Balkan Tour with Turkish Airlines
NOTES
***Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 40 people. In case sufficient participation for the trip cannot be achieved, the final cancellation notification date will be 21 days before the tour departure. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be notified by Pcs Tur.
***In cases where the tour program provides only category information without specifying names and/or offers options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be notified by Pcs Tur 48 hours prior to the tour departure.
***During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances exceeding the specified kilometers. In such cases, information will be provided by Pcs Tur 15 days before the tour departure date.
***Triple rooms are subject to hotel availability; in these rooms, the bed allocated to the 3rd person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or coach beds, tour participants booking triple rooms (for the 3rd person and/or children) are deemed to have accepted potential room crowding and the type of bed.
***Breakfasts included in the tour package are served according to the local country's breakfast culture, typically as a limited continental menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall assigned to the group.
***Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours lasting a maximum of 2-3 hours, organized for general introduction to cities, conducted from the vehicle with guide commentary, and do not include entry to museums or historical sites. Panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, may not take place on the scheduled day and time if local authorities do not permit visiting or entering certain areas, due to closures caused by any event, or if weather conditions make the tour impossible. In such cases, Pcs Tur is not responsible for the inability to conduct these tours. Some tours may be carried out via public transport or on foot, within available means, at points where vehicle access is restricted or roads are closed.
***Extra tours are organized by our local partner Pcs Tur with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient numbers are not met, excursions may not take place, or extra tour prices, content, and vehicles used may vary based on the number of participants. Additionally, the days and times of tours may be changed by the guide depending on whether museums and historical sites at the destinations are open or closed, and weather conditions.
***Extra tours are optional and depend on the participant's preference. Passengers who do not wish to participate in extra tours organized during the trip are deemed to have agreed to wait at a suitable rest facility along the route. These passengers will be dropped off at the roadside rest facility before the extra tour begins and picked up from that point after the main tour is completed.
***Pcs Tur acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be risks of delays in scheduled and special flights, or flight times may change prior to the existing trip and flight. Pcs Tur is obligated to notify passengers of such changes as soon as possible. By purchasing the trip, the passenger accepts the risk of schedule changes.
***In cases where the tour program provides only category information without specifying names and/or offers options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be notified by Pcs Tur 48 hours prior to the tour departure.
***During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances exceeding the specified kilometers. In such cases, information will be provided by Pcs Tur 15 days before the tour departure date.
***Triple rooms are subject to hotel availability; in these rooms, the bed allocated to the 3rd person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or coach beds, tour participants booking triple rooms (for the 3rd person and/or children) are deemed to have accepted potential room crowding and the type of bed.
***Breakfasts included in the tour package are served according to the local country's breakfast culture, typically as a limited continental menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall assigned to the group.
***Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours lasting a maximum of 2-3 hours, organized for general introduction to cities, conducted from the vehicle with guide commentary, and do not include entry to museums or historical sites. Panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, may not take place on the scheduled day and time if local authorities do not permit visiting or entering certain areas, due to closures caused by any event, or if weather conditions make the tour impossible. In such cases, Pcs Tur is not responsible for the inability to conduct these tours. Some tours may be carried out via public transport or on foot, within available means, at points where vehicle access is restricted or roads are closed.
***Extra tours are organized by our local partner Pcs Tur with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient numbers are not met, excursions may not take place, or extra tour prices, content, and vehicles used may vary based on the number of participants. Additionally, the days and times of tours may be changed by the guide depending on whether museums and historical sites at the destinations are open or closed, and weather conditions.
***Extra tours are optional and depend on the participant's preference. Passengers who do not wish to participate in extra tours organized during the trip are deemed to have agreed to wait at a suitable rest facility along the route. These passengers will be dropped off at the roadside rest facility before the extra tour begins and picked up from that point after the main tour is completed.
***Pcs Tur acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be risks of delays in scheduled and special flights, or flight times may change prior to the existing trip and flight. Pcs Tur is obligated to notify passengers of such changes as soon as possible. By purchasing the trip, the passenger accepts the risk of schedule changes.
ISTANBUL (IST) – TIRANA
We will meet our valued guests three hours before departure at Istanbul Airport. Departure with flight number *** of the airline to Tirana, followed by arrival. Upon arrival, we will depart from the airport and travel via Elbasan to reach Ohrid, North Macedonia. During this tour, panoramic sightseeing will include St. Panteleimon, the most important Byzantine church in Ohrid; the Hagia Sophia Church, still used today for concerts; the Roman-era amphitheater; Car Samuel Castle; St. Bogorodica Perivlerta; 4th-century churches; Keşanlı İmareti; Kuloğlu and Emin Mahmut Mosques; Çınar Square; and the Ohrid Halveti Tekke. After the tour, you will have free time for shopping and personal needs. Transfers to our hotel will take place at the time designated by our guide. Overnight stay at our hotel in Ohrid. Dinner served at the hotel.
TIRANA – OHRID
After having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we proceed to Ohrid. After completing border crossing procedures, we arrive in Ohrid, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During our city tour, the places to visit include St. Sophia Church, St. Panteleimon Church, the Ancient Theatre, Tsar Samuel's Fortress, Çınar Square, Halveti Tekke, Kuloğlu Mosque, Emin Mahmut Mosque, and the historic streets of Ohrid.
In the evening, guests who wish may join the organized dinner program featuring a Balkan Night.
Overnight stay at our hotel in Ohrid. Dinner will be served at our hotel.
During our city tour, the places to visit include St. Sophia Church, St. Panteleimon Church, the Ancient Theatre, Tsar Samuel's Fortress, Çınar Square, Halveti Tekke, Kuloğlu Mosque, Emin Mahmut Mosque, and the historic streets of Ohrid.
In the evening, guests who wish may join the organized dinner program featuring a Balkan Night.
Overnight stay at our hotel in Ohrid. Dinner will be served at our hotel.
Ohrid – Resne – Bitola (Monastir) – Skopje
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Bitola (Monastir). En route, we will enjoy a panoramic view of Niyazi Bey's mansion in Resne. Niyazi, one of the three most prominent figures of the Committee of Union and Progress, gained fame for his contributions during the Turkish-Greek War. Upon arrival in Bitola, we begin our city tour with visits to the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishakiye Mosque, Yeni Mosque, and the Military High School where Atatürk graduated, along with the Atatürk Museum—moments that promise to be deeply moving. Afterward, we proceed to Skopje. Upon arrival, we start our panoramic city tour. Among the sites we will see in Skopje, the birthplace of our renowned poet Yahya Kemal Beyatli, are Yahya Pasha Mosque, the Clock Tower, the Turkish Bazaar, Isa Bey Mosque, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Murat Pasha Mosque, Kapan Han, Sulu Han, Davut Pasha Hamam, and the Stone Bridge. We walk along the Vardar River, admiring the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods on the opposite bank. During this walk, we will view Macedonia Square, the Ottoman Bridge, and Davut Pasha Hamam from the outside. Next, we enter the Turkish Bazaar to explore its historical monuments. One notable structure is Kurshumli Han, dating back to 1550, located within the old Turkish Bazaar. In Skopje, seventeen han buildings were constructed during the Ottoman era; today, only three remain. We visit Sulu Han and Kapan Han, both built in the second half of the 15th century. Following our visits, free time will be provided in the Turkish Bazaar for shopping. Items available for purchase include Suska peppers, ostrich peanuts, and traditional slippers. At the conclusion of our tour, we transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. Dinner and overnight stay will be at our hotel.
Skopje–Pristina–Prizren–Skopje
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Kosovo, beginning our journey. We start with a panoramic tour of Pristina, visiting landmarks such as the 19th-century Clock Tower, the Kosovo Museum, the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Complex built by the Ottomans in the 15th century, the Yasar Pasha Mosque, and the tomb of Ottoman Sultan Murad I Hudavendigar, who was killed here following the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. After the tour, we proceed to Prizren, another important center of Kosovo known for its many artifacts from the Ottoman era. During the city tour in Prizren, we will visit the Halveti Tekke, Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hamam, the Ottoman cemetery, Sinan Pasha Mosque—one of the finest examples of period architecture—the Serbian quarter where the destructive effects of war are still visible, and the City Fortress dating back to the Roman era. Following the tour, we head to Skopje for an overnight stay at our hotel, with dinner served on-site.
Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we will depart for Belgrade. Upon arrival, our panoramic city tour will include visits to St. Sava Cathedral, Kalemegdan Fortress Square, the Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Clock Tower, Damat Ali Pasha Mausoleum, Zindan Gate, Leopoldov Gate, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Fountain, Stefan Lazarevic Monument, Nebojsa Tower, Saborna Church, Republic Square, Terazije Square, and Stone Square. Following the city tour, we will transfer back to our hotel for room allocation, check-in, accommodation, and free time. Overnight stay at our hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
BELGRADE – SARAJEVO
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart by our private bus and head to Sarajevo. Upon arrival, we begin our panoramic city tour of Sarajevo. Highlights include Baščaršija, Europe's most exquisite bazaar; Kuršumli Madrasa, which has been in operation since the Ottoman era; Hüsrev Bey Mosque; the Clock Tower; the Catholic Cathedral; Orthodox churches; the Jewish Synagogue; Latin Bridge, where World War I began; and the Fatih Mosque attributed to Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Our panoramic city tour will conclude at the eternal flame. After the tour, you will have free time to rest and enjoy lunch. Following this, we transfer back to our hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner will be served at the hotel (served as a Bosnian Night with local music and dance performances; note that the Bosnian Night may take place at different hotels or restaurants depending on availability).
Sarajevo – Mostar – Počitelj – Sarajevo
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off towards Mostar. On the way, we stop in Konjic to admire the famous Konjic Bridge, a historic Ottoman structure restored with Turkish support that has stood from the Ottoman era to the present day. We also enjoy coffee by the banks of the Neretva River and have the opportunity to shop for handcrafted wooden items in local artisan workshops. Afterward, we continue our journey to Mostar, one of the most captivating destinations on this tour. The iconic Mostar Bridge, designed by the architect Hayreddin and built in 1557, is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. Although it was destroyed during the war in 1992 by Croatian artillery, thanks largely to contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened to the public in 2004. Following the bridge visit, we proceed to see the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Next, we head toward Počitelj, a well-preserved historic town known as the "Turkish Village." Here, we explore buildings constructed in the 16th century under Ottoman rule. Finally, we check into our hotel in Sarajevo, where we will have free time and dinner.
SARAJEVO – ISTANBUL
After breakfast, rooms must be vacated. At the scheduled meeting time, we will transfer to the airport in our private vehicle. Following ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we will depart for Istanbul on the airline's scheduled flight at ***. After approximately 1.5 hours of travel, we will arrive at Istanbul Airport at local time at ***, marking the end of our tour.
What's Included
- Economy class airfare for THY Istanbul (IST) – Tirana outbound / Sarajevo – Istanbul (IST) return flights
- Breakfast and dinner at hotels
- Airport taxes and service fees
- City tours of Skopje, Ohrid, Pristina, Tirana, Belgrade, and Sarajevo
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers and intercity bus transfers
- Professional guide services
- Breakfast and dinner at hotels
- Airport taxes and service fees
- City tours of Skopje, Ohrid, Pristina, Tirana, Belgrade, and Sarajevo
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers and intercity bus transfers
- Professional guide services
Not Included
- Departure tax (It is recommended to make the payment at the relevant banks before the travel date and keep the receipt with you during the trip.)
- All personal expenses
- Extra tours organized by the guide
- All visits and tours not specified in the program
- Lunch and dinner meals
- Museum, historical site, etc. entrance fees
- Driver tip
- Travel Protection Package
- All personal expenses
- Extra tours organized by the guide
- All visits and tours not specified in the program
- Lunch and dinner meals
- Museum, historical site, etc. entrance fees
- Driver tip
- Travel Protection Package