Kosovo and the Great Balkans Tour: 7 Nights SJJ-TIA with Thy

After completing our ticket, luggage, and boarding procedures at the Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, we depart for Sarajevo at 07:20 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1021. Our flight will take approximately 1.5 hours, and we will arrive in Sarajevo at 08:15 local time. After completing the entry procedures, we will start a city tour in Sarajevo. Sarajevo has been the cultural center of the Balkans throughout history and is known as the place where World War I broke out with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914. Despite suffering significant damage during the war in 1992, Sarajevo has managed to preserve its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman inn Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral, Synagogue, Gazi Husrev Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and Western-style buildings from the Austro-Hungarian period. After our tour, we will be transferred to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

After our breakfast, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first stop is Mostar, famous for its historical and cultural richness. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin, a student of Mimar Sinan, and considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed during the 1992 war but was rebuilt in 2004 in its original form with contributions from Turkey. We will have the opportunity to explore the historic bazaar and stone streets surrounding this elegantly connecting bridge over the Neretva River. After discovering the enchanting atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Here, we will be able to examine the 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. Blagaj is the birthplace of the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe. After a short free time here, we proceed to Počitelj, which has 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 will be transferred to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay 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 our breakfast, we depart from our hotel towards Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade has been one of the important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, attracting attention with its vibrancy and historical texture. In this enchanting city, we will explore the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon our arrival in Belgrade, we will start a panoramic city tour. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture that combines Belgrade's past and present. Then, we head to the point 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. While discovering this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded but the conquest was destined for Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, you will encounter the Belgrade Fortress, which was used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. We will see important points such as Kale Square and Tašmajdan. Additionally, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, one of the significant figures of the Ottoman period, and the Bayraklı Mosque, one of the rare Ottoman structures still standing in Belgrade. During these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade's rich history and gain insight into the cultural heritage of the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we will head to our hotel, leaving the city's history and vibrant atmosphere behind. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Sarajevo – Belgrade: 287 km      

After our breakfast, we head towards Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Upon our arrival, our city tour begins. Skopje is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans with its heritage from the Ottoman period and modern structures. We start our tour with the historical 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 largest and most magnificent 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 decorations and architecture from the Ottoman period. Continuing our tour, we will see the Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located in the heart of Skopje. These structures, beautiful examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Next, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. This bridge, built in the 15th century, connects both sides of the Vardar River. Walking from the Stone Bridge, we continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the banks of the Vardar River. During our walk along the river, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is the largest and most central point in Skopje, 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 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 Skopje's Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, one of Skopje's symbolic structures, built in the 16th century. Here, we will visit the Sultan Murat Mosque and the Isa Bey Mosque, which are among the early Ottoman mosques in the city and stand as important parts of the city's Islamic heritage 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 spending a pleasant time in the bazaar, we will return to our hotel for 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, hosted at one of the region's most distinguished venues, Restaurant Gardenia. With the best music and folklore of the Balkans presented live by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, we will transform this night into an authentic experience without playback. We will be delighted to host you at our own Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje.

Balkan Night INCLUDED!

Belgrade – Skopje: 430 km 

After our breakfast, we leave our hotel and head towards Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon our arrival in Pristina, we begin a panoramic city tour where we will explore both 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 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this trip within the historical heritage of the city, we will have the opportunity to visit the Tomb of Sultan Murad Hüdavendigâr, who was killed in the Kosovo Plain as a result of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, commemorating this significant historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After our tour in Pristina, we head to Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon our arrival, we start exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, which remind us of the Anatolian Ottoman city, filled with shop signs in Turkish. We will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important structures of Ottoman architecture in the city. Other important Ottoman works to be seen include the Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath. After our free time in Prizren, we begin our return journey to Skopje in the evening. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and after having our dinner, we retreat 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 head towards Tetovo (Kalkandelen), one of the dazzling towns of Macedonia. Here, we will visit the Alaca Mosque, one of the most colorful and impressive mosques in the Balkans. Built in the 15th century, this mosque will impress you with its vibrant colors and detailed decorations on its exterior. While exploring this rare example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey into the depths of history. After our visit in Tetovo, we will proceed to Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon our arrival in Ohrid, we will conduct a tour introducing the historic 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, 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 heart of the city, Çınar Square, and explore the old Turkish Bazaar from the Ottoman period. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the cultural texture of the city up close. 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 mesmerizing view will accompany our tour. After our tour, we will have free time and then transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel. After our dinner, you can enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of Ohrid in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lake, or retreat to your rooms to rest.

Tetovo (Kalkandelen) Tour INCLUDED!

Skopje – Tetovo: 44 km | Tetovo – Ohrid: 132 km 

Total distance to be covered: 176 km

After our breakfast, we depart from our hotel for an exciting journey to Sveti Naum, where the source of Lake Ohrid and the St. Naum Monastery are located, referred to as 'A Piece of Heaven in the Balkans'. In this enchanting place, you will have the opportunity to photograph the unique beauty of the landscapes in the heart of nature. During our free time, we will enjoy exploring this historical and natural wonder. After our tour of Sveti Naum, we head towards Resne and Bitola, famous for their magnificent nature and historical richness. We are on our way to Bitola, which was once one of the most important cultural and trade centers of the Ottomans. Upon our arrival in Bitola, we will visit the Military Academy where the great leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this magical city, we will also explore historical Ottoman artifacts such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, İshak Pasha Mosque, and the New Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, you will have the chance to take a pleasant walk in the nostalgic streets of the city. After a short break here, we continue to Resne, where we will see the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who made a mark in Balkan history, panoramically. Resne offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After our tour, we head back to Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon our arrival in Ohrid, we will be transferred to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel. After our dinner, you can enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of Ohrid in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lake, or retreat to your rooms to rest.

Sveti Naum Tour INCLUDED! Resne Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!

Ohrid – Sveti Naum: 29 km | Sveti Naum - Bitola: 80 km | Bitola - Resne: 33 km | Resne - Ohrid: 36 km

Total distance to be covered: 178 km

After our breakfast, we depart from our hotel towards Tirana, the capital of Albania. Passing through Elbasan, we arrive in Tirana, rich in historical and cultural aspects. In this beautiful city, an impressive tour awaits us where we will explore Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon our arrival in Tirana, we will 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. Then, we visit the meaningful Peace Bell, made from lead melted by children from Shkodra during the uprising in 1999. During this tour, Tirana's modern face and historical past will come together to create unforgettable memories. After our tour, we transfer to the airport. After completing our ticket, luggage, and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 19:50 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1078. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 22:35 and the end of our tour. We bid farewell to our valued guests, hoping to see you again on your next journey.

Tirana Tour INCLUDED!

Ohrid - Elbasan: 91 km | Elbasan – Tirana: 38 km 

Total distance to be covered: 139 km

*Balkan Special Cancellation Insurance Package: 50 Euros*

(With the cancellation insurance 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 cancellation, the entire tour fee will be refunded, while the cancellation insurance package fee and any additional service fees (Visa, insurance, etc.) will not be refunded.)

**The specified cancellation insurance package is not valid for group reservations.**

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