Grand Balkan Tour 6N/7D

Day 1: SKOPJE - BITOLA - RESEN

We meet at Istanbul New Airport's International Departures Terminal at 05:10. After completing check-in and passport procedures, we depart for Skopje on Turkish Airlines flight TK1003 at 08:10 (1 hour 30 minutes flight duration). Arrival in Skopje is scheduled for 07:45 local time. Upon arrival at Skopje Airport, we head towards Bitola, known as Macedonia's treasure trove of history and culture (160 km). During our tour in Bitola, we visit significant landmarks such as Širok Sokak (Wide Street), the Old Bazaar (Ottoman Covered Market), Yeni Mosque, and Ishak Çelebi Mosque. Following some free time, we continue to Resen. In Resen, we view Niyazi Bey’s famous mansion, inspired by Château de Chenonceau in France, from the outside. Then, we proceed to Ohrid (90 km). At the end of the day, we have dinner and settle into our hotel for overnight accommodation. Accommodation will be at the 5* Izgrev Hotel or a similar establishment.

Note: Depending on hotel availability, accommodation may be in Ohrid or Struga.

Day 2: OHRID - ST. NAUM - STRUGA

After breakfast, we set out to explore Ohrid, a historic city that served as a significant Ottoman base in the Balkans. Our city tour includes visits to the monument dedicated to 9th-century Byzantine monks Saints Cyril and Methodius, who are believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet; Ali Pasha Mosque; Halveti Tekke; Hagia Sophia Church; the Ancient Theatre from the Roman period; Samuel’s Fortress (viewed from afar); Çınar Square, and Ohrid Market. Following some free time, we head to St. Naum, located half an hour from Ohrid. Here, we visit the 16th-century monastery built by St. Naum, a significant figure in the region. Later, we travel to Struga (40 km). In Struga, a city predominantly inhabited by Muslim Albanians, we explore landmarks such as the Poets' Bridge, Poets' Park, the Wish Tree planted in 1974 by Turkish poet Fazıl Hüsnü Dağlarca, the Bazaar, and Hasan Baba Tekke. Dinner is a trout menu served at a local restaurant. We then return to the hotel for overnight accommodation at the 5* Izgrev Hotel or a similar establishment.

Note: Depending on hotel availability, accommodation may be in Ohrid or Struga.

Day 3: OHRID - TETOVO - SKOPJE

Following breakfast, we travel to Tetovo, a charming town built during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (130 km). Here, we visit Harabati Baba Tekke, a prominent Bektashi center of its time, and the Painted Mosque. After the tour, we proceed to Skopje (40 km). Skopje, where the Ottoman Empire ruled for over 500 years, retains its historical heritage and Muslim influence, making it one of Macedonia's most unique cities. Our city tour includes the historic Stone Streets, the Turkish Bazaar, Jeweler's Street, Skopje Fortress (viewed from afar), the Vardar River, the Stone Bridge from the 16th century, the Turkish and Jewish Quarters, Davut Pasha Complex, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Isa Bey Mosque, the Double Hammam, Sulu Han, Kapan Han, Kurshumli Han, the Clock Tower, Skopje Square with the imposing statue of Alexander the Great, and the statues of Cyril, Methodius, and Tsar Samuel. At the end of the day, we have dinner and check in at our hotel for overnight accommodation at the 5* Bushi Hotel, 5* Aleksandar Palace Hotel, or a similar establishment.

Day 4: SKOPJE - PRISTINA - PRIZREN - SHKODRA

After breakfast, we head to Priština, the capital of Kosovo (90 km). Near Priština, in the Obilić region, we witness one of the most pivotal moments in our history. Here, we honor the legacy of Sultan Murad I, the first and last Ottoman sultan to be martyred in battle, by visiting the tomb where his internal organs and heart are buried. After this meaningful visit, we proceed to Prizren (85 km). Known as "Pür Zerin" by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror during his 1455 visit, Prizren is a city steeped in Ottoman heritage. Our tour includes stops at Bayrakli Mosque, Mehmed Pasha Complex and Madrasa, Gazi Mehmed Pasha Hammam, Halveti Tekke, Shadervan Square, and Prizren Bridge. Following our exploration, we travel to Shkodra in Albania (195 km). After dinner, we check in at our hotel for overnight accommodation at the 5* Golden Palace Hotel, 5* Grand Europa Hotel, or a similar establishment.

Note: Shkodra is solely visited for accommodation purposes.

Day 5: SHKODRA - BUDVA - KOTOR - TREBINJE

Following breakfast, we set out to explore Budva and Kotor, two of Montenegro's key tourist destinations. Our first stop is Budva (85 km), a coastal city on the Adriatic Sea renowned for its labyrinth-like narrow streets. We visit landmarks such as the Orthodox Church and medieval houses. After touring Budva, we take a short trip to Kotor (20 km). In Kotor, we explore highlights including Unity Square, Orthodox Square, Arms Square, the Wall of Shame, the Orthodox Church, and the Catholic Cathedral. After completing our Kotor tour, we travel to Trebinje (80 km). After dinner, we settle into our hotel for overnight accommodation at the 4* Nar Hotel, 4* Bellevue Hotel, 4* SL Industry Hotel, or a similar establishment.

Note: Trebinje is visited solely for accommodation purposes. Depending on hotel availability, accommodation may also be in Mostar.

Day 6: TREBINJE - MOSTAR - SARAJEVO

After breakfast, we begin our tour of Mostar. Highlights include Počitelj Turkish Village, Blagaj Tekke by the source of the Buna River, the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Mostar, and the historic Mostar Bridge, an Ottoman-era masterpiece (115 km). Following some free time, we proceed to Sarajevo (120 km). After dinner, we check in at our hotel for overnight accommodation at the 5* Hills Hotel or a similar establishment.

Day 7: SARAJEVO

After breakfast, we embark on our Sarajevo city tour. Our first stop is Vrelo Bosna, the city’s water source located at the foothills of Mount Igman. Next, we visit the Tunnel Museum, showcasing the war-era tunnel that served as Sarajevo's lifeline for two and a half years. We then proceed to the cemetery where Bosnia and Herzegovina's first president, Alija Izetbegović, is buried. Other stops include the Latin Bridge, the site where World War I began; the Sebil Fountain; the Library; the Inat House; the Kuršumli Madrasa, which has been operating continuously since the Ottoman period; and the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, built by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent's cousin. After some free time for shopping at Baščaršija, we head to Sarajevo Airport for our return journey. After completing passport and check-in procedures, we depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK1026 at 20:40, with an expected arrival time of 23:40.

Day 2: OHRID - ST. NAUM - STRUGA

After breakfast, we set out to explore Ohrid, a historic city that served as a significant Ottoman base in the Balkans. Our city tour includes visits to the monument dedicated to 9th-century Byzantine monks Saints Cyril and Methodius, who are believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet; Ali Pasha Mosque; Halveti Tekke; Hagia Sophia Church; the Ancient Theatre from the Roman period; Samuel’s Fortress (viewed from afar); Çınar Square, and Ohrid Market. Following some free time, we head to St. Naum, located half an hour from Ohrid. Here, we visit the 16th-century monastery built by St. Naum, a significant figure in the region. Later, we travel to Struga (40 km). In Struga, a city predominantly inhabited by Muslim Albanians, we explore landmarks such as the Poets' Bridge, Poets' Park, the Wish Tree planted in 1974 by Turkish poet Fazıl Hüsnü Dağlarca, the Bazaar, and Hasan Baba Tekke. Dinner is a trout menu served at a local restaurant. We then return to the hotel for overnight accommodation at the 5* Izgrev Hotel or a similar establishment.

Note: Depending on hotel availability, accommodation may be in Ohrid or Struga.

Day 3: OHRID - TETOVO - SKOPJE

Following breakfast, we travel to Tetovo, a charming town built during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (130 km). Here, we visit Harabati Baba Tekke, a prominent Bektashi center of its time, and the Painted Mosque. After the tour, we proceed to Skopje (40 km). Skopje, where the Ottoman Empire ruled for over 500 years, retains its historical heritage and Muslim influence, making it one of Macedonia's most unique cities. Our city tour includes the historic Stone Streets, the Turkish Bazaar, Jeweler's Street, Skopje Fortress (viewed from afar), the Vardar River, the Stone Bridge from the 16th century, the Turkish and Jewish Quarters, Davut Pasha Complex, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Isa Bey Mosque, the Double Hammam, Sulu Han, Kapan Han, Kurshumli Han, the Clock Tower, Skopje Square with the imposing statue of Alexander the Great, and the statues of Cyril, Methodius, and Tsar Samuel. At the end of the day, we have dinner and check in at our hotel for overnight accommodation at the 5* Bushi Hotel, 5* Aleksandar Palace Hotel, or a similar establishment.

Day 4: SKOPJE - PRISTINA - PRIZREN - SHKODRA

After breakfast, we head to Priština, the capital of Kosovo (90 km). Near Priština, in the Obilić region, we witness one of the most pivotal moments in our history. Here, we honor the legacy of Sultan Murad I, the first and last Ottoman sultan to be martyred in battle, by visiting the tomb where his internal organs and heart are buried. After this meaningful visit, we proceed to Prizren (85 km). Known as "Pür Zerin" by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror during his 1455 visit, Prizren is a city steeped in Ottoman heritage. Our tour includes stops at Bayrakli Mosque, Mehmed Pasha Complex and Madrasa, Gazi Mehmed Pasha Hammam, Halveti Tekke, Shadervan Square, and Prizren Bridge. Following our exploration, we travel to Shkodra in Albania (195 km). After dinner, we check in at our hotel for overnight accommodation at the 5* Golden Palace Hotel, 5* Grand Europa Hotel, or a similar establishment.

Note: Shkodra is solely visited for accommodation purposes.

Day 5: SHKODRA - BUDVA - KOTOR - TREBINJE

Following breakfast, we set out to explore Budva and Kotor, two of Montenegro's key tourist destinations. Our first stop is Budva (85 km), a coastal city on the Adriatic Sea renowned for its labyrinth-like narrow streets. We visit landmarks such as the Orthodox Church and medieval houses. After touring Budva, we take a short trip to Kotor (20 km). In Kotor, we explore highlights including Unity Square, Orthodox Square, Arms Square, the Wall of Shame, the Orthodox Church, and the Catholic Cathedral. After completing our Kotor tour, we travel to Trebinje (80 km). After dinner, we settle into our hotel for overnight accommodation at the 4* Nar Hotel, 4* Bellevue Hotel, 4* SL Industry Hotel, or a similar establishment.

Note: Trebinje is visited solely for accommodation purposes. Depending on hotel availability, accommodation may also be in Mostar.

Day 6: TREBINJE - MOSTAR - SARAJEVO

After breakfast, we begin our tour of Mostar. Highlights include Počitelj Turkish Village, Blagaj Tekke by the source of the Buna River, the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Mostar, and the historic Mostar Bridge, an Ottoman-era masterpiece (115 km). Following some free time, we proceed to Sarajevo (120 km). After dinner, we check in at our hotel for overnight accommodation at the 5* Hills Hotel or a similar establishment.

Day 7: SARAJEVO

After breakfast, we embark on our Sarajevo city tour. Our first stop is Vrelo Bosna, the city’s water source located at the foothills of Mount Igman. Next, we visit the Tunnel Museum, showcasing the war-era tunnel that served as Sarajevo's lifeline for two and a half years. We then proceed to the cemetery where Bosnia and Herzegovina's first president, Alija Izetbegović, is buried. Other stops include the Latin Bridge, the site where World War I began; the Sebil Fountain; the Library; the Inat House; the Kuršumli Madrasa, which has been operating continuously since the Ottoman period; and the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, built by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent's cousin. After some free time for shopping at Baščaršija, we head to Sarajevo Airport for our return journey. After completing passport and check-in procedures, we depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK1026 at 20:40, with an expected arrival time of 23:40.