Exclusive Route: Balkan Tour 7N/8D

Day 1: TIVAT - KOTOR - BUDVA - SHKODËR

After completing ticketing, baggage, and passport procedures, we depart for Tivat, Montenegro, on Turkish Airlines flight TK 1095 at 07:30. Upon arrival in Tivat at 08:15 local time and completing passport, baggage, and customs procedures, we transfer to Kotor by private bus. Our first stop is Perast, a charming medieval town located along the panoramic road of Kotor Bay, which is a historic and natural wonder and a major tourist attraction. In Perast, often called the "Little Venice," we photograph its medieval palaces and churches, as well as the famous islands of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks.

Afterward, we continue to the medieval town of Kotor, where we take a walking tour of Stari Grad (Old Town-Fortress), discovering its picturesque streets and historical landmarks. Following our tour of Kotor, we take a prayer break in Budva before proceeding to the famous St. Stefan Island, a former fishing village that was nationalized and later sold to a Singaporean billionaire. The island is currently undergoing restoration to be transformed into a luxury tourist destination. We take panoramic photos of this stunning island from a vantage point before continuing our journey through the towns of Bar and Ulcinj towards Shkodër, Albania. Upon arrival in Shkodër, we transfer to our hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 2: SHKODËR - TIRANA - BERAT - ELBASAN

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. Our panoramic tour introduces us to this historic city, which has witnessed wars throughout the 20th century and endured Enver Hoxha's 40-year dictatorship. Tirana, a mountainous Balkan country, was founded by Süleyman Pasha in 1614 and became the capital of Albania in 1920.

During our tour, we visit key landmarks, including Ethem Bey Mosque, the Historic Clock Tower, National Museum, Opera and Ballet House, Parliament and Prime Minister's Offices, Presidential Palace, Tirana University Square, and Skanderbeg Square. After the tour, we have free time in Tirana’s city center for lunch and prayer.

We then continue to Berat, known as "the museum city of Albania." Our tour includes a panoramic view of Berat Castle, a walk through its historic center, and visits to landmarks such as Kurşunlu Mosque, Halveti Lodge, and Gorica Bridge. We also explore both Muslim and Christian neighborhoods, followed by free time for lunch and shopping.

After the prayer break at a historic mosque in Berat, we travel to Elbasan, stopping briefly in Librazhd, before passing through Shkumbin Valley en route to Ohrid, North Macedonia. We check into our hotel in Ohrid for an overnight stay.

Day 3: OHRID - SVETI NAUM - MATKA CANYON - SKOPJE

After breakfast, we set off to visit Sveti Naum, the source of Lake Ohrid. With stunning landscapes along the way, we reach St. Naum in approximately one hour. Here, we visit the springs of Lake Ohrid, where guests can enjoy a nostalgic boat tour on crystal-clear waters.

Returning to Ohrid, we embark on a city tour, exploring landmarks such as Halveti Lodge (dating back to the 17th century), Ohrid’s famous Plane Tree, Turkish Bazaar, Ali Pasha Mosque, Ohrid Port, and Quarantine Church. Other notable sites include the Ottoman and Persian-style houses, Egnatia Road, Keraklea Lynketis, Clock Tower, St. Dimitri Church, Hagia Sophia Church, and the panoramic view of Samuel’s Fortress.

Following the tour, we have free time for shopping in Ohrid Bazaar, where guests can explore the city's historical tradition of pearl-making and observe the production process. Afterward, we pass through Mavrovo National Park and visit Harabati Baba Lodge and Alaca Mosque in Tetovo (Kalkandelen) before heading to Skopje for an overnight stay.

Day 4: SKOPJE - KOSOVO

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our tour of Skopje, the birthplace of Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, with a panoramic tour featuring key landmarks such as Old Railway Station, Mother Teresa Memorial & Birthplace, Stone Bridge, Fortress Walls, Ottoman-era Old Bazaar, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Sultan Murad Mosque, Gazi Isa Bey Mosque, Davut Pasha Hammam, and historic inns (Kapan, Sulu, and Kurşunlu Han).

We then travel to Kosovo, one of the youngest nations in the world, where we witness its historical and emotional significance. After a panoramic tour of Pristina, we visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Murad I before heading to Prizren, one of the most picturesque cities in the Balkans. In Prizren, our tour includes the 17th-century Turkish Bath, Sinan Pasha Mosque (built in 1615), Prizren Fortress, Historic Plane Tree, Bayraklı Mosque, Shadervan Square, Orthodox Churches, and Christ the Savior Church.

After completing our Prizren tour, we return to Skopje for an overnight stay.

Day 5: MATKA CANYON - BELGRADE

Following breakfast, we visit Matka Canyon, where we take a boat tour on the reservoir lake, enjoying the breathtaking natural beauty. We then depart for Belgrade, Serbia, stopping along the way for lunch and prayer.

Upon arrival in Belgrade, our panoramic city tour covers landmarks such as St. Sava Cathedral, Slavia Square, Bombed Military Buildings, Parliament Building, Royal Palace & Presidential Palace, Moscow Hotel, Republic Square, National Museum, and Opera House.

Our walking tour continues with Student Square, Knez Mihailova Street, Fortress Square, Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Clock Tower, Damat Ali Pasha Mausoleum, Zindan Gate, Leopold Gate, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Fountain, and Stefan Lazarevic Monument. Finally, we visit Bayraklı Mosque, the only active Turkish mosque in Belgrade, before having free time in the city center and transferring to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 6: BELGRADE - SREBRENICA - SARAJEVO

After breakfast, we take a one-hour boat tour on the Danube & Sava Rivers, admiring breathtaking views. We then depart for Sarajevo, traveling through Serbian and Bosniak villages.

Our first stop is Srebrenica, where we pay our respects at the memorial site of the 1995 massacre and visit the cemetery. After a lunch and prayer break, we cross the Dinaric Alps and arrive in Sarajevo for an overnight stay.

Day 7: SARAJEVO - KONJIC - MOSTAR

After breakfast, we travel to Mostar, stopping at Konjic Bridge, Neretva River, and Jablanica to see the bombed WWII German train.

In Mostar, we take a walking tour featuring Mostar Bridge (built in 1557, destroyed in 1992, and restored in 2004), Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque, and Tabakhane Mosque & Bathhouse. We then visit Počitelj, the last Ottoman village, before heading to Blagaj Tekke & Sarı Saltuk Shrine. After dinner, we return to Sarajevo.

Day 8: SARAJEVO - RETURN FLIGHT

After breakfast, we visit Vrelo Bosnia National Park and take a walking tour through Sarajevo's historic center, before transferring to Sarajevo Airport for our return flight to Istanbul.

Day 2: SHKODËR - TIRANA - BERAT - ELBASAN

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. Our panoramic tour introduces us to this historic city, which has witnessed wars throughout the 20th century and endured Enver Hoxha's 40-year dictatorship. Tirana, a mountainous Balkan country, was founded by Süleyman Pasha in 1614 and became the capital of Albania in 1920.

During our tour, we visit key landmarks, including Ethem Bey Mosque, the Historic Clock Tower, National Museum, Opera and Ballet House, Parliament and Prime Minister's Offices, Presidential Palace, Tirana University Square, and Skanderbeg Square. After the tour, we have free time in Tirana’s city center for lunch and prayer.

We then continue to Berat, known as "the museum city of Albania." Our tour includes a panoramic view of Berat Castle, a walk through its historic center, and visits to landmarks such as Kurşunlu Mosque, Halveti Lodge, and Gorica Bridge. We also explore both Muslim and Christian neighborhoods, followed by free time for lunch and shopping.

After the prayer break at a historic mosque in Berat, we travel to Elbasan, stopping briefly in Librazhd, before passing through Shkumbin Valley en route to Ohrid, North Macedonia. We check into our hotel in Ohrid for an overnight stay.

Day 3: OHRID - SVETI NAUM - MATKA CANYON - SKOPJE

After breakfast, we set off to visit Sveti Naum, the source of Lake Ohrid. With stunning landscapes along the way, we reach St. Naum in approximately one hour. Here, we visit the springs of Lake Ohrid, where guests can enjoy a nostalgic boat tour on crystal-clear waters.

Returning to Ohrid, we embark on a city tour, exploring landmarks such as Halveti Lodge (dating back to the 17th century), Ohrid’s famous Plane Tree, Turkish Bazaar, Ali Pasha Mosque, Ohrid Port, and Quarantine Church. Other notable sites include the Ottoman and Persian-style houses, Egnatia Road, Keraklea Lynketis, Clock Tower, St. Dimitri Church, Hagia Sophia Church, and the panoramic view of Samuel’s Fortress.

Following the tour, we have free time for shopping in Ohrid Bazaar, where guests can explore the city's historical tradition of pearl-making and observe the production process. Afterward, we pass through Mavrovo National Park and visit Harabati Baba Lodge and Alaca Mosque in Tetovo (Kalkandelen) before heading to Skopje for an overnight stay.

Day 4: SKOPJE - KOSOVO

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our tour of Skopje, the birthplace of Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, with a panoramic tour featuring key landmarks such as Old Railway Station, Mother Teresa Memorial & Birthplace, Stone Bridge, Fortress Walls, Ottoman-era Old Bazaar, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Sultan Murad Mosque, Gazi Isa Bey Mosque, Davut Pasha Hammam, and historic inns (Kapan, Sulu, and Kurşunlu Han).

We then travel to Kosovo, one of the youngest nations in the world, where we witness its historical and emotional significance. After a panoramic tour of Pristina, we visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Murad I before heading to Prizren, one of the most picturesque cities in the Balkans. In Prizren, our tour includes the 17th-century Turkish Bath, Sinan Pasha Mosque (built in 1615), Prizren Fortress, Historic Plane Tree, Bayraklı Mosque, Shadervan Square, Orthodox Churches, and Christ the Savior Church.

After completing our Prizren tour, we return to Skopje for an overnight stay.

Day 5: MATKA CANYON - BELGRADE

Following breakfast, we visit Matka Canyon, where we take a boat tour on the reservoir lake, enjoying the breathtaking natural beauty. We then depart for Belgrade, Serbia, stopping along the way for lunch and prayer.

Upon arrival in Belgrade, our panoramic city tour covers landmarks such as St. Sava Cathedral, Slavia Square, Bombed Military Buildings, Parliament Building, Royal Palace & Presidential Palace, Moscow Hotel, Republic Square, National Museum, and Opera House.

Our walking tour continues with Student Square, Knez Mihailova Street, Fortress Square, Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Clock Tower, Damat Ali Pasha Mausoleum, Zindan Gate, Leopold Gate, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Fountain, and Stefan Lazarevic Monument. Finally, we visit Bayraklı Mosque, the only active Turkish mosque in Belgrade, before having free time in the city center and transferring to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 6: BELGRADE - SREBRENICA - SARAJEVO

After breakfast, we take a one-hour boat tour on the Danube & Sava Rivers, admiring breathtaking views. We then depart for Sarajevo, traveling through Serbian and Bosniak villages.

Our first stop is Srebrenica, where we pay our respects at the memorial site of the 1995 massacre and visit the cemetery. After a lunch and prayer break, we cross the Dinaric Alps and arrive in Sarajevo for an overnight stay.

Day 7: SARAJEVO - KONJIC - MOSTAR

After breakfast, we travel to Mostar, stopping at Konjic Bridge, Neretva River, and Jablanica to see the bombed WWII German train.

In Mostar, we take a walking tour featuring Mostar Bridge (built in 1557, destroyed in 1992, and restored in 2004), Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque, and Tabakhane Mosque & Bathhouse. We then visit Počitelj, the last Ottoman village, before heading to Blagaj Tekke & Sarı Saltuk Shrine. After dinner, we return to Sarajevo.

Day 8: SARAJEVO

After breakfast, we visit Vrelo Bosnia National Park and take a walking tour through Sarajevo's historic center, before transferring to Sarajevo Airport for our return flight to Istanbul.