Kosovo Large Balkans Tour with AJet Including Extra Tours and Dinner PRN-PRN January 11 Departure
Day 1: Istanbul - Pristina – Prizren - Pristina
Meeting at the departure terminal in Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport in front of the airline check-in counter. Departure to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, at 14:00 with AJet flight number VF101. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, we will arrive at 13:45 local time. After entering the country and completing the entry procedures, we will depart for Prizren with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. Upon arrival in Prizren, we will see the architectural silhouette and hear the call to prayer from the five-time minarets, which immediately gives the impression of an Anatolian Ottoman city with Turkish signs on the roads and shop signs. We will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Hammam in Prizren. After the Prizren tour, we will continue our journey to Pristina. Upon arrival in Pristina, we will start our panoramic city tour to explore Kosovo's modern and historical aspects. During this tour, we will visit Germia Park, one of Pristina’s most important natural beauties. Then, we will see the Kosovo Museum, which showcases Kosovo’s cultural heritage. During our tour, we will also visit several valuable structures from the Ottoman period, including the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yasar Pasha Mosque. During our exploration of the city’s historical heritage, we will visit the tomb of Ottoman Sultan I. Murad Hüdavendigâr, who was killed in the Kosovo Plain as a result of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, commemorating this significant historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After our tour in Pristina, we will transfer to our hotel. Our overnight stay and dinner will be at our hotel.
Prizren Tour INCLUDED!
Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Pristina: 85 km
Total distance to be covered: 170 km
Day 2: Pristina – Manastir - Resne – Ohrid
After breakfast, we will set off for our tour of Resne and Manastir (Bitola), famous for their magnificent nature and historical richness. We are heading towards Manastir, which was once one of the most important cultural and commercial centers of the Ottoman Empire. Upon arrival in Manastir, we will visit the Military High School and the Atatürk Museum, where Atatürk studied, from the outside. In this enchanting city, we will discover historical Ottoman artifacts like the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, the Ishak Pasha Mosque, and the New Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Manastir, you will have the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk in the city's nostalgic streets. After a short break here, we will continue to Resne, where we will see the palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, a significant figure in Balkan history, from a panoramic view. Resne offers a captivating atmosphere with its nature and Ottoman traces. After the tour, we will head towards Ohrid. The breathtaking views along the way will accompany us. Upon arriving in Ohrid, we will have a tour introducing this historically significant city, which was one of the important bases of the Ottomans in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are the monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who are believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of Saint Sophia. We will also stroll in the heart of the city, Çınar Square, and have the opportunity to visit the Turkish Bazaar from the Ottoman period. Here, you can visit Halveti Tekke and get a close sense of the city’s cultural fabric. After that, we will explore the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, witnessing the daily lives of local people. Finally, Ohrid's famous lake and its mesmerizing scenery will accompany our tour. After the tour, we will have free time and transfer to our hotel. Our overnight stay and dinner will be at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of Ohrid in the quiet of the night, take a short walk by the lakeside, or relax in your rooms.
Resne Tour INCLUDED! | Manastir (Bitola) Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Manastir: 270 km | Manastir – Resne: 30 km | Resne – Ohrid: 35 km
Total distance to be covered: 335 km
Day 3: Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër
After breakfast, we depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this culturally and historically rich beautiful city, we will explore Tirana, which is accepted as the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon our arrival in Tirana, we will visit Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important symbols, which started construction in 1789 and was completed in 1923. We will take a short break in Skanderbeg Square, where we will see the statue of Skanderbeg proudly rising in the center of the square. The clock tower of Tirana, built by Ethem Bey in 1821, is one of the highlights of our tour. During this tour, the modern face of Tirana and its historical past will come together, allowing you to collect unforgettable memories. After free time, we will head towards the historical city of Shkodër in northern Albania. Shkodër will enchant you with its natural beauties and rich historical texture. Overnight and dinner will be at our hotel.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Tirana: 135 km | Tirana – Shkodër: 100 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 4: Shkodër – Sveti Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Medugorje
After breakfast, we embark on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting beaches of Montenegro. Our first stop is Sveti Stefan, famous for its rich history and stunning views. We will enjoy a magnificent view of this island from above, making it an ideal spot for postcard-like photographs. Next, we will arrive in Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans. After our panoramic Budva tour, our next stop is the charming city of Kotor, famous for its fjords! During our walking tour of this magnificent medieval town, you will feel the historical atmosphere of the narrow streets and discover the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea views, this small town will take you on a journey through time. After some free time in Kotor, we will proceed to our hotel in Medugorje or the surrounding area. After our dinner at the hotel, we will retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight will be at our hotel.
Budva Tour INCLUDED! | Kotor Tour INCLUDED!
Shkodër - Budva: 85 km | Budva - Kotor: 22 km | Kotor - Medugorje: 191 km
Total distance to be covered: 298 km
Day 5: Medugorje - Blagaj - Mostar – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we will depart for Sarajevo. Our first destination is Blagaj, where the Buna River springs, known as Europe’s strongest water source. After a short free time enjoying the beautiful nature here, we will head towards Mostar. In Mostar, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built by Architect Hayreddin in 1557. This masterwork of Ottoman architecture was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992; however, it was reopened in 2004, thanks to significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey. After visiting the Mostar Bridge, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Paşa Mosque. We will then proceed to Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we will take a panoramic city tour of Sarajevo, which has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and became historically significant when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated here in 1914, triggering World War I. The city suffered great devastation during the war of 1992 between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks; however, Sarajevo has managed to preserve most of its beauty. During our panoramic tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historical Ottoman caravanserai Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, Hüsrev Bey, and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination of Franz Ferdinand took place, and the Old Library, along with Western-style buildings formed during the 40-year Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel.
Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED!
Medugorje - Blagaj: 28 km | Blagaj - Mostar: 12 km | Mostar - Sarajevo: 130 km
Total distance to be covered: 162 km
Day 6: Sarajevo – Belgrade
After breakfast, we will leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, historically one of the most important cultural and strategic centers in the Balkans, attracts attention today with its liveliness, dynamism, and historical texture. Upon arrival in Belgrade, our panoramic city tour begins, allowing you to feel the historical atmosphere and discover the fabric joining Belgrade's past with the present. We will proceed to one of the most impressive spots in the city, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. It will be great to explore this area, which throughout history has been the focal point of many conquerings and victories. While continuing to discover this ancient city, you will encounter the Belgrade Fortress, which served as the supply base for the Ottoman navy. As we trace the city’s historical paths, we will see important points such as Kalemegdan and Tašmajdan. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, an important figure from the Ottoman era, and the Bayrakli Mosque, one of the few remaining Ottoman structures in Belgrade. Throughout these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and learn about the cultural heritage left by the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we will head to our hotel. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel.
Sarajevo – Belgrade: 287 km
Day 7: Belgrade - Skopje
After breakfast, we will head to the capital of North Macedonia, Skopje. Upon arrival, our city tour will begin. Skopje, with its Ottoman heritage and modern buildings, is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans. Our tour begins with the historical sites in Skopje, the city where the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı was born. Our first stop will be the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492, one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the city. Then we will visit the Murad Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century, known for its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see the Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located in the heart of Skopje. These structures, beautiful examples of Ottoman-era caravanserais, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. After that, we will visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje, connecting both sides of the Vardar River and built in the 15th century. Walking over the Stone Bridge, we will pass through the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the Vardar River. During our stroll beside the river, we will pass by Macedonia Square, which is 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. We will also see the Ottoman Bridge built in the 15th century from the outside and visit the Davut Pasha Hammam, experiencing the grandeur of the Ottoman period once again. We will continue our exploration of the Turkish Bazaar in Skopje. Before we arrive at the bazaar, we will see the Clock Tower, one of the symbolic structures of Skopje built in the 16th century. Here, we will visit the Sultan Murat Mosque, an early Ottoman Empire mosque, and the Isa Bey Mosque, which are significant parts of the city’s Islamic heritage with their remarkable architecture. Finally, we will have free time at the Turkish Bazaar, where you can find many products ranging from traditional crafts to souvenirs. After spending enjoyable time in the bazaar, we will return to our hotel for the night.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you with traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. You will have the opportunity to experience Skopje's entertaining and cultural side during this special Balkan night at one of the region's finest venues, Restaurant Gardenia. With live performances from artists composed entirely of conservatory students and teachers, this evening will be transformed into an authentic experience where the best of Balkan music and folklore is presented. We are delighted to welcome you at Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight will be at our hotel in Skopje.
Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Belgrade – Skopje: 430 km
Day 8: Skopje - Pristina - Istanbul
After breakfast, we will leave our hotel and head towards Pristina airport. Upon arrival at the airport and completing the boarding procedures, we will have our flight with AJet airlines's scheduled flight number VF102, departing at 15:45 to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport. After a comfortable flight, we will arrive in Istanbul at 18:25, marking the end of our tour. We bid you farewell until we meet again on your next trip.
Skopje – Pristina: 90 km
*Balkan Special Cancellation Insurance Package: 50 Euros*
(With the cancellation insurance package application, guests are given the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under all circumstances. With this application, guests can cancel their booking up to 9 days before the departure date. When a reservation is canceled, the total tour price is refunded, but the cancellation insurance package fee and any additional service fees (Visa, insurance, etc.) are not refunded.)
**The mentioned cancellation insurance package is not valid for group reservations.**
**Limited slots are available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A broad travel program covering significant cities and tourist locations in the Balkans is offered, visiting many important cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritages from the Ottoman period are visited, providing an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: The region's cultural diversity is explored through visits to structures from different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues).
• Natural Beauties: The magnificent natural beauties, such as Kotor fjords and Ohrid Lake, are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: It includes destinations that do not require a visa, reducing extra paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Detailed information about the cities and historical sites is provided, with guided tours.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Evening meals filled with traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local flavors allow participants to enjoy a gastronomic experience.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and extra tours included in the program are covered in the tour price, enabling participants to visit all important points without additional costs.
• Dinner Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need to Expend: Ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Other than lunch and optional tips and gifts for their loved ones, there are no extra expenses during the tour.
Things to Consider
• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city 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) provide beautiful views along the way, but there may be days with long durations spent on the bus. However, with the breaks given along the journey, a comfortable travel experience is ensured.
• Limited Free Time: Due to the comprehensive nature of the tour program, free time may be limited. However, it offers the chance to visit all important points with a guide.
• Weather Conditions Dependent on Season: Weather conditions in the Balkans can fluctuate during certain periods. Therefore, with appropriate clothing choices, it is possible to make this an enjoyable experience.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from those reflecting the region’s character and local culture, some hotels in smaller cities may not offer as many amenities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, cleanliness and comfort are prioritized in these hotels.
• Food and Culinary Experience: The opportunity to try the region's unique local dishes during the tour is offered. The Balkan cuisine is rich and flavorful; however, it may feature unfamiliar tastes for some participants. This is a great opportunity to closely get to know the local culture and cuisine, but it can be helpful to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Pristina 4* Ador Hotel etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodër 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 Restaurant Gardenia
With Ajet Airlines
Departure Place Arrival Place Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Pristina 14:00 13:45
Pristina Istanbul 14:45 18:25
Included Services:
• Round-trip flight tickets with AJet Airlines from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Pristina and back to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
• Accommodation for a total of 7 Nights: 1 Night in Pristina, 1 Night in Ohrid, 1 Night in Shkodra, 1 Night in Medjugorje, 1 Night in Sarajevo, 1 Night in Belgrade, and 1 Night in Skopje, all in a 4-star hotel category
• Breakfasts
• Dinners at the hotel
• A Balkan Night adorned with dinner, entertainment, and folklore shows
• All transfers specified in the program
• City tours specified in the program
• Prizren (Kosovo) Tour
• Tirana Tour
• Blagaj Extra Tour
• Mostar Tour
• Resne Tour
• Bitola Tour
• Budva Tour
• Kotor Tour
• Professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
• Mandatory Insurance (Professional Liability)
Services Not Included:
• Overseas Exit Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance (Up to Age 65)
• Lunches
• All kinds of 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 amounting to a mandatory payment of 20 Euros per person, which will be collected in cash by the guide on the first day of the tour)