Kosovo and the Great Balkans Tour: 7 Nights Friday to Friday with Travel Enthusiasts

We meet at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania, at 12:35 PM with our AJet flight VF367. After a comfortable flight, we arrive at 12:30 PM local time, and after completing our entry procedures, we set off with our private vehicle to explore Tirana's historical and cultural beauties. First, we visit the Et'hem Bey Mosque, one of the symbols of the city. This structure, which began construction in 1789 and was completed in 1923, is part of Albania's cultural heritage. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square, where we see the proudly standing statue of Skanderbeg. Additionally, the Clock Tower, built by Et'hem Bey in 1821, is one of the important stops of our tour. During this tour, you will collect unforgettable memories by seeing both the modern and historical aspects of Tirana together. Transfer to our hotel after the tour. Overnight and dinner at our hotel.

Tirana Tour INCLUDED! | 

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head towards Ohrid, the jewel of the Balkans, via Elbasan. We embark on an exciting journey towards Sveti Naum, known as 'A Corner of Heaven in the Balkans', where Lake Ohrid's source and St. Naum Monastery are located. In this magnificent place, you will have the opportunity to photograph the beauties of nature. During our free time, we will enjoy exploring these historical and natural beauties. After our Sveti Naum tour, we continue towards Ohrid. Upon our arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historical city of Ohrid, which was an important center during the Ottoman period. In this tour, we will see significant structures such as the monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who developed the Cyrillic alphabet in the 9th century, and the Church of St. Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll around Çinar Square and visit the Turkish Bazaar from the Ottoman period. Here, you can feel the cultural fabric of the city by visiting the Halveti Tekke. Afterward, we will explore the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, where you will closely observe local life. Finally, the enchanting view of Lake Ohrid will accompany our tour. After the tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can take a short walk in Ohrid's enchanting atmosphere or retreat to your rooms to rest.

Sveti Naum INCLUDED!

Tirana – Elbasan: 38 km | Elbasan – Sveti Naum: 99 km | Sveti Naum – Ohrid: 29 km

Total distance to be covered: 166 km

After breakfast, we start our tour of Resne and Bitola, famous for their historical and natural beauties. First, we see the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, which has left its mark on Balkan history, panoramically. Resne offers a captivating atmosphere with its nature and Ottoman traces. After a short break, we head towards Manastır, one of the important cultural and trade centers of the Ottoman Empire. Upon our arrival in Manastır, we visit the Military High School where the great leader Atatürk was educated and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this historical city, we will explore Ottoman-era works such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and Yeni Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Manastır, you will have the opportunity to take a pleasant walk in its old streets. After our visit, we set off for Skopje. Upon arrival, we start our city tour. Skopje is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans with its Ottoman heritage and modern structures. First, we visit the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492. Then we will see the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. As our tour continues, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located in the heart of Skopje. These structures are beautiful examples of Ottoman-era inns. Later, 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 see the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the banks of the Vardar River. During our riverside walk, we pass through Macedonia Square. 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, once again feeling the grandeur of the Ottoman period. We continue to explore the city by walking towards Skopje's Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, built in the 16th century. Here, we will visit the Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, which are among the early Ottoman mosques. 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 Skopje's entertaining and cultural side during this special Balkan night, as you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region's finest venues. With live performances of the best Balkan music and folklore, performed 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.

Resne Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED!

Ohrid – Resne: 34 km | Resne – Manastır: 31 km | Manastır – Skopje: 169 km

Total distance to be covered: 234 km

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head towards Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon our arrival in Pristina, we start a panoramic city tour where we will explore the modern and historical aspects of Kosovo. During the tour, we will 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 within the historical heritage of the city, we will have the opportunity to visit the Tomb of Sultan Murad Hüdavendigâr, who lost his life in the Kosovo Plain as a result of the Kosovo Battle of 1389, commemorating this important historical event. After our tour in Pristina, we move to Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we start exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, which remind us of the Anatolian Ottoman city with its architecture and shop signs filled with Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the important structures of Ottoman architecture. The Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are also among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After our free time in Prizren, we begin our evening journey back to Skopje. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and after having our dinner, we retreat 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

After breakfast, we embark on a pleasant journey towards 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 continues to attract attention with its liveliness, dynamism, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. After our arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, where we will explore the city's grandeur. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture that combines Belgrade's past with the present. Then, we go to one of the most impressive points of the city, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. Exploring this unique view, which has been the focal point of many conquests and victories throughout history, will be a great pleasure. While continuing to explore this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded but the conquest was destined for Suleiman the Magnificent, 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 by the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we leave behind the history and lively atmosphere of the city and proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Skopje – Belgrade: 430 km                    

After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon our arrival in Sarajevo, we will explore the city, which has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and is historically significant as the place where World War I broke out after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Serbs in 1914. In the 1992 war, Sarajevo suffered great destruction due to the devastating wars between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but it has managed to preserve its beauty to a large extent. During our panoramic city tour, 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 formed during the city's 40-year Austro-Hungarian administration. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km           

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 Architect Hayreddin, one of the students of Architect Sinan, which is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992 but was reconstructed in 2004 in its original form with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey, and today it has become a symbol of Mostar once again. Surrounding this elegantly arching bridge that connects both banks of the Neretva River, we will have the opportunity to explore the historical bazaar and stone streets. After discovering the enchanting atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque, one of the city's most important religious structures. Here, we will examine the architectural details from the Ottoman period and enjoy the magnificent view of the Mostar Bridge from the mosque's courtyard. Then, we move to Blagaj, known for its natural beauty and tranquil environment. Blagaj is an impressive settlement established at the source of the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe, where history and nature intertwine. After a short free time here, we proceed to Počitelj, which carries the past to the present with its stone houses and historical texture. In Počitelj, known as the Turkish Village, which has largely preserved its historical texture, we will have the opportunity to closely see the works built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and feel the unique atmosphere of the region. After our tour, we 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

After breakfast, free time until the transfer time and check-out from the rooms. Transfer to Sarajevo Airport. After boarding procedures, we fly to Istanbul at 1:50 PM with AJet Airlines scheduled flight VF98. After arriving at Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 5:45 PM, our tour ends. We bid farewell to you with the hope of seeing you on your next journey.

*Balkan Special Cancellation Assurance Package: 50 Euro*

(With the cancellation assurance package application, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under all circumstances. With this application, it is possible to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In case of cancellation, the entire tour fee will be refunded, while the cancellation assurance package fee and any additional service fees (Visa, insurance, etc.) will not be refunded.)

**The specified cancellation assurance package does not apply to group reservations.**

**A limited number of spots are available for each tour.**