Budva to Istanbul

Budva is a Montenegrin town on the Adriatic Sea. The coastal area around Budva, called the Budva Riviera, is the center of Montenegrin tourism, known for its well preserved medieval walled city, sandy beaches and diverse nightlife. Budva is 2,500 years old, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast. Its main attractions include the isle of Sveti Stefan, a citadel, Catholic Church of St. John, the Dancing Girl Statue, the Mogren Beach, and more.

A port town located off the Gulf of Kotor, popular with travelers for its natural beauty, and several historic landmarks.

A vital part of Montenegrin cultural heritage, the former royal capital is full of fascinating history and fine religious landmarks.

Shkoder is one of the oldest and most historic places in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic center. During many different epochs it has retained its status as a major city in the Western Balkans, due to its geostrategic positioning close to the Adriatic and the Italian ports, but also with land-routes to other important cities and towns in neighboring regions. Its importance is heightened by the Lake of Skadar to the west of the city—the largest in the Western Balkans—that straddles Albania and neighboring Montenegro.

The capital and largest city of Albania, Tirana is host to many public institutions and universities, and is the center of the political, economic, and cultural life of the country. The main cultural institutions of Tirana are the National Theater, the National Theater of Opera and Ballet of Albania and the National Arts Gallery. Performances of renowned world composers are regularly performed. The city hosts the Tirana Biennale, Tirana Jazz Festival, Summer Day, White Night, Rally Albania, Buy Albanian Regional Delicacies Expo, and Tirana Fashion Week. Tirana has been redesigning its identity to a Mediterranean city, lined with cafes and nightlife.

Albania's second largest city is known for its port and industry, a long history, a nice beach, and several archaeological curios.

The coexistence of religious and cultural communities over several centuries, beginning in the 4th century BC into the 18th century is apparent in Berat. The town also bears testimony to the architectural excellence of traditional Balkan housing construction, which date to the late 18th and the 19th centuries. Some of the landmarks of that historical period could be seen in the Berat Castle, churches of the Byzantine era such as the Church of St. Mary of Blaherna (13th century), the Bachelors' Mosque, the National Ethnographic Museum, the Sultan's Mosque (built between 1481 and 1512), Leaden Mosque (built in 1555) and the Gorica Bridge.

Albania's second largest city is known for its port and industry, a long history, a nice beach, and several archaeological curios.

Situated in a valley at the foot of the Gjere mountains, this town is a well-preserved Ottoman settlement and is home to a 12C fort.

Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia. Events such as the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival are held annually. It is a popular tourist destination in Greece - In 2010, Lonely Planet ranked Thessaloniki as the world's fifth-best party city worldwide. Thessaloniki is also regarded as the cultural capital of Greece, with main theaters include the Royal Theater, the Earth Theater and Forest Theater. The city is known for its major shopping streets. Tsimiski Street and Proxenou Koromila avenue are the city's most famous shopping streets and are among Greece's most expensive and exclusive high streets.

The second largest city in the Macedonia region, Serres is attractive for both summer and winter sports as well as historic sites.

Allegedly the birthplace of the mythical Achilles, this city is a national transportation hub and the regional commercial center.

Kyustendil is a town in the far west of Bulgaria, and the capital of the Kyustendil Province. The town is situated in the southern part of the Kyustendil Valley, near the borders of Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia. During the Iron Age, a Thracian settlement was located within the town, later known as Roman Pautalia in the 1st century AD. In the Middle Ages, the town switched hands between the Byzantine Empire, Bulgaria and Serbia, prior to Ottoman annexation in 1395. The town was liberated in 1878 from the Ottoman Empire. Among its attractions you will find the Regional History Museum, an Art Gallery, and the ruins of a Roman spa.

Nis (pronounced: Nish) is the city of southern Serbia and the third-largest city in Serbia. It is the administrative center of the Nisava District. It is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and Europe, and has from ancient times been considered a gateway between the East and the West. It was founded by the Scordisci in 279 BC, after an invasion of the Balkans, and later on was conquered by Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Nis is one of the most important industrial centers in Serbia, a center of electronics industry, industry of mechanical engineering, textile and tobacco industry. It attractions include Bubanj Memorial Park, Nis Fortress, Mediana Archaeological Site, and more.

Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and is the 15th largest city in the European Union. The city is located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain in the western part of the country, within less than 50km drive from the Serbian border. Its location in the center of the Balkan peninsula means that it is the midway between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, whereas the Aegean Sea is the closest to it. Sofia has been an area of human habitation since at least 7000BCE and is Europe's second-oldest city. Among its many attractions you may find the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Art Gallery, Natural History Museum, palaces, churches, and much more.

Populated for thousands of years due to its mineral springs, this town is littered with Roman ruins and is favored by travelers.

Koprivshtitsa is a historic town in Koprivshtitsa Municipality in Sofia Province, central Bulgaria, lying on the Topolnitsa River among the Sredna Gora mountains. It was one of the centers of the April Uprising in 1876 and is known for its authentic Bulgarian architecture and for its folk music festivals, making it a very popular tourist destination. Koprivshtitsa is one of the characteristic Bulgarian towns, still preserving the atmosphere of the Bulgarian National Revival period of the 19th century. Its points of interests include several remarkable historic houses, great museums, and a charming town center.

Populated for thousands of years due to its mineral springs, this town is littered with Roman ruins and is favored by travelers.

One of the oldest towns in the country, Lovech was a strategic military center for centuries dating back to medieval times.

Also known as the "City of the Tsars," this vibrant university city is home to historic buildings, steep hills, and beautiful views.

Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria and is an important economic, transport, cultural, and educational center. Plovdiv's history spans 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC,[3] ranking it among the world's oldest cities. The city has historically developed on seven syenite hills, and is often referred to in Bulgaria as "The City of the Seven Hills." There are many remains preserved from antiquity such as the ancient Plovdiv Roman theatre, Roman odeon, Roman aqueduct, Roman Stadium, the archaeological complex Eirene, and others. Additionally, intriguing museums and places of worship can be found throughout the city.

Populated for thousands of years due to its mineral springs, this town is littered with Roman ruins and is favored by travelers.

Home to over 90 mineral springs with healing properties, Velingrad also boasts Bulgaria's largest karst spring and some historic sites.

With a rich history stretching through Roman to prehistoric times, this lovely city has much to offer its many visitors.

One of the oldest towns in the country, Lovech was a strategic military center for centuries dating back to medieval times.