Kosovo Great Balkan Tour with AJet including Extra Tours and Dinner SKP-SKP
Day 1: Istanbul - Skopje
Meeting at the departure terminal of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, in front of the airline counter. Departure at 12:50 PM with AJet flight number VF263 to the capital of North Macedonia, Skopje. After a comfortable flight, we arrive at 2:20 PM local time and, following country entry procedures, we start our panoramic city tour with our special vehicle. Skopje, with its Ottoman heritage and modern structures, is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans. Our tour begins with historical sites in Skopje, the city where the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı was born. Our first stop is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the city, built in 1492. Next, we visit the Murat Pasha Mosque, constructed in the 15th century, notable for its Ottoman-era adornments and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located in the heart of Skopje. These structures, beautiful examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. We will then visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje. Built in the 15th century, this bridge connects both banks of the Vardar River. Walking across the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the riverbank. During our walk along the river, we 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. Next, we will see the Ottoman Bridge from the outside and visit the David Pasha Hammam to feel the grandeur of the Ottoman era once more. We continue to explore the city by walking towards Skopje's Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we will see the Clock Tower, constructed in the 16th century and one of Skopje's symbolic structures. Here, we will visit the Sultan Murat Mosque and the Isa Bey Mosque, both early Ottoman period mosques that are important parts of the city's Islamic heritage with striking architecture. Finally, we will give free time in the Turkish Bazaar, where you can find many products, from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After your enjoyable time at the bazaar, we will return to our hotel in the evening.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you with traditional Balkan music and folk dance performances. You will have the opportunity to experience the entertaining and cultural side of Skopje during this special Balkan night at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the most distinguished establishments in the region. With the best Balkan music and folklore presented live by our artists, all of whom are students and teachers from the conservatory, we will convert this evening into an authentic experience. We are happy to host you at our own establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Day 2: Skopje - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje
After breakfast in the morning, we leave our hotel and head towards the capital of Kosovo, Pristina. After our journey, we arrive in Pristina and start our panoramic city tour where we will explore Kosovo’s modern and historical aspects. During our tour, we will visit many valuable structures from the Ottoman period, including the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque and the 18th-century Yasar Pasha Mosque. During this visit to the historical heritage of the city, we will also get the opportunity to visit the Tomb of Sultan Murad Hüdavendigâr, who was killed in the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, commemorating this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After our tour in Pristina, we move on to Prizren, known as Kosovo's cultural capital. Upon arrival, we start exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, which reminds of an Anatolian Ottoman town with its architecture and shop signs written in Turkish. We will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important structures of Ottoman architecture in the city. Other notable Ottoman works to be seen include the Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and the Mehmet Pasha Hammam. After enjoying some free time in Prizren, we begin our journey back to Skopje in the evening. After our arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel, and after having our dinner, we will retreat to our rooms for the night. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED!
Distance from Skopje to Pristina: 90 km | Distance from Pristina to Prizren: 85 km | Distance from Prizren to Skopje: 165 km
Total Distance Covered: 340 km
Day 3: Skopje - Belgrade
After breakfast in the morning, we leave our hotel for a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Throughout history, Belgrade has been one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans, and today it stands out with its liveliness, activity, and historical texture. We will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures in this enchanting city. After our arrival in Belgrade, we start our panoramic city tour, where you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the blend of Belgrade's past and present. Next, we head to one of the city’s most impressive points, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. Exploring this area, which has been the focus of many conquests and victories throughout history, will be a great pleasure. While we continue to discover this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for its conquest but it was destined for Kanuni Sultan Süleyman to conquer, you will encounter the Belgrade Fortress, which was used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing the marks of history in this fortress, we will see important points like Kalemegdan and Tašmajdan. We will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, one of the significant figures of the Ottoman period, during our tour. During these visits, you will deepen your understanding of Belgrade's rich history and the cultural heritage remaining from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we leave behind the history and vibrant atmosphere of the city and proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Distance from Skopje to Belgrade: 430 km
Day 4: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast in the morning, we head towards Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we will explore this city, which has been the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and is historically significant for being the site where the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary took place in 1914, triggering the outbreak of World War I. Sarajevo suffered significant devastation during the war that occurred in 1992 between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet it has managed to maintain much of 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 Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadiye Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination of Franz Ferdinand occurred in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings created during the 40-year Austrian-Hungarian administration. After our tour, we will be transferred to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Distance from Belgrade to Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 5: Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj - Počitelj - Medugorje
After breakfast in the morning, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first destination is Mostar, famous for its historical and cultural richness. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, constructed in 1557 by Architect Hayreddin, which is 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 captivating atmosphere of Mostar, we will visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Then we move on to Blagaj. Blagaj is located at the birthplace of the Buna River, one of Europe’s strongest water sources. After a short free time here, we continue to Počitelj. We will visit Počitelj, a historical settlement preserved as a Turkish Village, and see the works built during the Ottoman period in the 16th century. Finally, we proceed to Medugorje. Medugorje is known for its religious visitors and is a peaceful place. Upon arrival at our hotel, we will retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Mostar Tour INCLUDED! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Počitelj Tour INCLUDED!
Distance from Sarajevo to Mostar: 130 km | Distance from Mostar to Blagaj: 12 km | Distance from Blagaj to Počitelj: 30 km | Distance from Počitelj to Medugorje: 20 km
Total Distance Covered: 192 km
Day 6: Medugorje – Kotor – Budva – Sveti Stefan – Shkodra
After breakfast in the morning, we leave our hotel and head towards the enchanting Kotor. During our journey, you will enjoy magnificent views. Upon arrival in Kotor, known for the fjords of the Balkans, we will take a walking tour where you will feel the historical atmosphere of the narrow streets and the old town, discovering the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and seaview, this small town will take you on a journey through time. Next, we head to Budva, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Balkans! After a panoramic city tour, we will move on to Sveti Stefan, famous for its rich history and stunning views. We will enjoy the beautiful view of this islet from above. This postcard-like location is perfect for photography. After all these discoveries, we will travel to the beautiful city of Shkodra in Albania. After dinner at our hotel, we will retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Kotor Tour INCLUDED! | Budva Tour INCLUDED!
Distance from Medugorje to Kotor: 191 km | Distance from Kotor to Budva: 22 km | Distance from Budva to Sveti Stefan: 15 km | Distance from Sveti Stefan to Shkodra: 85 km
Total Distance Covered: 313 km
Day 7: Shkodra – Tirana - Ohrid
After breakfast in the morning, we leave our hotel and head towards Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city, which is rich in history and culture and is considered the center of Bektashism in Europe, an impressive tour awaits us. Upon our arrival in Tirana, we will visit the Ethem Bey Mosque, one of Albania's cultural heritages, 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 proudly rising in the center. The Clock Tower, constructed by Ethem Bey in 1821, is also one of the highlights of our tour. During this tour, you will create unforgettable memories as the modern face of Tirana and its historical past come together. After some free time, we head towards Ohrid. Along the way, breathtaking views will accompany us. Upon our arrival in Ohrid, a historical city that was one of the important Ottoman bases in the Balkans, we will conduct a tour introducing the city. The places we will see during our tour include: the Statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius, believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet in the 9th century, and the Church of St. Sophia, among other important structures. We will stroll around Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and have the opportunity to walk through the historic Turkish Bazaar from the Ottoman era. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke and closely experience the cultural texture of the city. Afterward, we will visit the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, witnessing the daily life of the local people. Finally, the famous lake of Ohrid and its mesmerizing views will accompany our tour. After the tour, we will have some free time and transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy Ohrid's captivating atmosphere in the silence of the night, take a short walk by the lakeshore, or return to your rooms to rest.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Distance from Shkodra to Tirana: 100 km | Distance from Tirana to Ohrid: 135 km
Total Distance Covered: 235 km
Day 8: Ohrid – Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Skopje – Istanbul
After breakfast in the morning, we depart from our hotel and set out to explore the unique nature and cultural treasures of Macedonia. Our first stop is Tetovo (Kalkandelen), one of Macedonia's mesmerizing towns. Here, we will visit the Alaca Mosque, one of the most colorful and impressive mosques in the Balkans, built in the 15th century. Its vibrant colors and intricate decorations on the exterior will amaze you. While discovering this rare example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey into the depths of history. After our visit in Tetovo, we head towards Skopje Airport. After reaching the airport and completing the boarding procedures, we will depart at 2:20 PM with AJet Airlines’ flight number VF264 to Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul. After a comfortable flight, we arrive in Istanbul at 4:50 PM, marking the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you again on your next trip.
Tetovo (Kalkandelen) Tour INCLUDED!
Distance from Ohrid to Tetovo (Kalkandelen): 131 km | Distance from Tetovo (Kalkandelen) to Skopje: 47 km
Total Distance Covered: 178 km
*Balkan Special Cancellation Insurance Package: 50 Euros*
(With the cancellation insurance package, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalties under all circumstances. This application allows you to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour date. In cancellation, while the entire tour fee is refunded, the cancellation insurance package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) will not be refunded.)
**The cancellation insurance package is not valid for group reservations.**
**There are limited slots available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: The tour offers an extensive travel program covering the important cities and tourist spots of the Balkans. Many significant cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritages from the Ottoman period are visited, providing a delightful experience for history enthusiasts.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: Buildings of different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, discovering the cultural diversity of the region.
• Natural Beauties: The magnificent natural beauties like the Kotor fjords and Ohrid Lake are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: The tour includes destinations that do not require a visa, thus reducing extra paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Detailed information about the cities and historical sites is provided with a guided tour.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Dinner is filled with traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local delicacies, allowing participants to have a gastronomic experience.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and extra tours that are included in the program are covered in the tour price, allowing participants to visit all important points without paying extra costs.
• Dinners Included: Dinner is included every day in the program, preventing participants from incurring additional expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need for Extra Expenditures: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Other than lunch, tipping, and souvenirs they may buy for their loved ones, no extra money is needed.
Issues to Consider
• 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 wish to explore more.
• Long Journeys: The intercity distances (for instance, from Skopje to Belgrade) are traversed amidst beautiful landscapes, yet there may be long days spent on the bus. Nevertheless, with breaks during the journey, a comfortable travel experience is ensured.
• Limited Free Time: Due to the comprehensive program of the tour, free times may be limited. However, the opportunity to visit all significant points is provided under the guidance of a tour leader.
• Weather-Dependent Conditions: Weather conditions in the Balkans can be variable at certain times of the year. Therefore, it’s advisable to dress appropriately to make this situation comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: The hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from options that reflect the region's character and local culture, but some small town hotels may not offer the same extensive facilities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, the cleanliness and comfort of these hotels are ensured.
• Food and Culinary Experience: The tour offers the chance to try the region’s unique local flavors. Balkan cuisine is rich and delicious, but some participants may encounter unfamiliar tastes. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine better, but it is helpful to keep in mind that you may come across different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Medugorje 4* Sole etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
With Ajet Airlines
Departure Place Destination Place Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Skopje 12:50 13:20
Skopje Istanbul 14:20 16:50
Included Services:
• Round trip plane tickets with AJet Airlines from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen HL. / Skopje / Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen HL.
• Accommodation for a total of 7 nights: 2 nights in Skopje, 1 night in Shkodra, 1 night in Medugorje and surroundings, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, and 1 night in Ohrid at a 4-star hotel.
• Breakfasts
• Dinners to be taken at the hotel
• A Balkan Night embellished with food, entertainment, and folk shows
• All transfers specified in the program
• City tours mentioned in the program
• Pristina and Prizren (Kosovo) Tour
• Tetova (Kalkandelen) Tour
• Tirana Tour
• Blagaj Extra Tour
• Počitelj Extra Tour
• Mostar Tour
• Budva Tour
• Kotor Tour
• Professional Turkish guiding services
• Mandatory Insurance (Professional Liability)
Services Not Included:
• International Exit Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and Hotel taxes: (City tax, checkpoint fees, local service fees, handling fees, bus entry fees, and operational service costs, which involve a mandatory payment of 20 Euros per person, will be collected in cash by the guide on the first day of the tour)