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- 6 Countries 7 Nights in the Magnificent Balkans - Departures on 15 and 16 November with THY (November Mid-Term Special)
6 Countries 7 Nights in the Magnificent Balkans - Departures on 15 and 16 November with THY (November Mid-Term Special)
Tour Program
Day 1: Istanbul – Skopje – Matka Canyon – Kalkandelen – Bitola – Ohrid
Meeting at the Turkish Airlines counter in Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal 3 hours before departure. After baggage, ticket, and passport procedures, we depart for Skopje at 08:55 on Turkish Airlines' scheduled flight TK 1003. Upon arrival at 08:25 local time, we proceed to Matka Canyon with our waiting vehicle. The canyon is famous for its prehistoric caves and numerous medieval monasteries. After a photo stop at Matka Canyon, one of North Macedonia's most popular open-air destinations and natural beauties, we head to Kalkandelen (Kicevo). In Kalkandelen, we will visit Alaca Mosque, an architectural masterpiece built in 1438 and restored in 1833 to its current form. Unlike other Ottoman mosques typically decorated with ceramic tiles, this mosque features bright floral paintings. Following our visit, we proceed to Bitola. During our city tour of Bitola, we will see the Historic Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishakiye Mosque, Yeni Mosque which is one of the most prominent elements of the city skyline, Manastır Military High School where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk graduated, and the Atatürk Museum. You can have your lunch during the free time in the area. After our break, we continue to Ohrid, the final stop of our day. This city, located between high mountains and Lake Ohrid, continues to impress visitors with both its history and nature. During our panoramic walking tour of Ohrid, we will see Tsar Samuel's Fortress, which crowns the old town and greets the city, St. Sophia Church, the Ancient Theatre—the only Hellenistic theatre in North Macedonia that has survived to the present day—and many churches and monasteries from the Byzantine period. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Ohrid – St. Naum – Ohrid
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we depart from our hotel with our private buses for the Ohrid Lake & St. Naum tour. Our first stop on the tour is Ohrid Lake. Ohrid Lake is one of the largest and most important natural treasures of North Macedonia and is located in the southwest of the country. Recognized as one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world, Ohrid Lake is famous for its magnificent clear waters, the natural beauty surrounding it, its unique global freshwater ecosystem hosting over 200 endemic species, and its rich biodiversity. During a break around the lake, you will have the opportunity to take exceptional photos. After the tour, we travel approximately 45 minutes to St. Naum amidst breathtaking views. Upon arrival, we visit St. Naum Monastery and Church, one of the region's most important saints. The historic church within the monastery, along with its frescoes and other religious structures, reflects the art and architectural understanding of the Middle Ages. After the tour, we transfer back to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër
After breakfast at our hotel and checking out of the rooms, we depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. In our panoramic city tour of Tirana, Ethem Bey Mosque, Clock Tower, Skanderbeg Monument and Square are among the places to visit. After the free time provided, we depart for Shkodra at the time indicated by our guide. During our city tour, Ebu Bekir Mosque, Rozafa Castle, Tito Square, and Five Heroes Monument are among the places to visit. Then we transfer to our hotel and have free time. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4: Skopje – St. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Trebinje
After breakfast at our hotel and check-out, we head to Montenegro. Upon arrival at the border, after customs and passport procedures, we stop on a hill with panoramic views of St. Stefan, which was once a fishing village before being transformed into a town and today stands as an enduring landmark against the passage of time, along with its turquoise beaches. Then we arrive in Budva, the center of Montenegrin tourism, known for its coastal location along the Adriatic Sea, its well-preserved medieval walled city, sandy beaches, and vibrant nightlife. During our walking city tour, the Old Town (Stari Grad) and Budva Fortress are among the sights to see. After free time for lunch, we depart for Kotor at the time specified by our guide. Located in the deepest part of the Bay of Kotor, this city is renowned for its beautiful architecture and natural surroundings. Here, we will explore Kotor through a walking city tour in its Old Town, Stari Grad. Following our visit to Kotor, we proceed toward the Bosnia and Herzegovina border; after completing customs procedures, we transfer to our hotel in Trebinje or its vicinity for overnight stay. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Trebinje – Pocitelj – Blagaj – Mostar – Sarajevo
After breakfast at our hotel and checking out of the rooms, we set off to explore the historic cities of Bosnia. First, we will visit Poçitel, known as the Turkish Village, a town preserved with its entire historical fabric along our route, where we will see buildings constructed during the 16th-century Ottoman period and Poçitel Fortress. Next, our stop will be Blagaj. In this historic town, situated on the banks of the Buna River and surrounded by high cliffs, we will visit Blagaj Tekke, an Ottoman-era dervish lodge built there. During the free time on the banks of the Buna River, you may have your lunch. After the break, a short journey will take us to Mostar. In this city built around the Neretva River, our walking tour will first bring us to the Mostar Bridge. A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, the bridge is the symbol of the city. Although it was destroyed in the conflicts of late 1992, it was rebuilt in 2004 with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey. The Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is also among the sites to be visited on our tour. After the tour, we head back to Sarajevo. As the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo is a center of great importance, especially within the Balkans. The city is a meeting point for Western Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Southern Ottoman peoples. Throughout history, it has been an example of clashing civilizations, yet at the same time, a beacon of hope for peace due to its multiculturalism and tolerance. Known for its religious diversity, Muslims, Christians of various denominations, and Jews have lived together here for centuries. The city’s rich historical diversity is reflected in its architecture; some areas resemble Central European towns, while just a few streets away, one can encounter influences reminiscent of Ottoman or Soviet-style socialist modernism. Upon arrival at the city center, our walking tour will include Vijecnica (Central Library), originally built as a municipal building during the Austro-Hungarian Empire but now serving as the national library; Inat Kuca, with its surprising story; the Bosna River; the Latin Bridge, which has survived from the Ottoman period to the present day; and the site where the Austrian-Hungarian archduke was shot, sparking the flame of World War I. Then, we will proceed to Baş Çarşı, Sarajevo’s historic center, famous for its Ottoman-era cobblestone narrow streets, traditional bazaar, and historic mosques. In this area, it is possible to hear the call to prayer while passing by a church or synagogue. Among the places we will visit in Baş Çarşı are the Baş Çarşı Sebili, Güvercin Square, the historic clock tower, the Sacred Heart Cathedral, and Morica Han, the only Ottoman caravanserai preserved from the Ottoman period to the present day. We will conclude our tour by visiting Vjecna Vatra (Eternal Flame), dedicated to the military and civilian losses suffered by Sarajevo during World War II. The monument consists of tiles inscribed with writing in the colors of the former Yugoslav flag (blue, white, and red) and features a copper bowl shaped like a laurel wreath containing an open flame that burns continuously. After the tour, there will be free time. Transfer to our hotel at the time specified by our guide. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Sarajevo – Belgrade
After breakfast at our hotel and checking out of the rooms, we depart for Belgrade. Upon arrival in Belgrade, we begin our panoramic city tour. During the tour, we observe the city's daily life, its important buildings, and the Ministry of Interior building in the city center that was deliberately left standing after being bombed by NATO. Continuing our tour, we disembark from the bus for a walking tour, during which we will visit Flag Mosque, Belgrade Fortress, Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, Clock Tower, Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Fountain, Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Zindan Gate, Leopoldov Gate, Monument to Stefan Lazarevic, Nebojsa Tower, Kale Square, Saborna Church, Republic Square, Terazije Square, and Stone Square. We complete our city tour with a walk along Knez Mihajlova Street, considered the heart of the city. Here, you can shop or enjoy the cafes on the street during the free time provided until the meeting time announced by your guide. Transfer back to our hotel at the time set by the guide. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: Belgrade – Skopje
After breakfast at our hotel and checking out of the rooms, we depart for Skopje. Located on the banks of the Vardar River, this city has been under the influence of the Ottoman Empire and therefore hosts many historical mosques, bazaars, and hans. During our city tour of Skopje upon arrival, we will visit Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Isa Bey Mosque, Kapan Han, Turkish Bazaar, Skopje City Park, the Stone Bridge — the city's symbol spanning the Vardar River — and Macedonia Square. Free time until the time specified by our guide at Macedonia Square. Afterwards, we head back to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Skopje – Prizren – Pristina – Istanbul
After breakfast at our hotel and checking out of the rooms, we depart for the Republic of Kosovo. Following customs and passport procedures, we arrive in Prizren. In this city nestled on the slopes of the lush Shar Mountains and divided by the Lumbardh River, our tour includes visits to Sinan Pasha Mosque, Şadervan (the city's main square), Prizren Hamam, Bayraklı Mosque, and Halveti Tekke. After our tour, we proceed to Pristina, Europe's youngest capital. Among the sites we will see are Germia Park, the National Museum of Kosovo, Yaşar Pasha Mosque, the historic Clock Tower, and the Tomb of Sultan Murat I, who fell in the First Battle of Kosovo. Following the tour, we transfer to the airport at the time specified by our guide. After baggage, ticket, and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul via Turkish Airlines flight TK 1020 at 20:35. We arrive in Istanbul at 23:55 local time, concluding our tour.
What's Included
- Airline tickets with Turkish Airlines for Istanbul – Skopje // Pristina – Istanbul flights,
- Airport taxes,
- Airport – hotel – airport transfers and inter-country transfers,
- 7 Nights – 8 Days Half Board Accommodation in 4* Hotels (Breakfasts and Dinner included.)
- Morning Breakfast and Evening Meals at the hotels
- Tours to Matka Canyon, Kalkandelen, Bitola, Ohrid, St. Naum, Tirana, Shkodra, Budva, Kotor, Trebinje, Pocitelj, Blagaj, Mostar, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Skopje, Prizren, Pristina
- Turkish-speaking guide services
Not Included
- Departure Tax
- Excursions and tours not specified in the program,
- Museum and Archaeological Site Entrance Fees,
- Lunch Meals and Personal Expenses,
- Tourist City Taxes + Guide and Driver Tips (100 Euro) – These will be collected by your guide on the first day of the tour.
General Information
Important Notes;
• A passport valid for at least 6 months is required to cover the minimum tour duration for this tour.
• Atlas International acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955.
• During registration, the name, date of birth, and passport number as they appear on the passport must be entered into the system. Flight tickets are issued based on this information. Any flight ticket cancellations or changes resulting from incorrect information will be charged to the guests as no-show fees.
• The city where the plane lands may vary. Atlas International cannot be held responsible for time changes made by the airlines or any possible delays.
• Airline rules apply to group tickets; according to group ticket regulations, if the outbound flight is not used, the return flight also cannot be used.
• For most flights departing from Turkey, checked baggage allowance is 20 kg. This weight may vary depending on the airline and the destination country. On domestic flights within the destination countries, this allowance may be reduced to 15 kg. Rules and prices for excess baggage are determined by the airlines and are not under the responsibility of Atlas International.
• In case there are insufficient participants for the package tour, cancellation will be communicated to the consumer 20 days in advance.
• The tour route specified in the program is a sample route, and changes may occur in the actual tour itinerary. City sightseeing tours may be conducted on the following day(s) depending on the arrival time in the city. Sightseeing activities specified in the programs may be carried out on different days than indicated, at the guide's discretion, due to any reason.
• City sightseeing tours may be conducted on the following day(s) depending on the arrival time in the city.
• Sightseeing activities specified in the programs may be carried out on different days than indicated, at the guide's discretion, due to any reason.
• Extra tours can only be organized with a minimum participation of 20 people. If participation is lower, they may still be organized at the guide's discretion, with possible price adjustments if necessary. Atlas International cannot be held responsible if these tours or excursions cannot be carried out.
• Extra tours along the route will take place only if at least 10 members of the group participate. Guests who do not wish to participate will be waited at the rest stop.
• Tours or excursions that are not permitted by local authorities for any reason will not be conducted. Atlas International cannot be held responsible if these tours or excursions cannot be carried out.
• Entrance fees for museums and historical sites are not included in the prices.
• Atlas International reserves the right to change hotel names, provided the star category remains the same.
• All hotel names mentioned in the programs, etc. (and similar) are written as examples to indicate star category and distance. This does not imply that accommodation will be made at the named hotels.
• Triple rooms have an extra bed arrangement; the third bed is smaller than a standard bed and/or is an additional foldable/expandable bed.
• Children under 18 years of age who are not considered adults must carry the necessary consent letters from their mother or father, or both, during travel if they are not participating in the tour with one or both parents.
• In case of cancellation or changes, the "Atlas International Sales Contract" applies.
- 7 Nights, 8 Days
- Flight