The Jewel of the Balkans: Montenegro and Kosovo Tour with Turkish Airlines for Eid al-Adha

We meet at the departure terminal of Istanbul Airport 4 hours before our flight time. We depart for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, at 07:25 with Turkish Airlines flight TK1003. After a comfortable flight, we arrive at 08:05 local time. After completing the entry procedures in the country, we start our city tour with our private vehicle waiting for us. Skopje is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans with its Ottoman heritage and modern structures. First, we visit the historical sites in the city where the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı was born. Our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the city, built in 1492. Then, we visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque stands out with its Ottoman period decorations and architecture. As we continue our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han located in the center of Skopje. These structures, beautiful examples from the Ottoman period, were important centers where merchants stayed and traded in the past. Next, we visit the Stone Bridge, the symbol of Skopje. This bridge, built in the 15th century, connects both sides of the Vardar River. Walking from the Stone Bridge, we will see the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the banks of the Vardar River. During our riverside walk, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is the largest and central point of Skopje, surrounded by modern structures. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Then, we see the Ottoman Bridge from the 15th century from the outside and visit the Davut Pasha Bath to feel the grandeur of the Ottoman period once again. We continue to explore the city by walking towards the Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, one of the symbolic structures of Skopje, built in the 16th century. Here, we will visit the Sultan Murat Mosque and the Isa Bey Mosque, which are among the early Ottoman period mosques. 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 enjoying your 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. You will have the opportunity to explore the entertaining and cultural side of Skopje during this special Balkan night, hosted at one of the region's finest venues, Restaurant Gardenia. With live performances from our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, presenting the best music and folklore of the Balkans without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We are happy to host you at our own Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje. 

Balkan Night INCLUDED!

After our breakfast, we leave our hotel and head towards Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon our arrival in Pristina, we start our panoramic city tour where we will explore the modern and historical aspects 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 Yaşar Pasha Mosque from the 18th century. During this trip through the historical heritage of the city, we will have the opportunity to commemorate the Tomb of Sultan Murad Hüdavendigâr, who lost his life in the Kosovo Plain as a result of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, and to reflect on this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After our tour in Pristina, we move on to Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we begin to explore the narrow streets of Prizren, filled with architecture reminiscent of Anatolian Ottoman cities and shop signs in Turkish. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important structures of Ottoman architecture. Additionally, the Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are among other important Ottoman artifacts to be seen. After our free time in Prizren, we begin our journey back to Skopje in the evening. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and after having our dinner, we retire to our rooms. Overnight stay 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           

After our breakfast, we set off for our tour of Resne and Bitola, famous for their magnificent nature and historical richness. We head towards Bitola, which was once one of the most important cultural and trade centers of the Ottoman Empire. Upon our arrival in Bitola, we visit the Military High School where the great leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this magical city, we will also explore historical artifacts from the Ottoman period, such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and Yeni Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, you will have the chance to take a pleasant walk through the nostalgic streets of the city. After a short break here, we continue to Resne, where we see the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure in Balkan history, panoramically. Resne offers a captivating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After our tour, we head towards Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon our arrival in Ohrid, we will conduct a tour introducing the historical city of Ohrid, which was one of the important bases of the Ottomans in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are: the monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet in the 9th century, and the Church of St. Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll around the Chinar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the old Turkish Bazaar from the Ottoman period. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke and closely feel the cultural texture of the city. Then, by visiting the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, you will witness the daily life of the local people. Finally, the famous lake of Ohrid and its stunning view will accompany our tour. After the tour, we have 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 by the lake, or retreat to your rooms to rest.

Resne Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!

Skopje – Bitola: 170 km | Bitola – Resne: 30 km | Resne – Ohrid: 35 km

Total distance to be covered: 235 km

After our breakfast, we leave our hotel and head towards Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city, rich in historical and cultural aspects, an impressive tour awaits us where we will explore Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon our arrival in Tirana, we visit the Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the most important symbols of the city, which began construction in 1789 and was completed in 1923. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square, where we see the statue of Skanderbeg proudly rising in the center of the square. The Clock Tower of Tirana, built by Ethem Bey in 1821, is also one of the highlights of our tour. During this tour, the modern face of Tirana and its historical past will come together, allowing you to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we head towards the historic city of Shkodra in northern Albania. Shkodra will enchant you with its natural beauties 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             

After our breakfast, we set off for an unforgettable journey to the stunning beaches of Montenegro. Our first stop is Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and dazzling views. We will enjoy the magnificent view of this islet from above, as every corner is an ideal spot to photograph this postcard-like region. Next, we arrive in Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans. Our city tour of Budva begins. During this walking tour, we will see the magnificent beaches and vibrant nightlife of Budva, one of the most famous holiday centers in the Balkans. Our next stop is Kotor, a charming city famous for its fjords in the Balkans! During our walking tour in this magnificent medieval town, you will feel its narrow streets and the historical atmosphere of the old town, discovering the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea view, this small town will take you on a journey through time. After our free time in Kotor, we head to our hotel in Medugorje or its surroundings. After dinner at our hotel, we retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight stay 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              

After our breakfast, we head to Sarajevo. Our first stop is Počitelj, known as the Turkish Village, where we visit the preserved historical structures built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. After the visit, we head to Blagaj, located at the source of the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe. After a short free time in this magnificent natural scenery, we head towards Mostar. In Mostar, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built by Architect Hayreddin in 1557. This bridge, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992; however, it was reopened in 2004 with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey. After the Mostar Bridge, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Then we proceed to Sarajevo. Upon our arrival, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historical Ottoman inn Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city's religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadiye Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination of Franz Ferdinand took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the Western-style buildings that emerged during the 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay 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          

After our breakfast, we leave our hotel and embark on a pleasant journey to 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 attracts attention with its vibrancy, liveliness, and historical texture. In this enchanting city, we will have the opportunity to explore the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon our arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, where we will discover the city's grandeur. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore the texture that brings together Belgrade's past and present. Then, we go to one of the most impressive points of the city, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. It will be a great pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focal point of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue to explore this ancient city, which Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for, but whose conquest was destined for Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, you will encounter the Belgrade Fortress, which was used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing the traces of history in this fortress, we will see important points such as Kale Square and Taş Meydan. 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 gain insight into the cultural heritage left from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we leave behind the history and vibrant atmosphere of the city and proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Sarajevo – Belgrade: 287 km

After our breakfast, we check out of our rooms and have free time until the transfer time. At the time determined by our guide, we transfer to Belgrade Airport. After completing the boarding procedures, we fly to Istanbul at 20:20 with Turkish Airlines flight TK1084. Following our arrival in Istanbul at 00:10, our tour comes to an end. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you on your next journey.