Kosovo Balkan Heart Tour with THY and Extra Tours, Dinners Included, 5 Nights SJJ-OHD
Day 1: Istanbul – Sarajevo
After our ticketing, baggage, and boarding procedures at Istanbul Airport’s International Departures Terminal, we depart for Sarajevo on Turkish Airlines flight TK1023 at 12:45. After a flight of approximately 1.5 hours, we arrive in Sarajevo at 13:35 local time and, after entry procedures, proceed to our first stop, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we will see a city that was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and has gone down in history as the place where World War I broke out following the assassination of Austria-Hungary’s heir apparent Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, it suffered major damage due to the devastating conflicts between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet 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 Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadiye Mosques, the Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand’s assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the Western-style buildings formed during the city’s 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 2: Sarajevo – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off on a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, also stands out today with its vibrancy, movement, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the crossroads of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, where we will discover all the city’s splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore the fabric that brings Belgrade’s past and present together. Then, we head to one of the city’s most impressive points, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. In this unique view, it will be a great pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focus of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue discovering this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for the cause of conquest, but its conquest came to Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, which was 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 Fortress Square and Stone Square. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, one of the important figures of the Ottoman period, and the Bayraklı Mosque, one of the few surviving Ottoman structures in Belgrade. During these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and learn about the cultural heritage left from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we leave behind the city’s history and lively atmosphere and head to our hotel. Dinner and overnight 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 in Skopje, the city where the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı was born. Our first stop is Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. Then we visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is especially notable for its Ottoman-era ornamentation and architecture. As we continue our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Suli Han in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Later, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects the two banks of the Vardar River. Walking from the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by 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. Then, we see the Ottoman Bridge, dating back to the 15th century, from the outside and visit Davut Pasha Bath to once again feel the magnificence of the Ottoman period. We continue discovering the city by walking toward Skopje’s Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, one of Skopje’s emblematic structures, built in the 16th century. Here, we will visit Sultan Murad 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 stand out with their architecture. Finally, we provide free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After your enjoyable time in the bazaar, we will return to our hotel in the evening.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you accompanied by traditional Balkan music and folk dance performances. While you experience Skopje’s fun and cultural side with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most distinguished venues. With the best music and folklore of the Balkans performed live, and all of our artists made up of conservatory students and teachers performing without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be happy to host you at our own Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight 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 off for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. After our journey, upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour where we will explore Kosovo’s modern and historical sides. During our tour, we will also visit many valuable Ottoman-era structures. We will see Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and Yashar Pasha Mosque, a work from the 18th century. During this trip through the city’s historical heritage, we will visit the Tomb of Ottoman Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, who was killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, and have the opportunity to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After our tour in Pristina, we head to 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 full of Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important Ottoman architectural works. In addition, the Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After 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 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 (Monastir), famous for their magnificent nature and historical richness. We set off for Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and trade centers. Upon our arrival in Bitola, we visit the Military High School where Atatürk, the Great Leader, studied and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this magical city, we will also discover historical Ottoman-era works such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and New Mosque. While feeling Bitola’s historical texture, you will have the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After a short break here, we continue to Resen and see the palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history, from a panoramic viewpoint. Resen offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After our tour, we head toward Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will conduct a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was one of the Ottoman Empire’s important bases in the Balkans. Places we will see during our tour include the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and important structures such as St. Sophia Church. We will also have the opportunity to stroll around Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the Turkish Bazaar from the old Ottoman period. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the city’s cultural texture up close. Then, by touring the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, you will witness the daily life of the local people. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and its enchanting view will accompany our tour. After the tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the quiet of the night, take a short walk by the lake, or retreat to your rooms and 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, room check-out and free time until transfer time. After free time, transfer to Ohrid Airport. After boarding procedures, Turkish Airlines scheduled 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 trip.
*Balkan Special Cancellation Guarantee Package: 50 Euro*
(With the cancellation guarantee package application, 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 case of reservation cancellation, the full tour fee will be refunded, while the cancellation guarantee package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) will not be refunded.)
**The specified cancellation guarantee package is not valid for group reservations.**
**Limited availability is available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A broad travel program covering important cities and tourist points in the Balkans 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 a pleasant experience for history enthusiasts.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: By visiting structures belonging to different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues), the region’s cultural diversity is explored.
• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural beauties such as the Kotor fjords and Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: It includes destinations that do not require a visa, which reduces extra paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Guided tours provide the opportunity to learn detailed information about cities and historical places.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience with dinners full of traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and regional delicacies.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and extra tours in the program are included in the tour price, so participants can visit all important points without paying extra.
• Dinner Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need to Spend: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Except for lunch, tips if they wish, and souvenirs for their loved ones, no extra money will come out of your pocket.
Situations to Consider
• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city every day makes the tour extremely rich and full. However, this busy pace may be tiring for those who want to explore more.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances (for example, between Skopje and Belgrade) are covered with beautiful views throughout the tour, but there may be days spent a long time 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, the opportunity is provided to visit all important points with a guide.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: In the Balkans, weather conditions can be variable during certain periods. Therefore, choosing appropriate clothing can make this situation comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from options that reflect the region’s character and local culture, hotels in some smaller cities may not offer as many amenities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, comfort and cleanliness are given priority in these hotels.
• Food and Cuisine Experience: Throughout the tour, participants are offered the chance to taste the region’s distinctive local flavors. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some participants may encounter tastes they are not used to. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine up close, though it may be helpful to keep 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 Place Arrival Place 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.)