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Kosovo’s Heart of the Balkans Tour with Turkish Airlines, Extra Tours and Dinners Included, 5 Nights, SJJ–OHD
Tour Detail
Day 1: Istanbul – Sarajevo
Following our ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures at the International Departures Terminal of Istanbul Airport, we depart for Sarajevo at 12:45 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1023. After a flight lasting approximately 1.5 hours, we arrive in Sarajevo at 13:35 local time and, following entry procedures, proceed to our first destination, Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon our arrival, we will see the city that was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and went down in history as the place where World War I broke out after Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated by Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, the city suffered extensive damage as a result of the devastating conflicts between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo managed to preserve much of its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman inn Morića Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, the Gazi Husrev-bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, the Old Library, and the Western-style buildings built during the city’s 40-year Austro-Hungarian administration. Following our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 2: Sarajevo – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey toward Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, continues to attract attention today with its liveliness, energy, and historic texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the meeting point of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, during which we will discover the city’s full magnificence. Here, you can feel the historic atmosphere and explore Belgrade’s texture, which brings together the past and the present. We then head to the point where the Sava River meets the Danube. It will be a great pleasure to explore this unique area, which has been the focal point of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue discovering this ancient city, for whose conquest Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror was wounded but which was ultimately conquered by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing the marks of history in this fortress, we will see important points such as Kalemegdan and Taşmeydan. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Martyr Ali Pasha, an important figure of the Ottoman period, and the Bajrakli Mosque, one of the few surviving Ottoman structures in Belgrade. During these visits, you will explore Belgrade’s rich history in depth and learn about the city’s cultural heritage from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we proceed to our hotel, leaving the city’s history and lively atmosphere behind. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Sarajevo – Belgrade: 287 km
Day 3: Belgrade - Skopje
After breakfast, we depart for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Upon arrival, our city tour begins. Skopje is one of the Balkans’ important cultural centers, with its Ottoman heritage and modern structures. We begin our tour with the historic sites of Skopje, the birthplace of the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı. Our first stop is Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. We then visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is particularly notable for its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and conducted business. We then visit Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. Built in the 15th century, this bridge connects the two banks of the Vardar River. We will continue our tour on foot from Stone Bridge, seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the Vardar River. During our riverside walk, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is Skopje’s largest and most central point and is surrounded by modern buildings. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. We then view the 15th-century Ottoman Bridge from the outside and visit Daut Pasha Hamam, once again experiencing the splendor of the Ottoman period. We continue exploring the city by walking toward Skopje’s Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, built in the 16th century and one of Skopje’s symbolic structures. Here, we will visit Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, among the early mosques of the Ottoman Empire. These mosques are an important part of the city’s Islamic heritage and attract attention with their architecture. Finally, we have free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products ranging from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After enjoying your time in the bazaar, we will return to our hotel in the evening.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances awaits you. You will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most distinguished venues, where you will have the opportunity to discover Skopje’s entertaining and cultural side during this special Balkan night. With live performances of the finest Balkan music and folklore by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers and perform without playback, we will transform this evening into an authentic experience. We will be delighted to host you at our own establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje.
Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Belgrade – Skopje: 430 km
Day 4: Skopje – Pristina – Prizren – Skopje
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set out toward Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon arriving in Pristina after our journey, we begin our panoramic city tour, during which we will discover Kosovo’s modern and historic aspects. During our tour, we will also visit many valuable structures from the Ottoman period. We will see the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this visit through the city’s historic heritage, we will have the opportunity to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history by visiting the Tomb of Ottoman Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, who was killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. Following our tour of Pristina, we depart for Prizren, known as Kosovo’s cultural capital. Upon arrival, we begin exploring Prizren’s narrow streets, with architecture reminiscent of an Anatolian Ottoman city and shop signs filled with Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. Halveti Tekke, Bajrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Hamam are also among the other significant Ottoman monuments to be seen. After our free time in Prizren, we begin our return journey to Skopje in the evening. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and, after dinner, retire to our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Pristina: 90 km | Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance to be covered: 340 km
Day 5: Skopje – Bitola - Resen – Ohrid
After breakfast, we depart for our tour of Resen and Bitola, famous for their magnificent nature and historical riches. We set out toward Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and commercial centers. Upon arriving in Bitola, we visit the Military High School where the great leader Atatürk was educated and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this enchanting city, we will also discover historic Ottoman-era sites such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and Yeni Mosque. As you feel Bitola’s historic texture, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After a short break here, we continue toward Resen, where we will view panoramically the palace of Niyazi Bey of Resen, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history. Resen offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman heritage. Following our tour, we travel toward Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon arriving in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was one of the Ottoman Empire’s important bases in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are significant sites such as the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of Hagia Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll around Činar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the Turkish Bazaar dating from the former Ottoman period. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke and experience the city’s cultural texture up close. We will then tour the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, witnessing the daily life of the local people. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and its enchanting scenery will accompany our tour. Following our tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lakeshore, or retire to your rooms to rest.
Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Bitola: 170 km | Bitola – Resen: 30 km | Resen – Ohrid: 35 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 6: Ohrid - Istanbul
After breakfast, rooms are vacated and free time is available until the transfer time. Following free time, transfer to Ohrid Airport. After boarding procedures, scheduled Turkish Airlines flight TK1012 departs for Istanbul at 14:30. Following arrival at Istanbul Airport at 17:05, our tour ends. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you on your next journey.
*Balkan Special Cancellation Protection Package: 50 Euros*
(With the Cancellation Protection Package, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under any circumstances. With this application, it is possible to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In the event of reservation cancellation, the full tour fee is refunded, while the cancellation protection package fee and any additional service fees, if applicable (visa, insurance, etc.), are not refunded.)
**The specified cancellation protection package is not valid for group reservations.**
**There is limited availability for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Extensive Visits: A comprehensive travel program covering the Balkans’ important cities and tourist attractions is offered. Many important cities, such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje, are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritage from the Ottoman period are visited, offering an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Riches: The region’s cultural diversity is explored by visiting structures belonging to different religions, including mosques, churches, and synagogues.
• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural attractions such as the fjords of Kotor and Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: The tour includes destinations that do not require visas, reducing additional paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Accompanied by a guide, participants have the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the cities and historical sites.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience through dinners featuring traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local delicacies.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and additional tours included in the program are included in the tour price, allowing participants to visit all important sites without paying an additional cost.
• Dinners Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local delicacies.
• No Need for Spending: The tour is ideal for guests who do not wish to spend money. Apart from lunch, tips if desired, and souvenirs for loved ones, no extra money will be required from your pocket.
Points to Consider
• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city each day makes the tour exceptionally rich and full. However, this busy pace may be tiring for those who wish to explore more.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances, such as between Skopje and Belgrade, are covered amid beautiful scenery throughout the tour, but there may be days involving long periods on the bus. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured through breaks along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Since the tour program is comprehensive, free time may be limited. However, the opportunity to visit all important sites accompanied by a guide is provided.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: Weather conditions in the Balkans can be variable during certain periods. Therefore, choosing suitable clothing can make this situation more comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from options reflecting the region’s character and local culture, hotels in some smaller cities may not offer facilities as extensive as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, attention is paid to comfort and cleanliness at these hotels.
• Food and Cuisine Experience: The opportunity to try the region’s distinctive local flavors is offered throughout the tour. Balkan cuisine is rich and full of delicious dishes, but some flavors may be unfamiliar to certain participants. This is a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with the local culture and cuisine, but it may be useful to bear in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Skopje 5* New Star etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Skopje 5* New Star etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
With Turkish Airlines
Departure Airport Arrival Airport Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Sarajevo 13:25 14:20
Ohrid Istanbul 14:30 17:05
What's Included
Not Included
Services Not Included:
• Overseas Exit Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches
• All kinds of hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and hotel taxes: (This includes city tax, checkpoint fees, local service charges, handling fees, bus entry fees, and operational service costs, which amount to a mandatory payment of 20 Euros per person collected in cash by the guide on the first day of the tour.)