Day 1: İzmir – Sarajevo – Mostar – Blagaj – Počitelj - Medjugorje
After completing the check-in procedures for tickets, luggage, and boarding at Adnan Menderes Airport International Departure Terminal, we depart for Sarajevo on Sunexpress Airlines flight XQ826 at 10:35. After approximately one and a half hours, we arrive in Sarajevo at 11:30 local time and go through entry procedures. Our first stop is Mostar, renowned for its historical and cultural richness. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by architect Hayreddin, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed in 1992 but rebuilt in 2004 with contributions from the Republic of Turkey. After exploring the enchanting atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Then, we move to Blagaj, which is built at the source of the Buna River, Europe’s most powerful spring. After a short free time in Blagaj, we head to Počitelj, a historic town known for its preserved Ottoman structures, built during the 16th century. Finally, we proceed to Medjugorje, famous for its religious pilgrims and peaceful atmosphere. After arriving at our hotel, we rest in our rooms. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Included! | Blagaj Tour Included! | Počitelj Tour Included!
Distance from Sarajevo to Mostar: 130 km | Mostar to Blagaj: 12 km | Blagaj to Počitelj: 30 km | Počitelj to Medjugorje: 20 km
Total distance traveled: 192 km
Day 2: Medjugorje – Kotor – Budva – St. Stephen – Shkodra
After breakfast, we leave the hotel and head towards the enchanting Kotor. During the journey, you will enjoy magnificent views. Upon arrival in Kotor, we will explore this medieval town famous for its fjords with a walking tour of the old city, where you will feel the historic atmosphere of narrow streets and ancient walls. The architecture and seaside views of Kotor will take you on a journey through time. Next, we move to Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans. After a panoramic city tour, we head to Sveti Stefan, known for its stunning views from the hillside. This island offers picture-perfect scenery, making it ideal for photos. After exploring these spots, we will go to Shkodra, a beautiful city in Albania. We will enjoy dinner at our hotel and rest in our rooms.
Included! | Budva Tour Included!
Distance from Medjugorje to Kotor: 191 km | Kotor to Budva: 22 km | Budva to Sveti Stefan: 15 km | Sveti Stefan to Shkodra: 85 km
Total distance traveled: 313 km
Day 3: Shkodra – Tirana – Ohrid
After breakfast, we depart from the hotel and head towards Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this culturally rich city, we will explore the central sights including the Ethem Bey Mosque, which started construction in 1789 and completed in 1923, and is an important cultural heritage. We will also see Skanderbeg Square, with the prominent statue of Skanderbeg erected in 1821, and the Clock Tower built in 1821 by Ethem Bey. This tour will allow you to experience both the modern and historic faces of Tirana. After free time, we continue to Ohrid, enjoying breathtaking scenery en route. Upon arrival, we will take a tour of the historic city of Ohrid, which served as an important Ottoman base in the Balkans. We will see sites such as the 9th-century Church of Saint Cyril and Methodius, believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of Holy Sophia. We will stroll through Chinar Square, visit the Ottoman-era Turkish Bazaar, Halveti Tekke, and the New Bazaar. The stunning lake and its mesmerizing views will accompany our tour. After completing the tour, we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. The evening is perfect for enjoying Ohrid’s serene atmosphere, walking by the lake, or relaxing in your room.
Included! | Ohrid Tour Included!
Distance from Tirana to Ohrid: 135 km | Shkodra to Tirana: 100 km
Total distance traveled: 235 km
Day 4: Ohrid – Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After breakfast, we pack our luggage and depart to explore North Macedonia’s unique nature and cultural treasures. Our first stop is Tetova (Kalkandelen), known for its colorful and impressive Ottoman mosques such as the Alaca Mosque built in the 15th century, renowned for its vibrant exterior and intricate decorations. We will explore this exquisite example of Ottoman architecture. Then, we proceed with a scenic drive to Skopje. Upon arrival, we will visit the Mustafa Pasha Mosque built in 1492, and the Murad Pasha Mosque from the 15th century. We will also see the Kapan Han and Suluh Han, historic Ottoman inns that once hosted merchants. We will continue to the Stone Bridge, an iconic Ottoman structure over the Vardar River, and take a walk along the river to see Turkish and Jewish quarters. Our tour includes Macedonia Square, the city’s central area with modern structures, and the statue of Alexander the Great. We will also see the Ottoman-era Sultan Murad and Isa Bey mosques, symbols of the city’s Islamic heritage. In the evening, we visit the Skopje Bazaar for some free time and shopping before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Included! | Tetova (Kalkandelen) Tour Included
Distance from Ohrid to Tetova: 130 km | Tetova to Skopje: 43 km
Total distance traveled: 173 km
Day 5: Skopje – Prizren – Pristina – Skopje
After breakfast, we leave the hotel and head towards Pristina, Kosovo’s capital. We will take a panoramic city tour including Ottoman architecture such as the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. We will visit the tomb of Sultan Murad Hüdavendigâr, who died during the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, and learn about this important event in Ottoman history. After exploring Pristina, we proceed to Prizren, a city often called Kosovo’s cultural capital, with its Ottoman-style old town and Turkish-influenced shop signs. We will see the Sinan Pasha Mosque, Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Hamam. After some free time in Prizren, we return to Skopje, where we check into our hotel, have dinner, and rest.
Included! | Prizren – Pristina Tour Included
Distance from Prizren to Pristina: 85 km | Pristina to Skopje: 165 km
Total distance traveled: 340 km
Day 6: Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave the hotel and travel to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Known as a significant cultural and strategic hub throughout history, Belgrade is vibrant and rich in history and modernity. We will take a panoramic city tour, visiting the Old Palace with Ottoman influences, the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, the Belgrade Fortress, and the Market Square. We will also see the remains of the Ottoman period, including Şehit Ali Pasha’s Tomb. Our tour will deepen your understanding of Belgrade’s remarkable past and present. We transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Distance from Skopje to Belgrade: 430 km
Day 7: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we travel to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Known as the cultural center of the Balkans for centuries and the location of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which sparked World War I, Sarajevo endured heavy damage during the 1992 war but has preserved its beauty. We will take a panoramic city tour covering the famous Baščaršija bazaar, Morica Han, Catholic Cathedral, Synagogue, Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, the Old Library, and the city’s Austro-Hungarian buildings. We transfer to our hotel, have dinner, and stay overnight.
Distance from Belgrade to Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 8: Sarajevo – İzmir
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and have some free time until transfer. We transfer to Sarajevo Airport for our flight. We depart on Sunexpress Airlines flight XQ827 at 12:30, arriving in İzmir at 15:20. Upon arrival at Adnan Menderes Airport, our tour concludes. We look forward to seeing you on your next trip and bid farewell.
* Balkan Special Cancellation Insurance Package: 50 Euros
(With this cancellation insurance, guests can cancel their reservation penalty-free under any circumstances until 9 days before the departure date. When cancelling, the entire tour fee is refunded, but the insurance fee and any extra services (visa, insurance, etc.) are non-refundable.)
**This cancellation insurance does not apply to group bookings.**
**Limited quotas are available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: The program includes major Balkan cities and tourist sites such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje.
• Ottoman Heritage: Significant Ottoman sites and cultural heritages are visited, appealing to history enthusiasts.
• Religious and Cultural Diversity: Visits to mosques, churches, and synagogues showcase the region’s cultural richness.
• Natural Beauty: Fjords of Kotor and Lake Ohrid’s stunning scenery are experienced.
• Visa-Free Travel: The destinations do not require visas, reducing additional paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Guided tours provide detailed information about cities and historical sites.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and regional flavors are offered, providing a culinary adventure.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and additional tours are included in the package price, allowing participants to visit important sites without extra charges.
• Dinner Inclusions: Every evening includes dinner, preventing participants from incurring extra costs for tasting local dishes.
• No Extra Spending Required: The tour is ideal for those who do not wish to spend extra money, as only lunch, tips, and gifts are additional.
Points to Consider
• Intensive Program: Visiting a different city daily makes the tour rich and full but may be tiring for those who want to explore more leisurely.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances are covered with scenic views, but some days involve long bus rides with breaks for comfort.
• Limited Free Time: The extensive schedule means free time is limited but all major sites are visited with a guide.
• Weather Conditions: Balkan weather can be variable depending on the season, so appropriate clothing is recommended.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Hotels are carefully selected to reflect regional character and culture, though some smaller towns’ hotels may offer fewer amenities than luxury hotels in Turkey. Nonetheless, comfort and cleanliness are maintained.
• Culinary Experience: The tour offers a chance to taste regional flavors. Balkan cuisine is rich and delicious, but some unfamiliar tastes may be encountered. This is an excellent opportunity to experience local culture and cuisine, keeping in mind the possibility of different flavors.
Hotels
City | Hotel | Breakfast | Dinner
Uskup | 4* Vlaho etc. | Hotel | Restaurant Gardenia
Ohrid | 4* Beograd etc. | Hotel | Hotel
Belgrade | 4* Nobel etc. | Hotel | Hotel
Sarajevo | 4* Holiday etc. | Hotel | Hotel
Medjugorje | 4* Sole etc. | Hotel | Hotel
Shkodra | 4* Holiday Koplik etc. | Hotel | Hotel
SunExpress Airlines
Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Departure Time | Arrival Time
İzmir | Sarajevo | 10:35 | 11:30
Sarajevo | İzmir | 12:30 | 15:20