Complete Balkan Special Eid al-Adha Tours with Turkish Airlines, Extra Tours, Dinner Included BEG-SKP
Day 1: Istanbul – Belgrade
Meeting at the Turkish Airlines counter in the International Departures terminal of Istanbul Airport 4 hours before our flight. The Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1081 departs for Belgrade at 07:45. After a comfortable flight, we arrive at 08:30, and following the entry procedures, our city tour of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and a new symbol of vitality and liveliness, begins with our private bus. The tour itinerary includes the Old Palace adorned with magnificent carved ceilings from the Ottoman period, Belgrade Fortress where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was injured while conquering but which fell to Kanuni Sultan Suleyman, Kalemegdan Park, the Military Museum, and the tomb of Şehit Ali Paşa. After the tour, we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight in Belgrade.
Day 2: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we will head to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we will see that it has historically been the cultural capital of the Balkans and has went down in history as the place where World War I broke out when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in 1914. During the devastating war of 1992, it was heavily damaged due to the conflicts among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo has largely preserved its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will visit the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman caravanserai Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city's religious diversity, the Synagogue, Gazi Husrev Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination of Franz Ferdinand occurred in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings that emerged during the 40 years of Austro-Hungarian administration. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Distance: Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 3: Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj - Počitelj - Medugorje
After breakfast, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first stop is the historically and culturally rich Mostar. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built by Architect Hayreddin in 1557, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed in 1992 but was rebuilt in 2004 with the contributions of the Republic of Turkey. After exploring the enchanting atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Next, we head to Blagaj, where the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe, originates. After a short free time here, we proceed to Počitelj. We will visit Počitelj, preserved for its historical texture and known as the Turkish Village, to see the structures built in the 16th century by the Ottomans. Lastly, we head to Medugorje, famous for its religious visitors and peaceful ambiance. After arriving at our hotel, we will rest in our rooms for the night.
Mostar Tour INCLUDED! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Počitelj Tour INCLUDED!
Distance: Sarajevo - Mostar: 130 km | Mostar - Blagaj: 12 km | Blagaj - Počitelj: 30 km | Počitelj - Medugorje: 20 km
Total Distance: 192 km
Day 4: Medugorje – Kotor – Budva – Sv. Stefan – Shkodra
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel towards the enchanting Kotor. Along the way, you will enjoy magnificent views. Once we arrive in Kotor, famous for its fjords, we will have a walking tour through this medieval town, where you will feel the historic atmosphere of the narrow streets and the old town as you discover the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea views, this small town will take you on a journey through time. Next, we move to Budva, one of the Balkans' most popular vacation destinations! After our panoramic city tour, we head to Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and stunning views. We will enjoy fantastic views of this islet from above. This postcard-like region is an ideal spot for photography. After all these discoveries, we will pass to the beautiful city of Shkodra in Albania. After dinner at our hotel, we will retire to our rooms to rest.
Kotor Tour INCLUDED! | Budva Tour INCLUDED!
Distance: Medugorje - Kotor: 191 km | Kotor - Budva: 22 km | Budva - Sv. Stefan: 15 km | Sv. Stefan - Shkodra: 85 km
Total Distance: 313 km
Day 5: Shkodra – Tirana - Ohrid
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel towards Tirana, the capital of Albania. This beautiful city, rich in history and culture, awaits us with an impressive tour discovering Tirana, which is considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon our arrival in Tirana, we will visit Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the city's most significant symbols, which began construction in 1789 and was completed in 1923. We will take a short break at Skanderbeg Square, where we will see the statue of Skanderbeg rising proudly in the middle of the square. The Clock Tower, built by Ethem Bey in 1821, is one of the highlights of our tour. Next, we will visit the meaningful Peace Bell, made from melted lead by Shkodran children during the uprising in 1999. During this tour, the modern face and historical past of Tirana come together for you to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we will proceed to Ohrid, accompanied by breathtaking views along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will conduct a tour introducing the historical city of Ohrid, which was one of the important bases of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. The tour will include key sights such as the Statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who are believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of St. Sophia. We will also stroll around Chinar Square, and have the chance to visit the Turkish bazaar from the old Ottoman period, where you can explore the Halveti Tekke and feel the cultural texture of the city up close. Finally, we will explore Ohrid’s famous lake and admire its stunning views. After the tour, we will have some free time and then transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid. After dinner, you can enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of Ohrid in the quiet night, take a short walk by the lakeside, or retire to your rooms to rest.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Distance: Shkodra - Tirana: 100 km | Tirana - Ohrid: 135 km
Total Distance: 235 km
Day 6: Ohrid - Resne - Bitola – Ohrid
After breakfast, we depart for our tour of Resne and Bitola (Manastir), known for its magnificent nature and historical richness. Our first stop is Resne, where we will see the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure that marked Balkan history, from a panoramic perspective. Resne offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After a short break, we will continue to Manastir (Bitola), once one of the most important cultural and trade centers of the Ottomans. Upon arrival in Bitola, we will visit the Military High School and Atatürk Museum, where the great leader Atatürk studied, from the outside. In this enchanting city, we will also explore the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, İshak Pasha Mosque, and the New Mosque, discovering the historical Ottoman treasures. While experiencing the historical texture of Bitola, you will have a chance for a pleasant walk through the nostalgic streets of the city. After all these rich cultural stops, we return to Ohrid. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid.
Resne Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola (Manastir) Tour INCLUDED!
Distance: Ohrid - Resne: 34 km | Resne - Bitola: 31 km | Bitola - Ohrid: 69 km
Total Distance: 134 km
Day 7: Ohrid – Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After breakfast, we gather our luggage and depart to explore the unique nature and cultural treasures of Macedonia. Our first stop is Tetova (Kalkandelen), one of Macedonia’s dazzling towns. Here we will visit the Alaca Mosque, one of the most colorful and impressive mosques in the Balkans. Built in the 15th century, this mosque will fascinate you with its vibrant exterior and intricate decorations. While exploring this exceptional example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey through history. After our visit to Tetova, we will travel through lush mountains towards Skopje. Along the way, we will be accompanied by breathtaking views of Macedonia. Upon arrival in Skopje, our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the city, built in 1492. Next, we will visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century, known for its carvings and architecture from the Ottoman period. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, beautiful examples of Ottoman-era inns, which were once important centers where traders stayed and conducted business. Later, we will visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. Constructed in the 15th century, it connects both banks of the Vardar River. We will continue our tour by walking through the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods alongside Vardar River. During our riverside walk, we will pass by Macedonia Square, the largest and most central point in Skopje, surrounded by modern buildings. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Following this, we will see the Ottoman Bridge from the 15th century from the outside, and visit the Davut Pasha Hammam to once again feel the splendor of the Ottoman period. We will walk towards Skopje’s Turkish Bazaar to continue exploring the city. Before reaching the bazaar, we will see the Clock Tower, built in the 16th century, which is one of Skopje’s emblematic buildings. We will also visit Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, which are significant parts of the city’s Islamic heritage with their distinctive architecture. Finally, we will have free time in the Turkish Bazaar, where you can find many products from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After spending a pleasant time in the bazaar, we will return to our hotel for dinner.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you with traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. You will have the opportunity to discover the entertaining and cultural side of Skopje during this special Balkan night. You will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s finest venues, where the best music and folklore of the Balkans will be performed live by artists from music conservatories without playback. We are pleased to welcome you at our owned establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Thank you for your understanding. Overnight in our hotel in Skopje.
Tetova (Kalkandelen) Tour INCLUDED | Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Distance: Ohrid – Tetova (Kalkandelen): 130 km | Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje: 43 km
Total Distance: 173 km
Day 8: Skopje – Istanbul
After breakfast, we check out of our rooms and have free time until the transfer time. At a time determined by our guide, we transfer to Skopje Airport. After completing the boarding procedures, we will fly to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines flight TK1006 at 20:20. We arrive in Istanbul at 23:00, marking the end of our tour. We bid you farewell until we meet on your next trip.
*Balkan Special Cancellation Assurance Package: 50 Euro*
(With the cancellation assurance package, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under any circumstances. With this application, you can cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the trip date. While the full tour fee is refunded in case of cancellation, the cancellation assurance package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) are not refunded.)
**The mentioned cancellation assurance package does not apply to group reservations.**
**A limited number of places are available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: The tour offers a wide travel program covering important cities and tourist spots of the Balkans. We visit many important cities, including Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje.
• Ottoman History: We visit significant structures and cultural heritages from the Ottoman period, which provides an enjoyable experience for history enthusiasts.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: Different religious structures (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, allowing exploration of the region's cultural diversity.
• Natural Beauties: The tour experiences stunning natural wonders such as Kotor fjords and Lake Ohrid.
• Visa-free Travel: Includes destinations that do not require a visa, reducing additional paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Provides the opportunity to gather detailed information about the cities and historical sites with a guide.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants have a gastronomy experience with traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and regional delicacies in dinner.
• All Tours Included: All environmental tours and optional tours mentioned in the program are included in the tour price, allowing participants to visit all important points without additional costs.
• Dinner Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, which prevents additional expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need for Spending: Perfect for guests who do not wish to spend; the only expenses will be lunch, tips if desired, and souvenirs for loved ones.
Considerations
• Intensive Program: Traveling to different cities each day makes the tour very rich and full. However, this intense pace may be tiring for those who want to explore more.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances (for example, between Skopje and Belgrade) are traveled with beautiful views, but there can be long days spent on the bus. Nevertheless, the trips will be comfortable with the breaks given along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Due to the comprehensive nature of the tour program, free times may be limited. However, there are opportunities to visit all important points with a guide.
• Weather Conditions Dependent on Season: Weather conditions in the Balkans can be variable during certain periods. Therefore, appropriate clothing selection can keep this situation comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: The hotels in the tour are carefully chosen from options that reflect the region's character and local culture; however, some hotels in smaller towns may not offer as many facilities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, care is taken for comfort and cleanliness in these hotels.
• Culinary and Cuisine Experience: The tour offers a chance to taste unique local flavors, with Balkan cuisine being rich and delicious. Some participants may encounter unfamiliar tastes; therefore, it can be beneficial to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors which is a great opportunity to closely engage with the local culture and cuisine.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Belgrade 4* Queen Astoria or similar Hotel Hotel
Skopje 5* New Star or similar Hotel Hotel
Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik or similar Hotel Hotel
Medugorje 4* Sole or similar Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday or similar Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Queen Astoria or similar Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Hotel Sileks or similar Hotel Hotel
With Turkish Airlines
Departure Place Destination Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Belgrade 07:45 08:30
Skopje Istanbul 20:20 23:00
GENERAL CONDITIONS
1- The General Conditions are an integral part of the tour program and cannot be considered independently of the tour program.
2- If adequate participation for the trip is not achieved, the Agency may cancel the tour up to 21 days prior to the tour departure date. In such a case, the cancellation information will be communicated to the guest. The full tour price will be refunded to the guest. In the case of additional services purchased outside the tour, the domestic flight connection purchased from the Agency will also be refunded to the guest, visa services, and travel health insurance will not be refunded if services have been utilized by applying for a visa on behalf of the guest; if no visa application has been made, a refund will be issued for visa and travel health insurance upon cancellation. If the guest has purchased domestic flight connections from a different provider independent of the Agency, they cannot claim any refund from the Agency if the trip is canceled by the Agency. The guest accepts and acknowledges in advance that they will not hold the Agency responsible for any material or moral losses arising from the cancellation of the tour.
3- In the event that adequate participation for the trip is not achieved, the Agency has the right to show goodwill and not to cancel the tour. In this case, since the tour will be provided individually for the guest, the included guiding service will only cover the international round-trip airport transfer.
Cancellation and Change
4- In our tours, tickets for transportation are issued at the time of reservation. Cancellations made more than 30 days before the tour departure date will incur a penalty as these flight ticket costs do not have cancellation & change and refund rights.
5- Guests have the right to cancel without penalty until 30 days prior to the tour departure date, provided that they notify the Agency in writing. In case of cancellation less than 31 days before the start date of the trip, they can cancel by paying a penalty fee of 50% of the remaining tour price from the airline ticket price, and in case of cancellation 15 days or less before the start date of the trip, they can cancel by paying the full amount as a penalty fee. If a cancellation request is made, the refund conditions for additional services such as domestic connections, visa services, and travel health insurance may vary based on the cancellation request period; thus, the guest is required to inquire in advance about the refund conditions. The Agency cannot make any commitments regarding the refund of additional services.
Guide Services and Extra Tours
6- The days and times of the tours indicated in the program may be changed by the guide according to the conditions of entry/exit for museums and historical sites, as well as the weather conditions. Different guides may accompany our guests during the tours.
7- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are organized for the general presentation of the cities and are conducted with guided commentary from the vehicle, lasting a maximum of 2-3 hours without entrance to museums or historical sites. Panoramic tours, as well as other tours specified in the program, will not be the responsibility of the Agency if they cannot be carried out due to local authorities not allowing visits, roads being closed for any activities, or if it becomes impossible to conduct the tour due to weather conditions. Some tours may be conducted through public transportation or on foot where roads are closed or vehicle access is not permitted.
8- Our guide, depending on the content of our tours and the number of participants, and the status of museum and historical sites, may change the schedule of city tours and/or additional tours. This also applies to potential changes in flight times.
9- Important considerations for our tours conducted by speed boats include: avoiding heavy meals and excessive water intake right before boarding the boat. Guests with stomach, back, or neck complaints, as well as pregnant guests, should inform their guides of their conditions.
10- There is no refund for services included in the prices if participation in tours or meal services is not provided.
About Flights
11- The Agency acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger, and in the event of disputes, Turkish legislation and the relevant articles of the Hague Protocol and Warsaw Convention will apply.
12- Delays or changes in flight times may occur on scheduled and charter flights. The Agency is obliged to inform of such changes as soon as possible. The passenger accepts the risk of changes/cancellations in flight times when purchasing the trip.
13- Children aged 0-2 only pay the airport tax fee.
14- According to airline rules; if the outbound flight of a purchased round-trip ticket is not utilized, the return flight will be canceled by the airline.
15- Check-in and boarding procedures for participants on flights are personal responsibilities and must be performed by the guests at the airports or online through the airline's website before the flight.
16- Last-minute delays and gate changes for flights are announced at the airports and displayed on information boards. Guests are responsible for following this information themselves.
17- The Agency is not responsible for guests who do not arrive at the airport on time, do not complete check-in and boarding procedures in a timely manner, or have checked in and boarded on time but fail to board the plane. All costs related to obtaining new round-trip flight tickets or transfers required for guests who miss their flight are their own responsibility.
18- The general baggage allowance for flights originating from Turkey is 20 kg. This weight may vary according to the airline and the country of destination. If there are domestic flights in the destination country, the baggage allowance may be reduced to 15 kg. Additional baggage weight/price rules are determined by the airlines, and the Agency is not responsible for any issues.
19- For guests wishing to upgrade their tickets using miles (to business or first class); upgrade procedures can be carried out based on the airline’s availability after the ticket is issued (please check with the airline you are a member of). There is no guarantee of mileage for each flight. Please check if the tickets of the program are in an upgradeable class.
20- In some airlines, meal and online check-in services may incur extra charges.
Other Matters
21- The Agency will not assume responsibility for any changes or cancellations made directly by the guest with the hotel. In this case, the cancellation terms of the Agency will apply.
22- In cases where the hotel(s) are listed only by category information without providing names, and/or options are presented for the same destination, this will be communicated to the guest by the Agency 48 hours before the departure of the trip.
23- During special periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, and sports tournaments, hotels may be utilized from distances greater than those specified. In such cases, information will be provided by the Agency 15 days prior to the departure date.
24- During the registration for the purchased tour; the guest must accurately enter/bear their name as it appears on the passport, date of birth, and passport number into the system. Airplane tickets are issued based on this information. Penalty fees arising from incorrect information leading to ticket cancellation or changes will be charged to the guests.
25- To use your mobile phones abroad, you should check before leaving Turkey that your phone is activated for international use by contacting your service provider.
26- The check-in time at hotels is at 15:00, and the check-out time is at 12:00.
27- Requests regarding the room (high floor, near common areas, smoking/non-smoking, bed type) are communicated to the hotel by the Agency. Efforts will be made for the reserved rooms to align with the guest's preferences based on the hotel’s availability. The fulfillment of these requests depends on availability upon check-in and cannot be guaranteed by the Agency.
28- The breakfast offered at hotels differs from the conventional rich Turkish breakfast. It is generally served as a limited selection consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea or coffee, known as continental breakfast, and may be served in a separate hall designated for groups.
29- In some situations, a twin bed room may be given instead of a double bed. Most European hotels offer rooms with 2 beds that can be combined if necessary.
30- The child and extra bed policy may vary by hotel and room types.
31- All extra beds and baby cribs are provided upon request and subject to the hotel’s availability and require hotel approval.
32- The capacity for extra beds or baby cribs in the room is one (maximum).
33- Extra bed application exists in triple rooms; the bed allocated to the 3rd person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Extra beds consist of folding and beds described as couch beds. Our guests acknowledge their acceptance regarding any crowding and bed type issues that may arise due to the extra beds added to the standard room in reservations for triple rooms and/or with children.
34- If the number of children to be accommodated with adults and their ages is incorrectly declared in the hotel reservations, the relevant hotels may charge additional fees. In such cases, the responsibility lies with the guest who made the incorrect declaration. Identification may be requested by the hotel for age verification of children.
35- In reservations for 2 adults + 1 child, there may not be a separate bed available for the child. Child rates apply only when the child is accommodated alongside two adults. Child discounts are only valid for single children complying with the age group staying with two adults.
36- Daily exchange rates will be reflected in TL prices. The rates applicable at the time of payment will be valid. Any additional requests or extra services (minibar, ironing, etc.) provided by the hotel may incur extra charges. These expenses are not included in the price at the time of purchase and will be paid directly to the hotel during your stay.
37- Some countries have different practices regarding city, tourism, or local taxes. All applicable city, tourism, or other taxes that apply in this manner will be collected from the guest by the hotel during entry or exit.
38- The road distances provided in the programs are map-based. Travel durations may be extended due to traffic, weather conditions, the geographical position of the visited country, road works, and other circumstances.
39- The Agency may change the order of cities in the program or the main airline to be flown if deemed necessary or in compulsory situations without altering the content of the program.
40- Personal belongings, bags, suitcases, passports/identities of individuals participating in the tour are their own responsibility, and the Agency is not liable for lost/forgotten/stolen items. If found, costs incurred for delivering forgotten items to the country and/or individual will be borne by the owner of the item.
41- Individuals participating in the tour are required to carry their travel health insurance policies and any medications and prescriptions related to their health issues with them.
42- For any potential extra expenses, the hotel may request a photo ID/passport issued by official authorities and a credit card or cash deposit upon check-in. The deposit requested upon departure will be a matter between the hotel and the guest, and the Agency will have no intervention.
Visa and Passport
1- Guests must ensure that their passports are valid for at least 6 months from the date of the end of the trip.
2- To be stamped with entry/exit stamps by customs at border crossings, there must be at least 2 blank pages in your passport.
3- Being exempt from a visa or having a visa for entry into these countries does not guarantee entry/exiting; the passport police have the authority to deny entry/exit, and the Agency is not responsible for this situation; the responsibility lies with the passenger.
4- Guests who are not Turkish citizens or dual citizens using another country’s passport must inquire about the visa procedures applied by the country they will be visiting at the relevant consulates, otherwise, the Agency will not be responsible for any consequences arising from this.
5- To avoid issues with customs authorities at the border due to damaged, torn, wet, or similarly damaged passports, it is necessary to renew the passports. Otherwise, the responsibility lies with the traveler.
6- For guests under the age of 18 traveling alone or with only one parent, it is recommended that they and their parents be aware that they may be asked to provide a document showing the mutual consent of both parents upon entry/exit from the country.
Excluded Services:
• Foreign Exit Tax Stamp
• Travel Insurance (up to 65 years old): 20.-Eur
• Travel Insurance (ages 66-75): 40.-Eur
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and hotel taxes