Day 1: Diyarbakır - Skopje
Meeting at 21:30 on Saturday evening at the departure terminal of Diyarbakır Airport. Depart from Diyarbakır to Skopje at 00:30 on Ajet Airlines flight VF5515, non-stop and direct. Arrival at 02:15 after an approximately two-and-a-half-hour comfortable journey. After arrival, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Day 2: Skopje - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje
After breakfast, we depart for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour, during which we will discover the modern and historical sides of Kosovo. During the tour, we will also visit many valuable Ottoman-era structures. We will see the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this journey through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to visit the Tomb of Ottoman Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigar, who was killed on 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 head to Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, whose architecture resembles an Anatolian Ottoman city and whose shop signs are filled with Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. In addition, the Halveti Lodge, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bathhouse are among the other important Ottoman works we will see. After free time in Prizren, in the evening we begin our return journey to Skopje. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and after dinner we retire to our rooms. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you, accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. While experiencing the fun and cultural side of Skopje with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most select venues. With live performances of the best Balkan music and folklore, performed by artists who are all conservatory students and teachers and without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be delighted to host you at our own Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Skopje – Pristina: 90 km | Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance to be covered: 340 km
Day 3: Skopje – Matka Canyon - Tetovo - Monastir - Resen – Ohrid
After breakfast, we set out toward Matka Canyon surrounded by lush green mountains. Are you ready to discover Matka Canyon, located among the enchanting forests and wide pastures of Mount Vodno? This natural wonder of about 5,000 hectares will take you to mystical monasteries dating back to the Middle Ages and soothing lake views. While walking on rugged cliffs, you may observe the endemic plant and animal species of the region. For nature lovers, walking on green trails is the best way to be alone with nature. After our Matka Canyon tour, our first stop is Tetovo, one of Macedonia’s most striking towns. Here, we will visit the Painted Mosque, one of the most colorful and impressive mosques in the Balkans. Built in the 15th century, this mosque will fascinate you with its vibrant colors and detailed decorations on the exterior. As we explore this rare example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey into the depths of history. After our visit in Tetovo, we continue to Monastir. Upon arrival in Monastir, we visit externally the Military High School where the Great Leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum. In this magical city, we will also discover Ottoman-era historical monuments such as the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, the Ishak Pasha Mosque, and the Yeni Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Monastir, you will have the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After our tour, we continue to Resen. In Resen, we view panoramically the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history. Resen offers an enchanting atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After a short break here, we head to Ohrid. Breathtaking scenery will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historical city of Ohrid, which became one of the important bases of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Places we will see during our tour include the 9th-century Byzantine monks Saint Cyril and Methodius Monument, believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and important structures such as the Church of St. Sophia. We will also stroll through Plane Tree Square, the heart of the city, and have the opportunity to visit the Turkish Bazaar from the old Ottoman period. Here you can visit the Halveti Lodge and feel the city’s cultural texture up close. Then, by exploring the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, you will witness the daily life of the local people. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and its mesmerizing view will accompany our tour. After the tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the silence of the night, take a short walk along the lake shore, or retire to your rooms to rest.
Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Monastir (Bitola) Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Matka Canyon: 15 km | Matka Canyon – Tetovo: 35 km | Tetovo – Monastir: 145 km | Monastir – Resen: 32 km | Resen – Ohrid: 50 km
Total distance to be covered: 277 km
Day 4: Ohrid – Sveti Naum – Elbasan - Tirana – Shkodra
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and embark on an exciting journey to St. Naum, where the source of Lake Ohrid and St. Naum Monastery are located, an area called “A Corner of Paradise in the Balkans.” In this enchanting place, you will have the opportunity to photograph the unique beauty of the landscapes located in the heart of nature. During our free time, we will enjoy discovering this historical and natural wonder. After a day full of unforgettable memories and wonderful photos, we head to Tirana, the capital of Albania. Passing through Elbasan, arrival in Tirana, rich in history and culture. In this beautiful city, an impressive tour awaits us to discover Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arrival in Tirana, we visit the Et'hem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important landmarks. Construction of this structure began in 1789 and was completed in 1923; it is one of Albania’s cultural heritages. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue proudly standing in the middle of the square. The Clock Tower, the symbol of Tirana, built by Et'hem Bey in 1821, is also one of the highlights of our tour. Then we visit the Peace Bell, a meaningful bell made in 1999 by children from Shkodra from bullets melted during the uprising. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we set out for the historic city of Shkodra in northern Albania. Shkodra will fascinate you with its natural beauty and rich historical texture. Overnight and dinner at our hotel.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED! | Sveti Naum Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Tirana: 135 km | Tirana – Shkodra: 100 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 5: Shkodra – Sv. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Medugorje
After breakfast, we set out on an unforgettable journey to the captivating shores of Montenegro. Our first stop is Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and dazzling scenery. From the hilltop we will admire the magnificent view of this islet, every corner of which looks like a postcard, making it an ideal spot for photography. Then we arrive in Budva, one of the Balkans’ most popular holiday destinations. Our Budva city tour begins. On this walking tour, we will see Budva, one of the Balkans’ most famous holiday resorts, with its magnificent beaches and very colorful nightlife. Our next stop is the enchanting city of Kotor, famous for its fjords in the Balkans! On the walking tour we will take in this magnificent medieval town, you will feel its narrow streets and the historical atmosphere of the old town, and discover the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea view, this small town will take you on a journey through time. After free time in Kotor, we head to our hotel in Medugorje or the surrounding area. After dinner at our hotel, we retire to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Budva Tour INCLUDED! | Kotor Tour INCLUDED!
Shkodra - Budva: 85 km | Budva - Kotor: 22 km | Kotor - Medugorje: 191 km
Total distance to be covered: 298 km
Day 6: Medugorje – Počitelj – Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo. Our first stop is Počitelj, preserved with its historical texture and known as the Turkish Village, where we see 16th-century Ottoman works. After the visit, we continue to Blagaj, built at the source of the Buna River, one of Europe’s strongest water sources. After a short free time in this magnificent natural setting, we set off for Mostar. In Mostar, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin. A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, this bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992; however, with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004. After the Mostar Bridge, we will visit the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Then we head to Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we encounter a city that for centuries was the cultural capital of the Balkans and became known as the place where World War I broke out after the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, it suffered great destruction due to the devastating conflicts between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet Sarajevo managed to preserve much of its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historical Ottoman inn Morića Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, the Gazi Husrev-bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the Franz Ferdinand assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings formed during the city’s 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Počitelj Tour Included! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Mostar Tour INCLUDED!
Medugorje - Počitelj: 20 km | Počitelj - Blagaj: 30 km | Blagaj – Mostar: 12 km | Mostar - Sarajevo: 130 km
Total distance to be covered: 192 km
Day 7: Sarajevo – Srebrenica - Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Along our route, we first stop in Srebrenica. On this tour, we will visit the Bosniak cemetery, where during the Bosnian War one of the greatest massacres of the last century took place, where thousands of Bosniaks were killed and buried in mass graves, the first documented genocide in Europe and the largest massacre since World War II. After our visit, we continue to Belgrade. One of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, Belgrade also stands out today with its vibrancy, movement, and historical texture. In this enchanting city, we will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, where we will explore the city in all its splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture that brings together Belgrade’s past and present. Then we go to one of the city’s most impressive points, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. In this unique view, it will be a great pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focus of conquest and victory many times throughout history. As we continue exploring this ancient city, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for its sake, but whose conquest was achieved by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing history in this fortress, we will see important points such as Fortress Square and Stone Square. During our tour, we will see the Tomb of Martyr Ali Pasha, one of the important figures of the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will explore Belgrade’s rich history in depth and learn about the cultural heritage left from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we leave behind the city’s history and vibrant atmosphere and proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Sarajevo – Belgrade : 287 km
Srebrenica Tour INCLUDED!
Day 8: Belgrade - Skopje – Diyarbakır
After breakfast, we head to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Upon arrival, our city tour begins. Skopje is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans with its Ottoman heritage and modern structures. We begin our tour with historical sites in Skopje, the city where the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı was born. Our first stop is Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. Then we visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque stands out especially with its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. In the continuation of our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located in the heart of Skopje. Fine examples of Ottoman inns, these structures were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Later, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje. Built in the 15th century, this bridge connects the two banks of the Vardar River. Walking from the Stone Bridge, we continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the Vardar River. During our walk along the river, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is Skopje’s largest and most central point and is surrounded by modern buildings. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Then we see the Ottoman Bridge from the outside, dating back to the 15th century, and by visiting the Davut Pasha Bathhouse we once again feel the splendor of the Ottoman period. We continue exploring the city by walking toward Skopje’s Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, built in the 16th century and one of Skopje’s symbolic structures. Here, we will visit Sultan Murad Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, among the early mosques of the Ottoman Empire. The mosques are an important part of the city’s Islamic heritage and stand out with their architecture. Finally, we give free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After your pleasant time in the bazaar, transfer to the airport. After ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, departure on Ajet Airlines scheduled flight VF5516 at 03:15, non-stop and direct to Diyarbakır. After a comfortable flight, arrival at Diyarbakır airport at 06:45 and the end of our tour. We bid farewell to our valued guests, hoping to see you again on your next trip.
*Balkan Special Cancellation Guarantee Package: 50 Euro*
(With the cancellation guarantee package, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under any circumstances. With this application, it is possible to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In the event of reservation cancellation, the full tour fee is refunded, while the cancellation guarantee package fee and any additional service fees (visa, insurance, etc.) are not refunded.)
**The specified cancellation guarantee package is not valid for group reservations.**
**A limited number of quotas are available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A broad travel program covering important Balkan cities and tourist spots is offered. Many important cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritage from the Ottoman period are visited, offering an enjoyable experience for history enthusiasts.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: Structures belonging to different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, allowing the region’s cultural diversity to be discovered.
• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural beauties such as the Kotor fjords and Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: It includes destinations that do not require a visa, reducing extra paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: With a guide, the opportunity is provided to learn detailed information about cities and historical places.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience with dinners full of traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local flavors.
• Restaurant Gardenia Skopje Experience: At Restaurant Gardenia Skopje, one of Skopje’s most select restaurants, the opportunity is offered to enjoy local flavors and a special Balkan night.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and extra tours included in the program are included in the tour price, so participants can visit all important points without paying an additional cost.
• Dinner Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need to Spend: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Except for lunch, and optionally tips and souvenirs for loved ones, there is no extra money out of your pocket.
Situations to Consider
• Busy Program: Traveling to a different city every day makes the tour extremely 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) are covered with beautiful scenery throughout the tour, but there may be days spent for long periods on the bus. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured with breaks along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Since the tour program is comprehensive, free time may be limited. However, the opportunity is provided to visit all important points with a guide.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: In some periods, weather conditions in the Balkans may be variable. Therefore, choosing appropriate clothing can make this comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour have been carefully selected from among options reflecting the region’s character and local culture, hotels in some small towns may not offer the same extensive facilities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, comfort and cleanliness are prioritized in these hotels.
• Food and Cuisine Experience: Throughout the tour, the opportunity is offered to try the region’s unique local flavors. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some participants may encounter tastes they are not accustomed to. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine closely, but it may be useful to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Medigorje 4* Kaktus etc. Hotel Hotel
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
With Ajet Airlines
Departure Place Arrival Place Departure Time Arrival Time
Diyarbakır Skopje 00:30 02:15
Skopje Diyarbakır 03:15 06:45