Kosovo and the Great Balkans Tour: 7 Nights Semester Special Tour

After completing our ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures at the Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, we depart for Sarajevo at 14:50 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1021. After approximately 1.5 hours of flight, we will arrive in Sarajevo at 14:40 local time. After completing our entry procedures, we will start our city tour of Sarajevo. Sarajevo has been the cultural center of the Balkans throughout history and is known as the place where the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Serbs ignited World War I in 1914. Although it suffered great damage during the war in 1992 due to conflicts between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, Sarajevo has managed to maintain its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman inn Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral, the Synagogue, the Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadiye Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the Western-style buildings constructed during the 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

After our breakfast, we set off from Sarajevo. Our first stop is Mostar, known for its historical and cultural richness. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin, a student of Mimar Sinan. This bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992, but it was rebuilt in 2004 with the contributions of the Republic of Turkey and has become a symbol of Mostar. We will have the opportunity to explore the historic bazaar and stone streets around this bridge, which elegantly connects both banks of the Neretva River. After discovering the enchanting atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Here, we can examine the details of Ottoman architecture and enjoy the view of the Mostar Bridge from the mosque's courtyard. Then, we proceed to Blagaj, famous for its natural beauty. Blagaj is the birthplace of the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe, and is a place where history and nature intertwine. After a short free time here, we proceed to Počitelj, known for its stone houses and historical texture. In 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 atmosphere of the region. After our tour, we return 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 leave our hotel and embark on a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Throughout history, Belgrade has been one of the important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans and still attracts attention with its vibrancy and historical texture. In this enchanting city, we will explore the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. After arriving in Belgrade, we start a panoramic city tour. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture that brings together Belgrade's past and present. Then, we go 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 continuing to explore 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. 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, and the Bayraklı Mosque, one of the few surviving Ottoman structures in Belgrade. 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 lively atmosphere of the city and proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Sarajevo – Belgrade: 287 km

After our breakfast, we head to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. 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. 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 is particularly notable for 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 buildings, 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 banks 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 of 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 outside, built in the 15th century, and visit the Davut Pasha Bath to once again feel 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, which is one of Skopje's iconic structures. 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 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 spending a 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. You will have the opportunity to explore Skopje's entertaining and cultural side during this special Balkan night, hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region's finest venues. With live performances by 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 will be happy 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 arrival in Pristina, we start our 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 Yaşar Pasha Mosque from the 18th century. During this tour of the city's historical heritage, 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, and commemorate this important 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 arrival, we begin to explore the narrow streets of Prizren, which remind us of an Anatolian Ottoman city, filled with shop signs in Turkish. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important structures of Ottoman architecture. Other important Ottoman works to be seen include the Halveti Tekke, the Bayraklı Mosque, and the Mehmet Pasha Bath. After spending 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, our first stop is Tetovo (Kalkandelen), one of Macedonia's dazzling towns. 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 enchant you with its vibrant colors and intricate decorations on its exterior. While discovering this rare example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey into the depths of history. After our visit in Tetovo, we head to Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which has been 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, Byzantine monks from the 9th century believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of St. Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll around the Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and explore 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, Ohrid's famous lake and its breathtaking views will accompany our tour. After our 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.

Tetovo (Kalkandelen) Tour INCLUDED!

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

Total distance to be covered: 176 km

After our breakfast, we leave our hotel and embark on 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 found in the heart of nature. During our free time, we will enjoy exploring this historical and natural wonder. After our Sveti Naum tour, 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 will 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 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 left his mark on Balkan history, from a panoramic view. Resne offers a captivating 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 arrival in Ohrid, we 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.

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 leave our hotel and head towards Tirana, the capital of Albania. Passing through Elbasan, we arrive in Tirana, which is rich in history and culture. 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 visit the Ethem 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, where we see the statue of Skanderbeg proudly rising in the center of the square. The Clock Tower, a symbol 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 the lead melted by children from Shkodra during the rebellion in 1999. During this tour, the modern face of Tirana and its historical past will come together, allowing you to create unforgettable memories. After our tour, we transfer to the airport. After ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 20:25 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1078. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 00:15 and the end of our tour. We bid farewell to our valued guests with the hope of seeing you again on your next trip.

Tirana Tour INCLUDED!

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

Total distance to be covered: 139 km