22 days in The Balkans Itinerary

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya) and Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Kids will enjoy Basilica Cistern and Suleymaniye Cami . Next up on the itinerary: appreciate the extensive heritage of Sultanahmet District, hunt for treasures at Kapali Carsi, contemplate the long history of KIz Kulesi, and admire the masterpieces at Istanbul Modern.

To see photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Istanbul trip planning tool .

Lisbon, Portugal to Istanbul is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and shuttle; or drive. You'll lose 3 hours traveling from Lisbon to Istanbul due to the time zone difference. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Lisbon in August since evenings lows in Istanbul dip to 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Wed) early enough to travel to Mykonos Town.

A holiday in Mykonos Town offers a chance to relax on picturesque beaches and explore a labyrinth of charming streets lined with traditional white houses.

Kids will enjoy Panormos Beach and Agios Sostis Beach. Step out of the city life by going to Paradise Beach and Platis Gialos Beach. There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Elia Beach, stroll through Kalo Livadi Beach, and wander the streets of Little Venice.

For other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Mykonos Town trip planner .

You can fly from Istanbul to Mykonos Town in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and ferry; or do a combination of car and ferry. The time zone difference moving from Eastern European Time to Eastern European Time is minus 1 hour. In August, daily temperatures in Mykonos Town can reach 33°C, while at night they dip to 27°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) so you can ride a ferry to Akrotiri.

Located on Santorini's southwestern coastline, the small village of Akrotiri sits just a short walk from one of Europe's most significant Bronze Age archaeological sites.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Sun): kick back and relax at Caldera Beach, then enjoy the sand and surf at Vlychada Beach, then enjoy the sand and surf at Red Beach, and finally explore the ancient world of Akrotiri.

To find where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Akrotiri online sightseeing planner .

Traveling by ferry from Mykonos Town to Akrotiri takes 2 hours. In August, plan for daily highs up to 35°C, and evening lows to 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sun) so you can travel to Elafonisos.

Elafonisos is a small Greek island between the Peloponnese and Kythira. On the 10th (Mon), kick back and relax at Panagia Beach. Keep things going the next day: kick back and relax at Lefki Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at Simos Beach - Σίμος Παραλία, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Megali Paralia.

For photos, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Elafonisos day trip tool .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Akrotiri to Elafonisos. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Athens.

One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Acropolis of Athens and Ancient Agora of Athens. Family-friendly places like Acropolis Museum and National Garden will thrill your kids. Take a break from Athens with a short trip to Archaeological Site Mycenae in Mycenae, about 1h 30 min away. The adventure continues: take a stroll through Plaka, pause for some photo ops at Temple of Olympian Zeus, take an in-depth tour of National Archaeological Museum, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Lycabettus.

To see traveler tips, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Athens trip itinerary builder website .

You can drive from Elafonisos to Athens in 5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 39°C in August, and nighttime lows around 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Bol.

An hour boat ride from Split on the island of Brac, Bol boasts a charming old town, pebble beach, and great windsurfing conditions. Historical charm abounds here in the form of stone houses, narrow pedestrian streets, and historical attractions marked with panels.

Take a break from the city and head to Murvica Beach and Lovrecina Bay. Relax by the water at Zlatni Rat Beach (Golden Horn) and Sumartin Beach. The adventure continues: enjoy the sand and surf at Paklina Beach, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Vidova Gora, and discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

For more things to do, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Bol trip builder website .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Athens to Bol. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Athens to Bol. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Bol when traveling from Athens in August, with lows around 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Korcula Town.

Korcula Town perches on the edge of the island's eastern coastline.

Family-friendly places like Vela Przina Beach and Pupnatska Luca Beach will thrill your kids. Popular historic sites such as St. Mark's Cathedral and Kula Svih Svetih are in your itinerary. Explore Korcula Town's surroundings by going to Zitna Beach (in Zavalatica), Proizd Island (in Vela Luka) and Waterskiing & Jetskiing (in Orebic). There's still lots to do: see what you can catch with a fishing tour and don't miss a visit to Kula Morska Vrata.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Korcula Town trip builder website .

You can drive from Bol to Korcula Town in 5.5 hours. In August, daily temperatures in Korcula Town can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Hvar.

The Croatian island of Hvar serves as a picturesque location for a Mediterranean holiday, with a range of offerings from quiet coves to a lively medieval town.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Fri): get great views at Spanjola and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Mlini Beach. On the next day, admire the landmark architecture of Franciscan Monastery and then enjoy the sand and surf at Dubovica Beach.

For ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Hvar trip planner .

Drive from Korcula Town to Hvar in 5 hours. In August, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.