Kosovo Balkan Heart Tour with THY and Extra Tours, Dinners Included, 5 Nights SJJ-OHD
Tour details
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
Services Included:
- Round trip plane tickets with Turkish Airlines from Istanbul HL. / Sarajevo – Ohrid / Istanbul HL.
- Accommodation for a total of 5 nights: 2 nights in Skopje, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, and 1 night in Ohrid in 4 and 5-star hotels.
- Breakfasts.
- Dinners at the hotel.
- Balkan Night decorated with food, entertainment, and folklore performances.
- All transfers specified in the program.
- City tours specified in the program.
- Resne Tour.
- Monastery Tour.
- Pristina Tour.
- Prizren Tour.
- Professional Turkish guiding services.
- Mandatory Insurance (Professional Liability).
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.)
Need to Know
GENERAL TERMS
1- General Terms are an integral part of the tour program and cannot be considered independently from the tour program.
2- In case of insufficient participation for the trip; the Agency can cancel the tour up to 21 days before the departure date. In such a case, the cancellation information will be communicated to the guest. The full amount of the tour price will be refunded to the guest. For additional services purchased outside the tour; domestic flight connections purchased from the Agency will also be refunded to the guest, but services such as visa services and travel health insurance, for which a visa application has been made on behalf of the guest, will not be refunded as these services are considered used. If the guest has obtained the domestic flight connection from a different provider independent of the Agency, in the event the tour is canceled by the Agency, the guest cannot claim any refund from the Agency. The guest accepts in advance that they waive any material and moral losses that may arise from the cancellation of the tour at the time of purchasing the tour, and the Agency cannot be held responsible.
3- In case of insufficient participation for the trip, the Agency has the right to show goodwill by not canceling the tour. In this case, since the tour will be provided individually for the guest, the guided service included in the package will only cover the round-trip transfer to the airport.
Cancellation and Changes
4- In our tours, transportation tickets are arranged at the time of booking. Cancellations made more than 30 days before the tour departure date will incur penalties for flight ticket costs for which there is no right to cancellation, change, or refund.
5- Guests have the right to cancel without penalty by notifying the Agency in writing at least 30 days before the tour departure date, except for air tickets that have been paid for and/or committed to by the airline. In the case of less than 31 days remaining until the start of the trip, the guest can cancel by paying a penalty equal to 50% of the remaining tour price for the flight ticket. In case of cancellation 15 days or less before the start of the trip, the guest can cancel by paying the full tour price as a penalty. In case of a cancellation request, the refund conditions for additional services such as domestic flight connections, visa services, and travel health insurance may vary depending on the cancellation request period, so it is necessary to inquire about the refund information in advance. The Agency cannot make any commitments regarding the refund of additional services.
Guided Services and Extra Tours
6- The days and times of the tours specified in the program can be changed by the guide according to the opening/closing status of the museums and historical sites, as well as weather conditions. Different guides may accompany our guests during the tours.
7- The panoramic city tours included in the tour package are organized primarily for the general introduction of the cities and consist of up to 2-3 hours of panoramic tours conducted from within the vehicle without including the entrance to museums and historical sites. If the panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, cannot take place due to local authorities not allowing visits due to closures or closed roads because of any event at the designated date and time, or if it becomes impossible to conduct due to weather conditions, the Agency is not responsible for the cancellation of those tours. Some tours may be conducted using public transport or on foot if access is not permitted due to closed roads or vehicle restrictions.
8- Our guide may change the days of the city tour and/or additional tours based on participant numbers, the closure status of museums and historical sites while adhering to the content of our tours. This is also applicable in case of any changes to flight times.
9- Important considerations for the tours conducted via Speed Boats include: avoiding heavy meals right before boarding and excessive water intake. Guests with complaints related to the stomach, back, neck, or pregnant guests should inform their guides about their conditions.
10- There is no refund for services included in the prices if the guest does not participate in specified tour or meal services.
About Flights
11- The Agency acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger, and in case of any disputes, the relevant provisions of Turkish legislation along with the Hague Protocol and the Warsaw Convention will apply.
12- There may be delays or changes in flight times for scheduled and charter flights. The Agency is obliged to inform about these changes as soon as possible. The passenger accepts the risk of changes/cancellations in flight times by purchasing the trip.
13- Children aged 0-2 only pay the airport tax fee.
14- According to airline regulations; if the outbound flight of round-trip airline tickets is not used, the return flight will be canceled by the airline.
15- The check-in and boarding procedures for participants in airplane tours are personal tasks that must be carried out by the guests at the airports before the flight, at the relevant airline desks, or online through the airline's websites.
16- Last-minute delays and gate changes for flights are announced verbally at airports and displayed on information boards. Guests must follow this information themselves.
17- The Agency is not responsible for passengers who are not present at the specified airports at the announced times, do not complete check-in and boarding on time, or check-in and boarding on time but do not board the plane. All expenses related to obtaining new tickets for missed flights and necessary transfers in the destination area are the responsibility of the passengers.
18- The general luggage weight for flights departing from Turkey is 20 kg. This weight may vary according to the airline and the destination country. If there are domestic flights in the destination country, this luggage weight may drop to 15 kg. The rules for excess luggage weight/pricing are determined by the airlines, and the Agency is not responsible.
19- Guests wishing to upgrade their airline tickets (to business or first class) with their miles can perform the upgrade transactions depending on the availability of the airline after the tickets are issued. There is no guarantee of mileage for each flight. Please check whether the program's tickets are in an upgradeable class.
20- Some airlines may charge extra fees for food and online check-in services.
Other Matters
21- The Agency will not accept responsibility for any changes or cancellation actions made directly by the guest by contacting the hotel. In this case, the Agency's cancellation conditions will apply.
22- If hotels are only indicated by category information and/or offered with alternatives for the same destination in the tour program, the Agency will inform the guest 48 hours before the departure of the trip.
23- During special periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, and sports tournaments, hotels may be used farther away than the specified locations or kilometers. In such cases, the Agency will provide information 15 days before the departure date.
24- When registering for the purchased tour; the guest must correctly enter the name, birth date, and passport number as stated in the passport into the system. Airline tickets are issued based on this information. The penalty fees for any cancellations or changes due to incorrect information will be charged to the guests.
25- To use your mobile phones abroad, please check before leaving Turkey whether your phone is open for international use by contacting the company your line belongs to.
26- For accommodation, the check-in time at the hotel is 3:00 PM, and the check-out time is 12:00 PM.
27- Requests regarding the room (such as high floor, proximity to common areas, smoking/non-smoking, bed type) are communicated to the hotel by the Agency. Care is taken for the reserved rooms to be in accordance with the guests' preferences based on the hotel's availability. The fulfillment of these requests depends on the availability at the time of check-in at the hotel and cannot be guaranteed by the Agency.
28- The breakfast offered in hotels differs from the rich breakfast traditionally served in the Turkish cuisine. It is generally served as a continental breakfast with limited options consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate room designated for groups.
29- In some cases, there may be a double bed instead of a twin room. Most European hotels offer twin rooms that can be combined when necessary.
30- The child and extra bed policy may vary according to each hotel and room types.
31- All extra beds and baby cribs are provided upon request and according to the hotel's availability, and must be approved by the hotel.
32- The capacity for additional beds or baby cribs in the room is 1 unit (maximum).
33- In triple rooms, there is a provision for an additional bed, which is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 additional bed. Additional beds may consist of foldable/convertible beds known as coach beds. Our guests acknowledge the potential cramped condition and bed types due to the additional beds added to standard rooms in triple room and/or child-inclusive reservations.
34- In hotel reservations, if the number of children to stay with adults and their ages are incorrectly stated by our guests, the respective hotels may charge additional fees. In such cases, the responsibility lies with the guest who made the incorrect declaration. The hotel may request identification for age verification of children.
35- In reservations for 2 adults + 1 child, there may not be a separate bed for the child. Child prices are applicable only when the child is accommodated with two adults. Child discounts are only valid for one “single child” in the age group that matches with the staying two adults.
36- The daily exchange rate is reflected in the TL prices. The rates on the payment date are applicable. Your additional requests and any extra services (minibar, ironing, etc.) required at the hotel are subject to extra charges by the hotel. These expenses are not included in the purchase price and are to be paid directly to the hotel during your stay.
37- Some countries may have different applications regarding city, tourism, or local taxes. Any city, tourism, or other taxes applied in this way are collected from the guest by the hotel upon entry or exit.
38- The travel distances indicated in the programs are based on maps. Travel times may extend due to factors such as traffic conditions, weather conditions, geographical location of the visited country, road works, and other conditions.
39- The Agency reserves the right to change the order of cities in the program and the main airline to be flown, without altering the content of the program, in case of mandatory situations or when deemed necessary.
40- The personal belongings, bags, suitcases, passports/identifications of participants in the tour are under their own responsibility, and the Agency is not liable for lost/forgotten/stolen items. Any costs incurred in returning forgotten items to the country and/or the person are borne by the owner of the item.
41- Participants in the tour are required to carry their travel health insurance policies and any necessary medications and reports if they have any health issues.
42- For possible extra expenses, hotels may require a photo ID/passport issued by official institutions and a credit card or cash deposit upon check-in. The deposit requested at check-out is a process between the hotel and the guest, to which the Agency has no intervention.
Visa and Passport
1- Guests are required to have their passports valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
2- During customs clearance/border crossings, to have an entry-exit stamp on your passport, there must be at least 2 blank pages available in your passport.
3- Being exempt from a visa for the countries in this tour and having a visa does not guarantee entry or exit to/from the country; the passport police have the authority to deny you entry or exit, and the Agency is not responsible for this; the responsibility lies with the traveler.
4- Non-Turkish citizens or those with dual citizenship who will participate in the tour using their other passport must consult the relevant consulates directly regarding the visa procedures of the country they will travel; otherwise, the Agency will not be responsible for any resulting issues.
5- To avoid problems with customs at the entry border of the visited country due to ripped, worn, wet, and/or similarly damaged passports, it is necessary to renew these passports. Otherwise, the responsibility lies with the traveler.
6- Guests under the age of 18 traveling alone or with only one parent may be asked by the border police for a document showing the joint consent of both parents; therefore, it is advisable for guests under 18 and their parents to be sensitive to this issue.