Kosovo Great Balkans Tour with AJet, Including Extra Tours and Dinner, TZL-SKP
Day 1: Istanbul – Tuzla - Sarajevo
After our ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures at the International Departures Terminal of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, we depart at 14:20 with Ajet Airlines flight VF271 to Tuzla Airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina, approximately 2 hours away from Sarajevo. After a flight of approximately 1.5 hours, we arrive at Tuzla Airport at 14:20 local time. After the entry procedures into the country, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. Upon our arrival, we will see a city that has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and has gone down in history as the place where World War I broke out after the murder of Austria-Hungary Crown Prince Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, it suffered great destruction as a result of the devastating wars between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo managed to preserve much of its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Bascarsija, 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 the assassination of Franz Ferdinand took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings formed during the city’s 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 2: Sarajevo – Počitelj – Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first stop will be Mostar, famous for its historical, cultural, and architectural richness. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin, one of the students of Mimar Sinan, and considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992, but with the great contributions of the Republic of Turkey, it was rebuilt in accordance with the original in 2004 and has since become the symbol of Mostar once again. Around this bridge, which elegantly connects the two sides of the Neretva River, we will have the opportunity to stroll through the historic bazaar and stone streets. After exploring the enchanting atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s most important religious structures. Here, we will both examine the architectural details from the Ottoman period and enjoy the magnificent view of Mostar Bridge from the mosque’s courtyard. Then we move on to Blagaj, known for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Blagaj is an impressive settlement where history and nature intertwine, founded at the source of the Buna River, one of Europe’s strongest springs. After a short free time here, we continue to Počitelj, a place that carries the past into the present with its stone houses and historical texture. In Počitelj, known as the Turkish Village and largely preserving its historical fabric, we will have the opportunity to closely see the works built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and feel the unique atmosphere of the region. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Počitelj Tour Included! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED!
Sarajevo - Mostar: 120 km | Mostar - Blagaj: 12 km | Blagaj – Počitelj: 22 km | Počitelj - Sarajevo: 150 km
Total distance to be covered: 304 km
Day 3: Sarajevo – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin 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, dynamism, and historical fabric. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon our arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, where we will explore the city in all its splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture of Belgrade that brings together its past and present. Then we go 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 pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focus of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue to explore this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for its sake, but whose conquest belonged to Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, which was used as the supply center of the Ottoman navy. As we trace the footsteps of history in this fortress, we will see important points such as the Fortress Square and Stone Square. During our tour, we will see the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, an important figure of the Ottoman period. 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 transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Sarajevo – Belgrade : 287 km
Day 4: Belgrade - Skopje
After breakfast, we depart for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Upon arrival, our city tour begins. Skopje is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans with its heritage from the Ottoman period and modern structures. We start our tour with the historical places 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 stands out especially with its Ottoman-era workmanship 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 inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Then we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects the two sides of the Vardar River. Walking from the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish quarters along the Vardar River. During our walk by the river, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is the largest and most central point of Skopje and is surrounded by modern structures. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Then we see the Ottoman Bridge from the outside, dating back to the 15th century, and by visiting Davut Pasha Bathhouse we will once again feel 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 structures. Here, we will visit Sultan Murad Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, which are 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 give free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After your pleasant 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 local dance performances. While experiencing Skopje’s entertaining and cultural side with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most distinguished venues. With live performances of the best Balkan music and folklore, presented by artists who are all conservatory students and teachers and performed without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be happy to host you at our own venue, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Thank you for your understanding. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Belgrade – Skopje : 430 km
Day 5 : Skopje – Pristina – Prizren – Shkodër
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon our arrival in Pristina after the journey, we begin our panoramic city tour, where we will explore the modern and historical sides of Kosovo. During our tour, we will also visit many valuable Ottoman-era structures. We will see Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and Yaşar Pasha Mosque, an 18th-century work. During this tour 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 our arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, whose architecture напоминает an Anatolian Ottoman town and whose shop signs are full of Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important works of Ottoman architecture. In addition, the Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bathhouse are among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After free time in Prizren, we set off for the historic city of Shkodër in northern Albania. Shkodër will enchant you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight and dinner at our hotel.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Pristina: 90 km | Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Shkodër: 190 km
Total distance to be covered: 365 km
Day 6 : Shkodër – Tirana - Ohrid
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city, rich in historical and cultural aspects, an impressive tour awaits us as we explore Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon our arrival in Tirana, we visit Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important landmarks. This structure, whose construction began in 1789 and was completed in 1923, is one of Albania’s cultural heritage sites. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue standing proudly in the middle of the square. The Clock Tower, the 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 head towards Ohrid. Breathtaking landscapes accompany us along the way. Upon our arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was one of the important bases of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and important structures such as Saint Sophia Church. We will also have the opportunity to walk around Činar Square, the heart of the city, and stroll through the Turkish Bazaar dating from the old Ottoman period. Here you can visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the cultural texture of the city up close. Then, by exploring 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 our tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of Ohrid in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lake shore, or retire to your rooms to rest.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Shkodër – Tirana: 100 km | Tirana – Ohrid : 135 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 7 : Ohrid - Resen - Bitola – Ohrid
After breakfast, we set off for our tour of Resen and Bitola, famous for their magnificent nature and historical richness. Our first stop is in Resen, where we see panoramic views 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 nature and Ottoman traces. After a short break here, we set off for Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and trade centers. Upon arrival in Bitola, we visit from the outside the Military High School where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum. In this magical city, we will also explore Ottoman-era historical works such as the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and the New Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, you will have the chance to take a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After all these rich cultural stops, we return to Ohrid. Overnight and dinner at our hotel in Ohrid.
Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Resen: 34 km | Resen – Bitola: 31 km | Bitola – Ohrid: 69 km
Total distance to be covered: 134 km
Day 8 : Ohrid – Skopje - Istanbul
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Skopje Airport. After arrival at the airport and boarding procedures, our flight will take place at 14:00 with AJet Airlines scheduled flight VF264 to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, arrival in Istanbul at 16:30 and the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you again 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 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.**
**A limited number of seats are available for each tour.**
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Belgrade 4* Queen Astoria etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodër 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Hotel Sileks etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Hotel Sileks etc. Hotel Hotel
Istanbul Tuzla 13:55 13:55
Skopje Istanbul 14:00 16:30
What's Included
Included Services:
• Round-trip plane tickets with AJet Airlines from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport / Tuzla to Skopje / Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
• Accommodation for a total of 7 nights in 4* hotel category: 1 night in Skopje, 1 night in Shkodra, 2 nights in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, and 2 nights in Ohrid
• Breakfasts
• Dinner at the hotel
• Balkan Night adorned with meals, fun, and folklore shows
• All transfers specified in the program
• City tours mentioned in the program
• Pristina and Prizren (Kosovo) Tour
• Tirana tour
• Blagaj Extra Tour
• Počitelj Extra Tour
• Mostar Tour
• Customs Duties
• All highway, parking, and checkpoint expenses
• Professional Turkish guiding services
• Mandatory Insurance (Professional Liability)