GRAND BALKAN 6-COUNTRY TOUR WITH AIR SERBIA

After breakfast we visit Vrelo Bosne, the largest national park in Sarajevo, at the foot of Igman Mountain, where the Bosna River rises. Built under Tito's orders, it is famous for its excellent walking trails, horse-carriage drivers and authentic coffee houses. After free time, we set off for Mostar. The journey takes around 2.5 hours, with stops at several points. Our first stop is Konjic (Konyitz), where we see the famous Konjic Bridge, dating from Ottoman times and restored with Turkish support, and take a coffee break on the banks of the Neretva River. We then arrive in Mostar, where our walking tour begins with the Mostar Bridge, built by architect Mimar Hayreddin in 1557, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery in the 1992 war and reopened in 2004 with major contributions from the Republic of Türkiye. We see the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. We then visit the Alperenler Tekke in Blagaj and the village of Blagaj, the source of the Buna River, 12 km from central Mostar. After the tour, overnight at our hotel in Medjugorje or nearby.
Breakfast: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Taken as an extra at a location chosen by the guide during free time.
Dinner: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Forest Hotel or similar - MEDJUGORJE
Route: Sarajevo - Konjic 62 km, Konjic - Mostar 64 km, Mostar - Blagaj 13 km, Blagaj - Medjugorje 20 km
Estimated hotel check-in time, depending on road conditions: 20:00

After breakfast at our hotel, we enter Montenegro, one of the world's youngest countries. Our first stop is Kotor, a jewel of history, nature and tourism. On a walking tour of the Stari Grad (Old Town and Fortress), you will get to know this charming town. After the Kotor tour, we pass through Budva and make a stop at a viewpoint for a panoramic view of the magnificent St. Stefan, an island that was once a fishing village, later expropriated and sold to a Singaporean multi-billionaire, and now being restored for tourism, as well as Budva. We then head to the Albanian city of Shkodra. On arrival, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Taken as an extra at a location chosen by the guide during free time.
Dinner: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Alis Hotel or similar - SHKODRA
Route: Medjugorje - Kotor 190 km, Kotor - Shkodra 108 km
Estimated hotel check-in time, depending on customs crossing time: 20:30

After breakfast at our hotel, we head to the centre of Tirana. We take a panoramic tour of this beautiful city, which was caught between wars through much of the 20th century, lived under Enver Hoxha's dictatorship for 40 years, was developed by Suleiman Pasha in 1614 and became the capital of Albania in 1920. During the tour we see the Ethem Bey Mosque in Skanderbeg Square, the historic Clock Tower, the National History Museum and the Opera House. From the vehicle we will also see the Parliament and Prime Minister's buildings, the President's Palace, Mother Teresa Square and the Tirana Pyramid. After the Tirana tour and free time, we travel via Elbasan to Ohrid, the pearl of the Balkans, in North Macedonia. Our Ohrid tour starts at the Harbour Square, where we learn about the sculptures. We then walk through the historic Ohrid houses in the neighbourhood where the series Elveda Rumeli was filmed, see the historic Ottoman houses and the Church of Hagia Sophia, and end with a presentation of the Ohrid Pearl, the greatest symbol of Ohrid. After the tour we have free time, then transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Ohrid at our hotel.
Breakfast: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Taken as an extra at a location chosen by the guide during free time.
Dinner: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Aqualina Hotel or similar - OHRID
Route: Shkodra - Tirana 100 km, Tirana - Ohrid 130 km
Estimated hotel check-in time, depending on customs crossing time: 20:30

After breakfast we travel through magnificent scenery to St. Naum, the source of Lake Ohrid. The view here is truly breathtaking. After our visit to Sveti Naum, we head to Tetovo, the second largest city in Macedonia, with a mostly Muslim Albanian population. We see the city from a panoramic viewpoint and visit the Alaca Mosque in Kalkandelen (Tetovo), which has an architecture rarely seen in the Balkans. After our tour, we head to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Our tour of this city, where two cultures are divided by the famous Vardar River, begins on the Macedonian side, the land of statues. Among the statues, the huge statue of Alexander the Great stands out. We then cross the historic Stone Bridge over the Vardar River and witness how culture changes in an instant, before moving on to the Turkish Bazaar of Skopje, one of the finest Ottoman bazaars in the Balkans. At the entrance to the bazaar we talk about the statues, then begin the bazaar tour with the historic Davut Pasha Hammam, and end by seeing the Kapan Han, one of the most important Ottoman bazaar structures, and the Murat Pasha Mosque, which has survived earthquakes. After our visits, we have one hour of free time for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Items to buy include Şuşka pepper, ustrumca peanuts and traditional çarıklar (sandals). After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Taken as an extra at a location chosen by our guide during free time.
Dinner: Taken at our hotel or a restaurant, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Gold or similar - Skopje
Route: Skopje - Matka 19 km, Matka - Tetovo 61 km, Tetovo - Ohrid 132 km
Estimated hotel check-in time, depending on road conditions: 20:00

After breakfast we head to the Matka Canyon, known for its unique beauty. After a nature walk there, guests who wish may take a trip through the canyon on its famous boats during free time. After our tour, we pass panoramically through Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, one of the world's youngest countries, whose population is mostly Muslim Albanian. We then head to the Tomb of Murad I (Hüdavendigar) near Pristina. He was martyred by Obilić at the Battle of Kosovo, one of the Ottomans' greatest victories in the Balkans. After our visit, we make a short bus journey to Prizren. During the panoramic tour of Prizren, one of the most charming cities in the Balkans, we will see the 17th-century Turkish Bath, the Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615, and the Prizren Fortress. The tour ends and we have free time. After our tour, we travel to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. On arrival in Skopje, we enjoy a Balkan night at a local restaurant recommended by our guide, included in the tour price. After the fun, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Taken as an extra at a location chosen by our guide during free time.
Dinner: Balkan night at a local restaurant recommended by our guide, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Gold or similar - SKOPJE
Route: Skopje - Matka 15 km, Matka - Prizren 100 km, Prizren - Skopje 100 km
Estimated hotel check-in time, depending on customs crossing time: 20:30

After breakfast we set off for Belgrade. After the journey, we begin our city tour of Belgrade, one of Europe's oldest cities and a new symbol of vitality and energy, starting with Knez Mihailova Street, the city's most stylish street. We then move on to Belgrade Fortress, a key supply centre of the Ottoman navy. Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded trying to take it, but its conquest fell to Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. Inside the fortress we see the Key Handover Monument, the French statue, the Istanbul Gate, the Military Museum, the tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, the Sokollu fountain, and the terrace where the Danube and Sava rivers meet, the most beautiful view of the city, where our tour ends. After the tour there is free time until the flight. We then transfer to Belgrade Airport. After ticket, baggage and passport procedures, we depart on Air Serbia flight JU426 at 00:50 for Istanbul, arriving at 03:35. We look forward to seeing you on your next trip.
Breakfast: Taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Taken as an extra in Belgrade city centre during free time.