Kosovo Grand Balkan Tour with Turkish Airlines including Extra Tours and Dinner PRN-PRN

Day 1: Istanbul - Pristina – Tetovo - Ohrid

Meeting in front of the airline counter at Istanbul Airport departure terminal. Departure for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, at 08:25 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1017. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, arrival at 13:45 local time and, following border entry procedures, we begin our panoramic city tour with our private vehicle waiting in the area. We are starting our panoramic city tour to discover Kosovo’s modern and historical aspects. 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 Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this tour through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to 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 commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After our tour in Pristina, our first stop is Tetovo (Kalkandelen), one of North Macedonia's most striking towns. Here we will visit the Painted Mosque, one of the most colorful and impressive mosques in the Balkans. Built in the 15th century, this mosque will enchant you with its vibrant exterior colors and detailed decorations. As we explore this exquisite example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey deep into history. Located right near the Painted Mosque, the Pena River, which winds through Tetovo, adds a special beauty to the town. During our short walk accompanied by the river’s cool waters, we will experience peaceful moments in touch with nature. Then, among the important Ottoman-era structures, the Isa Bey Bathhouse is one of the places we will see. This historic bathhouse will take us back in time with its elegant details and atmosphere reflecting the architecture of the period. After our visit in Tetovo, we head to Ohrid accompanied by lush green mountains and deep blue lakes. The breathtaking landscapes of North Macedonia will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will conduct a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was once one of the important bases of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are: 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 Saint Sophia. We will also have the chance to walk around 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 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 stay 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 retire to your room and rest.

Prizren Tour INCLUDED!

Pristina – Prizren : 85 km | Prizren – Pristina : 85 km

Total distance to be covered: 170 km

Day 2 : Ohrid - Resen - Bitola – Ohrid

After breakfast, we depart for our Resen and Bitola tour, famous for their magnificent nature and historical richness. Our first stop is in Resen, where we panoramically view 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 a short break here, we continue toward Bitola, once one of the most important cultural and commercial centers of the Ottoman Empire. Upon arrival in Bitola, we visit from the outside the Military Secondary School where the Great Leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum. In this magical city, we will also explore historical Ottoman-era works such as the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, the Ishak Pasha Mosque, and the Yeni Mosque. As you feel 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 return to Ohrid. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel in Ohrid.

Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!

Ohrid – Resen: 34 km | Resen – Bitola: 31 km | Bitola – Ohrid: 69 km

Total distance to be covered: 134 km

Day 3 : 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 as we 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 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 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 to help you create unforgettable memories. After free time, we head to the historic city of Shkodra in northern Albania. Shkodra will captivate you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel.

Tirana Tour INCLUDED!

Ohrid – Tirana: 135 km | Tirana – Shkodra: 100 km

Total distance to be covered: 235 km

Day 4 : Shkodra – Sv. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Medugorje

After breakfast, we embark on an unforgettable journey toward Montenegro’s enchanting shores. Our first stop is Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and stunning views. From above, we will admire the magnificent view of this islet, a postcard-perfect place ideal for photographing every corner. Afterwards, we arrive in Budva, one of the Balkans’ most popular holiday destinations. Following our panoramic Budva tour, 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 the historical atmosphere of the narrow streets and 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 move to our hotel in Medugorje or the surrounding area. After dinner at our hotel, we retreat 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 5 : Medugorje - Blagaj - Mostar – Sarajevo

After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo. Our first stop is Blagaj, built at the source of the Buna River, the most powerful water source in Europe. After a short free time in this magnificent natural setting, we continue toward Mostar. In Mostar, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin. This bridge, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992; however, thanks in large part to contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004. After the Mostar Bridge, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Then we head to Sarajevo. Upon arrival, a city that for centuries was the cultural capital of the Balkans and became history’s turning point when the murder of Austria-Hungary’s Crown Prince Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbs in 1914 triggered World War I. In the war of 1992, it suffered major destruction as a result of devastating conflicts among 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, 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 under Austro-Hungarian rule. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED!

Medugorje - Blagaj: 28 km | Blagaj - Mostar: 12 km | Mostar - Sarajevo: 130 km

Total distance to be covered: 162 km

Day 6 : Sarajevo – Belgrade

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey toward Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, is also notable today for its vitality, liveliness, and historical fabric. In this enchanting 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, where we will explore the city in all its splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture of Belgrade that brings together its past and present. Then we go 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 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 its conquest came to Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. As we trace 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 Martyr Ali Pasha, one of the important figures of the Ottoman period, and the Bayrakli Mosque, one of Belgrade’s few surviving Ottoman structures. During these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and learn about the city’s cultural heritage from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, leaving behind the city’s history and lively atmosphere, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Sarajevo – Belgrade : 287 km

Day 7 : Belgrade - Skopje

After breakfast, we head to 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 historic sites in Skopje, the city where the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı was born. Our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. Then we visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is especially notable for its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. As our tour continues, we will see Kapan Han and Suli Han, located in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Later, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a 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 continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the Vardar River. During our walk along the river, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is Skopje’s largest and most central point, 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 visit the Davut Pasha Bathhouse, once again feeling 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 pleasant 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 distinguished venues. With live performances of the best music and folklore from the Balkans, presented by artists who are all conservatory students and teachers and performed 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 8 : Skopje - Pristina - Istanbul

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Pristina Airport. After arrival at the airport and check-in procedures, our flight to Istanbul Airport will take place at 20:35 with Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1020. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, arrival in Istanbul at 00:20 and the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you again on your next trip.

Skopje – Pristina: 90 km

*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 is refunded, while 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.**

Positive Aspects of the Tour

• Comprehensive Visits: A broad travel program covering important cities and tourist spots in the Balkans is offered. Many significant cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.

• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritages 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: It includes destinations that do not require a visa, reducing extra paperwork and costs.

• Professional Guidance: Guided tours provide the opportunity to gain 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 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 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. Apart from lunch, tips if they wish, and souvenirs for loved ones, there is no extra out-of-pocket expense.

Situations to Consider

• Intensive 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 views throughout the tour, but there may be days with long hours spent on the bus. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured with breaks provided 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 the important points with a guide.

• Seasonal Weather Conditions: In the Balkans, weather conditions may vary during some periods. Therefore, this situation can be made comfortable with appropriate clothing choices.

• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from options reflecting the region’s character and local culture, hotels in some small cities may not offer as many amenities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, comfort and cleanliness are prioritized in these hotels.

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

City Hotel Breakfast Dinner

Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel

Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel

Medugorje 4* Sole etc. Hotel Hotel

Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel

Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel

Skopje 4* Vlaho Hotel etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia

With Turkish Airlines

Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Arrival Time

Istanbul Pristina 08:25 08:05

Pristina Istanbul 20:35 00:20*