Balkan Sarajevo Departure Pristina Return 6N/7D

Day 1: Sarajevo

Upon arrival at Sarajevo Airport, we meet our transfer vehicle and head towards the heart of the city, Baščaršija, with our guide. Along the way, we see buildings still bearing traces of the Bosnian War, Europe’s first electric tram line, the former Yugoslav People's Army buildings that are now part of Sarajevo University, and the world’s second-largest U.S. Embassy. Our city tour also includes Sarajevo Museum, the Parliament building, and the largest shopping mall in the region.

Our first stop is the Martyrs' Cemetery, where we pay our respects to the victims of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War. Here, we also visit the memorial tomb of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first President, Alija Izetbegović, and learn about his life and the country's recent history from our guide. We then take a walking tour through the Ottoman-era cobbled streets of the Bosniak-Turkish quarter and continue our exploration of Baščaršija.

During the tour, we visit Sarajevo’s iconic landmarks, including the Sebil Fountain, the still-active Coppersmiths’ Street from the Ottoman era, the Bazaar Mosque, Morića Han, Mladi Muslimani, Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque and Mausoleum, the Clock Tower, Kuršumli Madrasa, Gazi Husrev Bey Museum and Library, Latin Bridge, Hünkar Mosque, At Mejdan, Bakır Baba Mosque, the Orthodox Church, Alija Izetbegović Park, Ferhadiye Mosque, and Ferhadiye Street. We also see historical wartime sites such as the "Sarajevo Roses," which mark places where bombs fell, the site of the Markale Market Massacre, the Eternal Flame commemorating Sarajevo’s liberation from German occupation on April 6, 1945, and the Vijećnica Library. After dinner, we check into our hotel.

Day 2: Sarajevo - Konjic - Jablanica - Mostar

After breakfast, we check out and depart for Mostar. Our first stop is the town of Konjic, located along the Neretva River. Here, we visit the Ottoman Bridge, which was damaged during World War II and the Bosnian War but later restored by TİKA, as well as the Broken Minaret Mosque and the historic bazaar. After a short photo break, we continue to Jablanica, a town where Yugoslavia’s founder, Tito, earned his Marshal title. In Jablanica, we see the bridge that Tito destroyed in his resistance against Nazi Germany and explore the historical battlefield.

Next, we visit the Blagaj Tekke, an Ottoman-era dervish lodge on the Buna River’s source. The lodge, also known as the Sarı Saltuk Tekke, houses the tombs of Ali Pasha and Sarı Saltuk. Inside, we explore the women's and men's prayer rooms, the zikr chamber, a hamam, and a kitchen. Guests can enjoy Turkish tea in the courtyard overlooking the river.

Finally, we arrive in Mostar, where we explore the city’s historic sites, including the Martyrs’ Mosque and its cemetery, Mostar Bazaar, Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque, the Turkish Consulate in Mostar, the historic Mostar Bridge—built in 1566 by Mimar Hayreddin, a student of Mimar Sinan, destroyed in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004—the Tara Tower, the Crooked Bridge (Kriva Cuprija), and the Tabakhane Mosque and Hammam. After dinner, we check into our hotel.

Day 3: Mostar - Kotor - Podgorica (or Shkodër Accommodation)

After breakfast, we depart for Montenegro, passing through Stolac, Ljubinje, and Trebinje before exiting Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon entering Montenegro, we arrive in the UNESCO-protected medieval city of Kotor. During our guided walking tour, we explore Arms Square, the Clock Tower, the Pillar of Shame, St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, Craftsmen’s Street, the Tulumba Fountains, the River Gate, and St. Luke’s Square.

Following the tour, we continue to Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, for a brief city tour before dinner and hotel check-in. If our accommodation is in Shkodër, we proceed directly there, bypassing Podgorica.

Day 4: Podgorica (or Shkodër) - Tirana - Elbasan - Struga

After breakfast, we depart for Albania. Our first stop is Shkodër, a historically significant city that remained under Ottoman rule for 435 years. Here, we visit the Shkodër Fortress and its walls before taking a short walking tour.

We then continue to Tirana, the capital of Albania. Our panoramic city tour includes the Turkish and U.S. Embassies, the Namazgah Mosque, the statue of Tirana’s founder Süleyman Pasha, Tirana City Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the National Museum, the Opera and Ballet Theater, the Skanderbeg Statue, Parliament and Ministry buildings, and the Presidential Palace.

Next, we travel to Elbasan, where we visit the historic Elbasan Fortress before continuing towards the Kafasan border crossing into North Macedonia. In Macedonia, our first stop is Struga, a town on the western shore of Lake Ohrid. We visit the source of the Black Drin River and learn about Struga’s historical significance. After dinner, we check into our hotel.

Day 5: Ohrid - Tetovo - Skopje

After breakfast, we explore the historic city of Ohrid, an important Ottoman stronghold. Our tour includes visits to an 11-century-old plane tree, the Halveti Tekke, Ali Pasha Mosque, Ohrid Square, the Ohrid Bazaar famous for its pearls, the Hagia Sophia Church, and the Ancient Theater.

Next, we travel to Tetovo, where we visit the Painted Mosque (Alaca Mosque), known for its vibrant decorations, and the Harabati Baba Tekke, a historic Bektashi dervish lodge.

We then continue to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, where we enjoy dinner before checking into our hotel.

Day 6: Skopje - Pristina - Prizren

After breakfast, we embark on a walking tour of Skopje’s Old Bazaar, visiting Mustafa Pasha Mosque, the Goldsmiths’ Street, Arasta Mosque, the Stone Bridge, the Turkish and Jewish Quarters, Davut Pasha Hammam, Çifte Hammam, Murat Pasha Mosque, Sulu Han, Kapan Han, and Kurşunlu Han. We also visit the Alexander the Great statue, the Vardar River, the Macedonia Archaeological Museum, the National Theater, the Saints Cyril and Methodius Monument, St. Spas Church, the Mother Teresa Memorial, and the Old Train Station, preserved from the 1963 Skopje earthquake.

We then depart for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, where we visit the tomb of Sultan Murad I. Afterward, we continue to Prizren for dinner and hotel check-in.

Day 7: Prizren - Pristina Airport

After breakfast, we explore Prizren, one of Kosovo’s most historic cities. Our walking tour includes the Halveti Tekke, Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hammam, Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s Namazgah, the Bayrakli Mosque, Marash District and the historic Marash Bridge, the 400-year-old Great Plane Tree, Emin Pasha Mosque, the Turkish Consulate in Prizren, the Stone Bridge over the Bistrica River, Shadervan Square, Sinan Pasha Mosque, St. George’s Church, the Arasta Mosque Minaret, and the Serbian Quarter.

After some free time to explore, we transfer to Pristina International Adem Jashari Airport, concluding our tour with wonderful memories.

Day 2: Sarajevo - Konjic - Jablanica

After breakfast, we check out from our hotel and set off towards Mostar. Our first stop is the city of Konjic, located on the banks of the Neretva River with a population of 50,000. Here, we visit the Ottoman Bridge, which was damaged during World War II and the Bosnian War but later restored by Turkey’s Directorate of Highways and TİKA, the Broken Minaret Mosque, and the historic bazaar. After a short photo break, we continue our journey to Jablanica, where Yugoslavia's founder Josip Broz Tito earned his Marshal title. This city, famous for its roasted lamb, is home to the bridge Tito destroyed during his resistance against the German Nazis in 1943.

Next, we visit the Blagaj Tekke, an Ottoman-era dervish lodge on the banks of the Buna River. The Buna River’s source, still undiscovered, produces up to 43,000 liters of water per second. At the tekke, also known as the Sarı Saltuk Lodge, we visit the tombs of Ali Pasha and Sarı Saltuk. The two-story building, resembling a typical Anatolian house, includes a women’s prayer room, a men’s prayer room, a hamam, a retreat room, and a kitchen. Guests can also enjoy Turkish tea in the courtyard overlooking the river.

Our final stop for the day is Mostar, where we visit the Mostar Bazaar, Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque, the Turkish Consulate, the famous Mostar Bridge—originally built in 1566 by Mimar Hayreddin, a student of Mimar Sinan, destroyed in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004—the Tara Tower, the Kriva Cuprija (Crooked Bridge), and the Tabakhane Mosque. After dinner, we check in at our hotel.

Day 3: Mostar - Kotor - Podgorica (or Shkodër Accommodation)

After breakfast, we set off for Montenegro, passing through Trebinje before crossing the Bosnian border. Upon entering Montenegro, we arrive in Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage medieval town. Our walking tour with a local guide includes sights such as the Arms Square, Clock Tower, Pillar of Shame, St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, Craftsmen’s Street, Tulumba Fountains, River Gate, and St. Luke’s Square.

Following some free time in Kotor, we continue our journey to Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica. During our panoramic city tour, we see the Presidential Palace, a park built by Azerbaijan, the Millennium Bridge, and the statue of King Nikola. After dinner, we check into our hotel for the night. If we opt for accommodation in Shkodër, we bypass Podgorica and proceed directly to Shkodër.

Day 4: Podgorica - Shkodër - Tirana - Elbasan

After breakfast, we leave the hotel and travel to Albania, with our first stop in Shkodër, a historically significant city that remained under Ottoman rule for 435 years. Here, we visit the Shkodër Castle and its surrounding walls before taking a short walking tour of the city center.

We then continue to Tirana, the capital of Albania since 1920, established by Süleyman Pasha in 1614. Our panoramic tour includes key sites such as the Turkish Embassy, the U.S. Embassy, the Namazgah Mosque under construction with four minarets, the statue of Tirana’s founder Süleyman Pasha, the Tirana city square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the National Museum, the Parliament and Ministry buildings, and the Skanderbeg Square featuring the statue of Albania’s national hero.

Our next stop is Elbasan, where we take a short tour of the city, visiting the Elbasan Fortress and its surrounding Turkish streets before heading towards the Kafasan border crossing into North Macedonia. In Macedonia, our first destination is Struga, a town on the western shore of Lake Ohrid, predominantly inhabited by Muslims. We visit the source of the Black Drin River and learn about Struga’s historical significance before continuing to Ohrid. After dinner, we check into our hotel.

Day 5: Ohrid - Tetovo - Skopje

Following breakfast, we embark on a tour of Ohrid, an important Ottoman stronghold in the Balkans. We explore historical landmarks, including an 11-century-old plane tree, the Halveti Tekke, Ali Pasha Mosque, Ohrid Square, and its famous pearl shops, as well as the local market, St. Clement’s Statue, a traditional paper-making shop, the Hagia Sophia Church, and the Ancient Theater.

We then proceed to Tetovo (Kalkandelen), a picturesque Ottoman-era town, where we visit the Alaca (Painted) Mosque, built in 1833 by Abdurrahman Pasha and renowned for its colorful baroque-style frescoes. Next, we explore the Harabati Baba Tekke, a historical Bektashi dervish lodge, where we learn about its spiritual and historical significance.

After the tour, we continue to Skopje, where we have dinner before checking into our hotel.

Day 6: Skopje - Pristina - Prizren

After breakfast, we travel to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Here, we visit the tomb of Sultan Murad I, the Ottoman ruler who fell in the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. Adjacent to the tomb is a museum featuring photographs from Sultan Reşad’s last visit to the Balkans in 1911.

En route to Prizren, we pass the site of Slobodan Milošević’s 1989 speech, where he introduced the concept of "Greater Serbia," leading to the eventual dissolution of Yugoslavia.

In Prizren, we take a walking tour of the city, visiting the Halveti Tekke, Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hamam, Namazgah (where Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and his army prayed), Bayrakli Mosque, the historic Marash district, the Stone Bridge, and the Shadervan Square. We also see the Sinan Pasha Mosque, St. George’s Church, the Arasta Mosque minaret, and the Serbian Quarter, still bearing scars from the war.

After free time in this charming city, we return to Skopje for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 7: Prizren - Pristina Airport

After breakfast, we explore Prizren, one of Kosovo’s most historic cities. Our walking tour includes the Halveti Tekke, Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hammam, Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s Namazgah, the Bayrakli Mosque, Marash District and the historic Marash Bridge, the 400-year-old Great Plane Tree, Emin Pasha Mosque, the Turkish Consulate in Prizren, the Stone Bridge over the Bistrica River, Shadervan Square, Sinan Pasha Mosque, St. George’s Church, the Arasta Mosque Minaret, and the Serbian Quarter.

After some free time to explore, we transfer to Pristina International Adem Jashari Airport, concluding our tour with wonderful memories.