Kosovo Great Balkans Tour with AJet including Extra Tours and Dinner, PRN-SKP

Day 1: Istanbul - Pristina – Prizren - Pristina Meeting at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, in front of the airline counter at the departure terminal. Departure to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, at 16:15 on AJet flight VF101. After a comfortable flight, arrival at 16:55 local time and, following border formalities, departure to Prizren with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. Upon arrival in Prizren, we will visit Sinan Pasha Mosque, the Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Hammam in Prizren, a city that immediately gives the impression of an Anatolian Ottoman town with its architectural silhouette, the call to prayer rising from its minarets five times a day, and Turkish inscriptions on road signs and shop signs. After our Prizren tour, we continue to Pristina. Upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour, where we will explore the modern and historical aspects of Kosovo. During this tour, we will also see many valuable structures from the Ottoman period. We will see Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this excursion through the city’s historical heritage, we will see the Tomb of Murad I Hüdavendigâr, the Ottoman Sultan who was killed in the Kosovo Plain as a result of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, and have the opportunity to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After our tour in Pristina, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Prizren Tour INCLUDED! Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Pristina: 85 km Total distance traveled: 170 km Day 2: Pristina – Monastir – Resen – Ohrid After breakfast, we set off for our Resen and Monastir (Bitola) tour, famous for its magnificent nature and historical richness. We head toward Monastir, once one of the most important cultural and trade centers of the Ottoman Empire. Upon arrival in Monastir, we visit, from the outside, the Military High School where the Great Leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum. In this enchanting city, we will also discover historical Ottoman-era monuments such as the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and Yeni Mosque. As you feel the historical texture of Monastir, you will have the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk through the nostalgic streets of the city. 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 travel to Ohrid. Along the way, breathtaking views accompany us. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will take a city tour introducing this historical city, 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 of 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 around Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the old Ottoman Turkish Bazaar. Here, you may visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the city’s cultural fabric up close. Then, we will visit the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, witnessing the daily life of the local people. Finally, the famous Lake Ohrid and its enchanting view will accompany our tour. After the tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. After dinner, you may enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lakeshore, or return to your room to rest. Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Monastir (Bitola) Tour INCLUDED! Pristina – Monastir: 270 km | Monastir – Resen: 30 km | Resen – Ohrid: 35 km Total distance traveled: 335 km Day 3: Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodra After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city, rich in history and culture, an impressive tour awaits us as we explore Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arrival in Tirana, we visit 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 make a short stop at Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue standing proudly in the middle of the square. Another highlight of our tour is the Clock Tower, a symbol of Tirana, built by Ethem Bey in 1821. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we travel to Shkodra, a historic city in northern Albania. Shkodra will captivate you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Tirana Tour INCLUDED! Ohrid – Tirana: 135 km | Tirana – Shkodra: 100 km Total distance traveled: 235 km Day 4: Shkodra – Sv. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Medugorje After breakfast, we embark on an unforgettable journey toward the dazzling shores of Montenegro. Our first stop is Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and stunning scenery. We will enjoy the magnificent view of this islet from above; every corner of this postcard-perfect area is ideal for photography. Then we arrive in Budva, one of the Balkans’ most popular holiday destinations. After our panoramic Budva tour, our next stop is Kotor, the enchanting city famous for its fjords! On our walking tour in this magnificent medieval town, you will feel the historical atmosphere of the narrow streets and the old town and discover the heart of Kotor. After free time in Kotor, we head to our hotel in Medugorje or the surrounding area. After dinner at the hotel, we retire to our rooms to rest. Overnight at the hotel. Budva Tour INCLUDED! | Kotor Tour INCLUDED! Shkodra - Budva: 85 km | Budva - Kotor: 22 km | Kotor - Medugorje: 191 km Total distance traveled: 298 km Day 5: Medugorje - Blagaj - Mostar – Sarajevo After breakfast, we depart for Sarajevo. Our first stop is Blagaj, built at the source of the Buna River, one of Europe’s strongest water springs. After a short free time in this magnificent natural setting, we continue to Mostar. In Mostar, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin. This masterpiece of Ottoman architecture was destroyed by Croat artillery during the 1992 war; however, with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004. After Mostar Bridge, we will visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Then we head to Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we encounter a city that for centuries has been the cultural capital of the Balkans and went down in history as the place where World War I began after the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. In the devastating 1992 war between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, the city suffered heavy damage, but 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, Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque and Ferhadija Mosque, Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand’s assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings formed during the 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED! Medugorje - Blagaj: 28 km | Blagaj - Mostar: 12 km | Mostar - Sarajevo: 130 km Total distance traveled: 162 km Day 6: Sarajevo – Belgrade After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, historically one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans, stands out today with its vibrancy, dynamism, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the meeting point 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 the texture that brings together Belgrade’s past and present. Then we head to one of the city’s most impressive points, where the Sava River meets the Danube. In this unique landscape, it will be a great pleasure to discover this area, which has long been the focus of conquest and victory. As we continue to explore this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded in his attempt to conquer it, but where the conquest ultimately came to Sultan Selim I, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman fleet. As we trace the marks of history in this fortress, we will see Republic Square and Terazije. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, an important figure from the Ottoman period, and Bayrakli Mosque, one of the few surviving Ottoman structures in Belgrade. During these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and learn about the cultural heritage left from the Ottoman era. At the end of our tour, we leave the city’s history and vibrant atmosphere behind and go to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Sarajevo – Belgrade: 287 km Day 7: Belgrade - Skopje After breakfast, we depart for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Upon arrival, our city tour begins. Skopje is one of the Balkans’ important cultural centers, with its Ottoman heritage and modern structures. We start our tour with the historical places in Skopje, the hometown of the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı. Our first stop is Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the city, built in 1492. Then we visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque stands out especially for its Ottoman-era ornamentation and architecture. In the continuation of our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han in the heart of Skopje. These beautiful examples of Ottoman caravanserais were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Next, we visit 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 from Stone Bridge, we continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the Vardar River. During our walk by the river, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is Skopje’s largest and most central point, surrounded by modern buildings. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Then we see the Ottoman Bridge, dating from the 15th century, from the outside, and visit Davut Pasha Bath to once again feel the splendor of the Ottoman period. Continuing our exploration of the city, we walk toward Skopje’s Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, one of the symbolic structures of Skopje, built in the 16th century. Here, we will visit Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, among the early mosques of the Ottoman Empire. These mosques are an important part of the city’s Islamic heritage and attract attention with their architecture. Finally, we provide free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many items, from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After the enjoyable time you spend in the bazaar, we return to our hotel in the evening. Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you, accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. While discovering Skopje’s fun and cultural side with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s finest venues. We will be delighted to welcome you at our own restaurant, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje, where the best music and folklore of the Balkans are performed live by artists who are all conservatory students and teachers, making this night an authentic experience without playback. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje. Balkan Night INCLUDED! Belgrade – Skopje: 430 km Day 8: Skopje - Istanbul After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Skopje Airport. After arrival at the airport and boarding procedures, our flight to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport will take place at 14:20 on AJet flight VF264. After a comfortable flight, arrival in Istanbul at 16:50 and the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to meet again on your next journey.