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- Great Balkan Tour with THY, 6 Countries Including Extra Tours, Visa-Free / 6 Nights Hotel Accommodation / Departure from Kocaeli
Great Balkan Tour with THY, 6 Countries Including Extra Tours, Visa-Free / 6 Nights Hotel Accommodation / Departure from Kocaeli
- During the tour, it is sufficient for us to have Euros in order to make purchases and expenses in all countries included in the program. In regions where local currency is used, the guide will assist with currency exchange.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sports shoes should be preferred during the tour. It is also advisable to bring a sweater or similar clothing for the evening.
- In our tours, a rotation (seat change) is applied daily in the seating plan, and fixed seats or front seat guarantees are not provided. Seat changes are organized by the vehicle guide.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, there is a requirement for a minimum of 3 days of accommodation to bring items (such as alcohol - cigarettes, etc.).
- The duty-free shopping limit when entering Turkey from abroad is: Cigarettes: 3 cartons, Alcoholic Beverages: 1 liter of alcoholic beverage (excluding alcoholic beverages containing more than 22% alcohol, wine, and champagne), Alcoholic Beverages: 2 liters of alcoholic beverage (including alcoholic beverages containing less than 22% alcohol, wine, and champagne), Perfume: 600 ml, Makeup or Skin Care Products: 5 pieces, Chocolate and Confectionery: 2 kg, Coffee: 1 kg, Tea: 1 kg.
- Guides can change the program flow due to weather and road conditions as long as they show all places indicated in the program.
- Guests who register for the tour have the right to cancel for free up to 30 days before.
- Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days before the trip departure. Tours canceled due to insufficient participation will be notified by Viyatravel.
- When category information is provided without specifying names in the tour program and/or when options are available for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be informed by Viyatravel 2 days before the journey.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified kilometers. In such cases, information will be provided by Viyatravel 15 days before the departure date of the tour.
- Triple rooms may be available depending on the hotel's availability, and the bed allocated to the 3rd person in these types of rooms is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are made up of folding beds and coach beds, the tour participants accept the possibility of tightness and bed types in rooms for the 3rd person and/or child reservations. Child discounts apply to one child within the appropriate age group staying with 2 adults.
- The services included in the tour program, such as breakfasts taken at the hotel, are offered according to the breakfast culture of the country visited and usually consist of a limited menu known as a continental breakfast, including butter, jam, bread, tea or coffee, and may be served in a separate room designated for the group.
- The panoramic city tours included in the tour package are conducted for the general introduction of the cities and are tours made with a guide narration from inside the vehicle, not including entrance fees to museums or historical sites, lasting a maximum of 2-3 hours. Viyatravel is not responsible for the inability to carry out the aforementioned tours if the local authorities do not permit visits due to reasons such as closed roads for any events, or if the tour cannot be conducted due to weather conditions. Some tours may also be conducted via public transport or on foot in locations where closed roads or vehicle access is not allowed, within available possibilities.
- During the road travel at customs checkpoints, waiting times may exceed standards, and Viyatravel cannot be held responsible for any negative experiences resulting from these waiting times.
- Additional tours organized by local Viyatravel are conducted with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient numbers are not achieved, trips cannot be conducted, or additional tour prices, content, and the vehicles used may vary according to the number of participants. Additionally, the days and times of the tours may change according to the open/closed status of museums and historical sites and the weather conditions as determined by the guide.
- Additional tours are subject to the participant's choice and are not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to participate in additional tours arranged during the tour accept to wait at a suitable rest facility along the way. These passengers will be dropped off at a roadside rest facility before the start of the additional tour and will be picked up from the drop-off point after completing the tour.
- For participants in tours with flights, check-in and boarding processes are personal tasks and must be completed by the guests at the relevant airline counters at the airports or online on the airlines' websites before the flight.
- Viyatravel is not responsible for individuals who fail to be present at the indicated airport at the times specified by Viyatravel, do not complete check-in and boarding processes on time, or complete them but do not board the plane. All expenses for purchasing new round-trip flight tickets and the transfers in the destination due to individuals missing their flights are their responsibility.
- Viyatravel acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delays on scheduled and charter flights or changes in flight times before the existing trip. Viyatravel is obliged to inform about these changes as soon as possible. The passenger accepts the risk of changes in flight times upon purchasing the trip. Children aged 0-2 are exempt from airport taxes and fees for airport services.
- The types of vehicles used in our tours are classified according to the number of participants as follows. The type of vehicles to be used is determined according to the number of people participating in each tour.
- Buses: (Used for 25 - 46 People) *Mercedes Travego/Tourismo *NEOPLAN Cityliner/Tourliner *Temsa Safir/Maraton *Man Fortuna
- Midibuses: (Used for 17 - 24 People) *Isuzu Turkuaz, *Otokar Mega
- Minibuses: (Used for up to 16 People) *Vw Volt, *Mercedes Sprinter
- All guests are considered to have accepted the terms specified above by completing the purchase of the tour.
Balkan, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pristina, Prizren, Elbasan, Ohrid, Tetovo, Skopje, Matka
Day 1
- Istanbul – Pristina – Prizren – Shkodra
- Meet at the Turkish Airlines check-in counter at the Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal. After ticket, luggage, and passport procedures, we will depart for Pristina at 07:50 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1017. We will arrive in Pristina at 08:30. After passport, luggage, and customs procedures, we will depart for a city tour of Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, which has a population largely composed of Muslim Albanians, one of the youngest states in the world. We will spend an emotionally charged day in these former Ottoman lands, where a humanitarian tragedy occurred recently. The panoramic sights we will see include the Bazaar, the Bazaar Mosque built by Sultan Bayezid in the 15th century, and the clock tower built in the 19th century to remind the public of prayer times. After the tour, we will have some free time. Following this, we will visit the Tomb of Sultan Murad I (Hüdavendigar), which was martyred by Obilić during the Kosovo Field Battle, one of the biggest victories of the Ottomans in the Balkans, located near Pristina. After visiting, we will proceed to Prizren via a short bus ride. Prizren is perhaps one of the prettiest cities in the Balkans, and during our panoramic tour, we will see the Turkish Bath from the 17th century, the Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615, and Prizren Fortress. After the tour concludes and with some free time, we will cross into Albania and head to Shkodra. We will have a panoramic view of the charming city of Shkodra before transferring to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.
- Lunch: Will be taken at a place determined by the guide during free time, at an extra cost.
- Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Accommodation: Hotel Luane Arte etc. – SHKODRA
- Route: Pristina – Prizren 85 KM, Prizren – Shkodra 186 KM
- Check-in Time at the Hotel: Estimated: 20:00, depending on customs processing times.
Day 2
- Shkodra – Budva – Kotor – Medjugorje
- After breakfast at our hotel, we will cross into Montenegro, one of the youngest states in the world. Our first stop is the stunning St. Stefan, a former fishing village turned into a holiday destination for the jet set, which can be viewed panoramically from above (subject to availability for parking). Continuing along the extraordinary coastal roads of the Adriatic, we will see Budva panoramically, and our next stop will be the historic and natural wonder, as well as a tourist attraction, Kotor. Here, walking through Stari Grad (Old Town-Castle) will allow you to get to know this charming town. Guests can join a boat activity around the Kotor Bay organized by our guide (25 EUR). After the Kotor tour, we will head to the city where we will spend the night. Accommodation in Medjugorje, Trebinje, or surrounding area. Overnight stay at our hotel.
- Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken at a place determined by the guide during free time, at an extra cost.
- Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Accommodation: Hotel Olea Vitis etc. MEDJUGORJE, Hotel Leotar etc. TREBINJE
- Route: Shkodra – Budva 85 KM, Budva – Kotor 25 KM, Kotor – Medjugorje 198 KM
- Check-in Time at the Hotel: Estimated: 20:00, depending on customs processing times.
Day 3
- Medjugorje – Mostar – Blagaj – Konjic – Sarajevo
- After breakfast at our hotel, we will head to historic Mostar. Upon arrival in Mostar, our walking city tour will begin with the Mostar Bridge (a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture constructed by Mimar Hayreddin in 1557). The bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992 by Croatian artillery but was reopened in 2004 with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey. We will explore the old town bazaar. After some free time, we will move to Blagaj, the land of the Alperens. After visiting Blagaj, we will proceed to the capital, Sarajevo. Passing through Konjic, we will arrive in Sarajevo and begin our city tour. We will stroll through Baščaršija, the most distinguished bazaar in Europe. Our tour will start at the Sebilj Fountain, which has become a symbol of the bazaar, and we will also see Morica Han, one of the most authentic spots in the city, and the Husein Bey Mosque, a relative of Kanuni Sultan Suleiman. Continuing our tour, we will visit the Clock Tower, the famous fountain that has become a ritual, as well as the meeting point of cultures, which also contains the Eternal Flame monument. After this, we will have some free time, where interested guests can take photos at the Latin Bridge, where World War I started. After the tour and free time, we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.
- Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken at a place determined by the guide during free time, at an extra cost.
- Dinner: At a local restaurant with Bosnian meatballs, included in the tour price.
- Accommodation: Hotel Hollywood etc. SARAYBOSNA
- Route: Medjugorje – Mostar 26 KM, Mostar – Blagaj 11 KM, Blagaj - Sarajevo 140 KM
- Check-in Time at the Hotel: Estimated: 19:00, depending on road conditions.
Day 4
- Sarajevo – Belgrade
- After breakfast, we will set off for Belgrade. After our journey, we will start our city tour in Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe and a new symbol of liveliness and bustle, beginning with Knez Mihailova Street, the city's most elegant street. Next, we will proceed to the Belgrade Fortress, where Fatih Sultan Mehmet was wounded but the conquest was ensured by Kanuni Sultan Suleiman. Within the fortress, we will see the Key Monument, the French Statue, the Istanbul Gate, the Military Museum, the Tomb of Damad Ali Paşa, the Sokullu Fountain, and conclude our tour at the terrace area, which offers the most beautiful view of the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Guests can also join a boat activity on the Danube and Sava rivers organized by our guide (20 EUR). Following the tour, we will have some free time. We will stay at a hotel in Belgrade.
- Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken at a place determined by the guide during free time, at an extra cost.
- Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Accommodation: Hotel Abba etc. BELGRADE
- Route: Sarajevo - Belgrade 295 KM
- Check-in Time at the Hotel: Estimated: 19:30, depending on customs processing times.
Day 5
- Belgrade – Skopje
- After breakfast, we will depart for Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Our city tour begins on the Macedonian side, known as the land of statues, where we will first see the notable giant statue of Alexander the Great, followed by a crossing of the Historical Stone Bridge over the Vardar River. This passage will allow us to witness how cultures swiftly change as we move into the Skopje Turkish Bazaar, one of the most qualified bazaars of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. We will start our tour of the bazaar at the entrance, talking about the statues and concluding with the Davut Paşa Bath and the Murat Pasha Mosque, which has survived earthquakes. After our visit, we will have one hour of free time for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Items we can obtain include Šušak peppers, Ustrumca peanuts, and traditional shoes (çarık). After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel.
- Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken at a place determined by the guide during free time, at an extra cost.
- Dinner: Traditional local dishes and music during the Macedonian Night at a location determined by the guide. INCLUDED IN PRICE!!!!
- Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc. Skopje
- Route: Belgrade - Skopje 432 KM
- Check-in Time at the Hotel: Estimated: 19:30, depending on customs processing times.
Day 6
- Skopje – Matka Canyon - Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Ohrid
- After breakfast, we will proceed to the stunning Matka Canyon, where we will take a nature walk, and guests have the option to take a boat tour in the canyon during their free time. After that, we will visit the Alaca Mosque in Tetovo, a city renowned for its unique architecture, and then we will ascend through the Mavrovo Mountains to reach Ohrid, a city resembling Mediterranean towns in the Balkans. Our tour of Ohrid will begin at the Harbor Square, where we will discuss the statues we see, followed by a walk in the area where the historical Ohrid houses featured in the Elveda Rumeli series are located. We will see the historic Ottoman houses, the Church of St. Sophia, and conclude our tour with a presentation of the famous Ohrid Pearl, the biggest symbol of Ohrid. Guests can choose to participate in a boat activity on Lake Ohrid organized by our guide (15 EUR). After our tour, we will have some free time, and then we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.
- Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken during free time in Ohrid city center, where you can try all local flavors. Guide Recommendation: Ohrid Trout, Meatballs, and Beans Stew.
- Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Accommodation: Hotel Imperial etc. – Ohrid
- Route: Skopje - Matka 19 KM, Matka – Tetovo 61 KM, Tetovo - Ohrid 132 KM
- Check-in Time at the Hotel: 19:00
Day 7
- Ohrid – Sveti Naum – Resne – Bitola (Manastır) – Istanbul
- After breakfast, our tour will first take us to St. Naum, located about an hour away, with breathtaking views. We will visit the spring where Lake Ohrid is born, where the delightful scenery will take your breath away. Next, we will head to Resne, where we will see the palace of Resneli Niyazi, one of the most famous figures of the Committee of Union and Progress, known for his contributions during the Greco-Turkish War. We will then arrive in Bitola. During our city tour in Manastır (Bitola), we will visit the Turkish Bazaar, the Bezisten, the Ishak Mosque, the Yeni Mosque, the Haydar Pasha Mosque and experience the most emotional moments of the trip by visiting the Military Academy where Atatürk graduated, as well as the Atatürk Museum. After our visits, we will continue our journey towards Skopje Airport. After ticket, luggage, and passport procedures, we will depart for Istanbul at 20:15 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1006. We will arrive in Istanbul at 22:45. We look forward to seeing you on your next journey.
- Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken at a place determined by the guide during free time, at an extra cost.
- Route: Ohrid – St. Naum; 23 KM, St. Naum – Resne 63 KM, Resne – Manastır 34 KM, Manastır - Skopje Airport 194 KM
What's Included
* Turkish Airlines round-trip Economy Class flight tickets from Istanbul–Pristina / Skopje–Istanbul
* Local transportation services
* Local professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
* 6 Nights accommodation with breakfast included in 4* hotels: 1 night in Shkodra, 1 night in Medjugorje, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, 1 night in Skopje, and 1 night in Ohrid
* 4 dinners taken in hotels or restaurants: 1 night in Shkodra, 1 night in Medjugorje, 1 night in Belgrade, and 1 night in Skopje
* Macedonian Night at a local restaurant
* Bosnian Meatballs at a local restaurant
* Panoramic city tours in Prizren, Pristina, Skopje, Tetova, Ohrid, Resne, Bitola, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Konjic, Mostar, Trebinje, Kotor, Budva, Shkodra
* Kosovo border crossing fee
* Sveti Naum Tour
* Matka Canyon Tour
* Blagaj Tekkesi Tour
* Mandatory local guiding services in some cities
* All highway checkpoint and parking fees
* City taxes
* Customs fees
* Panoramic city tours as specified in the program
* Airport taxes and service fees
Not Included
* Museum and archaeological site entrance fees.
* Extras taken at the hotel.
* All personal expenses.
* Optional tours.
* Lunches.
* Driver's tip (5 EUR per person).
* All excursions and tours not specified in the program.
* Optional guide tips.
* International departure tax.
* International travel health insurance.
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