Bus Tour of Greater Italy & the Balkans Including 6 Nights Accommodation with Surrounding Excursions 2026

Day 1: Istanbul - Edirne

In front of Kadıköy Nautilus Shopping Mall Open Car Park: 21:00

In front of Mecidiyeköy Polat Holding: 21:30

In front of İncirli Ömür Plaza: 22:00

We begin our tour by picking up our valued guests. Following the E80 motorway via Selimpaşa and Silivri, we arrive at the Kapıkule border gate. After completing the passport and customs procedures here, we continue our journey overnight.

Day 2: Sofia – Belgrade

After breakfast taken freely on the road in the morning, upon our arrival in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, we begin our panoramic city tour. During this tour, some of the places we will see include Aleksander Nevsky, the second-largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, the Russian Church, Hagia Sophia Church, the Rotunda Church, the Archaeological Museum, the Presidency, the Prime Ministry and the Banya Bashi Mosque. After the panoramic tour and free time, we meet at our vehicle and depart for Belgrade. After arriving in Belgrade, during our walking tour we will see Knez Mihailova Street, Kalemegdan Fortress, the Monument of Gratitude to France, Istanbul Gate, the Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, the panoramic viewpoint, the Victor Monument, Zindan Gate, Leopoldov Gate, the clock tower and the city walls, among others. After our walking tour, you may stroll through Belgrade’s lively streets, taste different ice cream flavors at an ice cream shop recommended by your guide, or enjoy a pleasant coffee while watching the surroundings and the city. Overnight at our hotel.

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Belgrade (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Bulgarian Lev – Serbian Dinar

Route: Kapıkule Border Gate – Sofia (295 km), Sofia – Belgrade (393 km)

Approximate Distance to Be Covered: 688 km

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 20:30, depending on the duration of the customs crossing

Day 3: Belgrade – Ljubljana – Padua and surroundings

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. We cross the Serbia-Croatia border and continue via Zagreb until we reach the Slovenian border. Although both countries are members of the European Union, customs and passport controls are still carried out between them, so after completing the procedures, we continue toward the capital, Ljubljana. Upon arrival, we begin our walking tour in this small but one of Europe’s most romantic cities. Ljubljana is a hidden gem among the places to visit. During our tour, some of the sights we will see within this gem include Prešeren Square, the Triple Bridge, the Dragon Bridge and the castle. During the free time after our visit, you may eat and drink at the cafés along the river, buy souvenirs, or lose yourself in the local market if your visit coincides with market day. We meet at the time given by our guide, depart from Ljubljana and cross into Italy to reach Padua. Transfer to our hotel and overnight at the hotel. (Depending on seasonal availability, accommodation may be in the Padua area and its surroundings.)

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Belgrade

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Ljubljana (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely on the way (Not included in the price)

Currencies: Croatian Kuna - Euro

Route: Belgrade – Ljubljana (531 km), Ljubljana – Padua (267 km)

Approximate Distance to Be Covered: 798 km

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 22:00, depending on the duration of the customs crossing

Day 4: Padua - Venice – Verona – Bergamo and surroundings

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Our first stop is Venice, founded on 118 islands and historically established as a pirate colony. To reach San Marco Island, known as Venice proper and the largest of these islands, we make our way to our private vaporetto waiting for us at the Tronchetto port. After an approximately half-hour journey at sea, we begin our walking tour of this island, which takes its name from Venice’s patron saint. In addition to the natural canal known as the Grand Canal, many artificial canals were built, allowing easy access from the sea to the depths of the island. Today, because of these canals, you must cross many bridges while walking around the island. In this beautiful place, where every corner holds a piece of history, some of the sights we will see include the Doge’s Palace, the prison, the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark’s Basilica, which houses some works brought from Istanbul, St. Mark’s Square, the bell tower, the astronomical clock and the Rialto Bridge. After this beautiful tour, during which our guide’s explanations and different stories will transport us to different realms, we have free time. During free time, you may browse shops selling items made of Murano glass, buy one of the hundreds of masks associated with Venice, sit in pleasant cafés and sip your drinks to the accompaniment of an orchestra, or taste seafood cuisine. Guests who wish may join the optional gondola tour, an essential extra activity in Venice (30 Euros). This dreamlike journey, lasting approximately half an hour among the canals, is an unforgettable experience that everyone should have at least once in their life. (Gondolas accommodate 6 people, and the stated price is per person. However, if our valued guests request it, a private gondola tour for couples can be arranged, including musical accompaniment if desired. You may ask our guide about special prices for these requests.) After free time, we meet at the place and time specified by our guide, return to Tronchetto by private vaporetto and continue our tour by bus. Our next stop is Verona, one of Italy’s most special cities and the setting of the love story of Romeo and Juliet. After arriving in the city, where we can see Italy’s second-largest arena, some of the sights on our walking tour will include Piazza Bra, the Verona Arena and Juliet’s House. During the free time after our tour, you may visit the shops of famous brands on Verona’s granite-paved shopping street, sit in the cafés in Piazza Bra and taste especially the panna cotta with forest fruits, or enjoy the day by sipping local drinks. After free time, we meet at the place and time specified by our guide and depart for Bergamo with views of the Alps. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms. Overnight at the hotel. (Depending on the area’s occupancy, accommodation will be in Bergamo or around Milan.)

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Padua

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Venice (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Verona (Not included in the price)

Currency: Euro

Route: Padua – Venice (44 km), Venice – Verona (121 km), Verona – Bergamo (116 km)

Approximate Distance to Be Covered: 281 km

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 20:30, depending on traffic

Day 5: Bergamo – Milan – Pisa – Montecatini

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Our first stop is Milan, the capital of fashion in the Lombardy region. During our walking tour here, some of the sights we will see include the Milan Duomo, whose official name is Mariae Nascenti and which is the symbol of the city, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala Theatre, the statue of Leonardo da Vinci, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and its statue, and Sforza Castle. During the free time after our tour, you may visit the stores of world-famous brands and go shopping. At the end of our tour, we depart for the city of Pisa, home to one of the world’s most interesting and most visited towers. Upon arrival, we take a walk toward the religious complex that includes the Leaning Tower of Pisa, where Galileo Galilei also conducted his experiments. After listening to the interesting story of the tower and the city from our guide, we take the famous photos with the tower that are an essential part of any visit here. After shopping at the souvenir stalls in the area during free time, we depart by bus for the Montecatini Terme area, where we will stay. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms. After settling into the hotel, we strongly recommend taking a night walk in this pleasant town. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Bergamo

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Milan (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Montecatini (Not included in the price)

Currency: Euro

Route: Bergamo – Milan (54 km), Milan – Pisa (282 km), Pisa – Montecatini (47 km)

Approximate Distance to Be Covered: 383 km

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 20:30, depending on traffic

Day 6: Montecatini – Florence – Siena – Rome

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. First, we travel to Florence, one of the most important Renaissance cities in the world, with the highest concentration of works of art per square meter. During our walking city tour here, some of the sights we will see include Florence’s Duomo, known as Santa Maria del Fiore, the baptistery, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, the Fountain of Neptune, the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Repubblica. During the free time here, we especially recommend that you see the leather market and taste Florence’s delicious meats. After free time, we meet at the place and time stated by our guide and set off toward another medieval marvel. When we arrive in Siena, famous for its world-renowned bareback horse races called the Palio, you will truly feel as though you have been transported to the Middle Ages during our walking tour. Every part of Italy is uniquely beautiful, but you will never be able to erase Siena from your memories. Reaching Piazza del Campo by walking through its winding streets, we will be welcomed by the Torre del Mangia and the Palazzo Pubblico. Siena Cathedral, located just behind the square, is one of the structures that must be seen for its architecture. After our walking tour, during which we will see this and many other works, you may buy pennants representing Siena’s neighborhoods and enjoy an aperitif at the cafés around the square during free time. After free time, we meet our guide and walk to the point where our bus will pick us up. Our current destination is the capital, Rome. Upon arriving in this historic city, which was also the capital of one of the most important empires in history, the Roman Empire, our first stop will be Castel Sant’Angelo and its bridge, mentioned in Dan Brown’s books and where Cem Sultan was once held captive. We then visit Piazza Navona, which was used as a stadium for races during the Imperial era and is now surrounded by houses and a magnificent church in the same structural plan, with various artists performing freely in the evenings. The Fountain of the Four Rivers in the center of the square, together with the church built by Bernini directly behind it, will enchant you. Today, this important location, also popular among painters, pantomime artists and musicians, is also known as the artists’ square. After taking our photos here, we head to the Pantheon, one of the oldest structures in the city. After hearing the story of this building that has defied the centuries from our guide, we have free time. You may have dinner at one of the many restaurants around you during free time. Pizza, pasta and seafood are just a few of the options. After free time, we return to our bus and depart for the Colosseum (Colleseo) to take night photos. After photographing this immense arena, built in Rome for gladiatorial combats, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Montecatini

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Florence (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Rome (Not included in the price)

Currency: Euro

Route: Montecatini – Florence (41 km), Florence – Siena (59 km), Siena – Rome (233 km)

Approximate Distance to Be Covered: 333 km

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 23:30, depending on traffic

Day 7: Rome – Vatican – Naples

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Our first stop is the Vatican, the smallest state in the world. This small state, consisting of St. Peter’s Basilica and the square surrounding it, is a very important place of worship for Christians. At this important site, where the Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church, also resides, our guide will provide information on many important subjects, including the construction process of the basilica, the square, its architects, the important sculptural groups on and inside the building, and the attempted assassination of the Pope. We take photos during the free time provided and, if the church is open for visits, complete our visit before leaving the Vatican. Our next plan is a Rome city tour. We begin our walking tour at the Colosseum to explore Rome step by step, a city where every stone you step on bears a trace of history. We see the structure we photographed under the night lights, this time in daylight. After hearing the stories of this magnificent structure, where hundreds of people met their deaths, from our guide, we see the Roman Forum and reach Piazza Venezia at the end of our walk. After this square, which is also home to one of the city’s most special structures, the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, we follow Via del Corso and see the Trevi Fountain (Fountain of Love), the monument to the four prophets, the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, among others. The city has such an important historical texture that it is possible to discover a new detail at every corner. After our walking tour, we have free time. We strongly recommend tasting the Italian ice cream and handmade pasta associated with Rome. Be sure to ask your guide where to find the city’s best tiramisu. After our tour and free time, we meet at the time specified by our guide and depart for Naples. Upon arrival, be prepared to encounter an Italian city different from anything we have seen so far. However, its people are very warm and sincere. During our tour here, some of the sights we will see include the Galleria Umberto I, Castel Nuovo, Naples Cathedral and the harbor. During the free time after our tour, we recommend tasting iced drinks made with lemon and the local baba dessert. At the end of our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Rome

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Rome (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Naples (Not included in the price)

Currency: Euro

Route: Rome – Vatican (29 km), Rome – Naples (225 km)

Approximate Distance to Be Covered: 254 km

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 21:00, depending on traffic

Day 8: Naples – Pompeii – Brindisi / Bari

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel with our luggage. Our first stop is Pompeii, one of the important ancient cities in history, located right on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. In this city, also famous for its petrified people, sidewalks, houses, pedestrian crossings, baths, temples and incredible stories await you. (Pompeii entrance fees and local fees are the guests’ responsibility.) After our tour of Pompeii, we have free time for souvenir shopping. After meeting at the time given by our guide, we depart for the port of Brindisi or Bari for our ferry journey to Greece. After completing the customs procedures, we board the ship. We continue our overnight journey toward Greece. Overnight on board.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel in Naples

Lunch: Will be taken at a local restaurant in Pompeii (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely in Bari/Brindisi (Not included in the price)

Currency: Euro

Route: Naples – Pompeii (25 km), Pompeii – Bari (386 km) Brindisi

Approximate Distance to Be Covered: 436 km

Estimated Boarding Time: 00:00, depending on the ship’s arrival time

Day 9: Brindisi / Bari – Igoumenitsa – Kavala – Istanbul

In the morning, after the ship docks at the port of Igoumenitsa, we leave the ship with our vehicle. After a necessary break on the way, upon arriving in Kavala, we taste the famous Kavala cookies and then give you free time for lunch. After the meal, we continue toward the İpsala border gate. Upon reaching the border, we complete the passport and customs procedures and continue toward Istanbul. Upon our arrival in Istanbul, we drop off our valued guests at the points where we picked them up and say goodbye, hoping to see you again on our next tour.

Breakfast: Will be taken freely on board (Not included in the price)

Lunch: Will be taken at a local restaurant in Kavala (Not included in the price)

Dinner: Will be taken freely at a facility on the way (Not included in the price)

Currency: Euro

Route: Igoumenitsa – Kavala (473 km), Kavala – Istanbul (460 km)

Approximate Distance to Be Covered: 933 km

Estimated Boarding Time: 00:30, depending on the duration of the customs crossing

SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Transportation by luxury buses,

• 6 nights’ accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels

• 6 breakfasts to be taken at the hotels

• Ferry ticket for the Brindisi or Bari – Igoumenitsa journey (Deck Type)

• All intercity transfers explicitly stated as included in the program

• All tours and excursions stated as included in the program

• Professional Turkish-speaking guiding services

• Local guiding services required in certain areas

• Check-point and parking fees

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Multiple-entry Schengen visa

• Personal and extra expenses

• Lunches and dinners

• Pompeii entrance and local fees

• Drinks consumed during meals

• International departure fee

• Optional guide and driver tips (5 Euros per person)

• Museum and archaeological site entrance fees

• Vaporetto fee (15 Euros)

• Optional gondola tour (30 Euros)

• Florence and Venice headset fee (1.5 or 2 Euros)

• International travel health insurance

• Hotel city taxes (Taxes collected per person under the name of city tax, ranging from 5 to 9 euros per person; since they vary according to the hotel’s proximity to the city center, the number of hotel stars and the number of nights stayed, they are collected by the guide at the beginning of the tour and paid to the hotel)