Grand Balkan Tour to 6 Countries with the Mostar Express

Meeting at 16:00 next to Batıkent Olympic Swimming Pool, in front of Cergibozanlar Market. After the meeting, transfer to Çukurova Airport by private vehicle. Meeting in front of the International Departures Terminal Check-in Counter at Çukurova Airport. After ticket, luggage, and passport procedures, departure to Skopje at 23:15 with Pegasus Airlines flight PC6701.

Arrival in Skopje at 00:55. After passport, luggage, and customs procedures, we transfer from the airport to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.

We start our Belgrade city tour, one of Europe's oldest cities and a new symbol of liveliness and vibrancy, with Knez Mihailova Street, the city's most elegant avenue. Then we proceed to Belgrade Fortress, one of the Ottoman fleet supply centers, for which Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded but whose conquest was granted to Suleiman the Magnificent.

Places to be seen inside the fortress:

• Key Handover Monument
• French statue
• Istanbul Gate
• Military Museum
• Mausoleum of Damat Ali Pasha
• Sokullu Fountain
• Terrace area with a view of the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers

After the tour, we move into free time. Accommodation at our hotel in Belgrade.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at a place designated by the guide during free time, extra.
• Lunch: Will be taken at a place designated by the guide during free time, extra.
• Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or in a restaurant and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Hotel Teather or similar – BELGRADE

Route: Skopje – Belgrade; 430 km

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 19:30

After breakfast at our hotel, we visit Vrelo Bosne, our first destination for the day. Located on the edge of Mount Igman, the water source of Sarajevo, this national park, which includes the source of the Bosna river and was organized at the command of Tito, is famous for its excellent walking paths, carriage rides, and authentic coffeehouses, being the largest national park in Sarajevo. After free time, we head to Sarajevo.

We stroll in Baščaršija, Europe's most distinguished bazaar. On our tour introducing this cultural city, the following are seen:

• Sarajevo Sebil Fountain
• Morica Han
• Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque (built by a relative of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent)
• Clock Tower
• Famous fountain and cultural meeting point
• Eternal Flame Monument

During free time, guests may photograph the Latin Bridge where World War I began. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

• Lunch: Will be taken at a place designated by the guide during free time, extra.
• Dinner: Bosnian Kebab at a local restaurant, included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Holiday Hotel or similar – SARAJEVO

Route: Belgrade – Sarajevo 297 KM

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 20:00, depending on customs crossing time

After breakfast at our hotel, we take an unforgettable train journey with the Mostar Express between Sarajevo and Mostar through the Neretva Valley. (Train services depend on the official schedules of the state railways. If, by state railways' decision, trains do not operate, our journeys will be by bus.)

Upon arrival in Mostar, we have a walking city tour:

• Mostar Bridge – Built in 1557 by architect Hayreddin, the bridge is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992; however, thanks to significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004.
• Old Town bazaar tour

After free time, we transfer to Blagaj, the land of dervishes. At the source of the Buna River, the Blagaj Tekke sits nestled at the foot of massive rocks; its peaceful atmosphere, the calming sound of the water, and mystical air seem to take visitors out of time. After our guide’s explanation, free time. After the Blagaj visit, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken at a place designated by the guide during free time, extra.
• Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or in a restaurant and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Olivia Hotel or similar – MEDJUGORJE

Route: Sarajevo – Mostar 125 km, Mostar – Blagaj 11 KM, Blagaj – Trebinje 108 KM

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 20:00, depending on traffic conditions

After breakfast at our hotel, we cross into Montenegro, one of the world's youngest countries.

Our first stop is Kotor, an important center of history, nature, and tourism. On this walking tour in StariGrad (Old Town-Fortress), you will get to know this quaint town.

After our Kotor tour, we pass through Budva and take a break for a panoramic view from above of the magnificent St. Stefan and Budva (depending on parking availability). St. Stefan; once a fishing settlement, later nationalized and then sold to a Singaporean billionaire, is now a holiday destination for the jet set.

We then proceed to the Albanian city of Shkodër. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken at a place designated by the guide during free time, extra.
• Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Alis Hotel or similar – SHKODËR

Route: Medjugorje – Kotor 190 KM, Kotor – Shkodër 108 KM

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 20:30, depending on customs crossing time

After breakfast at our hotel, we head to Tirana, the capital of Albania. After arrival, we will conduct a panoramic tour introducing this beautiful city, which was caught between wars throughout the 20th century, lived under Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship for 40 years, and was redeveloped by Süleyman Pasha in 1614 and became the capital of Albania in 1920. Sights in this city:

• Et'hem Bey Mosque (in Skanderbeg Square)
• Historical Clock Tower
• National History Museum
• Opera House
• Parliament and Prime Ministry Buildings (from the bus)
• Presidential Mansion (from the bus)
• Mother Teresa Square (from the bus)
• Tirana Pyramid (from the bus)

After our Tirana tour and free time, we head via Elbasan to Ohrid, the pearl of the Balkans, in Macedonia. Our tour in Ohrid city center, a Balkan town with a Mediterranean character, starts with Harbor Square. Sights:

• The district with historic Ohrid houses (the area where the TV series Elveda Rumeli was filmed)
• Historic Ottoman houses
• Hagia Sophia Church
• Famous Ohrid Pearl presentation

We then move into free time.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken at a place designated by the guide during free time, extra.
• Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Imperial Hotel or similar – OHRID

Route: Shkodër – Tirana 100 KM, Tirana – Ohrid 130 KM

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 20:30, depending on customs crossing time

After our breakfast, we reach St. Naum, famous for its magnificent scenery. We visit the source where Lake Ohrid originates. The breathtaking view here is truly stunning.

After our visit to Sveti Naum, we proceed to Tetova (Kalkandelen), Macedonia's second-largest city, mostly inhabited by Muslim Albanians. We tour the city panoramically and visit the Alaca Mosque, an architectural rarity in the Balkans.

After our tour, we head to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Our tour introducing this city, divided by the famous Vardar River separating two cultures, starts with what can be called the land of statues, the Macedonian side:

• Alexander the Great Statue (notable for its massive size)
• Historical Skopje Stone Bridge (built over the Vardar River)
• Skopje Turkish Bazaar – one of the most distinguished bazaars of the Ottomans in the Balkans
• Historical Davut Pasha Hammam
• Kapan Han – one of the most important structures of the Ottoman bazaar organization
• Murat Pasha Mosque – has survived despite earthquakes

After our visits, one hour of free time will be given for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Items available include şuşka pepper, Ustrumca peanuts, and traditional slippers.

The tour will end with a Balkan Night at a local restaurant chosen by our guide (included in the tour price). After the entertainment, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken at a place designated by our guide during free time, extra.
• Dinner: Balkan Night at a local restaurant designated by our guide, included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Hotel Gold or similar – Skopje

Route: Skopje – Matka 19 KM, Matka – Tetova 61 KM, Tetova – Ohrid 132 KM

Estimated Hotel Check-in Time: 20:00, depending on traffic conditions

After breakfast, we proceed to Matka Canyon, known for its unique beauty. After a nature walk, those who wish may take a canoe tour on the canyon with the famous boats during free time.

After our tour, we set off for the Kosovo tour, one of the world's youngest countries, with a majority Muslim Albanian population. Sights near Kosovo's capital, Pristina:

• 19th-century Ottoman Mansion
• Tomb of Sultan Murad I (Hüdavendigar) – He was martyred by Obilic in the Kosovo Battle, one of the Ottomans' greatest victories in the Balkans.

We then transfer to Prizren. On our panoramic tour of Prizren, perhaps one of the Balkans' most charming cities, the places to be seen are:

• 17th-century Turkish Bath
• Sinan Pasha Mosque, built in 1615
• Prizren Fortress

End of the tour and free time. We then continue to Skopje Airport. After ticket, luggage, and passport procedures, we depart for Adana by Pegasus Airlines flight PC6702 at 01:25. Arrival in Adana at 04:45. After landing in Adana, transfer to Gaziantep is provided.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken at a place designated by the guide during free time, extra.

Route: Skopje – Matka 15 KM, Matka – Prizren 100 KM, Prizren – Skopje 100 KM