Balkans Tour

Meeting in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport 3 hours before the flight. Following baggage, ticket and passport procedures, departure for Skopje at 07.25 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK 1003. Following our arrival at 07:55 local time, we set off for Matka Canyon in the vehicle waiting for us at the airport. The canyon is famous for its prehistoric caves and numerous medieval monasteries. After a photo stop at Matka Canyon, one of Macedonia's most popular outdoor destinations and natural attractions, we depart for Tetovo. In Tetovo, we will visit Alaca Mosque, an architectural masterpiece built in 1438 and restored to its present form in 1833, which differs from other Ottoman mosques typically decorated with ceramic tiles through its vivid floral paintings. After our visit, we depart for Bitola.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we depart from our hotel in our private coaches for the Ohrid Lake & St. Naum tour. Our first stop on the tour is Ohrid Lake. Ohrid Lake is one of North Macedonia's largest and most important natural treasures and is located in the southwest of the country. Considered one of the world's oldest and deepest lakes, Ohrid Lake is famous for its magnificent crystal-clear waters, surrounding natural beauty, rich biodiversity and unique aquatic ecosystem of worldwide importance, which contains more than 200 endemic species. During our break by the lake, you will have the opportunity to take unique photographs. After our tour, we arrive at St. Naum following a journey of approximately 45 minutes accompanied by unique scenery. Following our arrival, we visit St. Naum Monastery and Church, dedicated to one of the region's most important saints. The historic church, frescoes and other religious structures within the monastery reflect the artistic and architectural understanding of the Middle Ages. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and check-out, we depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. On our panoramic Tirana city tour, the sights will include Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, and Skanderbeg Monument and Square. After the free time provided, we depart for Shkodra at the time specified by our guide. On our city tour, the sights will include Abu Bakr Mosque, Rozafa Castle, Tito Square and the Five Heroes Monument. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel and free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and check-out, we depart for Montenegro. Following customs and passport procedures upon arrival at the border, we stop on a hill offering panoramic views of St. Stefan, once a fishing village and later transformed into a town that has remained unchanged through the years, and its turquoise shores. We then arrive in Budva, the centre of Montenegro's tourism, known for its Adriatic coastal setting, well-preserved medieval walled city, sandy beaches and lively nightlife. On our walking city tour, the sights will include the Old Town Centre (Stari Grad) and Budva Castle. After free time for lunch, we depart for Kotor at the time specified by our guide. Located in the deepest part of Kotor Bay, the city is known for its beautiful architecture and natural setting. Here, we will explore Kotor on a walking city tour through Stari Grad, the Old Town Centre. After our Kotor excursion, we depart for the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and, following customs procedures, transfer to the hotel where we will stay in Trebinje or the surrounding area, our final stop. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and check-out, we set off to explore Bosnia's historic cities. First, we visit Pocitelj, located along our route, preserved with all its historic character and known as the Turkish Village, where we will see buildings constructed during the Ottoman Period in the 16th century and Pocitelj Castle. Our next stop will then be Blagaj. In this historic town, we will see Blagaj Tekke, located on the banks of the Buna River, surrounded by high cliffs and built as a dervish lodge during the Ottoman Period. During the free time provided on the banks of the Buna River, you may have lunch. After the break, we will arrive in Mostar following a short journey. On our walking tour of the city established around the Neretva River, we will first see Mostar Bridge. A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, the bridge is the symbol of the city. Although it was destroyed in the conflicts that took place at the end of 1992, it was rebuilt in 2004 with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is also among the sights on our tour. After our tour, we depart for Sarajevo.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and check-out, we set off for Belgrade. Upon our arrival in Belgrade, we begin our panoramic city tour. During our panoramic city tour, we see the city's daily life, important buildings and the Ministry of the Interior building bombed by NATO, deliberately left standing in the middle of the city. Continuing our tour, we leave our coach for a walking tour, during which the sights will include Bayrakli Mosque, Belgrade Castle, Damat Ali Pasha Tomb, the Clock Tower, Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Fountain, the Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Dungeon Gate, Leopoldov Gate, Stefan Lazarevic Monument, Nebojsa Tower, Castle Square, Saborna Church, Republic Square, Terazi Square and Stone Square. We complete our city tour with a walk along Knez Mihajlova Street, regarded as the heart of the city. During the free time provided here until the meeting time announced by our guide, you may shop or enjoy the cafes along the street. Transfer to our hotel at the time determined by our guide. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and check-out, we depart for Skopje. Situated on the banks of the Vardar River, this city is home to many historic mosques, bazaars and inns due to its history under the influence of the Ottoman Empire. On our Skopje city tour following our arrival, the sights will include Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Isa Bey Mosque and Kapan Han, the Turkish Bazaar, Skopje City Park, the Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, the symbol of the city, and Macedonia Square. Free time in Macedonia Square until the time specified by our guide. Afterwards, departure for our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and check-out, we set off for the Republic of Kosovo. Following customs and passport procedures, we arrive in Prizren. On our tour of the city, which clings to the slopes of the lush Shar Mountains and is divided by the Lumbardh River, the sights will include Sinan Pasha Mosque, Shadervan, the city's main square, Prizren Hammam, Bayrakli Mosque and Halveti Tekke. After our tour, we depart for Pristina, Europe's youngest capital. Germia Park, the Kosovo National Museum, Yasar Pasha Mosque, the historic Clock Tower and the Tomb of Murad 1, who died in the 1st Battle of Kosovo, are among the sights we will see. After our tour, transfer to the airport at the time specified by our guide. Following baggage, ticket and passport procedures, departure for Istanbul at 20.25 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 1020. Arrival in Istanbul at 23.15 local time and the end of our tour.