Kosovo Balkan Heart Tour with Thy Extra Tours Including Evening Meals 5 Nights OHD-SJJ
Day 1: Istanbul – Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër
Meeting at Istanbul Airport departure terminal at the Turkish Airlines counter 3 hours before our flight. We depart on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1011 at 10:35 to Ohrid. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, we arrive in Ohrid at 11:15 local time, and after entry procedures into the country, our private vehicle waiting at the airport begins our city tour. 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 significant landmarks 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 Saint Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll through Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the Turkish Bazaar from the old Ottoman period. Here you may visit the Halveti Tekke and experience the city’s cultural fabric up close. Then, by visiting the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, you will witness 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 Et'hem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important symbols. Construction of this structure began in 1789 and was completed in 1923; it is one of Albania’s cultural heritages. 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 Et'hem Bey in 1821, is also one of the highlights of our tour. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we set off for the historic city of Shkodër in northern Albania. Shkodër 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 – Shkodër: 100 km
Total distance to be covered: 225 km
Day 2: Shkodër – Prizren – Pristina – Skopje
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, whose architecture resembles an Anatolian Ottoman town and whose shop signs are filled with Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important works of Ottoman architecture. In addition, the Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Hammam are among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After the free time we will spend in Prizren, we head to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. After our journey, upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour where we will discover the modern and historical aspects of Kosovo. 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 Jashar Pasha Mosque. During this visit through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history by visiting the Tomb of Murad I Hüdavendigar, the Ottoman Sultan killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. After our tour in Pristina, we begin our journey back to Skopje. Upon arrival in Skopje, our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. Then we visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is especially notable for its Ottoman-era embellishments and architecture. As our tour continues, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and conducted trade. Later, we 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. Walking across the Stone Bridge, we continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the banks of the Vardar River. During our walk by the river, 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 view the Ottoman Bridge from the outside, dating back to the 15th century, and visit the Davud Pasha Hammam to once again feel the splendor 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, built in the 16th century and one of Skopje’s symbolic structures. Here, we will visit the Sultan Murad Mosque and the 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 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 pleasant time in the bazaar, transfer to Restaurant Gardenia for the Balkan Night. Afterwards, we are transferred to our hotel and then retire to our rooms. Overnight in Skopje at our hotel.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you accompanied by traditional Balkan music and regional dance performances. You will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the most prestigious venues in the region, while experiencing Skopje’s entertaining and cultural side through this special Balkan night. With live performances of the best music and folklore of the Balkans, presented by artists consisting entirely of conservatory students and teachers and performed without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be pleased to host you at our own Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Shkodër – Prizren: 186 km | Prizren – Pristina: 85 km | Pristina – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance to be covered: 436 km
Day 3: Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin an enjoyable journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, historically one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans, still stands out today with its vibrancy, dynamism, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. After our arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins during which we will explore the city in all its splendor. Here, you can feel the historic atmosphere and discover the texture that brings together Belgrade’s past and present. Then we go to one of the city’s most impressive spots, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. In this unique scenery, it will be a great pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focus of conquest and victory many times throughout history. As we continue discovering this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded in the name of conquest, but whose capture was achieved by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. As we trace the marks of history in this fortress, we will see important points such as the Fortress Square and Tašmajdan. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, one of the important figures of the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and learn about its cultural heritage from the Ottoman era. At the end of our tour, leaving behind the city’s history and vibrant atmosphere, we proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Skopje – Belgrade: 430 km
Day 4: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, a city that for centuries was the cultural capital of the Balkans and entered history as the place where World War I broke out after the assassination of Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, it suffered major destruction as a result of devastating conflicts among 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 Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, the Gazi Husrev-beg and Ferhadija Mosques, 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-year Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 5: 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 Mimar Sinan’s students, and considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992, but with the significant contributions of the Republic of Turkey, it was rebuilt in 2004 in accordance with its original form and has once again become the symbol of Mostar today. Around this bridge, which gracefully connects the two banks of the Neretva River, we will have the opportunity to stroll through the historic bazaar and stone streets. After discovering Mostar’s enchanting atmosphere, we will visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s most important religious structures. Here, we will both examine architectural details from the Ottoman period and enjoy the magnificent view of Mostar Bridge from the mosque’s courtyard. Then we head to Blagaj, known for its natural beauty and serene environment. Blagaj is an impressive settlement built where the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe, is born, where history and nature intertwine. After a short free time here, we move on to Počitelj, which 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 character, we will have the chance to closely see the works built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and feel the unique atmosphere of the region. After the 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 6: Sarajevo - Istanbul
After breakfast, rooms are vacated, and after breakfast there is free time until the transfer time. Transfer to Sarajevo Airport. After boarding procedures, Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1026 departs for Istanbul at 20:35. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, the tour ends upon arrival at Istanbul Airport at 23:35. 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 is refunded, while the cancellation guarantee package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) are not refunded.)
**The specified cancellation guarantee package is not valid for group reservations.**
**A limited number of quotas are available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A broad sightseeing program covering important cities and tourist spots in the Balkans is offered. Many important cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritage from the Ottoman period are visited, offering a pleasant experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: Structures belonging to different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, discovering the region’s cultural diversity.
• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural beauties such as Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: It includes destinations that do not require visas, reducing extra paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: With a guide, there is an opportunity to get detailed information about cities and historical sites.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience with dinners full of traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and regional flavors.
• 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 an additional cost.
• Dinners 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. Apart from lunch, tips if desired, and souvenirs to buy for loved ones, there is no extra out-of-pocket expense.
Points to Consider
• Busy Program: Traveling to a different city each day makes the tour extremely rich and full. However, this intense pace may be tiring for those who want to explore more.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances (for example, between Skopje and Belgrade) are spent with beautiful views throughout the tour, but there may be days with long periods on the bus. Even so, comfortable travel is ensured with breaks given along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Since the tour program is comprehensive, free time may be limited. However, the opportunity to visit all important points with a guide is offered.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: In some periods in the Balkans, weather conditions may be variable. Therefore, it is possible to make this comfortable by choosing appropriate clothing.
• 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 small cities may not offer as many amenities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, comfort and cleanliness are prioritized in these hotels.
• Food and Culinary Experience: Throughout the tour, participants are offered the chance to try the region’s distinctive local flavors. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some tastes may be unfamiliar to some participants. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine closely, but it may be helpful to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Shkodër 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 (All Dates Departing on Friday)
Departure Place Arrival Place Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Ohrid 10:35 11:10
Sarajevo Istanbul 20:35 23:35
With Turkish Airlines (All Dates Departing on Thursday and Sunday)
Departure Place Arrival Place Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Ohrid 13:05 13:40
Sarajevo Istanbul 20:35 23:35
What's Included
Not Included
Services Not Included:
• Foreign Departure Tax Stamp
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and Hotel taxes: (city tax, checkpoint fees, local service charges, handling fee, bus entrance fees, and operational service costs, which include a mandatory payment of 20 Euro per person that will be collected in cash by the guide before the tour departure)