Grand Balkans Tour from Izmir with Corendon Airlines, Including Extra Tours and Dinners
Tour Detail
Day 1 : Izmir - Skopje
Meeting in front of the airline counter at the departure terminal of Adnan Menderes Airport. Departure to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, at 15:15 with a Corendon Airlines charter flight. After a comfortable flight, arrival at 15:15 local time, and following the entry procedures, we begin our panoramic city tour with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. Skopje is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans, with its Ottoman heritage and modern structures. We begin our tour with the historical sites of Skopje, the birthplace of the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı. Our first stop is Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the city, built in 1492. We then visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is particularly notable for its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han, located in the heart of Skopje. These structures, beautiful examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. Later, we visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects the two banks of the Vardar River. We will continue our tour on foot from the Stone Bridge, seeing the Turkish and Jewish quarters along the Vardar River. During our riverside walk, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is Skopje’s largest and most central point and is surrounded by modern structures. Here, we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Afterwards, we see the Ottoman Bridge dating from the 15th century from the outside and visit Davut Pasha Bath, once again experiencing the splendor of the Ottoman period. We continue exploring the city by walking toward Skopje’s Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, built in the 16th century and one of Skopje’s symbolic structures. Here, we will visit Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, among the early mosques of the Ottoman Empire. The mosques are an important part of the city’s Islamic heritage and attract attention with their architecture. Finally, we have free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products ranging from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After enjoying your time in the bazaar, we return to our hotel in the evening.
Day 2 : Skopje – Matka Canyon - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje
After breakfast, we set off toward Matka Canyon, accompanied by lush green mountains. Are you ready to explore Matka Canyon, located among the enchanting forests and vast meadows of Mount Vodno? This natural wonder, covering approximately 5,000 hectares, will take you to mystical medieval monasteries and tranquil lake views. While walking among the rugged rocks, you can observe the region’s endemic plant and animal species. For nature lovers, walking along the green trails is the most beautiful way to be alone with nature. After our Matka Canyon tour, our first stop is Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Following our journey and arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour, where we will discover Kosovo’s modern and historical sides. During our tour, we will also visit many valuable structures from the Ottoman period. We will see the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this journey through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history by visiting the Tomb of Ottoman Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, who was killed in the Kosovo Field as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. After our tour of Pristina, we head to Prizren, known as Kosovo’s cultural capital. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, with architecture reminiscent of an Anatolian Ottoman city and shop signs filled with Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are also among the other important Ottoman works to be seen. After our free time in Prizren, we begin our return journey to Skopje in the evening. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and retire to our rooms after dinner. Overnight in our hotel in Skopje.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances awaits you. You will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most distinguished venues, while experiencing Skopje’s entertaining and cultural side during this special Balkan night. With live performances of the best Balkan music and folklore by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, performed without playback, we will transform this night into an authentic experience. We will be delighted to host you at our own establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED !
Skopje – Pristina: 90 km | Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance to be covered: 340 km
Day 3 : Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey toward Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, one of the Balkans’ most important cultural and strategic centers throughout history, still attracts attention today with its vitality, dynamism, and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the meeting point of Ottoman and European cultures. After arriving in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, where we will discover the city’s full splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore Belgrade’s character, which brings together its past and present. We then head to one of the city’s most impressive points, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. It will be a great pleasure to explore this unique landscape, which has been the focal point of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue discovering this ancient city, for which Fatih Sultan Mehmet was wounded but whose conquest was achieved by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing the marks of history in this fortress, we will see important locations such as Fortress Square and Stone Square. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Martyr Ali Pasha, an important figure of the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will explore Belgrade’s rich history in depth and learn about the city’s cultural heritage from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we proceed to our hotel, leaving the city’s history and vibrant atmosphere behind. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Skopje – Belgrade : 430 km
Day 4 : Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we visit a city that was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and went down in history as the place where World War I broke out after Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was killed by Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, the city suffered extensive destruction as a result of devastating conflicts among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo managed to preserve much of its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman inn Morića Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, Gazi Husrev Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, the Old Library, and Western-style buildings constructed during the city’s 40-year Austro-Hungarian administration. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 5 : Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj - Počitelj - Medugorje
After breakfast, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first stop is Mostar, famous for its historical and cultural richness. Here, we will see Mostar Bridge, built by Architect Hayruddin in 1557 and one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed in 1992 but was rebuilt in 2004 with the contributions of the Republic of Türkiye. After exploring Mostar’s enchanting atmosphere, we will visit Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque. We then depart for Blagaj. Blagaj was established at the source of the Buna River, Europe’s most powerful water source. After a short free time here, we continue to Počitelj. Visiting Počitelj, preserved with its historical character and known as a Turkish Village, we will see the works built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. Finally, we depart for Medugorje. Medugorje is a peaceful place famous for its religious visitors. After arriving at our hotel, we retire to our rooms to rest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Mostar Tour INCLUDED! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Počitelj Tour INCLUDED!
Sarajevo - Mostar: 130 km | Mostar - Blagaj: 12 km | Blagaj - Počitelj: 30 km | Počitelj - Medugorje: 20 km
Total distance to be covered: 192 km
Day 6 : Medugorje – Kotor – Budva – Sv.Stefan – Shkoder
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off toward enchanting Kotor. You will enjoy magnificent views during our journey. When we arrive in Kotor, during our walking tour of this medieval town famous for the fjords of the Balkans, you will feel the historical atmosphere of the narrow streets and old town and discover the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea views, this small town will take you on a journey through time. Afterwards, our next stop is Budva, one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans! Following our panoramic city tour, we head to Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and stunning views. We will admire the magnificent view of this islet from above. This area, with every corner resembling a postcard, is an ideal place for photography. After all these discoveries, we continue to Shkoder, the beautiful city of Albania. After dinner at our hotel, we retire to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Kotor Tour INCLUDED! | Budva Tour INCLUDED!
Međugorje - Kotor: 191 km | Kotor - Budva: 22 km | Budva - Sv. Stefan: 15 km | Sv. Stefan - Shkoder: 85 km
Total distance to be covered: 313 km
Day 7 : Shkoder – Tirana - Ohrid
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off toward Tirana, the capital of Albania. An impressive tour awaits us in this beautiful city, rich in historical and cultural significance, where we will discover Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arrival in Tirana, we visit Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important symbols. Construction of this building began in 1789 and was completed in 1923; it is one of Albania’s cultural heritage sites. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue rising proudly in the center of the square. The Clock Tower, a symbol of Tirana built by Ethem Bey in 1821, is also one of the highlights of our tour. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past will come together, allowing you to create unforgettable memories. After free time, we continue toward Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon arriving in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s important bases in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are important structures such as the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of Hagia Sophia. We will also stroll through Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and have the opportunity to explore the old Turkish Bazaar dating from the Ottoman period. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke and experience the city’s cultural character up close. Afterwards, you will witness the daily life of the local people while exploring the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and its enchanting views will accompany our tour. After our tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lake, or retire to your rooms and rest.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Shkoder – Tirana: 100 km | Tirana – Ohrid : 135 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 8 : Ohrid – Resen - Bitola – Skopje – Izmir
After breakfast, we depart for our tour of Resen and Bitola, famous for their magnificent nature and historical riches. At our first stop in Resen, we see the palace of Niyazi Bey of Resen, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history, from the outside. Resen offers an enchanting atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman heritage. After a short break here, we set off toward Bitola, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and commercial centers. Upon arrival in Bitola, we visit the Military High School where the great leader Atatürk was educated and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this magical city, we will also discover historical Ottoman works such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Pasha Mosque, and New Mosque. While experiencing Bitola’s historical character, you will have the chance to take a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After our visit, we travel toward Skopje accompanied by lush green mountains. Upon arrival in Skopje, free time until the time determined by our guide. After free time, we set off toward Skopje Airport. Following our arrival at the airport and boarding procedures, we will fly to Adnan Menderes Airport at 16:15 on a scheduled Corendon Airlines flight. After a comfortable flight, arrival in Izmir at 18:15 and the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you again on your next journey.
Resen Tour INCLUDED! | Bitola Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Resen: 34 km | Resen – Bitola: 31 km | Bitola – Skopje: 70 km
Total distance to be covered: 134 km
*Balkan Special Cancellation Protection Package : 50 Euros*
(With the Cancellation Protection Package, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under any circumstances. With this application, it is possible to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In the event of reservation cancellation, the entire tour fee will be refunded, while the cancellation protection package fee and any additional service fees, if applicable (visa, insurance, etc.), will not be refunded.)
**The specified cancellation protection package is not valid for group reservations.**
**Limited availability is offered for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits : A broad travel program covering the Balkans’ important cities and tourist attractions is offered. Many important cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History : Important structures and cultural heritage from the Ottoman period are visited, offering an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Richness : The region’s cultural diversity is explored by visiting structures belonging to different religions, including mosques, churches, and synagogues.
• Natural Beauties : Magnificent natural beauties such as the Kotor fjords and Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: It includes destinations that do not require a visa, reducing additional paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guiding: Accompanied by a guide, participants are offered the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the cities and historical sites.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience with dinners featuring traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local flavors.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and extra tours included in the program are included in the tour price, allowing participants to visit all important points without paying an additional cost.
• Dinners Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need for Spending: The tour is ideal for guests who do not wish to spend money. Apart from lunch, tips if desired, and souvenirs to buy for loved ones, you will not need to spend any extra money.
Points to Consider
• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city every day makes the tour extremely rich and full. However, this intense pace may be tiring for those who want to explore more extensively.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances, such as the journey between Skopje and Belgrade, pass by with beautiful views throughout the tour, but there may be days spent for long periods on the bus. Nevertheless, a comfortable journey is ensured with breaks along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Free time may be limited because the tour program is comprehensive. However, the opportunity to visit all important points accompanied by a guide is provided.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: Weather conditions in the Balkans can be variable during certain periods. Therefore, it is possible to make this situation comfortable by choosing suitable clothing.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour have been carefully selected from options reflecting the character and local culture of the region, hotels in some smaller cities may not offer as many amenities as luxury hotels in Türkiye. However, comfort and cleanliness are given careful attention at these hotels.
• Food and Cuisine Experience: Throughout the tour, you will have the opportunity to try the region’s distinctive local flavors. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, although some flavors may be unfamiliar to certain participants. This is a wonderful opportunity to become closely acquainted with the local culture and cuisine, but it may be useful to bear in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Palace etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Home Story etc. Hotel Hotel
Medugorje 4* Sole etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkoder 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
With Corendon Airlines
Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Arrival Time
Izmir Skopje 15:15 15:15
Skopje Izmir 16:15 18:15