Day 1: Istanbul – Sarajevo
After our ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures at the International Departures Terminal of Istanbul Airport, we depart for Sarajevo on Turkish Airlines flight TK1021 at 14:50. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, we arrive at 14:40 local time and proceed to the city with our private vehicle waiting at the airport after passport control. Following our arrival, Sarajevo has gone down in history as a city that was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and the place where World War I broke out in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, by Serbs. In the 1992 war, it suffered great destruction as a result of the devastating wars between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo has 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-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 Mimar Sinan’s students, and considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed during the 1992 war, but with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was rebuilt in accordance with the original in 2004 and has since once again become the symbol of Mostar. Around this bridge, which elegantly connects both sides of the Neretva River, we will have the opportunity to stroll through the historic bazaar and stone streets. After discovering the enchanting atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit the 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 the Mostar Bridge from the mosque’s courtyard. Then we head to Blagaj, known for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Blagaj is an impressive settlement where history and nature intertwine, established at the source of the Buna River, Europe’s strongest water spring. After a short free time here, we continue 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 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 start a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, stands out today with its vibrancy, dynamism, and historical atmosphere. In this captivating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the meeting point of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arrival 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 the past and the 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 has been the focus of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue to discover this ancient city where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded, but where the conquest was achieved by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman fleet. While tracing 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, an important figure of the Ottoman period, and Bayrakli Mosque, one of the few surviving Ottoman structures in Belgrade. During these visits, you will explore Belgrade’s rich history in depth and learn about the cultural heritage remaining from the Ottoman era. At the end of our tour, leaving the city’s history and vibrant atmosphere behind, we return 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 Balkans’ important cultural centers with its heritage from the Ottoman period 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, built in 1492 and one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques. Then we visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is especially notable for its Ottoman-period 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 conducted trade. Later, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje. Built in the 15th century, this bridge connects both sides 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 from the outside, dating back to the 15th century, and by visiting Davut Pasha Bath, we will 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, 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 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 the fun and cultural side of Skopje with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most exclusive venues. With the best music and folklore of the Balkans presented live, and performances by our artists consisting entirely of conservatory students and teachers, performed without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be delighted to host you at our own 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 – Shkodra
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. After our journey, upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour where we will discover Kosovo’s modern and historical aspects. 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 have the opportunity to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history by visiting the Tomb of Ottoman Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, who was killed on 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 reminds one of 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 Bath are among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After our free time in Prizren, we head to Shkodra, the historical city in northern Albania. Shkodra will captivate 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 – Shkodra: 190 km
Total distance to be covered: 365 km
Day 6: Shkodra – Tirana - Ohrid
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city rich in historical and cultural aspects, an impressive tour awaits us to 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. The Clock Tower, Tirana’s symbol, 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 continue on to Ohrid. Breathtaking landscapes accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historical 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 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 remaining from the old Ottoman period. Here you may visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the cultural texture of the city 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 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 silence of the night, take a short walk along the lakeshore, or retreat to your room to rest.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Shkodra – Tirana: 100 km | Tirana – Ohrid : 135 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 7: Ohrid - Resen - Bitola – Skopje
After breakfast, we depart for our Resen and Bitola tour, famous for their magnificent nature and historical riches. Our first stop is Resen, where we panoramically see the Palace of Resenli 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 a short break here, we head to Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and commercial 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 discover Ottoman-era historical 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 take a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After all these rich cultural stops, we transfer to Skopje Airport. After arrival at the airport and boarding procedures, our flight to Istanbul Airport will take place at 20:35 with Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1006. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, arrival in Istanbul at 00:15 and the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you again on your next trip.
Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Resen: 34 km | Resen – Bitola: 31 km | Bitola – Skopje: 163 km
Total distance to be covered: 228 km
*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, it is possible to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the departure date of the tour. In case of cancellation, while the full tour fee is refunded, the cancellation protection package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) are non-refundable.)
**The specified cancellation protection 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 travel program covering important Balkan cities and tourist spots 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 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 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: Guided tours offer the opportunity to gain 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 local 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 additional costs.
• 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. Aside from lunch, tips if desired, and souvenirs for loved ones, no extra money comes 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 fast 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 scenery throughout the tour, but there may be days spent on the bus for long periods. 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, it offers the opportunity to visit all important points with a guide.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: Weather conditions in the Balkans may vary during certain periods. Therefore, choosing appropriate clothing can make this 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 small cities may not offer as many amenities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, these hotels are chosen with care for comfort and cleanliness.
• Food and Cuisine Experience: The tour offers the chance to try 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 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Belgrade 4* Queen Astoria etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Hotel Sileks etc. Hotel Hotel
With Turkish Airlines
Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Sarajevo 14:50 14:40
Skopje Istanbul 20:35 00:15*
Services Not Included:
• Foreign Departure Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance (up to 65 years old)
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and hotel taxes