Balkan Tour 6N/7D

Day 1: SARAJEVO

Upon arrival in Sarajevo, we will be met by our transfer vehicle and guide at the airport. We will begin our tour by visiting the Tunnel of Life, a critical strategic point for the Bosniaks during the 1992-1995 war, built under the airport. This tunnel played a key role in breaking the siege of Sarajevo, changing the course of the war. At the museum, we will watch a 15-minute video featuring original footage from the war, helping us feel the harsh realities of that time. (The Tunnel tour will be conducted or canceled at the discretion of our guide.) After exploring the photo gallery, war maps, and equipment used during the war, we will head towards Baščaršija. Along the way, we will pass buildings still bearing the scars of the war, Europe’s first electric tram line, which still runs across Sarajevo, and buildings from the Tito-era Yugoslav People’s Army, now used as the Sarajevo University campus. We will also see the second-largest U.S. Embassy in the world, the Sarajevo City Museum, the Parliament Building, and the largest shopping mall in the region, built by Arab investors. Upon reaching Baščaršija, our first stop will be the cemetery where the martyrs of the 1992-1995 war and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first president, Aliya Izetbegović, are buried. We will recite Fatiha for the martyrs and listen to our guide's recounting of Izetbegović’s life. We will then take a walking tour through the Bosnian-Turkish neighborhood, which has retained its Ottoman-era charm with cobblestone streets. During our tour, we will see the 18th-century Sebil Fountain, Baščaršija’s only surviving artisanal street, known as Coppersmith Street, the Čaršija Mosque, Morića Han, home to the Young Muslims Association “Mladi Muslimani”, and Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque and tomb, built by Sultan Süleyman’s cousin, as well as the Clock Tower, Kuršumli Medrese, Gazi Husrev-bey Museum and Library, Europe’s first public toilet, Latin Bridge (where World War I started), and the Hünkar Mosque, built in honor of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. We will also visit At Meydan (Okmeydan), Bakir Baba Mosque (built by Bursa Municipality), the Orthodox Church, Alija Izetbegović Park, where local retirees gather to play chess, Ferhadiye Mosque, Sarajevo’s “Istiklal Street”, Ferhadiye Street, the Jewish Synagogue, the Catholic Cathedral, the Heart of Jesus Church, Sarajevo Roses (sites of bombing where multiple people lost their lives during the war), the location of the Fırın Katliamı (Bakery Massacre), the Eternal Flame commemorating Sarajevo’s liberation from Nazi occupation by the Yugoslav army on April 6, 1945, the Markale Market, where 68 people died in the February 5, 1994 market massacre, and Vijećnica Library, an Austro-Hungarian government building burned down during the war, resulting in the destruction of many priceless manuscripts. After our walking tour of Baščaršija, those who wish can enjoy a coffee at the historic “Famous Historic Coffeehouse” overlooking the Sebil Fountain and purchase authentic Bosnian coffee. After some free time, we will have dinner at a local restaurant and then head to our hotel for the night.

Day 2: SARAJEVO - KONJIC - JABLANICA - BLAGAJ - MOSTAR

After breakfast at 07:00, we will depart from the hotel at 08:00 and begin our tour of Mostar. Our first stop is the small town of Konjic, located on the banks of the Neretva River, home to a population of 50,000 people (Sarajevo - Konjic 50 km). In this town, we will see the Ottoman Bridge, damaged during both World War II and the 1992-1995 war and later restored by the Turkish Highways Department and TIKA. We will also see the Broken Minaret Mosque and the mini bazaar. After a photo break, we will continue to Jablanica, the town where Yugoslavia’s founder Josip Broz Tito was named Marshal during a battle (Konjic - Jablanica 23 km). Famous for its roast lamb, this town is also where, in 1943, Tito’s forces destroyed a bridge during their struggle against the Nazis. We will visit the site of the battle and the remains of the bridge. Our next stop is the Alperen Tekke (Dervish Lodge) built over the source of the Buna River, 5 centuries ago (Jablanica - Blagaj 59 km). Along the way, we will pass Mostar Airport and a military base that was used as a shelter for airplanes during the Yugoslav era. At the Alperen Tekke, also known as the Sarı Saltuk Tekke, we will visit the tombs of Ali Pasha and Sarı Saltuk. We will explore the two-story building, constructed in the style of a typical Anatolian house, which features a women's prayer room, a courtyard room, a men's prayer room and zikr room, a small hammam, a secluded room, and a kitchen. Guests can also enjoy Turkish tea in the courtyard overlooking the river. Our final stop for the day will be Mostar (Blagaj - Mostar 12 km). In Mostar, we will visit the Martyrs’ Mosque and its adjacent cemetery, which is notable for being the resting place of both Muslim Bosniaks and Croat and Serb Mostarians who fought side by side during the war. We will then walk through Mostar Bazaar, with its unique cobbled streets made from stones gathered from the river, and visit Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque, known as the best spot to take photos of the famous bridge. We will also see the Consulate General of Turkey in Mostar, the single-arched Mostar Bridge, originally built in 1566 by Hayrettin, a student of Mimar Sinan, destroyed in 1993, and rebuilt in 2004. Next, we will visit Tara Tower, which used to house the guards responsible for the bridge’s security and now functions as a museum. We will also see Kriva Ćuprija (The Crooked Bridge), and Tabakhane Mosque and Hammam, built specifically for leather workers so they wouldn’t disturb worshippers in other mosques with the smell of their work. After dinner at a local restaurant, we will settle into our hotel in Mostar for the night.

Day 3: MOSTAR - KOTOR - ST. STEFAN - BUDVA - PODGORICA

After breakfast at 07:00, we will depart at 08:00 and head towards Montenegro. Passing through the towns of Stolac, Ljubinje, and Trebinje, we will cross the border out of Bosnia and Herzegovina and into Montenegro. Our first stop will be the medieval town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Kotor, we will visit historical sites such as Weapon Square, the Clock Tower, the Pillar of Shame, St. Tryphon Cathedral, Craft Street, Tulumba Fountains, the River Gate, and St. Luke’s Square, accompanied by a local guide. After the city tour, we will continue our journey to Budva. In Budva, we will visit Budva Castle, the fortress built by Napoleon, well-preserved medieval shops, the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and the Marina. After some free time for shopping, we will travel to St. Stefan Island for a photo stop to capture the stunning views. We will then take a short drive to the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica. After arriving in Podgorica, we will have dinner at a local restaurant and then head to our hotel for the night. (If we are staying in Shkodra, we will not visit Podgorica.)

Day 4: PODGORICA - SHKODRA - TIRANA - ELBASAN - STRUGA - OHRID

After breakfast, we will embark on a panoramic tour of Podgorica by bus, where we will see the Presidential Palace, the park built by Azerbaijan, the Millennium Bridge, and the statue of King Nikola. We will then cross the border into Albania and arrive in Shkodra, located on the shores of Lake Shkodra, which forms the natural border between Albania and Montenegro (Podgorica - Shkodra 55 km). Shkodra, which was under Ottoman rule for 435 years, is one of the most strategically significant cities in the Balkans. We will visit the city’s fortress and walls before taking a short walking tour of the city center. After some free time, we will continue our journey to Tirana, the Albanian capital (Shkodra - Tirana 115 km). Tirana, which was founded by Suleiman Pasha in 1614 and has been the capital of Albania since 1920, will be explored through a panoramic bus tour, during which we will see the Turkish Embassy, the U.S. Embassy, the Namazgah Mosque construction project funded by the Turkish Religious Foundation, the statue of Tirana’s founder Suleiman Pasha, Tirana’s main square, Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the National Museum, the University Building, the Opera and Ballet Building, the statue of Albania’s national hero Skanderbeg, the Parliament and Ministry buildings, and the Presidential Palace. After the tour of Tirana, we will travel to Elbasan (Tirana - Elbasan 42 km). We will pass through the city center and take a short break at Elbasan Fortress, where we will visit the Turkish streets and the Hünkar Mosque. We will then continue our journey to the Kafasan border crossing. Along the way, we will see the famous mushroom-shaped bunkers built by the notorious Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha between 1945 and 1985, which are said to number around 300,000. After crossing the Kafasan border, we will enter North Macedonia. Our first stop will be Struga, located on the western shore of Lake Ohrid and predominantly inhabited by Muslims (Elbasan - Struga 78 km). In Struga, we will see the Drim River, which flows out of Lake Ohrid, and learn about the town from our guide. Known as the City of Poets, Struga will offer us time for photography and free exploration before we continue our journey to Ohrid (Struga - Ohrid 14 km). Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with views of Lake Ohrid and then check into our hotel for the night.

Day 5: OHRID - TETOVO - SKOPJE

After breakfast, we will take a tour of the historic city of Ohrid, once a major Ottoman base in the Balkans. During this tour, we will visit the 1,100-year-old Plane Tree, the Zeynel Abidin Pasha Tekke (Halveti Tekke), Ali Pasha Mosque, Ohrid Bazaar, famous for its pearl shops, Ohrid Market, the statue of St. Clement, a shop that demonstrates ancient Chinese paper-making techniques, and the Ancient Theatre. After completing our tour of Ohrid, we will travel by bus to the charming town of Tetovo, built during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (Ohrid - Tetovo 130 km). In Tetovo, our first stop will be the Alaca Mosque, built by Abdurrahman Pasha in 1833. The mosque's interior and exterior are adorned with colorful baroque-style decorations made using animal blood, plant roots, and egg whites. Next, we will visit the Harabati Baba Tekke, once a center of the Bektashi order. The tekke’s caretaker of 20 years, Cemali from Tetovo, will share information about the tekke, and we will also meet the resident Bektashi dervish Abdulmuttalib, who will tell us more about its history and ongoing projects. At the time designated by our guide, we will travel to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia (Tetovo - Skopje 40 km). After arriving in Skopje, we will have dinner at a local restaurant and then head to our hotel. Those who wish can explore the beautifully lit city center in the evening.

Day 6: SKOPJE - PRIZREN

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel at 08:00 and head to Vodno Mountain, located on the outskirts of Skopje. From here, we will have a stunning view of the city. The journey up the mountain will remind you of Bursa’s Çekirge road. We will then travel to Matka Canyon, one of Skopje’s natural wonders (Matka Canyon tours may be subject to change depending on the day’s crowd level, as per the guide’s discretion). Guests can join a boat tour or enjoy coffee by the canyon. After visiting Matka Canyon, we will disembark near Skopje Fortress and begin a walking tour of the Old Turkish Bazaar, which has retained its Ottoman-era architecture. During the tour, we will visit Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Goldsmith Street, Arasta Mosque, the famous Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods, Davut Pasha Hammam, Çifte Hammam, Murat Pasha Mosque, Sulu Han, Kapan Han, and Kurşunlu Han. We will also see the massive statue of Alexander the Great, which caused a diplomatic dispute with Greece in 2011, the statue of Alexander’s father, Philip II, the Vardar River, the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia and its Archive, the National Theatre, the Museum of the Resistance, statues of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the 17th-century Church of Saint Spas, the Rahibe Teresa (Mother Teresa) Monument and Museum, and the ruins of the Old Train Station, destroyed in the 1963 earthquake. After our walking tour, we will have free time. At the designated time, we will meet up and travel to Kosovo’s capital, Pristina, which declared its independence from Serbia in February 2008 and was recognized by Turkey and many other countries. Along the way, we will pass through the site of the 1989 rally held by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević to mark the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo, during which he first used the phrase “Greater Serbia”, a concept that would eventually lead to Yugoslavia’s downfall. We will visit the memorial in the square before proceeding to the tomb of Sultan Murad I, the Ottoman sultan who was martyred during the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. We will also visit the nearby Selamlik building, now a museum, where we can view photographs from Sultan Reşad’s visit to the Balkans in 1911, the last visit by an Ottoman sultan. Afterward, we will continue to Prizren, where we will have dinner and check into our hotel.

Day 7: PRIZREN - PRISTINA

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel at 10:00 and begin our tour of Prizren, Kosovo’s second-largest city, which is home to many Ottoman monuments. During the tour, we will visit the Halveti Tekke, Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hammam, the Namazgah where Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror prayed with his army, Bayraklı Mosque, the Maraş District and Maraş Bridge, a 400-year-old Plane Tree, Emin Pasha Mosque, the Turkish Consulate General in Prizren, the Stone Bridge over the Bistrica River (also known as Akdere), Shadervan Square, Sinan Pasha Mosque, the churches of St. George and St. Nicholas, and the remains of the Arasta Mosque, which was destroyed during the Yugoslav period but whose minaret still stands. We will also visit the Serbian Quarter, where the scars of war are still visible. After some free time, we will head to Pristina International Adem Jashari Airport by bus.

Day 2: SARAJEVO - KONJIC - JABLANICA - BLAGAJ - MOSTAR

After breakfast at 07:00, we will depart from the hotel at 08:00 and begin our tour of Mostar. Our first stop is the small town of Konjic, located on the banks of the Neretva River, home to a population of 50,000 people (Sarajevo - Konjic 50 km). In this town, we will see the Ottoman Bridge, damaged during both World War II and the 1992-1995 war and later restored by the Turkish Highways Department and TIKA. We will also see the Broken Minaret Mosque and the mini bazaar. After a photo break, we will continue to Jablanica, the town where Yugoslavia’s founder Josip Broz Tito was named Marshal during a battle (Konjic - Jablanica 23 km). Famous for its roast lamb, this town is also where, in 1943, Tito’s forces destroyed a bridge during their struggle against the Nazis. We will visit the site of the battle and the remains of the bridge. Our next stop is the Alperen Tekke (Dervish Lodge) built over the source of the Buna River, 5 centuries ago (Jablanica - Blagaj 59 km). Along the way, we will pass Mostar Airport and a military base that was used as a shelter for airplanes during the Yugoslav era. At the Alperen Tekke, also known as the Sarı Saltuk Tekke, we will visit the tombs of Ali Pasha and Sarı Saltuk. We will explore the two-story building, constructed in the style of a typical Anatolian house, which features a women's prayer room, a courtyard room, a men's prayer room and zikr room, a small hammam, a secluded room, and a kitchen. Guests can also enjoy Turkish tea in the courtyard overlooking the river. Our final stop for the day will be Mostar (Blagaj - Mostar 12 km). In Mostar, we will visit the Martyrs’ Mosque and its adjacent cemetery, which is notable for being the resting place of both Muslim Bosniaks and Croat and Serb Mostarians who fought side by side during the war. We will then walk through Mostar Bazaar, with its unique cobbled streets made from stones gathered from the river, and visit Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque, known as the best spot to take photos of the famous bridge. We will also see the Consulate General of Turkey in Mostar, the single-arched Mostar Bridge, originally built in 1566 by Hayrettin, a student of Mimar Sinan, destroyed in 1993, and rebuilt in 2004. Next, we will visit Tara Tower, which used to house the guards responsible for the bridge’s security and now functions as a museum. We will also see Kriva Ćuprija (The Crooked Bridge), and Tabakhane Mosque and Hammam, built specifically for leather workers so they wouldn’t disturb worshippers in other mosques with the smell of their work. After dinner at a local restaurant, we will settle into our hotel in Mostar for the night.

Day 3: MOSTAR - KOTOR - ST. STEFAN - BUDVA - PODGORICA

After breakfast at 07:00, we will depart at 08:00 and head towards Montenegro. Passing through the towns of Stolac, Ljubinje, and Trebinje, we will cross the border out of Bosnia and Herzegovina and into Montenegro. Our first stop will be the medieval town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Kotor, we will visit historical sites such as Weapon Square, the Clock Tower, the Pillar of Shame, St. Tryphon Cathedral, Craft Street, Tulumba Fountains, the River Gate, and St. Luke’s Square, accompanied by a local guide. After the city tour, we will continue our journey to Budva. In Budva, we will visit Budva Castle, the fortress built by Napoleon, well-preserved medieval shops, the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and the Marina. After some free time for shopping, we will travel to St. Stefan Island for a photo stop to capture the stunning views. We will then take a short drive to the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica. After arriving in Podgorica, we will have dinner at a local restaurant and then head to our hotel for the night. (If we are staying in Shkodra, we will not visit Podgorica.)

Day 4: PODGORICA - SHKODRA - TIRANA - ELBASAN - STRUGA - OHRID

After breakfast, we will embark on a panoramic tour of Podgorica by bus, where we will see the Presidential Palace, the park built by Azerbaijan, the Millennium Bridge, and the statue of King Nikola. We will then cross the border into Albania and arrive in Shkodra, located on the shores of Lake Shkodra, which forms the natural border between Albania and Montenegro (Podgorica - Shkodra 55 km). Shkodra, which was under Ottoman rule for 435 years, is one of the most strategically significant cities in the Balkans. We will visit the city’s fortress and walls before taking a short walking tour of the city center. After some free time, we will continue our journey to Tirana, the Albanian capital (Shkodra - Tirana 115 km). Tirana, which was founded by Suleiman Pasha in 1614 and has been the capital of Albania since 1920, will be explored through a panoramic bus tour, during which we will see the Turkish Embassy, the U.S. Embassy, the Namazgah Mosque construction project funded by the Turkish Religious Foundation, the statue of Tirana’s founder Suleiman Pasha, Tirana’s main square, Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the National Museum, the University Building, the Opera and Ballet Building, the statue of Albania’s national hero Skanderbeg, the Parliament and Ministry buildings, and the Presidential Palace. After the tour of Tirana, we will travel to Elbasan (Tirana - Elbasan 42 km). We will pass through the city center and take a short break at Elbasan Fortress, where we will visit the Turkish streets and the Hünkar Mosque. We will then continue our journey to the Kafasan border crossing. Along the way, we will see the famous mushroom-shaped bunkers built by the notorious Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha between 1945 and 1985, which are said to number around 300,000. After crossing the Kafasan border, we will enter North Macedonia. Our first stop will be Struga, located on the western shore of Lake Ohrid and predominantly inhabited by Muslims (Elbasan - Struga 78 km). In Struga, we will see the Drim River, which flows out of Lake Ohrid, and learn about the town from our guide. Known as the City of Poets, Struga will offer us time for photography and free exploration before we continue our journey to Ohrid (Struga - Ohrid 14 km). Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with views of Lake Ohrid and then check into our hotel for the night.

Day 5: OHRID - TETOVO - SKOPJE

After breakfast, we will take a tour of the historic city of Ohrid, once a major Ottoman base in the Balkans. During this tour, we will visit the 1,100-year-old Plane Tree, the Zeynel Abidin Pasha Tekke (Halveti Tekke), Ali Pasha Mosque, Ohrid Bazaar, famous for its pearl shops, Ohrid Market, the statue of St. Clement, a shop that demonstrates ancient Chinese paper-making techniques, and the Ancient Theatre. After completing our tour of Ohrid, we will travel by bus to the charming town of Tetovo, built during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (Ohrid - Tetovo 130 km). In Tetovo, our first stop will be the Alaca Mosque, built by Abdurrahman Pasha in 1833. The mosque's interior and exterior are adorned with colorful baroque-style decorations made using animal blood, plant roots, and egg whites. Next, we will visit the Harabati Baba Tekke, once a center of the Bektashi order. The tekke’s caretaker of 20 years, Cemali from Tetovo, will share information about the tekke, and we will also meet the resident Bektashi dervish Abdulmuttalib, who will tell us more about its history and ongoing projects. At the time designated by our guide, we will travel to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia (Tetovo - Skopje 40 km). After arriving in Skopje, we will have dinner at a local restaurant and then head to our hotel. Those who wish can explore the beautifully lit city center in the evening.

Day 6: SKOPJE - PRIZREN

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel at 08:00 and head to Vodno Mountain, located on the outskirts of Skopje. From here, we will have a stunning view of the city. The journey up the mountain will remind you of Bursa’s Çekirge road. We will then travel to Matka Canyon, one of Skopje’s natural wonders (Matka Canyon tours may be subject to change depending on the day’s crowd level, as per the guide’s discretion). Guests can join a boat tour or enjoy coffee by the canyon. After visiting Matka Canyon, we will disembark near Skopje Fortress and begin a walking tour of the Old Turkish Bazaar, which has retained its Ottoman-era architecture. During the tour, we will visit Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Goldsmith Street, Arasta Mosque, the famous Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods, Davut Pasha Hammam, Çifte Hammam, Murat Pasha Mosque, Sulu Han, Kapan Han, and Kurşunlu Han. We will also see the massive statue of Alexander the Great, which caused a diplomatic dispute with Greece in 2011, the statue of Alexander’s father, Philip II, the Vardar River, the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia and its Archive, the National Theatre, the Museum of the Resistance, statues of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the 17th-century Church of Saint Spas, the Rahibe Teresa (Mother Teresa) Monument and Museum, and the ruins of the Old Train Station, destroyed in the 1963 earthquake. After our walking tour, we will have free time. At the designated time, we will meet up and travel to Kosovo’s capital, Pristina, which declared its independence from Serbia in February 2008 and was recognized by Turkey and many other countries. Along the way, we will pass through the site of the 1989 rally held by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević to mark the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo, during which he first used the phrase “Greater Serbia”, a concept that would eventually lead to Yugoslavia’s downfall. We will visit the memorial in the square before proceeding to the tomb of Sultan Murad I, the Ottoman sultan who was martyred during the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. We will also visit the nearby Selamlik building, now a museum, where we can view photographs from Sultan Reşad’s visit to the Balkans in 1911, the last visit by an Ottoman sultan. Afterward, we will continue to Prizren, where we will have dinner and check into our hotel.

Day 7: PRIZREN - PRISTINA

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel at 10:00 and begin our tour of Prizren, Kosovo’s second-largest city, which is home to many Ottoman monuments. During the tour, we will visit the Halveti Tekke, Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hammam, the Namazgah where Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror prayed with his army, Bayraklı Mosque, the Maraş District and Maraş Bridge, a 400-year-old Plane Tree, Emin Pasha Mosque, the Turkish Consulate General in Prizren, the Stone Bridge over the Bistrica River (also known as Akdere), Shadervan Square, Sinan Pasha Mosque, the churches of St. George and St. Nicholas, and the remains of the Arasta Mosque, which was destroyed during the Yugoslav period but whose minaret still stands. We will also visit the Serbian Quarter, where the scars of war are still visible. After some free time, we will head to Pristina International Adem Jashari Airport by bus.