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The couple, Dunja Radivojevic and Igor Radivojevic, touring by bicycle from the Serbian capital Belgrade to Istanbul, have arrived in Edirne.
Dunja, who works as a graphic designer in Belgrade, and her husband Igor, an information technology specialist, set out from their home in Belgrade on Sept. 4.
After completing the route through their own country, the couple passed through Sofia, Plovdiv, Harmanli, and Haskovo in Bulgaria before entering Türkiye through the Kapikule Border Gate.
Dunja Radivojevic said they have been doing bicycle tours for four years, having cycled through countries including Romania, Slovenia and Portugal.
Noting that cycling from Belgrade to Istanbul had long been a dream of theirs, Radivojevic said, "This route also has historical significance. We're happy to be fulfilling our dream now. When we arrive in Istanbul, we want to rest, and then we'll explore the city's historic sites."
Igor Radivojevic said that traveling by bicycle is the best way to discover the route being traveled.
Expressing happiness at cycling together with his wife, Radivojevic said, "Traveling by car is more tiring. When we arrive at our destination by bicycle, we feel more energetic. We cover an average of 80 kilometers a day. We plan to be in Istanbul in a few days."
Radivojevic added that they had the chance to tour Edirne and that he greatly admired the Selimiye Mosque.
Long-distance bicycle touring through the Balkans and into Türkiye has become increasingly popular among cyclists in recent years, drawn by the region's mix of historic routes, varied landscapes, and relatively affordable travel costs.
Cross-border routes connecting cities such as Belgrade, Sofia, and Istanbul have attracted a growing number of touring cyclists, many of whom document their journeys on social media and cycling community platforms.
Local tourism officials in border towns like Edirne have also noted a rise in cyclists passing through the region as part of longer international tours.
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