Big Balkan Tour from Kosovo with AJet Including Extra Tours and Dinners SKP-BEG

Day 1: Istanbul - Skopje

Meeting 3 hours before our flight in front of the airline counter at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport departure terminal. Departure to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, at 12:50 with AJet flight VF263. After a comfortable flight, arrival at 14:20 local time and, after entry procedures, we begin our panoramic city tour with our private vehicle waiting in the area. 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 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 with its Ottoman-era craftsmanship 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. 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 banks of 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 buildings. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Then, we see the Ottoman Bridge, which dates back to the 15th century, from the outside and visit the Daut Pasha Bath to once again feel the splendor 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, one of Skopje’s symbolic 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 attract attention 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 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 entertaining and cultural side with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the most distinguished venues in the region. With the best live Balkan music and folklore presented by artists who are all conservatory students and teachers, and with performances carried out 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!

Day 2 : Skopje - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head toward Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival in Pristina after our journey, 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 Ottoman-era structures. We will see Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yashar Pasha Mosque. During this visit through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to commemorate the important historical event and its place in Ottoman history by visiting the Tomb of Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, who was killed in the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. After our tour in Pristina, we head to Prizren, known as Kosovo’s cultural capital. 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 Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. In addition, Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After free time in Prizren, we start our return journey to Skopje in the evening. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and, after dinner, we 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 3 : Skopje – Bitola - Resen – Ohrid

After breakfast, we depart for our Resen and Bitola tour, famous for their magnificent nature and historical riches. We set out toward 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 the Great Leader Atatürk studied, as well as the Atatürk Museum. In this magical city, we will also discover historical Ottoman-era monuments such as the Turkish Bazaar, the Bezisten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and 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 a short break here, we continue to Resen and see from a panoramic viewpoint the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history. Resen offers a captivating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After our tour, we head to Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will conduct a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, one of the Ottoman Empire’s important bases in the Balkans. The places we will see during our tour include: the Monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and important structures such as the Holy Sophia Church. We will also have the opportunity to stroll through Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the Turkish Bazaar dating back to the old Ottoman period. Here you can visit the Halveti Tekke and feel 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 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 retire to your rooms to 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 4 : Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodra

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head toward Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city rich in historical and cultural aspects, an impressive tour awaits us where we will discover Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arrival in Tirana, we visit the Et'hem 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 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 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 toward the historic city of Shkodra in northern Albania. Shkodra will fascinate 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

Day 5 : Shkodra – Sv. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Medugorje 

After breakfast, we set off on an unforgettable journey toward Montenegro’s enchanting coasts. Our first stop is Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and dazzling view. From above, we will admire the magnificent view of this islet, each corner of which looks like a postcard and is an ideal spot for photography. 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, one of the Balkans’ most famous holiday centers, with its magnificent beaches and very colorful nightlife. Our next stop is Kotor, the enchanting city famous for its fjords in the Balkans! On the walking tour we will take 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 Medugorje or the surrounding area. After dinner at our 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 - Medugorje: 191 km 

Total distance to be covered: 298 km

Day 6 : Medugorje – Počitelj – Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo 

After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo. Our first stop is Počitelj, preserved with its historical texture and known as the Turkish Village, where we see the works made by the Ottomans in the 16th century. After the tour, 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 toward 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, it has gone down in history as a city that, for centuries, was the cultural capital of the Balkans and the place where World War I broke out after Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed by Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, it suffered great destruction as a result of 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 Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman inn Morića Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, 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-year 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! 

Medugorje - Počitelj: 20 km | Počitelj - Blagaj: 30 km | Blagaj – Mostar: 12 km | Mostar - Sarajevo: 130 km

Total distance to be covered: 192 km

Day 7: Sarajevo – Belgrade

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey toward Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Throughout history, Belgrade has been one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans, and today it still stands out with its vibrancy, movement, and historical texture. In this enchanting city, we will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins where we will discover the city in all its splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore the texture that brings together Belgrade’s past and present. 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 region, which throughout history has often been the focal point of conquest and victory. As we continue to discover this ancient city, where Mehmed the Conqueror was wounded in pursuit of its conquest but whose conquest came to Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, 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 the 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. 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 the city’s history and lively atmosphere behind and proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Sarajevo – Belgrade : 287 km

Day 8 : Belgrade - Istanbul 

After breakfast, checking out of the rooms and free time until transfer time. Transfer to Belgrade Airport at the time determined by our guide. After boarding procedures, flight to Istanbul at 13:15 with AJet Airlines scheduled flight VF114. Following arrival in Istanbul at 16:55, the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you on your next journey.

*Balkan Special Cancellation Protection Package : 50 Euro*

(With the Cancellation Protection package application, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under any circumstances. With this application, you can 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 protection package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) are non-refundable.)

**The stated cancellation protection package is not valid for group reservations.**

**Limited quota is available for each tour.** 

 Positive Aspects of the Tour

• Comprehensive Visits : A broad travel program is offered covering the important cities and tourist points of the Balkans. 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 an enjoyable experience for history enthusiasts.

• Religious and Cultural Richness : Structures belonging to different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, allowing the region’s cultural diversity to be explored.

• Natural Beauty : Magnificent natural beauties such as the Kotor fjords and Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.

• Visa-Free Travel: Includes destinations that do not require a visa, reducing extra paperwork and costs.

• Professional Guidance: With a guide, there is an opportunity to obtain 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 local flavors.

• Restaurant Gardenia Skopje Experience: At Restaurant Gardenia Skopje, one of Skopje’s most distinguished restaurants, there is an opportunity to enjoy local flavors and a special Balkan night

• 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 spending extra while tasting local flavors.

• No Need to Spend: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Except for lunch, and if they wish, tips and souvenirs for their loved ones, no extra money will come out of your pocket.

Situations to Consider

• Busy Program: Traveling to a different city every 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 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 given along the way.

• Limited Free Time: Since the tour program is extensive, free time may be limited. However, the opportunity to visit all important points with a guide is offered.

• Seasonal Weather Conditions: In some periods, weather conditions in the Balkans may be variable. Therefore, it is possible to make this situation comfortable by choosing suitable clothing.

• 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 small cities may not offer facilities as extensive as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, comfort and cleanliness are prioritized in these hotels.

• Food and Cuisine Experience: Throughout the tour, the opportunity is offered to try the region’s distinctive local flavors. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some participants may find the tastes unfamiliar. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine up close, though it may be useful to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.

City Hotel Breakfast Dinner

Skopje 4* Vlaho Hotel etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia

Skopje 4* Vlaho Hotel etc. Hotel Hotel

Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel

Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel

Medugorje 4* Sole etc. Hotel Hotel

Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel

Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel

With Ajet Airlines

Departure Place Destination Departure Time Arrival Time

Istanbul Skopje 12:50 14:20

Belgrade Istanbul 13:15 16:55