Chance: Visa-free all the way to the Balkans. A Jet Airways every Saturday guaranteed departure. Travel health insurance included as a gift.

Meeting with our valued guests in front of the A Jet counter at the International Departures Terminal of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. After baggage drop and check-in procedures, we depart for Sarajevo on A Jet Airlines flight VF 97 at 13:55. Local time arrival in Sarajevo at 14:55. Following our arrival, we proceed to Mostar via a private bus waiting for us. The Mostar Bridge was built in 1557 by the architect Hayreddin and is a unique example of Ottoman architecture. In fact, the bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992. Subsequently, with strong support from the Republic of Turkey, it was rebuilt and reopened in 2004. This rebirth of the Mostar Bridge is considered a significant restoration following the loss of an important historical and cultural monument. After visiting the Mostar Bridge, our next stop is the Koski Mehmet Paşa Mosque. Following our tour, we continue towards Blagaj. We visit Blagaj, the source of the Buna River, one of Europe's most powerful water sources. The Blagaj Tekke was constructed in the 1520s influenced by Ottoman architecture and Mediterranean style, and is recognized as a national monument by the Bosniaks. After free time in Blagaj, we proceed to Poçitel. In Poçitel, known as the Turkish Village and preserving its historical fabric, we will see works built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel. 

Blagaj Tour Included! / Poçitel Tour Included! / Mostar Tour Included!

Lunch: Guests may have lunch at any restaurant they prefer during the free time determined by our guide.

Dinner: Will be served at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: 4* HOTEL KAKTUS or similar - MEDJUGORJE

Currency: Bosnia and Herzegovina - Convertible Mark (Average Rate 1 Euro: 1.95 KM)
Route: Sarajevo – Mostar – Blagaj – Poçitel – Medjugorje 242 km,
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated 20:00 depending on customs clearance duration.

After having breakfast at our hotel, we head to Montenegro, the pearl of the Adriatic Sea and one of the youngest countries in the world. Our first stop is Kotor, known for its medieval atmosphere and the fjords of the Balkans. We will explore this historic town with a tour of the Old Town Fortress. Then, we turn our route towards Budva, one of the most famous holiday resorts in the Balkans, renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. After a panoramic tour, we get a chance to view the magnificent St. Stefan from above, an island that was once home to fishermen, later expropriated and sold to a Singaporean multi-billionaire, transforming it into a tourist destination. Then, we continue our journey to Shkodra, one of the oldest settlements of the Republic of Albania. Upon arrival in Shkodra, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel.

Kotor / Budva Tour Included!

Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Guests may have lunch at any restaurant they choose during the free time determined by the guide.

Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: 5* HOTEL GOLDEN PALACE or similar - SHKODRA

Currencies: Montenegro - Euro
Route: Trebinje– Kotor – Budva – Shkodra 188 KM,
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 20:00 depending on customs clearance time.

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. Upon arrival in Tirana, recognized as the European center of Bektashism, our city tour begins with the Ethem Bey Mosque, which was started in 1789 and completed in 1923. Next, we visit Skanderbeg Square, featuring the clock tower built by Ethem Bey in 1821 (a symbol of Tirana), the Statue of Skanderbeg, and the Bell of Peace, cast in 1999 from melted bullets fired during an uprising by children from Shkodra. After the city tour, we head towards Ohrid, known as the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Upon arrival, our tour includes: the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius (9th-century Byzantine monks), the Hagia Sophia Church, the Ancient Theatre from the Roman era, Çınar Square, Turkish Bazaar, Halveti Tekke, New Bazaar, Ohrid Market, and Lake Ohrid. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Breakfast: Served at our hotel and included in the tour price.

Lunch: Guests may have lunch at any restaurant of their choice during free time determined by the guide.
Dinner: Served at our hotel and included in the tour price.

Accommodation: 4* HOTEL MAKPETROL or similar - OHRID

Currencies: Albania - Lek (Average Rate 1 Euro: 104 LEK) / North Macedonia - Macedonian Denar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 61.49 MKD)
Route: Shkodra – Tirana – Ohrid 237 KM,
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated 20:00, subject to customs clearance duration.

After our morning breakfast, we depart from our hotel to begin our Resne-Bitola tour with our esteemed guests. Our first stop is Resne. After visiting the mansion of Niyazi, one of the three most famous figures of the Committee of Union and Progress, who was from Resne, we continue towards Bitola, the second-largest city in North Macedonia. Upon arrival, our tour includes visits to the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Mosque, Yeni Mosque, Military High School where Atatürk graduated, and the Atatürk Museum, which will provide some of the most emotional moments of our journey. After the tour, we transfer back to our hotel. At the scheduled time, we transfer for the Dinner Balkan Night. We enjoy an unforgettable Dinner Balkan Night, adorned with unique Balkan music and cuisine, along with folk dance performances by the folklore team. Afterwards, we spend the night at our hotel.

Resne – Bitola Tour INCLUDED! / Dinner Balkan Night Tour INCLUDED!

Morning Breakfast: Served at our hotel and included in the tour price.

Lunch: Guests may have lunch at any restaurant they prefer during the free time determined by the guide.
Dinner: Served at a local restaurant as part of the lively Dinner Balkan Night, featuring folk shows, and INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE.

Accommodation: 4* HOTEL MAKPETROL or similar - OHRID

Currencies: North Macedonia - Macedonian Denar (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro: 61.49 MKD)
Route: Ohrid – Resne – Bitola – Ohrid 137 KM,
Hotel Check-in Time: Approximately 20:00, depending on customs clearance duration.

After having breakfast at our hotel and checking out of our rooms, we set off towards Skopje, the capital and largest city of North Macedonia. On the way, we stop in Tetova (Kalkandelen) and visit Alaca Mosque. Then we continue our journey to Skopje. Upon arrival, our city tour begins. Among the places to see on our city tour are: Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Murat Pasha Mosque, Kapan Han, Sulu Han, and Stone Bridge. Then we continue our walk along the Vardar River and viewing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods on the opposite side of the river. During our walk, we view Makedonya Square, the Ottoman Bridge, and Davut Pasha Hamam panoramically, then enter the Turkish bazaar. We see one of Skopje's symbolic works, the Clock Tower built in the 16th century, Sultan Murat Mosque, one of our early period mosques from the 14th century, and Isa Bey Mosque, also from the same century. Afterward, there is free time and transfer to our hotel.

Tetova (Kalkandelen) Tour Included!

Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Guests may have lunch at any restaurant they prefer during the free time determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: 4* BEST WESTERN TURİST HOTEL or similar - SKOPJE

Currencies: North Macedonia – Macedonian Denar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 61.49 MKD)
Route: Ohrid–Tetova–Skopje 176 KM,
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated: 20:00 depending on customs clearance time.

After our breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and depart for Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Upon arrival, our city tour of Belgrade begins, one of Europe's oldest cities and a new symbol of vibrancy and activity. Among the places to be visited on our tour are the Old Palace, adorned with magnificent carved ceilings from the Turkish era; Belgrade Fortress, an Ottoman naval supply center where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded but whose conquest was granted to Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers; Kale Square; Tašmajdan Park; Military Museum; the tomb of Şehit Ali Paşa; and Bayraklı Mosque. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Breakfast: To be taken at our hotel and included in the tour price.

Lunch: Guests may have it at any restaurant they prefer during the free time determined by the guide.
Dinner: To be taken at our hotel and included in the tour price.
Accommodation: 4* GOLDEN TULIP ZIRA BELGRADE Hotel or similar - BELGRADE

Currencies: Skopje – Macedonian Denar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 61.49 MKD) / Serbia – Serbian Dinar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 117.23 RSD)
Route: Skopje – Belgrade 432 KM,
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated 21:00, subject to customs clearance duration.

After our breakfast and check-out at the hotel, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we begin our panoramic city tour of Sarajevo, a city that has served as the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries. It is historically significant as the place where World War I began following the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand by Serbs in 1914, and it suffered extensive damage during the 1992 war due to destructive conflicts among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet it still retains much of its beauty. Our city tour includes visits to: Baščaršija (the Old Bazaar), the historic Ottoman caravanserai Morića Han, the Catholic Cathedral, the Synagogue, the Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadiye Mosques reflecting the city's religious cosmopolitanism, the Latin Bridge where the Franz Ferdinand assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and buildings from the 40-year Austro-Hungarian administration period showcasing Western-style architecture. Afterwards, we transfer back to our hotel. Overnight stay and dinner at the hotel.
 

Breakfast: To be taken at our hotel and included in the tour price.

Lunch: Guests may have lunch at any restaurant of their choice during the free time determined by the guide.
Dinner: To be taken at our hotel and included in the tour price.

Accommodation: 4* HOTEL HOLLYWOOD or similar - SARAJEVO

Currencies: Serbia - Serbian Dinar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 117.23 RSD) / Bosnia and Herzegovina - Convertible Mark (Average Rate 1 Euro: 1.95 KM)
Route: Belgrade – Sarajevo 285 KM,
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated 20:00, subject to customs clearance duration.

After our morning breakfast, we check out of our rooms. Following the free time until the transfer hour, we will transfer with our valued guests to Sarajevo Airport. After completing baggage and passport procedures, we will depart for Istanbul at 16:10 on A Jet Airlines flight VF 98. Arrival in the city at 19:00 marks the end of our tour. Welcome home!