Italy's most important and architecturally magnificent structures. We will shop at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and the famous Buenos Aires Boulevard before completing our time in Milan. We head back to Venice and arrive. Night at our hotel.
After breakfast, we will have free time. Guests who wish can join an optional full-day excursion organized by the guide to Milan & Verona (Extra €95). On our trip, we first arrive in Verona, known for its marble and the house where the world's most famous love story occurred, that of Romeo and Juliet. We will have the chance to see the historic Arena where concerts still take place, the Senior Palace, Dante's statue, and Erbe Square. After leaving Verona, we will proceed to Milan, the city of Industry and Fashion. During our Milan city tour, we will walk through the chic streets to reach the famous Duomo Square. In the square, we will see the Duomo Cathedral, which is one of Italy's most important and architecturally magnificent structures. We will shop at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and the famous Buenos Aires Boulevard before completing our time in Milan. We head back to Venice and arrive. Night at our hotel.
Day 5: Venice - Florence
After breakfast, we will move to the center of Venice. Upon arrival, we will proceed to San Marco Square on foot. If the guests approve, we will reach the historic San Marco Square by private water taxis (Extra €15). The places to be seen include the Square and San Marco Cathedral, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal, and the Rialto Bridge with our guide. Guests who wish can also join the optional Gondola ride arranged by the guide (Extra €45). This will allow us to experience the romantic and historic canals in more detail on gondolas. After visiting Venice, we will head to Florence. Guests who wish can join a tour to Pisa. In Pisa, we will see the Leaning Tower and Campo dei Miracoli (Duomo Square) along with the round Baptistery (Extra €55). Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will move to the center of Venice. Upon arrival, we will proceed to San Marco Square on foot. If the guests approve, we will reach the historic San Marco Square by private water taxis (Extra €15). The places to be seen include the Square and San Marco Cathedral, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal, and the Rialto Bridge with our guide. Guests who wish can also join the optional Gondola ride arranged by the guide (Extra €45). This will allow us to experience the romantic and historic canals in more detail on gondolas. After visiting Venice, we will head to Florence. Guests who wish can join a tour to Pisa. In Pisa, we will see the Leaning Tower and Campo dei Miracoli (Duomo Square) along with the round Baptistery (Extra €55). Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Florence – Rome
After breakfast and checking out of the rooms, upon arrival in the city, we will carry out a city tour of Florence. During this tour, we will see the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Uffizi Art Gallery, San Giovanni Baptistery, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, and Signoria Palace Panoramic. After the tour, guests will have free time to get to know the city better and shop. After the tour, we will proceed to Rome. Guests who wish can join an optional tour of Siena, an important historical city in the Tuscany region. We will travel through the medieval streets from the Etruscans to the present, seeing the Piazza del Campo and examples of Gothic-Roman architecture (Extra €65). Transfer to our hotel, room assignments, and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast and checking out of the rooms, upon arrival in the city, we will carry out a city tour of Florence. During this tour, we will see the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Uffizi Art Gallery, San Giovanni Baptistery, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, and Signoria Palace Panoramic. After the tour, guests will have free time to get to know the city better and shop. After the tour, we will proceed to Rome. Guests who wish can join an optional tour of Siena, an important historical city in the Tuscany region. We will travel through the medieval streets from the Etruscans to the present, seeing the Piazza del Campo and examples of Gothic-Roman architecture (Extra €65). Transfer to our hotel, room assignments, and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Rome
After breakfast, we will have a city introduction tour of Rome. Places to see include; Vatican, considered the center of Christianity, the San Pietro Cathedral, and the famous Venice Square designed by architect Bernini. Afterwards, we will visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trajan's Forum, Circus Maximus race course, the square where Mussolini addressed the public, Vittoriano Monument, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Free time in the city. Overnight at your hotel. After a brief rest, guests who wish can join an optional evening tour organized by the guide, "Rome Under Lights (By Night)" (Extra €45). In this tour, we'll have the chance to capture images of Rome lit up from the highest point, the Janiculum Hill, and also visit Navona Square, the Pantheon, Colosseum, Via Del Corso, and Piazza Del Popolo under the evening lights. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Rome – Brindisi (Bari)
After breakfast, we will head towards Italy's port city of Bari or Brindisi. Our guide will arrange an optional visit to the ancient city of Pompeii at a discounted price (Extra €80). During this tour, we will see the remnants of the shops, houses where villagers lived, amphitheater, and city square of Pompeii, a well-preserved ancient city located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius that has retained its ancient condition due to the volcanic eruption. After the tour, we will head to the port, complete customs procedures and at 23:30 we will set sail. Our night will be spent on the ferry.
After breakfast, we will head towards Italy's port city of Bari or Brindisi. Our guide will arrange an optional visit to the ancient city of Pompeii at a discounted price (Extra €80). During this tour, we will see the remnants of the shops, houses where villagers lived, amphitheater, and city square of Pompeii, a well-preserved ancient city located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius that has retained its ancient condition due to the volcanic eruption. After the tour, we will head to the port, complete customs procedures and at 23:30 we will set sail. Our night will be spent on the ferry.
Day 9: Igoumenitsa – Thessaloniki – Istanbul
In the morning, we will arrive at Igoumenitsa port and head towards Thessaloniki. Next, we will have a city tour of Thessaloniki. During the city tour, we will see the Waterfront, White Tower, Rotunda, Fair Square, Ottoman and Byzantine works, and the largest Cathedral in Greece, the Church of St. Demetrius, as well as the statue of Alexander the Great. At the end of the tour, we will visit the house of our great leader Atatürk. After a short break, we can stroll along the waterfront, famous for its cafes, and taste the famous Greek coffee, Frappe. After the city tour, there will be free time. At the time specified by our guide, we will meet and travel through Xanthi, Gümülcine, and Dedeağaç to arrive at İpsala. After customs procedures, we will arrive in Istanbul via Tekirdağ. Our trip ends here. We hope to see you on another Tour organization. (The estimated arrival time on the next day is 02:30, depending on the customs passes.)
In the morning, we will arrive at Igoumenitsa port and head towards Thessaloniki. Next, we will have a city tour of Thessaloniki. During the city tour, we will see the Waterfront, White Tower, Rotunda, Fair Square, Ottoman and Byzantine works, and the largest Cathedral in Greece, the Church of St. Demetrius, as well as the statue of Alexander the Great. At the end of the tour, we will visit the house of our great leader Atatürk. After a short break, we can stroll along the waterfront, famous for its cafes, and taste the famous Greek coffee, Frappe. After the city tour, there will be free time. At the time specified by our guide, we will meet and travel through Xanthi, Gümülcine, and Dedeağaç to arrive at İpsala. After customs procedures, we will arrive in Istanbul via Tekirdağ. Our trip ends here. We hope to see you on another Tour organization. (The estimated arrival time on the next day is 02:30, depending on the customs passes.)
What's Included
*Bus transportation services between Istanbul – Sofia - Belgrade - Venice - Florence - Rome - Bari - Igoumenitsa - Thessaloniki
*City tours to be conducted in Rome - Florence - Venice - Thessaloniki - Belgrade - Sofia.
*1 Night Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Belgrade.
*2 Nights Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Venice (surroundings).
*1 Night Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Florence (surroundings).
*2 Nights Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Rome.
*Ferry ride between Bari (Brindisi) - Igoumenitsa.
*Professional Turkish guiding services.
*Limited bottled water service during the trip.
*All highway check-point and parking fees.
*Customs Duties.
*City tours to be conducted in Rome - Florence - Venice - Thessaloniki - Belgrade - Sofia.
*1 Night Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Belgrade.
*2 Nights Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Venice (surroundings).
*1 Night Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Florence (surroundings).
*2 Nights Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel in Rome.
*Ferry ride between Bari (Brindisi) - Igoumenitsa.
*Professional Turkish guiding services.
*Limited bottled water service during the trip.
*All highway check-point and parking fees.
*Customs Duties.
Not Included
*Visa fee and service charge (Multiple Entry Schengen Visa)
*Departure tax,
*Travel Health Insurance
*Extra tours.
*City Accommodation Taxes, Italy Headphone Service, Venice Entry Fee (50 EUR per person, paid to the guide during the tour)
*Museum, archaeological site, etc. entrance fees
*Lunch and Dinner,
*Extra tours organized by the guide
*All personal expenses,
*Voluntary driver tips
General Information
INFORMATION ,
- All participating guests must hold a valid Multi-Entry Schengen visa throughout the tour duration. (Green passport holders are exempt from visa requirements.)
- To enable shopping and spending in all countries included in the program during the tour, 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.
- On our tours, seat rotation is applied daily in the seating plan; therefore, fixed seats and front-seat guarantees are not provided. Seat changes are organized by the vehicle guide.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, there is a mandatory minimum stay of 3 days 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 spirits with more than 22% alcohol, wine, and champagne), Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters of spirits (including spirits with 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
- Guides may modify the flow of the program based on 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 date, a 30% penalty applies; if 20 days or less remain, a 100% penalty applies. Documents submitted with the guest's cancellation request, such as hospital reports or work permission letters obtained from Turkish authorities, are unfortunately not accepted for cancellations of hotels and 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 is 20 days before 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 specifying names and/or offers options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be communicated by Viyatravel 2 days prior to the tour departure.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located at distances exceeding the specified kilometers. In such cases, information will be provided by Viyatravel 15 days before the tour departure date.
- Triple rooms are subject to hotel availability. In these rooms, the third bed is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 additional bed. Since additional beds are foldable or referred to as coach beds, participants booking triple rooms for the 3rd person and/or children are deemed to have accepted any potential crowding and the type of bed in the room. Child discounts apply only to one child accompanying two adults within the appropriate age group.
- Breakfasts included in the tour package are served according to the breakfast culture of the country visited, typically as a limited continental menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee. For groups, this may be served in a separate hall assigned exclusively to the group.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are short excursions (maximum 2–3 hours) designed to provide a general introduction to cities, conducted from the vehicle with guide commentary. These tours do not include entry to museums or historical sites. Viyatravel is not responsible for the inability to conduct these panoramic tours if they coincide with other scheduled tours, or if access is denied by local authorities, roads are closed due to events, or weather conditions make the tour impossible. Some tours may be conducted via public transport or on foot where vehicle access is restricted, depending on available facilities.
- At border crossings made by road during travel, waiting times may exceed standard limits. Viyatravel cannot be held liable for any negative consequences arising from such waiting times.
- Extra tours are organized by the local Viyatravel partner with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient numbers are not met, the excursions may not take place, or extra tour prices, content, and vehicles used may vary based on participant count. Additionally, the days and times of tours may be changed by the guide depending on whether museums and historical sites are open or closed, and 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 area before the extra tour begins and picked up again from that location after the main tour is completed.
- Check-in and boarding procedures for flights are personal responsibilities. Guests must complete these processes either at airline counters at the airport before departure or online via the airline’s website.
- Viyatravel is not responsible for flight failures resulting from guests failing to appear at the designated airport at the specified time, failing to complete check-in and boarding procedures on time, or completing them on time but failing to board the aircraft. All costs associated with new round-trip flight tickets and transfers in the destination region for passengers who miss their flight 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 such 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 paying airport taxes and airport service fees.
- The types of vehicles used in our tours are classified according to the number of passengers as follows. The specific vehicle type for each tour is determined based on the number of participants:
Buses: (Used for 25–46 passengers) *Mercedes Travego/Tourismo *NEOPLAN Cityliner/Tourliner *Temsa Safir/Maraton *Man Fortuna
Midibuses: (Used for 17–24 passengers) *Isuzu Turkuaz, *Otokar Mega
Minibuses: (Used for up to 16 passengers) *VW Volt, *Mercedes Sprinter
- All guests are deemed to have accepted the above terms upon completing the tour purchase.
- To enable shopping and spending in all countries included in the program during the tour, 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.
- On our tours, seat rotation is applied daily in the seating plan; therefore, fixed seats and front-seat guarantees are not provided. Seat changes are organized by the vehicle guide.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, there is a mandatory minimum stay of 3 days 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 spirits with more than 22% alcohol, wine, and champagne), Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters of spirits (including spirits with 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
- Guides may modify the flow of the program based on 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 date, a 30% penalty applies; if 20 days or less remain, a 100% penalty applies. Documents submitted with the guest's cancellation request, such as hospital reports or work permission letters obtained from Turkish authorities, are unfortunately not accepted for cancellations of hotels and 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 is 20 days before 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 specifying names and/or offers options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be communicated by Viyatravel 2 days prior to the tour departure.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located at distances exceeding the specified kilometers. In such cases, information will be provided by Viyatravel 15 days before the tour departure date.
- Triple rooms are subject to hotel availability. In these rooms, the third bed is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 additional bed. Since additional beds are foldable or referred to as coach beds, participants booking triple rooms for the 3rd person and/or children are deemed to have accepted any potential crowding and the type of bed in the room. Child discounts apply only to one child accompanying two adults within the appropriate age group.
- Breakfasts included in the tour package are served according to the breakfast culture of the country visited, typically as a limited continental menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee. For groups, this may be served in a separate hall assigned exclusively to the group.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are short excursions (maximum 2–3 hours) designed to provide a general introduction to cities, conducted from the vehicle with guide commentary. These tours do not include entry to museums or historical sites. Viyatravel is not responsible for the inability to conduct these panoramic tours if they coincide with other scheduled tours, or if access is denied by local authorities, roads are closed due to events, or weather conditions make the tour impossible. Some tours may be conducted via public transport or on foot where vehicle access is restricted, depending on available facilities.
- At border crossings made by road during travel, waiting times may exceed standard limits. Viyatravel cannot be held liable for any negative consequences arising from such waiting times.
- Extra tours are organized by the local Viyatravel partner with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient numbers are not met, the excursions may not take place, or extra tour prices, content, and vehicles used may vary based on participant count. Additionally, the days and times of tours may be changed by the guide depending on whether museums and historical sites are open or closed, and 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 area before the extra tour begins and picked up again from that location after the main tour is completed.
- Check-in and boarding procedures for flights are personal responsibilities. Guests must complete these processes either at airline counters at the airport before departure or online via the airline’s website.
- Viyatravel is not responsible for flight failures resulting from guests failing to appear at the designated airport at the specified time, failing to complete check-in and boarding procedures on time, or completing them on time but failing to board the aircraft. All costs associated with new round-trip flight tickets and transfers in the destination region for passengers who miss their flight 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 such 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 paying airport taxes and airport service fees.
- The types of vehicles used in our tours are classified according to the number of passengers as follows. The specific vehicle type for each tour is determined based on the number of participants:
Buses: (Used for 25–46 passengers) *Mercedes Travego/Tourismo *NEOPLAN Cityliner/Tourliner *Temsa Safir/Maraton *Man Fortuna
Midibuses: (Used for 17–24 passengers) *Isuzu Turkuaz, *Otokar Mega
Minibuses: (Used for up to 16 passengers) *VW Volt, *Mercedes Sprinter
- All guests are deemed to have accepted the above terms upon completing the tour purchase.
- 7 Nights, 9 Days
- Flight
499 € (27,580 ₺)
Starting prices per person