Big Balkan Tour 7 Nights 8 Days with Turkish Airlines

GRAND BALKAN TOUR

7 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION

WITH TURKISH AIRLINES

NO OPTIONAL TOURS!

BREAKFASTS AND DINNERS INCLUDED

DAY 1 | ISTANBUL-PRISTINA-MATKA CANYON-TETOVO-OHRID

We meet 3 hours before our flight at Istanbul Airport International Terminal. After passport and check-in procedures, we depart for Pristina at 08:00 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1017. Upon arrival in Pristina at 08:40 local time, we begin our panoramic city tour with our private coach waiting for us at the airport. First, we visit the Tomb of Murad I, the Ottoman Sultan who was martyred after the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. Then we head to Matka Canyon, one of North Macedonia's natural beauties, and take a photo break amid stunning scenery. Afterwards, we continue to Tetovo and visit the Alaca Mosque, one of the most impressive works of the Ottoman period. We continue via Gostivar and take a short tea/coffee break in Mavrovo National Park. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we enjoy a walking panoramic city tour where the sights include Hagia Sophia Church, the Ancient Theatre, Tsar Samuel's Fortress, St. Bogorodica Perivlepta Church, Çınar Square, and the Halveti Tekke. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2 | OHRID - ST. NAUM - OHRID

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for St. Naum, located on the southern shore of Lake Ohrid and one of the most important points of interest in the region. Following a pleasant journey with lake views, we visit the St. Naum Monastery and the St. Naum Church. In this unique area where the natural spring waters flow into the lake, we explore with our guide’s commentary and enjoy the magnificent scenery. After free time, we return to Ohrid. Guests who wish may join a boat tour on Lake Ohrid during this time and enjoy viewing the city from the lake. At the time determined by our guide, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 3 | OHRID - TIRANA - SHKODRA

After breakfast, we check out of our rooms and depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. Upon arrival, during our panoramic city tour, we will see Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s symbols, the Clock Tower, Skanderbeg Statue and Skanderbeg Square, representing the Albanian national hero, among the places to be seen. After free time in the city center, we depart for Shkodra, one of the historic cities in northern Albania. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4 | SHKODRA - BUDVA - ST. STEFAN - KOTOR - TREBINJE

After breakfast, we head to Montenegro. Following border procedures, our first stop is St. Stefan, one of the most photographed spots on the Adriatic coast. Once a fishing village, this small island has become one of Montenegro’s symbols today. We then continue to Budva, one of Montenegro’s most vibrant tourism centers. During our walking tour here, we will see Stari Grad (Old Town) surrounded by historic walls and Budva Fortress. After free time, we proceed to Kotor, considered the pearl of the Adriatic coast. During our walking tour in Kotor Old Town, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, we experience its narrow stone streets, historic squares, and medieval atmosphere up close. Continuing our journey with magnificent views of Kotor Bay, we cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina. After customs procedures, transfer to our hotel in the Trebinje area. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5 | TREBINJE - POČITELJ - BLAGAJ - MOSTAR - SARAJEVO

After breakfast, we head toward Mostar. Along the way, we visit Počitelj Village, which has preserved its historical Ottoman-era character to the present day. Then we visit the Blagaj Dervish Tekke, located at the source of the Buna River and considered one of Bosnia’s most impressive sites. Upon arrival in Mostar, during our walking city tour, the Mostar Bridge, an architectural masterpiece of Ottoman engineering built by Mimar Hayreddin, and the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s important religious buildings, are among the sights to be seen. After free time, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, during our city tour, we will see the historic Vijecnica Library, the intriguing Inat Kuća, Latin Bridge where the event that triggered the outbreak of World War I took place, the heart of the city Bascarsija, Sebilj Square, Kuršumli Medresa, Morića Han, Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, Ferhadija Street, the Catholic Cathedral, Markale Market, and the Eternal Flame Memorial. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 6 | SARAJEVO - SREBRENICA - BELGRADE

After breakfast, we depart for Srebrenica, the site of one of the most tragic events in recent history. Here we visit the Srebrenica Memorial Cemetery and memorial sites from the war period, bearing witness to the region’s recent history. After the visit, we head to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Upon arrival, we begin our panoramic and walking city tour. During the tour, we will see Bayrakli Mosque, Belgrade Fortress, Damat Ali Pasha’s Tomb, the Clock Tower, Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Fountain, the Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Zindan Gate, Leopold Gate, the Stefan Lazarević Monument, Nebojša Tower, Kalemegdan, Saborna Church, Republic Square, Terazije Square and Knez Mihailova Street, one of the city’s liveliest areas. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Belgrade.

DAY 7 | BELGRADE - SKOPJE

After breakfast, we depart for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. In Skopje, the city where the famous poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı was born, we will see Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Sultan Murad Mosque, the Clock Tower, Isa Bey Mosque, the Turkish Bazaar, Sulu Han, the Double Bath, Kapan Han, the historic Stone Bridge over the Vardar River and Macedonia Square, which represents the city’s modern face. After free time, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Skopje.

DAY 8 | SKOPJE - PRIZREN - PRISTINA - ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we depart for Kosovo. Following border procedures, we arrive in Prizren, which has preserved its Ottoman heritage to this day. During our walking city tour, we will see Sinan Pasha Mosque, the Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque and Mehmed Pasha Bath. In this beautiful city, with its stone bridges, historic bazaar, and Turkish signs, you may shop and fully enjoy the atmosphere during the free time we provide. At the time determined by our guide, we depart for Pristina Airport. After passport and check-in procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 20:25 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1020. Upon arrival in Istanbul at 23:05 local time, our unforgettable tour full of the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Balkans comes to an end.