Kosovo Large Balkans Tour with AJet including Extra Tours and Dinner SKP-TZL
Day 1: Istanbul - Skopje - Tetovo (Kalkandelen) - Ohrid
Meeting at the airline counter at Sabiha Gökçen Airport 3 hours before our flight. Departing for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, on Ajjet flight number VF263 at 14:00. After a comfortable flight, we arrive at 13:30 local time and proceed with the country's entry procedures. We begin our journey to explore North Macedonia's unique nature and cultural treasures with our private vehicle. Our first stop is Tetovo (Kalkandelen), one of Macedonia's most stunning 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 enchant you with its lively colors and intricate decorations on the exterior. While discovering this unique example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey through the depths of history. After our visit to Tetovo, we travel towards Ohrid, surrounded by lush mountains and crystal-clear lakes. Breathtaking views of Macedonia will accompany us along the way. Upon our arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour of the historic city, which has been a significant post of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. During our tour, we will see important sites such as the Monument 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 city square, Çınar Square, and have the opportunity to explore the Old Bazaar from the Ottoman era. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke and experience the cultural fabric of the city up close. Afterward, we will explore the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, witnessing the daily lives of the locals. Finally, we will enjoy the stunning views of Ohrid Lake. After the tour, there will be some free time before our transfer to the hotel. Overnight and dinner will be at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy the captivating atmosphere of Ohrid, take a short walk by the lake or retire to your rooms to relax.
Tetovo (Kalkandelen) Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje - Tetovo (Kalkandelen): 43 km | Tetovo (Kalkandelen) - Ohrid: 130 km
Total distance traveled: 173 km
Day 2: Ohrid - Resne - Bitola - Ohrid
After breakfast, we set off for our tour of Resne and Bitola, famous for their stunning nature and historical riches. Our first stop is Resne, where we will see the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure in Balkan history, from a panoramic view. Resne offers a captivating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After a short break here, we head towards Bitola, which was once one of the most important cultural and commercial centers of the Ottoman Empire. Upon our arrival in Bitola, we'll visit the Military Secondary School where the great leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this enchanting city, we will also explore historical sites from the Ottoman period such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, İshak Paşa Mosque, and Yeni Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, you will have the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk in the nostalgic streets of the city. After all these rich cultural stops, we return to Ohrid. Overnight and dinner will be 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 traveled: 134 km
Day 3: Ohrid - Tirana - Shkodra
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Tirana, the capital of Albania. An impressive tour awaits us as we explore this beautiful city rich in historical and cultural heritage, regarded as the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon our arrival in Tirana, we will visit one of the city's most important symbols, the Ethem Bey Mosque. This structure, which began construction in 1789 and was completed in 1923, is one of Albania's cultural heritages. We will take a short break at Skanderbeg Square, where we see the statue of Skander Bey proudly rising in the center. The Clock Tower, built in 1821 by Ethem Bey, is another highlight of our tour. During this tour, the modern face of Tirana and its historical past will come together, allowing you to create unforgettable memories. After some free time, we continue our journey to the historical city of Shkodra in northern Albania. Shkodra will amaze you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight and dinner will be at our hotel in Shkodra.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid - Tirana: 135 km | Tirana - Shkodra: 100 km
Total distance traveled: 235 km
Day 4: Shkodra - Prizren - Pristina - Skopje
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel and head towards Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon our arrival in Pristina, we will begin our panoramic city tour, exploring both the modern and historical aspects of Kosovo. During our tour, we will visit many valuable structures from the Ottoman period. We will see the Mosque of Fatih Sultan Mehmet and the Yasar Pasha Mosque from the 18th century. While exploring the historical heritage of the city, we will visit the tomb of Sultan Murad Hüdavendigâr, who was killed in the 1389 Kosovo War, allowing us to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After the tour in Pristina, we will move to Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we will explore the narrow streets of Prizren, reminiscent of an 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 Ottoman structures. Other important Ottoman artifacts to be seen include the Halveti Tekke, the Flag Mosque, and the Mehmet Pasha Bath. After some free time in Prizren, we begin our return journey to Skopje. Upon our arrival in Skopje, our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492, one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the city. Then we visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century, which is especially noted for its Ottoman period decorations and architecture. During the tour, we will also see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, beautiful examples of Ottoman-period inns that were once important centers for merchants. After that, we will visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje. Built in the 15th century, it connects both sides of the Vardar River. While walking across the Stone Bridge, we will see the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the banks of the Vardar River. During our walk by the river, we will pass through 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. 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 glory of the Ottoman period. We will continue to explore the city by walking to Skopje's Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we will see the Clock Tower, built in the 16th century and one of Skopje's symbolic structures. Here we will visit Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, which are important parts of the Islamic heritage of the city and noteworthy for their architecture. Finally, we will give free time in the Turkish Bazaar, where you can find various products ranging from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After spending enjoyable moments in the bazaar, we will transfer to Restaurant Gardenia for the Balkan Night. Later, we will be transferred to our hotel, where we will check into our rooms. Overnight will be at our hotel in Skopje.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you accompanied by traditional Balkan music and folklore dance performances. This special Balkan night at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the most selected venues in Skopje, offers you the chance to explore the fun and cultural dimension of Skopje. The performances will be completed with no playback, fully providing an authentic experience by our artists, who are all conservatory students and teachers. We are pleased to host you at Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Thank you for your understanding. Overnight will be at our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Shkodra - Prizren: 186 km | Prizren - Pristina: 85 km | Pristina - Skopje: 165 km
Total distance traveled: 436 km
Day 5: Skopje - Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Historically one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans, Belgrade today captivates attention with its liveliness, vibrancy, and historical texture. Upon our arrival in Belgrade, we begin a panoramic city tour discovering all the grandeur of the city. First, we will see the Old Palace, which bears the marks of the Ottoman period and is known for its magnificent carved ceilings. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore the texture that combines Belgrade's past and present. Then we visit one of the city’s most striking points, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. Discovering this unique landscape, which has been the focal point of many conquests and victories throughout history, will be highly enjoyable. As we continue exploring this ancient city, you will encounter the Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracking the traces of history in this fortress, we will see important points such as Kale Square and the Stone Square. During our tour, we will visit the tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, one of the significant figures of the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade's rich history and learn about its cultural heritage from the Ottoman era. At the end of our tour, we leave behind the historical and lively atmosphere of the city and head to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Skopje - Belgrade: 430 km
Day 6: Belgrade - Sarajevo
After breakfast, we set off towards Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon our arrival, this city, which has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and is historically noted for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbs in 1914, will amaze you. In 1992, the city suffered severe damage due to destructive wars among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet Sarajevo managed to maintain much of its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historical Ottoman han Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city's religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge, where the assassination in 1914 took place, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings created during the 40 years of Austro-Hungarian administration. After our tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 7: Sarajevo - Počitelj - Blagaj - Mostar - Sarajevo
After breakfast, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first stop is Mostar, famous for its historical, cultural, and architectural richness. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin, one of Mimar Sinan's students, accepted as one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed during the war in 1992 but was rebuilt in 2004 with considerable contributions from the Republic of Turkey and has now become a symbol of Mostar. We will have the opportunity to explore the historic bazaar and stone streets surrounding this bridge, gracefully linking both sides of the Neretva River. After discovering Mostar's captivating atmosphere, we will visit Koski Mehmet Paşa Mosque, one of the city’s most significant religious structures. Here, we will examine Ottoman-period architectural details and enjoy a magnificent view of the Mostar Bridge from the mosque's courtyard. Next, we travel to Blagaj, famous for its natural beauty and tranquil environment, where it was settled at the source of the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe. After a short leisure time here, we will proceed to Počitelj, known as a Turkish Village and having preserved much of its historical texture, where we will have the opportunity to see the works constructed during the Ottoman period. After our tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel.
Počitelj Tour INCLUDED! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED!
Sarajevo - Mostar: 120 km | Mostar - Blagaj: 12 km | Blagaj - Počitelj: 22 km | Počitelj - Sarajevo: 150 km
Total distance traveled: 304 km
Day 8: Sarajevo - Tuzla - Istanbul
After breakfast, we check out of the rooms and transfer to Tuzla Airport. After boarding procedures, we depart for Istanbul on Ajjet Airlines flight VF272 at 14:35. Arriving at Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul at 17:20 marks the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you on your next journey.
*Balkan Special Cancellation Insurance Package: 50 Euros*
(With the cancellation insurance package implementation, we offer our guests the right to cancel reservations without penalty under all circumstances. With this application, it is possible to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In case of cancellation, the full amount of the tour fee is refunded, while the cancellation insurance package fee and any extra service fees (Visa, insurance, etc.) are not refunded.)
**The mentioned cancellation insurance package is not valid for group reservations.**
**There are limited quotas available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A wide travel program covering significant cities and tourist spots in the Balkans. Many important cities, including Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritages from the Ottoman period are visited, offering a delightful experience for history enthusiasts.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: Various religious structures (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, exploring the cultural diversity of the region.
• Natural Beauties: Exquisite natural sights such as Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: The tour includes destinations that do not require visas, thus reducing additional paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guiding: In-depth information about cities and historical places is provided by a guide.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Guests enjoy a gastronomic experience with traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local flavors in the dinners.
• Restaurant Gardenia Skopje Experience: Opportunity to enjoy local flavors and a special Balkan night at one of the finest restaurants in Skopje, Restaurant Gardenia.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and extra tours mentioned in the program are included in the tour price, allowing participants to visit all significant spots without incurring additional costs.
• Dinners Included: Dinners have been included in the program each day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local delicacies.
• No Need to Spend: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend. Only lunch, tips if desired, and souvenirs you wish to buy are the exceptions to having extra money out of your pocket.
Considerations to Keep in Mind
• Intense Program: Traveling to different cities every day makes the tour rich and fulfilling. However, this intense pace can be tiring for those wanting to explore more.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances (for example, between Skopje and Belgrade) are passed with beautiful views, but there may be long days spent on the bus. Nevertheless, comfort travel is ensured with breaks along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Due to the comprehensive nature of the tour program, free time may be limited. However, participants have the opportunity to visit all significant points accompanied by a guide.
• Weather Conditions Dependent on Season: Weather conditions in the Balkans can be variable during certain periods. Therefore, appropriate clothing selection can make the situation more comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: The hotels included in the tour have been carefully selected from options reflecting the region's character and local culture, though some small-town hotels may not offer the same luxury as hotels in Turkey. However, care is taken regarding comfort and cleanliness in these hotels.
• Food and Cuisine Experience: Throughout the tour, there is an opportunity to taste local specialties. The Balkan cuisine is rich and delicious, but there might be unfamiliar flavors for some participants. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine, but it is useful to note that you might encounter different tastes.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Ohrid 4* Hotel Sileks etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Hotel Sileks etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Queen Astoria etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Skopje 4* Vlaho Hotel etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
With Ajet Airlines
Departure Location Destination Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Skopje 14:00 13:30
Tuzla Istanbul 14:55 18:50
• Round trip airline tickets from Sabiha Gökçen Airport / Skopje - Tuzla / Sabiha Gökçen Airport with AJet Airlines
• Total of 7 nights' accommodation including 1 night in Skopje, 1 night in Shkodra, 2 nights in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, and 2 nights in Ohrid at a 4* hotel category
• Breakfasts
• Dinner meals
• All transfers specified in the program
• City tours specified in the program
• Balkan Night embellished with dining, entertainment, and folklore shows
• Prizren Tour
• Pristina Tour
• Tirana Tour
• Resne Tour
• Bitola (Manastir) Tour
• Tetova Tour
• Mostar Tour
• Blagaj Tour
• Poçitel Tour
• Customs Taxes
• All highway, parking, and check-point expenses
• Professional Turkish guide services
• Compulsory Insurance (Professional Liability)
Services Not Included:
• Foreign Departure Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance (up to 65 years old)
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and hotel taxes