Istanbul to Thessaloniki

Istanbul is an alluring cultural melting pot that spans continents and an unforgettable tourist destination. Turkey’s largest metropolis, Istanbul offers a perfect balance between ancient history, cultural diversity, delightful cuisine, colorful bazaars and markets, and breathtaking sights. 

Now a bustling industrial metropolis, the Ottoman empire's first major capital is full of history, markets, parks and attractions.

Dating to 8C BC, this city boasts a variety of well-preserved Roman ruins, as well as remnants from the Ottoman and other periods.

Known for its pottery-making industry, this historic lakeside town also boasts ancient sites and recreational activities.

Burgas is the second largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and the fourth-largest in Bulgaria after Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna. It is the capital of Burgas Province and an important industrial, transport, cultural and tourist center. The city is surrounded by the Burgas Lakes and located at the westernmost point of the Black Sea, at the large Burgas Bay. The Port of Burgas is the largest port in Bulgaria, and Burgas Airport is the second most important in the country. Burgas is the center of the Bulgarian fishing and fish processing industry. Be sure to visit the Sea Garden, Burgas Museum of Ethnography, and the Regional History Museum if you're in the area.

A thriving tourist destination famed for its scenic beauty, Nesebar offers medieval churches, fine dining, and exciting nightlife.

A lovely beach-resort town, buzzing during the warm months with visitors, nightlife, events, and beach-goers.

A lovely seaside Bulgarian resort town, Pomorie is known for its salt lakes and spa treatments.

Home to remnants of lovely Byzantine architecture, this seaside town is a great coastal resort full of restaurants and hotels.

Varna is the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and the third largest city in Bulgaria. Often referred to as the marine (or summer) capital of Bulgaria, Varna is a major tourist destination, a starting point for all the resorts in the northern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, business and university center, seaport, and headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy and merchant marine. Among its many attractions you will find the Varna Archaeological Museum as well as other great museums, the vast beautiful park Sea Garden, churches and cathedrals, and Roman ruins.

A thriving tourist destination famed for its scenic beauty, Nesebar offers medieval churches, fine dining, and exciting nightlife.

A lovely beach-resort town, buzzing during the warm months with visitors, nightlife, events, and beach-goers.

A lovely seaside Bulgarian resort town, Pomorie is known for its salt lakes and spa treatments.

Home to remnants of lovely Byzantine architecture, this seaside town is a great coastal resort full of restaurants and hotels.

Sozopol is an ancient seaside town located 35 km south of Burgas on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Today it is one of the major seaside resorts in the country, known for the Apollonia art and film festival (which takes place in early September) that is named after one of the town's ancient names. The busiest times of the year are the summer months, ranging from May to September as tourists from around the world come to enjoy the weather, sandy beaches, history and culture, fusion cuisine (Balkan, Mediterranean), and atmosphere of the colorful resort. Its main attractions are a beautiful church, and a great beach.

A thriving tourist destination famed for its scenic beauty, Nesebar offers medieval churches, fine dining, and exciting nightlife.

A lovely beach-resort town, buzzing during the warm months with visitors, nightlife, events, and beach-goers.

A lovely seaside Bulgarian resort town, Pomorie is known for its salt lakes and spa treatments.

Devin is a spa town in Smolyan Province in the far south of Bulgaria. It is the administrative center of the homonymous Devin Municipality. Devin is a popular tourist attraction. There is an abundance of hot springs and hence spa resorts in the area. The region was known in antiquity for the healing properties of its mineral springs. The waters have been claimed to treat and heal a variety of maladies: conditions of the skeletal, peripheral nervous, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, skin disorders and others. Its main attractions include nearby natural gems, such as the Devil's Throat Cave, Yagodinska cave, and Trigrad gorge.

Serres is a city in Macedonia, Greece, capital of the Serres regional unit and second largest city in the region of Central Macedonia. It is one of the administrative and economic centers of Northern Greece. The city is situated some 24 kilometres northeast of the Strymon river and 69 kmnorth-east of Thessaloniki. Local points of interest include the Archaeological Museum of Serres, Sarakatsani Folklore Museum, Mehmet Bey Mosque and the Church of Agios Georgios Kryoneritis.

A northern seaport, established in the 7C BC and known for its many festivals, as well as local cuisine and beautiful scenery.

Parga is a town located in the northwest of Preveza. It is a resort town known for its scenic beauty. Parga is situated between the coastal region of Preveza and Igoumenitsa and combines uniquely mountain and sea. One of the most picturesque and cosmopolitan places in northwestern Greece, the “Bride of Epirus”, the beautiful Parga challenges you to experience up close its long history, its diverse natural beauty and hospitality of its inhabitants. Parga attracts thousands of tourists every summer, not only because of its natural beauties, but also because of its beautiful beaches. Swimmers can enjoy the calm and warm waters, and a wide variety of sea sports or games are also available.

On the island of Corfu, Palaiokastritsa is a beach-lovers' paradise. When you need a break from the sand, visit the monastery.

Ksamil is a village and a former municipality in the riviera of Southern Albania, and part of Butrint National Park. The coastal village, built in 1966, is located south of the city of Sarande off the road to Butrint. Ksamil is one of the most frequented coastal resorts by both domestic and foreign tourists. The main attractions are the nearby Ksamil Islands. The mainland beach is small but clean. During communism, the area became well known for the production of olive oil, lemons, and tangerines.

Durres is the second largest city and a municipality of Albania. It is central on the coast, about 33 km (21 mi) west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically significant cities of Albania. Durres is at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari (300 km or 186 mi away) and Brindisi (200 km or 124 mi away). Durres is home to Albania's main port, the Port of Durres, and to the newest public university, the Aleksander Moisiu University.

The second-largest port city in Albania, Vlore dates to the 6C BC as a Greek settlement, and is famed for its olive production.

Ohrid is a city in the Republic of Macedonia and the seat of Ohrid Municipality. It is the largest city on Lake Ohrid and the eighth-largest city in the country. Ohrid is notable for once having had 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and has been referred to as a "Jerusalem (of the Balkans)". The city is rich in picturesque houses and monuments, and tourism is predominant. Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage that are both Cultural and Natural sites. The main sights of this city are Lake Ohrid, Church of St. Sophia, the amphitheater, Holy Mary Peribleptos, Samuil's Fortress, and more.

Kastoria is a city in northern Greece in the region of West Macedonia. The town is known for its many Byzantine churches and Ottoman-era domestic architecture. The Museum of Byzantine History located on Dexamenis Square houses many examples of Byzantine iconography. The Costume Museum and the Monuments Museum are also located in the city.