Kosovo Big Balkans Tour with AJet, Extra Tours and Dinners Included TZL-SJJ

Day 1: Istanbul – Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Belgrade After completing our ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures at the International Departures Terminal of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, we depart on Ajet Airlines flight VF271 at 14:05 to Tuzla Airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina, approximately 2 hours from Sarajevo. Following an approximately 1.5-hour flight, we arrive at Tuzla Airport at 15:10 local time. After passport control, we begin a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. Belgrade, one of the most important cultural and strategic centers in the Balkans throughout history, stands out today with its vibrancy, liveliness, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arrival in Belgrade, we begin a panoramic city tour where you will explore the city in all its splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture that brings Belgrade’s past and present together. Then we head to one of the city’s most impressive points, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. In this unique view, it will be a great pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focus of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue exploring this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded while attempting to conquer it, but whose conquest was ultimately achieved by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, which served as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing the traces of history in this fortress, we will also see Kale Meydan and Taş Meydan. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, one of the important figures of the Ottoman era. Through these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and learn about its cultural heritage 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 stay at the hotel. Tuzla – Belgrade: 195 km Day 2: 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 historical sites in Skopje, the city where the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı was born. Our first stop is Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. Then we visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque stands out with its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman caravanserais, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Later, we 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 from the 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 from the outside, dating back to the 15th century, and visit the Davut Pasha Bath to once again feel the splendor 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 iconic structures. Here, we will visit Sultan Murad 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 stand out with their architecture. Finally, we provide free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many items ranging from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After your enjoyable time 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 one of the region’s most exclusive venues, Restaurant Gardenia. With the best live music and folklore of the Balkans, performed without playback by artists who are all conservatory students and teachers, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be pleased to host you at our own venue, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje. Balkan Night INCLUDED! Belgrade – Skopje: 430 km Day 3: Skopje - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje After breakfast, we leave the hotel and head to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we begin our panoramic city tour where we will discover the modern and historical sides of Kosovo. During the tour, we will also visit many valuable Ottoman-era structures. We will see Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. On this tour through the city’s historical heritage, we will visit the Tomb of Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, who was killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, giving us the opportunity to 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 exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, whose architecture resembles an Anatolian Ottoman town and whose shops are filled with signs in Turkish. In the city, we will visit Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. In addition, the Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After free time in Prizren, we begin our return journey to Skopje in the evening. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and after dinner, we retire to our rooms. Overnight 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 Day 4: Skopje – Bitola - Resen – Ohrid After breakfast, we depart for our Resen and Bitola tour, famous for their magnificent nature and historical richness. We head to Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and commercial centers. Upon arrival in Bitola, we visit from the outside the Military High School where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk studied, as well as the Atatürk Museum. In this enchanting city, we will also explore Ottoman-era historical monuments such as the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and Yeni Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, you will have the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk through its nostalgic streets. After a short break here, we continue to Resen, where we will see the palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history, from the outside. Resen offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After the tour, we continue on to Ohrid. Scenic views accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing this historic city, 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, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of St. Sophia, among other important structures. We will also stroll through Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and have the opportunity to visit the Old Turkish Bazaar, a remnant of the Ottoman era. Here, you may visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the city’s cultural texture up close. Then we will tour the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, witnessing the daily life of the local people. Finally, the famous Lake Ohrid and its mesmerizing view will accompany our tour. After the tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you may enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of Ohrid in the stillness of the night, take a short walk along the lake, or rest in your room. 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 5: Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodra After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city rich in historical and cultural value, an impressive tour awaits us to 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 landmarks. This structure, whose construction began in 1789 and was completed in 1923, is one of Albania’s cultural heritage sites. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue standing proudly in the center of the square. The Clock Tower, built in 1821 by Ethem Bey, is also one of the highlights of the tour. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we head to Shkodra, a historic city in northern Albania. Shkodra will enchant you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. Tirana Tour INCLUDED! Ohrid – Tirana: 135 km | Tirana – Shkodra: 100 km Total distance to be covered: 235 km Day 6: Shkodra – St. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Medugorje After breakfast, we embark on an unforgettable journey toward Montenegro’s breathtaking coastline. Our first stop is St. Stefan, famous for its rich history and stunning views. We will admire the magnificent view of this islet from above, an ideal place to photograph this postcard-perfect region. Next, we arrive in Budva, one of the Balkans’ most popular holiday destinations. Our Budva city tour begins. On this walking tour, we will see Budva, one of the Balkans’ most famous holiday resorts, with its magnificent beaches and colorful nightlife. Our next stop is Kotor, the Balkans’ city famous for its fjords and mesmerizing beauty! On our walking tour in this magnificent medieval town, you will wander through its narrow streets and feel the historical atmosphere of the old city, discovering the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea view, this small town will take you on a journey through time. After free time in Kotor, we head to our hotel in Medugorje or the surrounding area. After dinner at our hotel, we retire to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel. Budva Tour INCLUDED! | Kotor Tour INCLUDED! Shkodra - Budva: 85 km | Budva - Kotor: 22 km | Kotor - Medugorje: 191 km Total distance to be covered: 298 km Day 7: Medugorje – Počitelj – Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo. Our first stop is Počitelj, a historically preserved village known as the Turkish Village, where we will see 16th-century Ottoman works. After the visit, we continue to Blagaj, built at the source of the Buna River, one of Europe’s strongest water sources. 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. A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, this bridge was destroyed in 1992 by Croatian artillery; however, with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004. After the Mostar Bridge, we will visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Then we head to Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we see the city that has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and entered history as the place where World War I broke out after the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. In the devastating wars of 1992 between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, the city suffered great destruction, yet Sarajevo managed to preserve much of its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman caravanserai Morića Han, the Catholic Cathedral, Synagogue, Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque and Ferhadija Mosque reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand’s assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the Western-style buildings formed during the city’s 40-year Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Počitelj Tour INCLUDED! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED! Medugorje - Počitelj: 20 km | Počitelj - Blagaj: 30 km | Blagaj – Mostar: 12 km | Mostar - Sarajevo: 130 km Total distance to be covered: 192 km Day 8: Sarajevo – Istanbul After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to Sarajevo Airport. After boarding procedures, we depart on Ajet Airlines scheduled flight VF98 at 15:45 to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 18:35, our tour comes to an end. We bid you farewell and look forward to seeing you on your next trip. *Balkan Special Cancellation Protection Package: 50 Euro* (With the cancellation protection package, our guests are offered the right to cancel their reservation without penalty under any circumstances. With this application, it is possible to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In case of cancellation, the full tour fee will be refunded, while the cancellation protection package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) are non-refundable.) **The stated cancellation protection package is not valid for group reservations.** **There is a limited number of seats available for each tour.**