Kosovar Great Balkans Tour with AJet, Including Extra Excursions and Dinners, SKP–TZL
Day 1: Istanbul – Skopje – Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Ohrid
Meet in front of the airline counter at the departure terminal of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport 3 hours before our flight. We depart for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, at 14:00 on AJet flight VF263. Following a comfortable flight, we arrive at 13:30 local time and, after completing entry procedures, set off in our private vehicle waiting at the airport to discover Macedonia’s unique natural beauty and cultural treasures. Our first stop is Tetovo (Kalkandelen), one of Macedonia’s striking towns. Here, we will visit the Painted Mosque, one of the most colorful and impressive mosques in the Balkans. Built in the 15th century, this mosque will enchant you with the vivid colors and detailed decorations on its exterior. As we explore this rare example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey into the depths of history. After our visit to Tetovo, we continue toward Ohrid, accompanied by lush green mountains and deep blue lakes. Macedonia’s breathtaking landscapes will accompany us along the way. Upon arriving in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was one of the Ottoman Empire’s important bases in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, the 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 Oak Square, the heart of the city, and visit the Turkish Bazaar dating from the former Ottoman period. Here, you may visit the Halveti Lodge and experience the city’s cultural texture up close. We will then explore the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, witnessing the daily life of the local people. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and its captivating scenery will accompany our tour. After the tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you may enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lakeshore, or retire to your rooms and rest.
Tetovo (Kalkandelen) Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Tetovo (Kalkandelen): 43 km | Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Ohrid: 130 km
Total distance to be covered: 173 km
Day 2: Ohrid – Resen – Bitola – Ohrid
After breakfast, we set off for our tour of Resen and Bitola, famous for their magnificent nature and historical riches. At our first stop in Resen, we will view the Palace of Niyazi Bey of Resen, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history, panoramically. Resen offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its natural beauty and Ottoman heritage. After a short break here, we continue toward Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and commercial centers. Upon arriving in Bitola, we will visit from the outside the Military High School where the great leader Atatürk was educated, as well as the Atatürk Museum. In this enchanting city, we will also discover historical Ottoman monuments such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and New Mosque. While experiencing Bitola’s historic texture, you will have the chance to take a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After all these rich cultural stops, we return to Ohrid. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel in Ohrid.
Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Resen: 34 km | Resen – Bitola: 31 km | Bitola – Ohrid: 69 km
Total distance to be covered: 134 km
Day 3: Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city, rich in historical and cultural significance, an impressive tour awaits us, during which we will discover Tirana, regarded as the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arriving in Tirana, we visit the Et’hem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important landmarks. Construction of this building began in 1789 and was completed in 1923, and it is one of Albania’s cultural heritages. We take a short break in Skanderbeg Square and see the statue of Skanderbeg rising proudly in the center of the square. The Clock Tower, a symbol of Tirana commissioned 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 will come together, allowing you to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we set off for 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 4: Shkodër – Prizren – Pristina – Skopje
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon arriving in Pristina, following our journey, we begin our panoramic city tour, during which we will discover Kosovo’s modern and historic aspects. 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 journey 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 Hüdavendigâr I, who was killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. After our tour of Pristina, we head to Prizren, known as Kosovo’s cultural capital. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, with architecture reminiscent of an Anatolian Ottoman city and shop signs filled with Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. The Halveti Lodge, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are also among the other significant Ottoman works to be seen. After free time in Prizren, we begin our return journey to Skopje. Upon arriving in Skopje, our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492 and one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques. We then visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is particularly notable for its Ottoman-era ornamentation and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see 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 conducted trade. We then visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. Built in the 15th century, this bridge connects the two banks of the Vardar River. Walking across the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods 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. We then view the Ottoman Bridge, dating from the 15th century, from the outside and visit the Daut Pasha Bath, once again experiencing the grandeur of the Ottoman period. We continue exploring 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 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 have free time in the Turkish Bazaar. You can find many products in this bazaar, from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After enjoying your time at the bazaar, we transfer to Restaurant Gardenia for Balkan Night. Afterwards, we transfer to our hotel and retire to our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances awaits you. You will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most distinguished venues, where you will have the opportunity to discover Skopje’s entertaining and cultural side during this special Balkan night. With live performances featuring the best music and folklore of the Balkans, performed without playback by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, we will turn this evening into an authentic experience. We will be delighted to welcome you to our own establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Thank you for your understanding. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Shkodër – Prizren: 186 km | Prizren – Pristina: 85 km | Pristina – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance to be covered: 436 km
Day 5: Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey toward Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Throughout history, Belgrade has been one of the Balkans’ most important cultural and strategic centers, and today it continues to attract attention with its liveliness, energy, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the meeting point of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arriving in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, during which we will discover the city’s full splendor. On our tour, we will first see the Old Palace, which bears traces of the Ottoman period and is known for its magnificent carved ceilings. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore the texture that brings Belgrade’s past and present together. We then head to the point where the Sava River meets the Danube. It will be a great pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focus of many conquests and victories throughout history, while enjoying this unique view. As we continue discovering this ancient city, for whose conquest Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded but which was ultimately conquered by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing the marks of history in this fortress, we will see important sites such as Fortress Square and Stone Square. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, an important figure from the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will explore Belgrade’s rich history in depth and learn about the city’s cultural heritage from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we proceed to our hotel, leaving the city’s history and lively atmosphere behind. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Skopje – Belgrade: 430 km
Day 6: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we will discover this city, which was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and went down in history as the place where World War I broke out after Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated by Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, it suffered extensive damage as a result of devastating conflicts between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo managed to preserve much of its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman inn Morića Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, the Gazi Husrev Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, the Old Library, and the Western-style buildings constructed during the city’s 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Belgrade – Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 7: Sarajevo – Počitelj – Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo
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 the architect Mimar Hayruddin, one of Mimar Sinan’s students, and considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. The bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992, but with the major contributions of the Republic of Türkiye, it was rebuilt in accordance with the original in 2004 and has once again become a symbol of Mostar. We will have the opportunity to explore the historic bazaar and stone streets around this bridge, which elegantly connects the two banks of the Neretva River. After discovering Mostar’s enchanting atmosphere, we will visit the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s most important religious structures. Here, we will examine architectural details from the Ottoman period and enjoy the magnificent view of Mostar Bridge from the mosque’s courtyard. We then head to Blagaj, known for its natural beauty and peaceful setting. Blagaj is an impressive settlement where history and nature intertwine, established at the source of the Buna River, one of the strongest water sources in Europe. After a short period of free time here, we continue to Počitelj, which carries the past into the present with its stone houses and historic texture. In Počitelj, known as a Turkish Village and largely preserving its historical character, we will have the opportunity to see works built by the Ottomans in the 16th century up close and experience the region’s unique atmosphere. After our tour, we transfer 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
Day 8: Sarajevo – Tuzla – Istanbul
After breakfast, we check out of our rooms and, following breakfast, transfer to Tuzla Airport. After completing the boarding procedures, we take AJet scheduled flight VF272 to Istanbul at 14:35. Following our arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 17:20, our tour comes to an end. We say goodbye to you, hoping to see you on your next journey.
*Balkan Special Cancellation Protection Package: 50 Euros*
(With the Cancellation Protection Package, 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. When a reservation is canceled, the full tour fee is refunded, while the cancellation protection package fee and any additional service fees, if applicable (visa, insurance, etc.), are non-refundable.)
**The specified cancellation protection package is not valid for group reservations.**
**Limited availability is offered for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A broad travel program covering the Balkans’ important cities and tourist attractions is offered. Many significant cities, such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid, and Skopje, are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritage from the Ottoman period are visited, offering an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: The region’s cultural diversity is explored by visiting structures belonging to different religions, including mosques, churches, and synagogues.
• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural attractions such as Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: The tour includes destinations that do not require visas, reducing additional paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Accompanied by a guide, participants have the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the cities and historical sites.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience through dinners filled with traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local delicacies.
• Restaurant Gardenia Skopje Experience: Guests have the opportunity to enjoy local flavors and a special Balkan night at Restaurant Gardenia Skopje, one of Skopje’s most distinguished restaurants.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and additional tours included in the program are included in the tour price, allowing participants to visit all the important sites without paying an additional cost.
• Dinners Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need for Spending: The tour is ideal for guests who do not wish to spend money. Apart from lunch, optional tips, and souvenirs for loved ones, you will not need to spend any extra money.
Points to Consider
• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city each day makes the tour extremely rich and full. However, this fast pace may be tiring for those who wish to explore more extensively.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances, such as the journey between Skopje and Belgrade, pass through beautiful scenery, but there may be days when you spend long periods on the bus. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured through breaks along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Free time may be limited because the tour program is comprehensive. However, the opportunity to visit all the important sites with a guide is provided.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: Weather conditions in the Balkans can be variable during certain periods. Therefore, choosing suitable clothing can make this situation more comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour have been carefully selected from options that reflect the region’s character and local culture, hotels in some smaller cities may not offer facilities as extensive as luxury hotels in Türkiye. However, comfort and cleanliness are given due attention at these hotels.
• Food and Cuisine Experience: You will have the opportunity to try the region’s distinctive local flavors throughout the tour. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some flavors may be unfamiliar to certain participants. This is a wonderful opportunity to become closely acquainted with the local culture and cuisine, but it may be useful to bear in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Ohrid 4* Hotel Sileks etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Hotel Sileks etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Queen Astoria etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodër 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Skopje 4* Vlaho Hotel etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
With AJet Airlines
Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Skopje 14:00 13:30
Tuzla Istanbul 14:55 18:50
What's Included
• Round trip airline tickets from Sabiha Gökçen Airport / Skopje - Tuzla / Sabiha Gökçen Airport with AJet Airlines
• Total of 7 nights' accommodation including 1 night in Skopje, 1 night in Shkodra, 2 nights in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, and 2 nights in Ohrid at a 4* hotel category
• Breakfasts
• Dinner meals
• All transfers specified in the program
• City tours specified in the program
• Balkan Night embellished with dining, entertainment, and folklore shows
• Prizren Tour
• Pristina Tour
• Tirana Tour
• Resne Tour
• Bitola (Manastir) Tour
• Tetova Tour
• Mostar Tour
• Blagaj Tour
• Poçitel Tour
• Customs Taxes
• All highway, parking, and check-point expenses
• Professional Turkish guide services
• Compulsory Insurance (Professional Liability)
Not Included
Services Not Included:
• Foreign Departure Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance (up to 65 years old)
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and hotel taxes
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