7-Night Great Balkans Tour Including Extra Tours and Dinner with AJet from Trabzon to Kosovo

Day 1: Trabzon - Samsun - Skopje

After meeting in front of Trabzon Hanife Hatun Mosque at 15:00, we depart with our private vehicle to Samsun Çarşamba Airport. Meeting 3 hours before the flight in front of the Ajet Airlines counter at the departure terminal. Departure from Samsun to Skopje nonstop direct with Ajet Airlines scheduled flight VF4278 at 23:55. After an approximately two-hour comfortable journey, arrival in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, at 01:25. Transfer to our hotel upon arrival. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 2 : Skopje - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje

After breakfast, we set off for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. After our journey, upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour where we will explore Kosovo’s modern and historical aspects. During our tour, we will also visit many valuable Ottoman-era structures. We will see the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yasar Pasha Mosque. During this trip through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to commemorate the important historical event and its place in Ottoman history by visiting the Tomb of Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, the Ottoman Sultan who was killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. After our tour in Pristina, we head to Prizren, known as Kosovo’s cultural capital. Upon arrival, we begin exploring Prizren’s narrow streets, whose architecture reminds one of Anatolian Ottoman towns 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 Hammam 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 go to our rooms. Overnight in Skopje at our hotel.

Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. While experiencing Skopje’s fun and cultural side with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most distinguished venues. With the best music and folklore of the Balkans performed live by artists made up entirely of conservatory students and teachers, and their performances presented 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 - Bitola - Resen – Ohrid

After breakfast, we set off for Matka Canyon amid lush green mountains. Are you ready to explore Matka Canyon, located among the enchanting forests and vast meadows of Mount Vodno? This natural wonder of approximately 5,000 hectares will take you to mystical monasteries dating back to the Middle Ages and soothing lake views. While walking on the rugged cliffs, you may observe the region’s endemic plant and animal species. For nature lovers, walking along the 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 charming towns. Here, we will visit the Colorful 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 exterior colors and detailed decorations. As we discover this rare example of Ottoman architecture, we will take a journey into the depths of history. After our visit in Tetovo, we head to Bitola. Upon arrival in Bitola, we visit the Military High School where the Great Leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this magical city, we will also discover historical Ottoman-era monuments such as the Old Bazaar, the Bezisten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and the New Mosque. While feeling the historical texture of Bitola, 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 panoramically see the Palace of Resneli Niyazi Bey, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history. Resen offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After a short break here, we head to Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will conduct a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, one of the important bases of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are: the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and important structures such as the Church of St. Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to walk around Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the Turkish Bazaar dating back to the old Ottoman period. Here, you can visit the Halveti Lodge and feel the city’s cultural texture up close. Then, by visiting the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, you will witness the daily life of the local people. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and its enchanting 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 the enchanting atmosphere of Ohrid in the silence of the night, take a short walk along the lake shore, or retreat to your rooms and rest.

Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!

Skopje – Matka Canyon: 15 km | Matka Canyon – Tetovo: 35 km | Tetovo – Bitola: 145 km | Bitola – Resen: 32 km | Resen – Ohrid: 50 km

Total distance to be covered: 277 km

Day 4. Ohrid – Sveti Naum – Elbasan - Tirana – Shkodër

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off on an exciting journey to St. Naum, where the source of Lake Ohrid and St. Naum Monastery are located, a place 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 exploring 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, which is rich in historical and cultural aspects. In this beautiful city, an impressive tour awaits us as we explore 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. This structure, whose construction began in 1789 and was completed in 1923, is one of Albania’s cultural heritages. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue proudly rising 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 meaningful Peace Bell, made in 1999 by the children of Shkodër from the bullets melted during the uprising. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together, allowing you to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we set off 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 – Shkodër: 100 km

Total distance to be covered: 235 km

Day 5: Shkodër – Sv. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Medugorje

After breakfast, we embark on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting shores of Montenegro. Our first stop is the famous Sv. Stefan, renowned for its rich history and dazzling scenery. From above, we will admire the magnificent view of this islet, whose every corner looks like a postcard and is an ideal spot for photographing this region. Then we arrive in Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans. Our Budva city tour begins. On this walking tour, we will see Budva, one of the Balkans’ most famous holiday centers, with its magnificent beaches and very colorful nightlife. Our next stop is the charming city of Kotor, famous for its fjords in the Balkans! On our walking tour in this magnificent medieval town, you will feel its narrow streets and the historical atmosphere of the old city, 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 retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight 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 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 a Turkish Village, where we see 16th-century Ottoman works. After the tour, Blagaj, built at the source of the Buna River, considered the strongest water source in Europe. After a short free time in this magnificent natural landscape, we head to Mostar. In Mostar, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built by Architect Hayreddin in 1557. A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, this bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992; however, with major 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 continue to Sarajevo. Upon arrival, it has gone down in history as a city that was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and as the place where World War I broke out after the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. In the 1992 war, it suffered great damage due to devastating conflicts among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo managed to preserve much of its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman inn Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, Gazi Husrev-bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where the assassination of Franz Ferdinand took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings that formed during the city’s 40-year Austro-Hungarian rule. After our 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 start a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. On our route, we first stop in Srebrenica. On this tour, we will visit the Bosniak cemetery, where one of the greatest massacres of the last century took place during the Bosnian War, thousands of Bosniaks were massacred and buried in mass graves, and the first documented genocide in Europe and the largest massacre since World War II occurred. After our visit, we continue to Belgrade. Belgrade, one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, 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 all the city’s splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture that brings Belgrade’s past and present together. 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 region, which has been the focus of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue exploring this ancient city, where Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror was wounded for its sake, but whose conquest fell to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, which was used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing history in this fortress, we will see important points such as the 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 deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and learn about the cultural heritage remaining from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, leaving behind the city’s history and vibrant atmosphere, we head to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Sarajevo – Belgrade : 287 km

Srebrenica Tour INCLUDED!

Day 8: Belgrade - Skopje – Samsun - Trabzon

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 the 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 is especially notable for its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Later, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become the symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects both sides 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 visit the Daut Pasha Bath to 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, which are 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 enjoyable time in the bazaar, transfer to the airport. After ticketing, baggage, and passport procedures, departure with Ajet Airlines scheduled flight VF4279 at 02:25 for a nonstop direct Samsun flight. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, arrival at Samsun Çarşamba Airport at 05:50, then transfer to Trabzon with our private vehicle waiting at the airport, 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 application, 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 case 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 seats 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, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.

• Ottoman History: Important Ottoman-era structures and cultural heritages 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 cultural diversity of the region to be explored.

• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural beauties such as Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.

• Visa-Free Travel: Includes destinations that do not require visas, reducing extra paperwork and costs.

• Professional Guidance: Guided tours provide the opportunity to obtain detailed information about cities and historical sites.

• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience with traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and dinners full of local flavors.

• Restaurant Gardenia Skopje Experience: The opportunity is offered to enjoy local flavors and a special Balkan night at Restaurant Gardenia Skopje, one of Skopje’s most distinguished restaurants.

• All Tours Included: All side trips and extra tours in the program are included in the tour price, so participants can visit all important points without paying additional costs.

• Dinner Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from having to spend extra while tasting local flavors.

• No Need to Spend: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Apart from lunch, taxes, optional 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 amid beautiful scenery throughout the tour, but there may be days spent on the bus for long periods. Nevertheless, a comfortable journey is ensured with breaks along the way.

• Limited Free Time: Since the tour program is comprehensive, free time may be limited. However, it offers the opportunity to visit all important points with a guide.

• Seasonal Weather Conditions: In some periods in the Balkans, weather conditions may be variable. Therefore, choosing suitable clothing can make this comfortable.

• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels in the tour are carefully selected from options reflecting the region’s character and local culture, hotels in some smaller cities may not offer as many amenities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, comfort and cleanliness are prioritized in these hotels.

• Food and Culinary Experience: Throughout the tour, the opportunity to try the region’s distinctive local flavors is offered. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some participants may encounter unfamiliar tastes. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine up close, though it may be helpful to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.

City Hotel Breakfast Dinner

Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel

Shkodër 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 Point Destination Departure Time Arrival Time

Samsun Skopje 23:55 01:25

Skopje Samsun 02:25 05:50