Sarajevo – Mostar – Počitelj – Medjugorje
Meet at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal at least 3 hours before departure. After ticketing, baggage, and passport procedures, depart for Sarajevo on the scheduled flight of *** airline. Arrival in Sarajevo at local time ***. After passport control, we head to Mostar. One of the most striking places on the tour, Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Mimar Hayreddin, is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992, but with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004. After Mostar Bridge, we see Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Then we continue to Počitelj. Later, we visit Počitelj, which has been preserved with its historical texture and is known as the Turkish Village, and see the buildings built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. Afterward, we head to our hotel in Medjugorje, where we will stay, check in, and have free time and dinner at the hotel. (Accommodation in Medjugorje may be changed to neighboring cities depending on the region’s seasonal occupancy.)
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Lunch: To be taken during free time, extra.
Dinner: Included at the hotel.
Accommodation: 4* St. Benedict etc. / 4* Ivona Hotel etc.
Ugoreje – Kotor – Budva – Shkodër
After our breakfast, we depart from our hotel and enter Montenegro, one of the youngest countries in the world and the pearl of the Adriatic Sea. We then head to Kotor, an important historical and natural paradise as well as a tourist attraction. Here, on a walking tour of the Old Town and the Castle, you will get to know this charming town. Once a fishermen’s settlement on an island that was later expropriated, our next stop is Budva, the famous holiday resort of the Balkans with its magnificent beaches and vibrant nightlife. On the walking tour here, we will visit Stari Grad (the old town center) and the castle. Free time to fully enjoy Budva. Afterwards, we will take a break where you can enjoy a panoramic view from above of the magnificent St. Stefan, which is currently being brought into tourism through renovation works after being sold to a Singaporean multi-billionaire. After the break, transfer to our hotel, overnight stay, and dinner at the hotel. (Accommodation in Shkodra may vary depending on regional peak season intensity.)
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Lunch: To be taken during the free time break at an extra cost.
Dinner: Included at the hotel.
Accommodation: 4* Luani Arte etc. / 4* Alis Hotel etc. / 4* Rozafa Hotel etc.
Shkodër – Tirana – Ohrid
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel by private coaches and head to Ohrid, where we will stay overnight. Our first stop is Tirana, the capital of Albania, where we begin our panoramic city tour. During the tour, we will see the Et’hem Bey Mosque, the historic Clock Tower, the National Museum, the Opera and Ballet House, the Parliament and Prime Ministry buildings, the Presidential Palace, and Skanderbeg Square, among other sights.
We then continue to Ohrid and, upon arrival, begin our Ohrid city tour. During this tour, we will see, panoramically, St. Panteleimon, the most important Byzantine-era church in Ohrid; Hagia Sophia Church, which is still used for concerts today; the Roman-era Amphitheatre; Tsar Samuel’s Fortress; St. Bogorodica Perivlepta; the 4th-century churches; the Keşanlı Imaret, Kuloğlu and Emin Mahmut Mosques; Çınar Square; and the Ohrid Halveti Lodge, among other sights. Following the tour, we arrive at our hotel, where dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Lunch: Available at your own expense during the free-time break.
Dinner: Included at the hotel.
Accommodation: 4-star Belvedere Hotel or similar / 4-star Beograd Hotel (Struga) or similar.
Ohrid – Resne – Bitola (Manastir) – Skopje
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Bitola (Monastir). On our way, we will make a panoramic stop in Resen to see the Palace of Resne Niyazi, one of the three most famous figures of the Committee of Union and Progress, who gained fame due to his contributions in the Turkish-Greek War, and then arrive in Bitola. During our city tour of Monastir (Bitola), we visit the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, Ishakiye Mosque, the New Mosque, and the Military High School where Atatürk graduated and the Atatürk Museum, where you will experience the most emotional moments of the trip. Afterwards, we depart for Skopje. Transfer to our hotel and check-in to our rooms. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Lunch: To be taken extra during free time.
Dinner: Included at the hotel.
Accommodation: 4* Bonbon Resort or similar / 4* Gold Hotel or similar
Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel and begin our Skopje city tour. In Skopje, the birthplace of the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, the places we will see include Yahya Pasha Mosque, the Clock Tower, the Turkish Bazaar, Isa Bey Mosque, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Murat Pasha Mosque, Kapan Han, Sulu Han, Davut Pasha Hamam, and the Stone Bridge. We walk along the banks of the Vardar River, enjoying views of the Turkish and Jewish quarters located on the opposite side of the river. During this walk, we will see Macedonia Square, the Ottoman Bridge, and Davut Pasha Hamam from the outside. We then proceed to the Turkish Bazaar and begin visiting its historical sites. We visit Kurşunlu Han, another historic building located in the old Turkish Bazaar and dating back to 1550. Although 17 inns were built in Skopje during the Ottoman period, only 3 remain today. We visit Sulu Han and Kapan Han, built in the second half of the 15th century. Following our visits, free time will be provided for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Shushka peppers, Strumica peanuts, and traditional leather sandals are among the items available for purchase.
We then transfer to Belgrade and spend the night at our hotel in Belgrade.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Lunch: Available at an additional cost during the free-time break.
Dinner: Included at the hotel.
Accommodation: 4* Nobel Palace or similar / 4* Theater Hotel or similar / 4* In Hotel or similar.
BELGRADE
After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our Belgrade city tour. During our panoramic city tour, the Fortress Square, Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Clock Tower, Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, Zindan Gate, Leopold Gate, Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Fountain, Stefan Lazarević Monument, Nebojša Tower, Saborna Church, Republic Square, Terazije Square, and Tašmajdan Park will be among the sights visited. After the city tour, we will be transferred to our hotel, followed by room allocation, check-in, accommodation, and free time. Following the tour, the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel in Belgrade.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Lunch: Available at an additional cost during the free-time break.
Dinner: Included at the hotel.
Accommodation: 4* Nobel Palace or similar / 4* Theater Hotel or similar / 4* In Hotel or similar.
Belgrade – Sarajevo
After the breakfast we will have at the hotel in the morning, we set off to Sarajevo by our private bus. Upon arrival, we begin our panoramic Sarajevo city tour. The sights to be seen include the Grand Bazaar, one of Europe’s most distinguished bazaars; the Gazi Husrev Bey Medresa, which has been operating since the Ottoman period; the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque; the Clock Tower; the Catholic Cathedral; Orthodox Churches; the Jewish Synagogue; the Latin Bridge, where World War I began; and the Fatih Mosque, attributed to Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han. We will complete our panoramic city tour at the Eternal Flame. After the city tour, there will be free time for rest and lunch. Following the free time, we transfer to our hotel and spend the night at the hotel. (Dinner will be served in a Bosnian Night concept accompanied by local music and dance performances.)
Breakfast: Included at the hotel.
Lunch: Extra during the free time break.
Dinner: Included at the hotel.
Accommodation: 4* Exclusive Hotel etc. / 4* Hollywood Hotel etc.
Sarajevo – Istanbul
After breakfast at our hotel in Sabah, check out of the rooms. Free time until the time indicated by your guide. Then transfer to the airport. After your baggage and ticket procedures, depart for Istanbul on the scheduled flight of *** airline ***. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at *** local time, and the end of our tour.