Complete Balkan Semester Special with THY Including Extra Tours and Dinner in Skopje
Day 1: Istanbul – Belgrade
Meet at the Turkish Airlines counter at Istanbul's International Departures terminal 3 hours before our flight. Depart to Belgrade at 08:55 on Turkish Airlines flight number TK1079. After a comfortable flight, arrival at 08:25, and after entry procedures, our city tour of Belgrade begins with our private bus. The places to be seen include the Old Palace adorned with magnificent carved ceilings from the Turkish period, the Belgrade Fortress where the Ottoman naval base was located at the confluence of the Sava River and the Danube, Kalemegdan Park, the Military Museum, and the tomb of Martyr Ali Pasha. After the tour, overnight stay and dinner at our hotel in Belgrade.
Day 2: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we head to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we discover the cultural capital of the Balkans and the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbs in 1914, which ignited World War I. The city suffered extensive damage during the 1992 war among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo has managed to largely retain its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historical Ottoman inn Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city's religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, the Husein Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination took place, the Old Library, and Western-style buildings from 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 3: Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj - Počitelj - Medjugorje
After breakfast, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first stop is Mostar, famous for its historic and cultural wealth. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Architect Hayreddin and considered one of the masterpieces 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. We then move on to Blagaj, known for the Buna River, one of Europe's strongest water sources. After a short free time, we head to Počitelj. We will visit Počitelj, known as the Turkish Village, where we will see works from the 16th century made by the Ottomans. Finally, we will move on to Medjugorje, a peaceful place famous for its religious visitors. After arriving at our hotel, we can rest in our rooms. Overnight stay 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 - Medjugorje: 20 km
Total distance covered: 192 km
Day 4: Medjugorje – Kotor – Budva – Sv. Stefan – Shkodër
After breakfast, we depart our hotel and head towards the beautiful Kotor. During our journey, you will enjoy magnificent views. Upon arriving in Kotor, we will embark on a walking tour of this medieval town famous for its fjords. You will feel the historic atmosphere of the narrow streets and the old town and discover the heart of Kotor. After that, we will move on to Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans! After a panoramic city tour, we will head to the famous Sveti Stefan, known for its rich history and dazzling views. We will enjoy the magnificent view of this islet from above; every corner of this area is ideal for photographs. After all these explorations, we proceed to the beautiful city of Shkodër in Albania. After dinner at our hotel, we retreat to our rooms for rest. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Kotor Tour INCLUDED! | Budva Tour INCLUDED!
Medjugorje - Kotor: 191 km | Kotor - Budva: 22 km | Budva - Sv. Stefan: 15 km | Sv. Stefan - Shkodër: 85 km
Total distance covered: 313 km
Day 5: Shkodër – Tirana - Ohrid
After breakfast, we depart our hotel and head towards the capital of Albania, Tirana. In this historically and culturally rich city, we will have an impressive tour to explore the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arrival in Tirana, we will visit the Ethem Bey Mosque, which started construction in 1789 and was completed in 1923, and is one of Albania's cultural heritage sites. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square, where we see the statue of Skanderbeg proudly rising in the center of the square. The clock tower built by Ethem Bey in 1821 is another highlight of our tour. We will also visit the Peace Bell, made from lead melted by the children of Shkodër during a rebellion in 1999. During this tour, you will collect unforgettable memories as Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together. After some free time, we continue on to Ohrid. Along the way, breathtaking views will accompany us. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will have a tour introducing this historically significant city that was once an important base for the Ottomans in the Balkans. Places we will see during our tour include: the monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of Saint Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll around the city center at the Çınar Square and visit the Turkish Bazaar from the old Ottoman period. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke to feel the cultural texture of the city up close. After exploring the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, you will witness the daily life of the locals. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and the mesmerizing scenery will accompany our tour. After the tour, there will be some free time before transferring to our hotel. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel in Ohrid. After dinner, you can enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of Ohrid in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lakeside, or retreat to your rooms for rest.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Shkodër – Tirana: 100 km | Tirana – Ohrid: 135 km
Total distance covered: 235 km
Day 6: Ohrid - Resne - Bitola – Ohrid
After breakfast, we depart for a tour of Resne and Bitola, renowned for their magnificent nature and historical riches. Our first stop is Resne, where we will see the palace of Niyazi Bey, an important figure in Balkan history, panoramically. Resne offers a captivating atmosphere with its nature and Ottoman traces. After a short break, we head towards Bitola, one of the most important cultural and trading centers of the Ottomans. Upon arrival in Bitola, we will visit the Military High School and Atatürk Museum, where our esteemed leader Atatürk was educated, from the outside. In this enchanting city, you will also have the chance to explore Ottoman historic sites such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and Yeni Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, you will have the opportunity for a pleasant walk in the nostalgic streets of the city. After all these rich cultural stops, we return to Ohrid. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel in Ohrid.
Resne Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Resne: 34 km | Resne – Bitola: 31 km | Bitola – Ohrid: 69 km
Total distance covered: 134 km
Day 7: Ohrid – Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After breakfast, we gather our luggage and set off to explore the unique nature and cultural treasures of Macedonia. Our first stop is Tetova (Kalkandelen), one of Macedonia's charming towns. We will visit the Alaca Mosque, one of the most colorful and striking mosques in the Balkans. Built in the 15th century, this mosque will enchant you with its brightly colored exterior and intricate decorations. While discovering this exquisite example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey through history. After our visit in Tetova, we head towards Skopje, enjoying the breathtaking scenery of Macedonia along the way. Upon arrival in Skopje, our first stop will be the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, the largest and most magnificent mosque in the city, built in 1492. Next, we will visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century, which attracts attention for its Ottoman-style decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see the Kapan Han and Sulu Han, both beautiful examples of Ottoman-era inns, that were once important centers for traders. We will then visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. Built in the 15th century, it connects both sides of the Vardar River. Walking across the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by passing through the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the Vardar River. During our walk along the river, we pass through 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. Afterward, we will see the Ottoman Bridge from the 15th century from the outside and visit the Davut Pasha Hamam, again feeling the grandeur of the Ottoman period. Continuing toward the Turkish Bazaar in Skopje, we pass by the Clock Tower built in the 16th century, one of the symbols of Skopje. We will see the Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, both crucial parts of the city’s Islamic heritage with their stunning architecture. Finally, we will have some free time in the Turkish Bazaar, where you can find many products ranging from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After a pleasant time in the bazaar, we return to our hotel for dinner.
Dinner: A magnificent dinner awaits you enriched with traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. This special Balkan night will offer you the chance to explore the entertaining and cultural side of Skopje. Overnight stay at our hotel in Skopje.
Tetova (Kalkandelen) Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Tetova (Kalkandelen): 130 km | Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje: 43 km
Total distance covered: 173 km
Day 8: Skopje - Pristina – Prizren – Skopje - Istanbul
After breakfast, we depart the hotel and head towards Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. After our journey, we arrive in Pristina and begin our panoramic city tour, where we will explore both the modern and historical aspects of Kosovo. During our tour, we will visit many valuable structures from the Ottoman era, such as the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this visit to Pristina's historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to pay our respects at the Tomb of Sultan Murad Hüdavendigâr, who died in the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, commemorating this significant historical event in Ottoman history. After our tour of Pristina, we head to Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we start exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, which remind us of an Anatolian Ottoman town with shop signs in Turkish. We will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most significant Ottoman structures in the city. Other notable Ottoman landmarks we will see include Halveti Tekkesi, the Bayraklı Mosque, and the Mehmet Pasha Hamam. After a free time in Prizren, we start our journey back to Skopje. Upon arrival, transfer to Skopje Airport. After checking in, we fly to Istanbul at 20:35 on Turkish Airlines flight number TK1006, arriving in Istanbul at 00:15, marking the end of our tour. We say goodbye until we meet again on your next trip.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Pristina: 90 km | Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance covered: 340 km
Included Services:
• Round trip flight tickets with Turkish Airlines on the route Istanbul HL. / Belgrade - Skopje / Istanbul HL.
• Accommodation for a total of 7 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels: 2 nights in Ohrid, 1 night in Shkodra, 1 night in Medugorje, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, and 1 night in Skopje.
• Breakfasts
• Dinner at the hotel
• A Balkan Night filled with food, entertainment, and folk shows
• All transfers indicated in the program
• City tours specified in the program
• Tirana tour
• Pristina tour
• Prizren tour
• Blagaj extra tour
• Mostar tour
• Počitelj tour
• Resne tour
• Monastery tour
• Tetovo tour
• Budva tour
• Kotor tour
• Customs fees
• All highway, parking, and checkpoint expenses
• Professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
• Mandatory Insurance (Professional Liability)
Services Not Included:
• Abroad Exit Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance (Up to 65 Years Old)
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and Hotel taxes