Day 1: Ankara - Skopje – Bitola - Resen – Ohrid
Meeting at Ankara Esenboğa Airport, in front of the Ajet Airlines counter at the departure terminal, 3 hours before the flight. Departure from Ankara to Skopje nonstop and direct at 08:45 with Ajet Airlines scheduled service. After an approximately two-hour comfortable journey, arrival in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. After entry procedures, we depart with our private vehicle waiting at the airport for our tour of Resen and Bitola, renowned for their magnificent nature and historical richness. We are on our way to Bitola, once one of the most important cultural and trade centers of the Ottoman Empire. Upon arrival in Bitola, we visit from the outside the Military High School where the Great Leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum. In this magical city, we will also discover historical Ottoman-era landmarks such as the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and the New Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, you will have the chance to take a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After a short break here, we continue to Resen, where we will see panoramically the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history. Resen offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After our tour, we head toward 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 was one of the important bases of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are: the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and important structures such as the Church of Hagia Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll through Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the Turkish Bazaar dating back to the old Ottoman period. Here you may visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the city’s cultural texture up close. 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 enchanting view will accompany our tour. After the tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the silence of the night, take a short walk along the lakeshore, or retire to your room and rest.
Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Bitola: 170 km | Bitola – Resen: 30 km | Resen – Ohrid: 35 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 2: Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off toward Tirana, the capital of Albania. An impressive tour awaits us in this beautiful city, rich in historical and cultural aspects, where we will 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 landmarks. Begun in 1789 and completed in 1923, this structure is one of Albania’s cultural heritages. We take a short break in Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue proudly standing in the middle of the square. The Clock Tower, the symbol of Tirana, built by Et'hem 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 toward the historic city of Shkodër in northern Albania. Shkodër will enchant you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Tirana: 135 km | Tirana – Shkodër: 100 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 3: Shkodër – Prizren - Pristina - Skopje
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Prizren, known as Kosovo’s cultural capital. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, whose architecture resembles Anatolian Ottoman towns and whose shop signs are filled with Turkish expressions. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. In addition, the Halveti Tekke, the Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Hammam are among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After the free time we will spend in Prizren, we head toward Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. After our journey, upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour, where we will discover Kosovo’s modern and historical sides. 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 Yashar Pasha Mosque. During this tour through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history by visiting the Tomb of Ottoman Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigar, who was killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. After our tour in Pristina, we begin our return journey to Skopje.
Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED! |
Shkodër – Prizren: 186 km | Prizren – Pristina: 85 km | Pristina – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance to be covered: 436 km
Day 4: Skopje
After breakfast, 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 stands out especially for its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Suli Han located in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Later, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects the two banks of the Vardar River. Walking across the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish quarters along the Vardar River. During our riverside walk, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is Skopje’s largest and most central point and is 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 by visiting the Davut Pasha Hammam, we will once again feel the splendor of the Ottoman era. We continue discovering the city by walking toward Skopje’s 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 the Sultan Murat Mosque and the Isa Bey Mosque, among the early mosques of the Ottoman Empire. The mosques are an important part of the city’s Islamic heritage and attract attention with their architecture. Finally, we allow free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products ranging from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After your enjoyable time in the bazaar, transfer to Restaurant Gardenia for the Balkan Night. Afterwards, we are transferred to our hotel and then retire to our rooms. Overnight in Skopje at our hotel.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. While you experience 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 the best music and folklore of the Balkans presented live, and performances by our artists who are all conservatory students and teachers, without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be delighted to host you at our own establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Day 5: Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, also stands out today with its vibrancy, dynamism, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the chance to discover the intersection 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 Belgrade’s texture that brings together the past and the present. Then, we head to one of the city’s most impressive points, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. In this unique view, exploring this region, which has been the focal point of many conquests and victories throughout history, will be a great pleasure. As we continue exploring this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded in pursuit of its conquest, which ultimately came under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, which was used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing history in this fortress, we will see important points such as the Fortress Square and the Stone Square. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Martyr Ali Pasha, one of the important figures of the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and gain knowledge about the cultural heritage left from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we leave behind the city’s history and lively atmosphere and transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Skopje – Belgrade: 430 km
Day 6: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, it has gone down in history as the place that was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and where World War I broke out in 1914 following the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs. In the 1992 war, it suffered great destruction as a result of the devastating conflicts between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet 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-beg and Ferhadija Mosques, 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 the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 7: Sarajevo – Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo - Ankara
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 Mimar Sinan’s students, and considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992, but thanks to major contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was rebuilt in 2004 in accordance with the original, and today it once again serves as the symbol of Mostar. Around this bridge, which elegantly connects the two banks of the Neretva River, we will have the opportunity to walk through the historic 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 both examine the architectural details from the Ottoman period and enjoy the magnificent view of Mostar Bridge from the mosque’s courtyard. Then, we head to Blagaj, known for its natural beauty and peaceful environment. Blagaj is an impressive settlement where history and nature intertwine, established at the source of the Buna River, Europe’s strongest water spring. After the enjoyable time you will spend here, transfer to Sarajevo Airport. After ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, nonstop direct Ankara flight with Ajet Airlines scheduled service. Arrival at Esenboğa Airport and the end of our tour. We bid farewell to our valued guests, hoping to see you again on your next trip.
Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED!
Sarajevo - Blagaj: 135 km | Blagaj - Mostar: 12 km | Mostar – Sarajevo: 125 km
Total distance to be covered: 272 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, you may cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In case of reservation cancellation, the full tour fee will be refunded, while the cancellation guarantee package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) will not be refunded.)
**The stated cancellation guarantee package is not valid for group reservations.**
**Limited quota is available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A broad travel program is offered covering important cities and tourist points in the Balkans. Many important cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritages from the Ottoman period are visited, offering an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: Structures belonging to different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, discovering the region’s cultural diversity.
• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural beauties such as Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: Includes destinations that do not require a visa, reducing extra paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: With a guide, detailed information about cities and historical places is provided.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience with dinners full of traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local delicacies.
• Restaurant Gardenia Skopje Experience: An opportunity is offered to enjoy local flavors and a special Balkan night at Restaurant Gardenia Skopje, one of Skopje’s most distinguished restaurants.
• All Tours Included: All sightseeing and extra tours in the program are included in the tour price, so participants can visit all important points without paying extra.
• Dinner Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from spending extra money while tasting local flavors.
• No Need to Spend Money: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Except for lunch, optional tips, and souvenirs for loved ones, you will not need to spend extra money.
Situations to Consider
• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city every day makes the tour extremely rich and full. However, this busy pace may be tiring for those who want to explore more.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances (for example, between Skopje and Belgrade) are covered throughout the tour with beautiful views, but there may be days spent for long periods on the bus. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured with breaks given along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Since the tour program is comprehensive, free time may be limited. However, there is the opportunity to visit all important points with a guide.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: Weather conditions in the Balkans may be variable during some periods. Therefore, choosing suitable clothing can make this comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from among 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 Cuisine Experience: Throughout the tour, you are offered the chance to try the region’s distinctive local flavors. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some participants may find certain tastes unfamiliar. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine up close, but it may be useful to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodër 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
With Ajet Airlines
Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Arrival Time
Ankara Skopje 08:45 09:45
Sarajevo Ankara 19:10 22:15
Services Included:
• Round-trip flight tickets on the route Esenboğa Airport / Skopje - Sarajevo / Esenboğa Airport with AJet Airlines
• Accommodation for a total of 6 nights in a 4-star hotel category: 1 night in Skopje, 1 night in Shkodra, 2 nights in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, and 1 night in Ohrid
• Breakfasts
• Dinners
• All transfers specified in the program
• City tours mentioned in the program
• A Balkan Night adorned with meals, entertainment, and folklore shows
• Prizren Tour
• Pristina Tour
• Tirana Tour
• Resen Tour
• Bitola Tour
• Mostar Tour
• Blagaj Tour
• Professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
• Mandatory Insurance (Professional Liability)
Services Not Included:
• International Exit Tax Stamp
• Travel Insurance (Up to 65 Years Old)
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and hotel taxes: (City tax, checkpoint fees, local service charges, handling fees, bus entry fees, and operational service costs, which are a mandatory payment of 20 Euros per person that will be collected in cash by the guide before the tour starts)