Kosovo Great Balkans Tour with Turkish Airlines, Including Extra Tours and Dinner, 6 Nights OHD-SJJ

Day 1: Istanbul - Ohrid - Resen - Bitola – Ohrid

Meeting at the Turkish Airlines counter in the departure terminal of Istanbul Airport 3 hours before our flight. We depart for Ohrid at 10:35 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1009. Following a comfortable flight, we arrive in Ohrid at 11:15 local time and, after completing entry procedures, depart in our private vehicle waiting at the airport for our tour of Resen and Bitola, famous for their magnificent nature and historical wealth. At our first stop, Resen, we will see a panoramic view of the palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history. Resen offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its natural beauty and Ottoman traces. After a short break here, we set off for Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and commercial centers. Upon arrival in Bitola, we visit from the outside the Military High School where the great leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum. In this enchanting city, we will also discover historical Ottoman-era monuments such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque and New Mosque. While experiencing Bitola’s historical texture, you will have the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. Following all these rich cultural stops, we return to Ohrid. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel in Ohrid.

Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED! 

Ohrid – Resen: 35 km | Resen – Bitola: 33 km | Bitola – Ohrid : 69 km

Total distance to be covered: 137 km 

Day 2: Ohrid - Tirana – Shkodra 

After breakfast, our city tour begins. We will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was one of the important Ottoman bases in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are important sites such as the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, the 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of Hagia Sophia. We will also stroll through Plane Tree Square, the heart of the city, and have the opportunity to 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 explore 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. After free time, we depart for Tirana. Upon arrival in Tirana, we visit the Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important landmarks. Construction of this building began in 1789 and was completed in 1923, and it is one of Albania’s cultural heritage sites. We take a short break in Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue rising proudly in the center of the square. The Clock Tower, a symbol of Tirana built by Ethem Bey in 1821, is also one of the highlights of our tour. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together, allowing you to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we set off for the historic city of Shkodra in northern Albania. Shkodra will fascinate you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel.

Tirana Tour INCLUDED!

Ohrid - Tirana: 125 km | Tirana – Shkodra: 100 km

Total distance to be covered: 225 km

Day 3 : Shkodra – Sveti Stefan – Kotor – Budva – Shkodra

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and depart for Sveti Stefan, famous for its rich history and breathtaking views. We will admire the magnificent view of this islet from above. With every corner resembling a postcard, this area is ideal for photography. After all these discoveries, we set off for enchanting Kotor. You will enjoy magnificent views during our journey. Upon arriving in Kotor, during our walking tour of this medieval town famous for the fjords of the Balkans, you will feel the historical atmosphere of the narrow streets and old town and discover the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea views, this small town will take you on a journey through time. Afterwards, we arrive in Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans. Our Budva city tour begins. During this walking tour, we will see Budva, one of the Balkans’ most famous holiday centers, with its magnificent beaches and vibrant nightlife. After the tour, we proceed to Shkodra, the beautiful city of Albania. Following dinner at our hotel, we retire to our rooms to rest. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Kotor Tour INCLUDED! | Budva Tour INCLUDED! 

Shkodra – Sveti Stefan: 77 km | Sveti Stefan - Kotor: 31 km | Kotor - Budva: 23 km | Budva - Shkodra: 85 km

Total distance to be covered: 216 km

Day 4 : Shkodra – Prizren- Pristina- Skopje 

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and depart for Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, with architecture reminiscent of an Anatolian Ottoman city and shop signs filled with Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. The Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque and Mehmet Pasha Bath are also among the other important Ottoman monuments to be seen. After our free time in Prizren, we set off for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon arriving in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour, where we will discover Kosovo’s modern and historical aspects. During our tour, we will also visit many valuable Ottoman-era buildings. We will see the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque and the 18th-century Yashar Pasha Mosque. During this tour through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to remember 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 Field of Kosovo following the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. Following our tour in Pristina, we begin our return journey to Skopje. Upon arriving in Skopje, our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. We then visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque attracts attention especially with its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located in the heart of Skopje. These buildings, fine examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and conducted trade. We then visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects the two banks of the Vardar River. We will continue our tour by walking from the Stone Bridge and 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 see the 15th-century Ottoman Bridge from the outside and visit the Davut Pasha Bath, once again experiencing the grandeur 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 buildings. Here, we will visit the Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, among the early mosques of the Ottoman Empire. The 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, transfer to Restaurant Gardenia for Balkan Night. Afterwards, we transfer to our hotel and then retire to our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje.

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 finest venues, while experiencing Skopje’s entertaining and cultural side during this special Balkan night. We will transform this evening into an authentic experience with live performances of the finest Balkan music and folklore, presented by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, without playback. We will be delighted to host you at our own establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje. 

Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED !

Shkodra – Prizren: 186 km | Prizren – Pristina: 85 km | Pristina – Skopje: 165 km 

Total distance to be covered: 436 km

Day 5: Skopje – Belgrade

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey toward Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Throughout history, Belgrade has been one of the Balkans’ most important cultural and strategic centers, and today it continues to attract attention with its lively atmosphere, dynamism and historical 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 splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore Belgrade’s unique texture, bringing together its past and present. We then go to the point where the Sava River meets the Danube. It will be a great pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focus of many conquests and victories throughout history, amid its unique scenery. As we continue discovering this ancient city, for whose conquest Fatih Sultan Mehmet was wounded but which was ultimately conquered by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing history in this fortress, we will see important sites such as Fortress Square and Stone Square. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, an important figure of the Ottoman period. 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 leave the city’s history and lively atmosphere behind and proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Skopje – Belgrade : 430 km

Day 6: Belgrade – Sarajevo

After breakfast, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we learn about a 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. In the 1992 war, it suffered extensive damage as a result of 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 Morica 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 Western-style buildings constructed during the city’s 40-year Austro-Hungarian rule. Following our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km

Day 7: Sarajevo - Istanbul

After breakfast, rooms are vacated and, following breakfast, free time until the transfer time. Transfer to Sarajevo Airport. Following boarding procedures, flight TK1024 to Istanbul at 14:25 on a Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. After a comfortable journey, arrival at Istanbul Airport at 17:25, followed by the end of our tour. 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, you may cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In the event of cancellation, the entire tour fee is refunded, while the cancellation protection package fee and any additional service fees, if applicable (visa, insurance, etc.), are non-refundable.)

**The specified cancellation protection package is not valid for group reservations.**

**Limited availability is offered for each tour.** 

Positive Aspects of the Tour 

• Comprehensive Visits: An extensive itinerary covering important cities and tourist attractions in the Balkans is offered. Many important cities, such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid and Skopje, are visited.

• Ottoman History: Important Ottoman-era buildings and cultural heritage sites are visited, offering an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.

• Religious and Cultural Richness: 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 Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.

• Visa-Free Travel: The itinerary 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 with traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine and dinners filled with local flavors.

• 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 any additional cost.

• Dinners Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local flavors.

• 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 purchased for loved ones, you will not need to spend any extra money.

Points to Consider

• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city every day makes the tour exceptionally rich and full. However, this busy pace may be tiring for those who wish to explore more extensively.

• Long Journeys: Intercity distances, such as the journey between Skopje and Belgrade, are covered amid beautiful scenery throughout the tour, but there may be days spent for long periods on the bus. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured with breaks along the way.

• Limited Free Time: Since the tour program is comprehensive, free time may be limited. However, it offers the opportunity to visit all important sites accompanied by a guide.

• Seasonal Weather Conditions: Weather conditions in the Balkans may 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 have been carefully selected from among options reflecting the character and local culture of the region, 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: Throughout the tour, you will have the opportunity to try the region’s distinctive local flavors. 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 keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.

 City Hotel Breakfast Dinner

Ohrid 4* Beograd Hotel Hotel

Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel

Skopje 5* New Star etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia

Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel

Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel

Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel

With Turkish Airlines

Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Arrival Time

Istanbul Ohrid 10:35 11:10

Sarajevo Istanbul 14:25 17:25