Kosovo Big Balkans Tour with AJet, Extra Tours and Dinners Included TZL-SJJ
Day 1: Istanbul – Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Belgrade
After our ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures at the international departures terminal of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, we depart at 14:05 on Ajet Airlines flight VF271 to Tuzla Airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina, approximately 2 hours from Sarajevo. After a flight of about 1.5 hours, we arrive at Tuzla Airport at 15:10 local time. Following entry formalities, we begin a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, in our private vehicle waiting on site. Belgrade, one of the most important cultural and strategic centers in the Balkans throughout history, continues to stand out today with its vitality, liveliness, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. After arriving in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins during which we will discover the city in all its splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore Belgrade's texture that brings together its 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 view, it will be a great pleasure to explore this region, which has been the focus of conquest and victory many times throughout history. As we continue exploring this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded in pursuit of its conquest, but whose conquest was accomplished by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as the supply center of the Ottoman navy. While tracing the footsteps of history in this fortress, we will see important points such as Kale Meydan and Taş Meydan. During our tour, we will see the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, one of the important figures of the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will explore Belgrade's rich history in depth 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.
Tuzla – Belgrade : 195 km
2nd Day: 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 Ottoman heritage and modern structures. We begin our tour with historical 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 stands out especially for its Ottoman-era ornamentation and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where traders stayed and did business. Afterwards, 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 neighborhoods along the banks of 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 from the 15th century, from the outside and visit Davut Pasha Bath to once again feel the splendor of the Ottoman period. We continue exploring Skopje by walking toward the 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. The mosques are an important part of the city's Islamic heritage and stand out with their architecture. Finally, we give free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products ranging 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 local dance performances. While experiencing 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 presented live, and performances by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be delighted to host you at our own Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Belgrade – Skopje : 430 km
3. Skopje - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head toward Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Following our journey, upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour where we will explore the modern and historical aspects 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, a work from the 18th century. 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 Battle of Kosovo in 1389, 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 the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we begin exploring Prizren's narrow streets, whose architecture recalls 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, Halveti Lodge, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are among the other important Ottoman monuments to be seen. After free time in Prizren, we start our return journey to Skopje in the evening. Upon arrival, we transfer 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
4. 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 off toward Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and trade centers. Upon 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 explore historical Ottoman-era monuments such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and Yeni 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 a short break here, we continue toward Resen and see the palace of Niyazi Bey of Resen, 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 take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was once one of the Ottoman Empire’s important strongholds in the Balkans. The 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 the Church of St. Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll around Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the old Turkish Bazaar dating back to the Ottoman period. Here you can visit the Halveti Lodge 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 captivating 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 along the lakeshore, or retire to your room 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
5. Day: Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodra
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 arrival in Tirana, we visit Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the city's most important symbols. This structure, whose construction began in 1789 and was completed in 1923, 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. Tirana’s symbol, the Clock Tower, 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 to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we head to the historic city of Shkodra in northern Albania. Shkodra will enchant you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight and dinner at our hotel.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Tirana: 135 km | Tirana – Shkodra: 100 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
6. Day: Shkodra – Sv. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Medjugorje
After breakfast, we embark on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting coasts of Montenegro. Our first stop is Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and dazzling scenery. From above, we will admire the magnificent view of this islet, a postcard-perfect spot ideal for photographing every corner of the area. Then, we arrive in Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans. Our Budva city tour begins. On this walking tour, we will see Budva’s magnificent beaches and vibrant nightlife, one of the Balkans’ most famous holiday centers. Our next stop is the enchanting city of Kotor, famous for its fjords in the Balkans! On our walking tour in this magnificent medieval town, you will feel its narrow streets and the historical atmosphere of the old city and discover the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea view, this small town will take you on a journey through time. After free time in Kotor, we head to our hotel in Medjugorje or the surrounding area. After dinner at the hotel, we retire to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Budva Tour INCLUDED! | Kotor Tour INCLUDED!
Shkodra - Budva: 85 km | Budva - Kotor: 22 km | Kotor - Medjugorje: 191 km
Total distance to be covered: 298 km
7. Day: Medjugorje – Počitelj – Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo. Our first stop is Počitelj, a historically preserved town known as the Turkish Village, where we see works from the 16th century built by the Ottomans. After the visit, we continue to Blagaj, built at the source of the Buna River, one of Europe’s strongest water springs. After a short free time in this magnificent natural setting, we set off for Mostar. In Mostar, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin. A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, this bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992; however, with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004. After the Mostar Bridge, we will visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Then we head to Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we 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 the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. In the 1992 war, it suffered major destruction 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, Gazi Husrev-bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the Franz Ferdinand assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings formed during the city’s 40 years under Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Počitelj Tour Included! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED!
Medjugorje - Počitelj: 20 km | Počitelj - Blagaj: 30 km | Blagaj – Mostar: 12 km | Mostar - Sarajevo: 130 km
Total distance to be covered: 192 km
8. Day: Sarajevo – Istanbul
After breakfast, check out of the rooms and transfer to Sarajevo Airport after breakfast. After boarding procedures, flight to Istanbul at 15:45 with Ajet Airlines scheduled service VF98. Following arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 18:35, end of our tour. 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, while the full tour fee is refunded, the cancellation guarantee package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) are non-refundable.)
**The specified cancellation guarantee package is not valid for group reservations.**
**A limited number of spots are available for each tour.**