Ankara Departure Kosovar Great Balkan Tour with AJet Including Extra Tours and Dinners SJJ-SJJ
1st Day: Ankara – Sarajevo – Mostar – Blagaj – Počitelj - Medugorje
Meeting at the departure terminal of Esenboğa Airport in front of the airline counter. We will depart at 10:25 with AJet Airlines flight number VF623 to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After a comfortable flight, we will arrive at 11:35 local time, and after completing the entry procedures, we will proceed with our private vehicle to our first stop, the historically rich town of Mostar. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built by Architect Hayreddin in 1557, which is one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed in 1992, but with the contributions of the Republic of Turkey, it was rebuilt in 2004. After exploring the charming atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Then we will move to Blagaj. Blagaj is located at the source of the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe. After a short free time here, we will head to Počitelj. We will visit Počitelj, known as the Turkish Village, which is preserved for its historical texture, to see the works built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. Finally, we will move on to Medugorje. Medugorje is a peaceful place famous for its religious visitors. Upon arrival at our hotel, we will retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Mostar Tour INCLUDED! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Počitelj Tour INCLUDED!
Sarajevo - Mostar: 130 km | Mostar - Blagaj: 12 km | Blagaj - Počitelj: 30 km | Počitelj - Medugorje: 20 km
Total distance covered: 192 km
2nd Day: Medugorje – Kotor – Budva – Sv. Stefan – Shkodra
After our breakfast, we will depart from the hotel and head to the fascinating Kotor. During our journey, you will enjoy the magnificent views. Upon arrival in Kotor, this medieval town famous for the fjords of the Balkans, we will take a walking tour where you will feel the historic atmosphere of the narrow streets and old town, discovering the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea views, this small town will take you on a journey through time. Next, our stop will be Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans! After our panoramic city tour, we will proceed to Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and stunning views. We will enjoy the magnificent view of this islet from above. This postcard-like region is an ideal spot for photography. After all these explorations, we will move on to the beautiful city of Shkodra in Albania. Following dinner at our hotel, we will retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Kotor Tour INCLUDED! | Budva Tour INCLUDED!
Medugorje - Kotor: 191 km | Kotor - Budva: 22 km | Budva - Sv. Stefan: 15 km | Sv. Stefan - Shkodra: 85 km
Total distance covered: 313 km
3rd Day: Shkodra – Tirana – Ohrid
After our breakfast, we will depart from the hotel and head to Tirana, the capital of Albania. This beautiful city, rich in historical and cultural heritage, offers us an impressive tour as we discover Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arrival in Tirana, we will visit one of the city's most important symbols, the Ethem Bey Mosque. Started in 1789 and completed in 1923, this building is part of Albania’s cultural heritage. We will take a short break at Skanderbeg Square, where we will see the statue of Skander Bey proudly rising in the center of the square. The Clock Tower of Tirana, built by Ethem Bey in 1821, is also one of the highlights of our tour. During this tour, you will create unforgettable memories as Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together. After some free time, we will head towards Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour to introduce us to the historic city of Ohrid, which was once an important base for the Ottomans in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during the tour are the Statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius, believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet in the 9th century, and the Church of St. Sophia. Additionally, we will stroll around the heart of the city, Çınar Square, and have the opportunity to visit the Turkish Bazaar from the old Ottoman period. You can visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the cultural fabric of the city closely. We will also explore the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, experiencing the daily life of the locals. Lastly, the beautiful views of Lake Ohrid will accompany our tour. Following the tour, we will have some free time before transferring to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy the mesmerizing atmosphere of Ohrid in the stillness of the night, take a short walk by the lake, or retreat to your rooms to rest.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Shkodra – Tirana: 100 km | Tirana – Ohrid: 135 km
Total distance covered: 235 km
4th Day: Ohrid – Resne – Bitola – Skopje
After breakfast, we will proceed to the tour of Resne and Bitola, famous for their breathtaking nature and historical riches. Our first stop will be in Resne, where we will panoramically view the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who left a mark on Balkan history. Resne offers a captivating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman remnants. After a short break here, we will head towards Bitola, which was once one of the most important cultural and commercial centers of the Ottomans. Upon arriving in Bitola, we will visit the Military Academy where the great leader Atatürk studied, and the Atatürk Museum. In this enchanting city, we will also explore historical Ottoman structures such as the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, the Ishak Pasha Mosque, and the New Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, you'll have the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk through the city's nostalgic streets. After our visit, we will journey to Skopje amidst lush mountains. Breathtaking landscapes of Macedonia will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Skopje, our first stop will be the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492, one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the city. Next, we will visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, which dates back to the 15th century and is notable for its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. During our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located at the heart of Skopje. These structures, beautiful examples of Ottoman-period inns, were once important centers where traders stayed and conducted business. Afterwards, we will visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects both sides of the Vardar River. Walking from the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the river. During our riverside walk, we will pass by Macedonia Square, the largest and most central point of Skopje, surrounded by modern buildings. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Then, we will see the Ottoman Bridge from the 15th century from the outside and visit the Davut Pasha Hamam to once again feel the splendor of the Ottoman period. Continuing our exploration towards the Turkish Bazaar, we will first see the Clock Tower, built in the 16th century and one of the iconic structures of Skopje. Here, we will visit Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, both important parts of the city's Islamic heritage with their distinctive architectures. Lastly, we will have some free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find various products from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After spending an enjoyable time in the bazaar, we will transfer to Restaurant Gardenia for the Balkan Night. Following that, we will be transported to our hotel, where we will retreat to our rooms. Overnight stay in our hotel in Skopje.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you with traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. You will have the opportunity to explore the entertaining and cultural side of Skopje at this special Balkan night while being hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region's finest venues. We will transform this night into an authentic experience with live performances by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, without playback. We will be pleased to host you at our own restaurant, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Thank you for your understanding. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Resne Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Resne: 34 km | Resne – Bitola: 31 km | Bitola – Skopje: 70 km
Total distance covered: 134 km
5th Day: Skopje – Pristina – Prizren – Skopje
After breakfast, we will leave the hotel and head towards Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. After our journey, upon arriving in Pristina, we will start our panoramic city tour to explore the modern and historical aspects of Kosovo. During our tour, we will visit many valuable structures from the Ottoman period. We will see the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yasar Pasha Mosque. During our visit to the historical heritage of the city, we will have the opportunity to commemorate the important historical event of the death of Ottoman Sultan Murad I in the Kosovo Plain in 1389, by visiting his Tomb. After our tour in Pristina, we will head towards Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we will start exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, reminiscent of the Anatolian Ottoman city with its architecture and shop signs in Turkish. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important structures of Ottoman architecture. Additionally, we will see the Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Hamam among other visible Ottoman artifacts. After our free time in Prizren, we will begin our journey back to Skopje by evening. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel, and after dinner, we will retreat to our rooms. Overnight stay in our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Pristina: 90 km | Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance covered: 340 km
6th Day: Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we will leave the hotel and embark on a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Throughout history, Belgrade has been one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans, and today it attracts attention with its liveliness, activity, and historical texture. Upon arriving in Belgrade, we will begin our panoramic city tour, where we will explore the magnificence of the city. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the essence that combines Belgrade's past and present. Then, we will go to one of the city’s most impressive points where the Sava River meets the Danube River. Exploring this unique view, which has been the focal point of many conquests and victories throughout history, will be a great pleasure. While discovering this ancient city, you will encounter the Belgrade Fortress, which was used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. During this visit, we will see important places such as Kalemegdan Park and the Stone Square. We will also visit the tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, an important figure from the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will deeply explore the rich history of Belgrade and gain knowledge about the city’s cultural heritage from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we will head to our hotel after leaving the history and vibrant atmosphere of the city behind. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Skopje – Belgrade: 430 km
7th Day: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we will head towards Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, this city that has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries will greet us. It is also historically significant as the place where Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Serbs in 1914, which triggered World War I. During the 1992 war, the city suffered extensive destruction during the devastating wars between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet Sarajevo has 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 that reflects the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, the Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadiye Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination of Franz Ferdinand took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings formed during Prague's 40-year Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
8th Day: Sarajevo - Ankara
After breakfast, we will vacate our rooms and after breakfast have some free time until our transfer time. We will transfer to Sarajevo Airport. Following check-in procedures for our flight, we will depart to Ankara with AJet Airlines scheduled flight number VF624 at 19:00. Arrival at Esenboğa Airport is expected at 18:30, marking the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, looking forward to seeing you on your next journey.
*Balkan Special Cancellation Assurance Package: 50 Euro*
(With the cancellation assurance package application, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under all circumstances. With this application, it is possible to cancel your reservation until 9 days before the tour date. In case of reservation cancellation, while the entire tour fee is refunded, the cancellation assurance package fee and any additional service fees (Visa, insurance, etc.) are not refunded.)
**The specified cancellation assurance package is not valid for group reservations.**
**There are a limited number of spots available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: Offering a wide tour program covering the major cities and tourist spots of the Balkans. Many important cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History: Visits to important structures and cultural heritage from the Ottoman period provide an enjoyable experience for history enthusiasts.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: By visiting structures from different faiths (mosques, churches, synagogues), the cultural diversity of the region is explored.
• Natural Beauties: The stunning natural beauties such as the fjords of Kotor and 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: Accompanied by a guide, providing detailed information about the cities and historical places.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience with traditional Bosnian meals, Balkan cuisine, and local delicacies during dinner.
• All Tours Included: All environmental tours and extra tours included in the program are part of the tour price, allowing participants to visit all important spots without additional costs.
• Dinners Included: Dinner is included every day in the program, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting the local flavors.
• No Need for Extra Spending: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Aside from lunch, optional tips, and souvenirs for loved ones, there will be no extra money spent.
Important Things to Consider
• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city each day makes the tour extremely rich and full. However, this intense pace may be tiring for those wanting to explore more.
• Long Journeys: Distances between cities (for example, the distance between Skopje and Belgrade) are passed while enjoying beautiful views, but there may be days spent on the bus for long periods. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured with breaks given along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Due to the comprehensive nature of the tour program, free time may be limited. However, you will have the opportunity to visit all important spots with the guidance of our expert.
• Weather Conditions Depend on the Season: Weather conditions in the Balkans may vary at certain times. Therefore, it is advisable to choose suitable clothing to make this situation comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: While the hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from options that reflect the region's character and local culture, some hotels in smaller towns may not offer facilities as extensive as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, attention is paid to comfort and cleanliness in these hotels.
• Food and Culinary Experience: The tour provides the opportunity to taste the unique local flavors, as Balkan cuisine is rich and delicious, but some participants may encounter unfamiliar tastes. This is a great opportunity to closely familiarize yourself with the local culture and cuisine, but it’s beneficial to be aware that you may come across different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Medugorje 4* Sole etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel
Skopje 4* Vlaho Hotel etc. Hotel Hotel
Skopje 4* Vlaho Hotel etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
With AJet Airlines
Departure Place Arrival Place Departure Time Arrival Time
Ankara Sarajevo 10:25 11:35
Sarajevo Ankara 19:00 22:00
Included Services:
• Round trip flight tickets with AJet Airlines from Esenboğa HL. / Sarajevo / Esenboğa HL.
• 7 Nights accommodation in 4* hotel category: 1 Night in Ohrid, 1 Night in Shkoder, 1 Night in Medjugorje or surroundings, 1 Night in Sarajevo, 1 Night in Belgrade, and 2 Nights in Skopje.
• Breakfasts
• Dinners at the hotel
• Balkan Night decorated with meals, entertainment, and folk shows
• All transfers specified in the program
• City tours specified in the program
• Tirana tour
• Pristina tour
• Prizren tour
• Mostar tour
• Blagaj Extra Tour
• Počitelj tour
• Resne tour
• Monastery tour
• Budva tour
• Kotor tour
• Professional Turkish guiding services
• Mandatory Insurance (Professional Liability)
Services Not Included:
• Overseas Exit Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance
• 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 expenses, which include a mandatory payment of 20 Euros per person; this will be collected in cash by the guide on the first day of the tour.)