Kosovo Balkan Heart Tour with THY, Extra Tours, Evening Dinners Included, 4 Nights OHD-SJJ
Tour details
Day 1: Istanbul – Ohrid - Tirana – Shkodra
Meet at Istanbul airport departure terminal at the Turkish Airlines counter 3 hours before our flight. We depart for Ohrid at 10:35 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1009. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, we arrive in Ohrid at 11:15 local time and, after passport control, begin our city tour with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. We will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was one of the important bases of the Ottomans in the Balkans. 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 Church of St. 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 can visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the city’s cultural texture more closely. Afterwards, 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 free time, departure for Tirana. Upon arrival in Tirana, we visit the Et'hem 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 proudly standing in the center of the square. The Clock Tower, 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 ensure you collect unforgettable memories. After free time, we set off for the historic city of Shkodra in the north of Albania. Shkodra will fascinate you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight and dinner at our hotel.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid - Tirana: 125 km | Tirana – Shkodra: 100 km
Total distance to be covered: 225 km
Day 2 : Shkodra – 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 full of Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples 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 our free time 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 sides 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 Yashar Pasha Mosque. During this excursion 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 Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, the Ottoman Sultan who was killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. After our tour in Pristina, we begin our return journey to Skopje. Upon arrival in Skopje, our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492 and one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques. Then we visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque stands out especially with its Ottoman-era workmanship and architecture. In the continuation of 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. Afterwards, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects both sides of the Vardar River. Walking from the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish quarters 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. Afterwards, we see the Ottoman Bridge, dating from the 15th century, from the outside and visit Davut Pasha Hammam, once again feeling 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 Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, among the early mosques of the Ottoman Empire. These 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 an enjoyable time in the bazaar, transfer to Restaurant Gardenia for the Balkan Night. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel and then settle into our rooms. Overnight in our hotel in Skopje.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. While experiencing the entertaining and cultural side of Skopje with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most distinguished venues. With live performances of the best music and folklore of the Balkans, performed without playback by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, 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.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED !
Shkodra – 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 a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, historically one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans, stands out today as well with its liveliness, activity, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the chance to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, where we will discover all the splendor of the city. Here, you can feel the historic atmosphere and explore the fabric of Belgrade that brings together the 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 focus of conquest and victory. As we continue to discover this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for its sake, but whose conquest was achieved by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing the footsteps 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 explore Belgrade’s rich history in depth and learn about the city’s Ottoman-era cultural heritage. At the end of our tour, leaving behind the city’s history and vibrant atmosphere, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Skopje – Belgrade : 430 km
Day 4 : Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, a city that was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and entered history as the place where World War I broke out after the Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by Serbs in 1914. In 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 Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, the Gazi Husrev Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, 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 under Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 5: Sarajevo - Istanbul
After breakfast, room check-out and free time until transfer time. Transfer to Sarajevo Airport. After check-in procedures, Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1026 departs for Istanbul at 20:35. After a comfortable and pleasant journey, our tour ends upon arrival at Istanbul Airport at 23:35. We bid you farewell with the hope of seeing you on your next trip.
*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 tour departure date. Upon 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 specified 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 tour program covering important cities and tourist points in the Balkans is offered. Many important cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritages from the Ottoman period are visited, which offers an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Riches: Structures belonging to different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, and the cultural diversity of the region is 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, which reduces extra paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Guided tours provide the opportunity to obtain detailed information about cities and historical places.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants have a gastronomic experience with dinners full of traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local flavors.
• All Tours Included: All surrounding excursions and extra tours included 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. Apart from lunch, and if they wish, tips and souvenirs for their loved ones, there is no extra out-of-pocket expense.
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 scenery throughout the tour, but there may be days spent for long periods 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: Weather conditions in the Balkans may be variable during some periods. Therefore, choosing suitable clothing can make this comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from options reflecting the character of the region and local culture, hotels in some small towns 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, you are offered the chance to try the region’s unique local flavors. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some participants may encounter tastes they are not accustomed to. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine up close, but it may be useful to keep in mind that you may come across different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Shkodra 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
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
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
What's included
Included Services:
• Round trip flight tickets with Turkish Airlines from Istanbul HL. / Ohrid – Sarajevo / Istanbul HL.
• Accommodation for a total of 4 nights: 1 night in Skopje, 1 night in Shkodra, 1 night in Sarajevo, and 1 night in Belgrade in 4 and 5-star hotel categories
• Breakfasts
• Dinners to be taken at the hotel
• A Balkan Night adorned with meals, entertainment, and folklore performances
• All transfers mentioned in the program
• City tours mentioned in the program
• Tirana 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 hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and Hotel taxes: (Mandatory payment of 20 Euros per person covering city tax, check point fees, local service charges, handling fees, bus entry fees, and operational service costs will be collected in cash by the guide before the tour departure)
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 the event that sufficient participation for the trip is not achieved; the Agency may cancel the tour up to 21 days prior to the departure date. In such a case, the cancellation information will be communicated to the guest. The full amount of the tour fee will be refunded to the guest. Refunds for additional services purchased outside of the tour; the domestic flight segments purchased from the Agency will also be refunded, if visa services have been utilized by making a visa application on behalf of the guest, these services cannot be refunded as they are considered used. If a visa application has not been made, the visa and travel health insurance will be canceled, and a refund will be made. If the guest has purchased the domestic flight segments from a different service provider independent of the Agency, in the event of the cancellation of the tour by the Agency, the guest cannot request any refund from the Agency. The guest accepts in advance, at the time of purchasing the tour, any possible financial and moral losses that may occur due to the cancellation of the tour, and the Agency cannot be held responsible.
3- In the event that sufficient participation for the trip is not achieved, 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 guiding service included in the package will only cover the airport transfer for the international arrival and departure.
Cancellation and Change
4- In our tours, airline tickets related to transportation are issued at the time of reservation. In cancellations made more than 30 days before the tour departure date, there is no right to cancellation & change and the ticket costs will be reflected as a penalty.
5- Guests have the right to cancel without penalty, provided that they notify the Agency in writing at least 30 days prior to the tour departure date, except for airplane tickets for which the payment has been made by the Agency to the airline and/or committed. If there are 31 days or less until the start date of the trip, the guest can cancel by paying a penalty equal to 50% of the remaining tour fee from the price of the flight ticket, and in case of cancellation 15 days or less before the start date of the trip, can cancel by paying the full tour fee as a penalty. In case of cancellation, the refund conditions for additional services such as domestic flight connections, visa services, travel health insurance may vary based on the cancellation request period, so it is necessary to inquire in advance regarding the refund. The Agency cannot make any commitments regarding the refund of additional services.
Guiding Services and Extra Tours
6- The days and times of the tours specified in the program may be changed by the guide based on the open/closed status of museums, historical sites, and weather conditions. During the tours, different guides may accompany our guests.
7- The panoramic city tours included in the tour package are organized for the general introduction of cities and are conducted as panoramic tours with guide narration from inside the vehicle, lasting a maximum of 2-3 hours and do not include museum or historical site entries. The Agency is not responsible for the inability to conduct these tours due to local authorities not permitting visits or closures due to events or weather conditions. Some tours may be conducted using public transportation or on foot where access is not permitted.
8- Our guide can change the days of the city tour and/or additional tours according to the content of our tours, number of participants, and the closure status of the museum and historical site. This condition also applies to any changes in flight times.
9- Important considerations for tours conducted with Speed Boats include; not eating heavy meals immediately before boarding and not drinking excessive amounts of water. Guests with stomach, back, neck complaints, or pregnant guests must inform their guides of their conditions.
10- There are no refunds for services included in the prices if the guest does not participate in the specified tour or meal services.
About Flights
11- The Agency acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger, and in case of disputes, the relevant provisions of Turkish legislation, as well as the Hague Protocol and Warsaw Convention, will apply.
12- Delays or changes in flight times may occur on 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 when purchasing the trip.
13- Children between the ages of 0-2 only pay airport tax.
14- According to airline rules; return flights purchased as round trips will be canceled by the airline if the outbound flight is not used.
15- Check-in and boarding procedures for participants traveling by air are personal responsibilities and must be carried out by the guest at the airport, at the relevant airline counters, or online through the airline's website before the flight.
16- Last-minute delays and gate changes in flights are announced audibly at airports and displayed on information boards. This information must be followed by the guests themselves.
17- The Agency is not responsible for guests who are not present at the specified airport at the hours indicated by airline rules, who do not complete check-in and boarding procedures on time or who completed them but missed the flight. All costs for obtaining new round-trip tickets and transfers required to participate in the tour after missing the flight will be borne by the guests themselves.
18- The general luggage weight limit for flights departing from Turkey is 20 kg. This weight may vary depending on the airline and the destination country. If domestic flights are available in the destination country, the luggage weight limit may decrease to 15 kg. Excess baggage weight/price rules are determined by airlines and are not the responsibility of the Agency.
19- For guests wishing to upgrade their plane tickets using miles (to business or first class); upgrades may be made depending on the availability of the airline after the tickets are issued (please check with the airline to which you have membership). No guarantee of upgrade for each flight is given. Please check if the tickets in the program are in an upgradeable class.
20- Food and drink services and online check-in services may incur extra charges with some airlines.
Other Matters
21- The Agency will not accept responsibility for any changes or cancellations made directly by the guest in communication with the hotel. In this case, the cancellation conditions of the Agency will apply.
22- When the names of the hotels are not specified in the tour program but only the category information is provided and/or offered as options for the same destination, the Agency will inform the guest 48 hours prior to the tour departure.
23- During special periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified locations or km. In such cases, the Agency will inform the guest 15 days before the departure date of the tour.
24- At the time of registration for the purchased tour; the guest must correctly enter/disclose the name, date of birth, and passport number as it appears in the passport. Flight tickets will be issued based on this information. Penalty fees for cancellations or changes arising from incorrect information will be charged to the guests.
25- To use mobile phones abroad, please check before leaving Turkey if your phone is enabled for international use by contacting your service provider.
26- The check-in time for accommodation is 15:00, and the check-out time is 12:00.
27- Requests regarding the room (high floor, close to common areas, smoking/non-smoking, bed type) are communicated to the hotel by the Agency. Efforts will be made for reserved rooms to align with guests' preferences according to the hotel's availability. The fulfillment of these requests is dependent on occupancy at the time of check-in and cannot be guaranteed by the Agency.
28- Breakfast provided at hotels may differ from the rich offerings of traditional Turkish cuisine. It generally consists of limited options known as continental breakfast, including butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall assigned for groups.
29- In some cases, a double room may have a double bed instead of two single beds. Most European hotels offer rooms that can be combined with two separate beds if necessary.
30- The child and extra bed policies may vary according to each hotel and room type.
31- Any additional beds and baby cribs are provided upon request and subject 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 (maximum).
33- There is an extra bed application in triple rooms, and the bed assigned to the 3rd person in these types of rooms is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Extra beds may consist of folding/collapsible beds, and guests acknowledge that due to the additional beds in triple rooms and/or reservations with children, they accept any crowding and bed type that may occur.
34- If the number of children and their ages staying with adults are inaccurately declared in hotel reservations, the related hotels may charge additional fees. In such a case, the responsibility falls on the guest who provided the incorrect declaration. Hotels may request identification to determine the children's ages.
35- In reservations for 2 adults + 1 child, there may not be a separate bed for the child. Child prices only apply when the child is staying with two adults. Child discounts apply only for "one child" in the relevant age group staying with two adults.
36- Daily exchange rate changes are reflected in TL prices. Rates at the time of payment are valid. Additional requests and certain extra services (mini-bar, ironing, etc.) you will receive at the hotel may be subject to additional charges. These expenses are not included at the time of purchase and are paid directly to the hotel during your stay.
37- Some countries have different applications regarding city, tourism, or local taxes. All such city, tourism, or other taxes in force will be collected from the guest by the hotel during entry or exit.
38- The distances given in the programs are based on maps. Travel times may extend due to traffic, weather conditions, the geographical position of the visited country, road works and conditions, and similar factors.
39- The Agency may change the order of cities in the program and the main airline to be flown without altering the content of the program when necessary or deemed appropriate.
40- Personal belongings, bags, luggage, passports/identifications of participants in the tour are under their own responsibility, and the Agency is not responsible for any forgotten/lost/stolen items. In cases where forgotten items are found, the expenses incurred for delivering them to the country and/or the person are the responsibility of the item owner.
41- Participants in the tour are required to carry their travel health insurance policies and any related medications and reports for any health issues they may have.
42- For possible extra expenses, a photo ID or passport issued by official authorities and a credit card or cash deposit may be requested by the hotel at check-in. The refund of the deposit requested at the time of check-out is a transaction between the hotel and the guest, and the Agency has no intervention in this matter.
Visa and Passport
1- Guests’ passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the end of the travel date.
2- In border crossings/border gates, there must be at least 2 blank pages in your passport to have a stamp for entry-exit.
3- Being exempt from a visa or having obtained a visa for the countries covered in this tour does not mean you can enter/exit the country, as the passport police have the authority to deny entry/exit, and the Agency is not responsible for this situation; responsibility lies with the passenger.
4- Guests who are not Turkish citizens or who hold dual citizenship and will participate in the tour using a different passport must personally inquire about the visa procedures applied by the country they will be traveling to from the relevant consulates; otherwise, the Agency will not be responsible for any resulting issues.
5- To avoid problems with customs officials at the border crossing due to torn, worn-out, wet and/or similarly damaged passports, the passports must be renewed. Otherwise, the responsibility lies with the passenger.
6- Guests under 18 years of age are recommended to be sensitive regarding the possibility that police officers may require a document showing the joint consent of both parents when traveling alone or with only one parent, for entry-exit to the country; thus, guests under 18 and their parents should be cautious about this matter.