⦁ Day 1
Direct Flight from İzmir to Skopje - Accommodation in Skopje
Attention!!! Depending on the date you choose, the departure on the night connecting SUNDAY to MONDAY / the night connecting TUESDAY to WEDNESDAY / the night connecting THURSDAY to FRIDAY is: İzmir-Skopje
At 22:30, we meet our valued guests at the İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport International Terminal. After check-in and baggage procedures, we perform our SUNEXPRESS AIRLINES flight, departing at 01:55 (DIRECT), and we arrive at Skopje Airport at local time 02:20. (All flight times are listed at the end of the tour program. Please check.) After collecting our luggage and completing our passport and customs procedures, we transfer to our hotel in Skopje.
Accommodation: Üsküp BonBon Hotel, Tetova Mercure Hotel, Tetova Lirak Hotel, etc.
⦁ Day 2
Skopje – Tetovo (Kalkandelen) - Bitola (Monastir) – Resne – Ohrid
After having breakfast at our hotel, we start our journey towards the city known as Tetovo by the Macedonians and as Kalkandelen by the Turks. Here, we will see the Alaca Mosque, which was constructed by two sisters and is one of the few examples in the world with its intricate embroidery and motifs. After this captivating visit, we enjoy a snack with traditional fried dough and original goat cheese and ayran, made from goat's milk, at the peak of Mavrovo Mountain. We then head to BITOLA, a treasure of culture and history, one of the oldest cities in the Balkans. After visiting the Old Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Isak Mosque, and New Mosque, we take a short walk in Bitola's famous Shirok Street. During our walk, we see Eleni Karinte's House, Atatürk's first love in Bitola, and listen to the emotional letter she wrote to him from our guide. We then visit the Military High School, which serves as a museum today, a place that often reminds us of Atatürk's military training and education. Afterwards, we set off for Ohrid, known as the Pearl of Macedonia. On the way, we see Resne, famous for its apples and Niyazi Pasha. We visit the palace of Niyazi Pasha, who is considered a traitor by some and a patriot by others. While listening to our guide about Niyazi Pasha, you'll learn the origin of the phrase "Neither a martyr nor a veteran, Niyazi went down with ease." We will see St. Panteleymon, the most important church dating back to the Byzantine era in Ohrid, the Ayasofya Church, which is still used for concerts, the Roman Amphitheater, Car Samuel Fortress, Platanus Square, Ohrid Halveti Tekkesi, and the Historical Plane Tree, as well as the statue of Cyril and Methodius Brothers, who are believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet. (Optionally) Later, we take a pleasant boat tour on Lakes Ohrid to enjoy the unique views. After free time, we have dinner and organize a Macedonian Entertainment at our hotel. After traditional Macedonian music and our traditional meal, we retire to our rooms to rest.
Accommodation: Ohrid Belvedere Hotel, Aqualina Hotel, Sileks Hotel, etc.
⦁ Day 3
Ohrid – Sveti Naum – Elbasan – Tirana – Shkodra Area
After breakfast, we arrive at Saklı Cennet St. Naum, where the sources of Lake Ohrid meet the slopes of Mount Pelister, a harmony of green and blue colors. Here, you can take a 20-minute boat tour accompanied by the unique sound of nature and birds (optional) or enjoy a peaceful coffee with nature. We visit the complex believed to be Sarı Saltuk Türbesi and St. Naum Monastery, which is on the Unesco Cultural Heritage List. We then continue our journey towards Albania. We arrive at the Macedonia - Albania border and, after completing passport and customs procedures, we progress along the Shkumbini River Valley. Passing through the city of Elbasan, established during Ottoman times in 1614 by Suleyman Pasha and the capital of Albania in 1920, we reach Tirana. Having been a target of wars throughout the 20th century and under the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha for 40 years, we will see Ethem Bey Mosque, Historic Clock Tower, National Museum, Opera and Ballet House, Parliament and Prime Ministry Buildings, Presidential Palace, and Skanderbeg Statue and Square. We complete our tour and then head towards SHKODRA, established by the lake with the same name, which served as an important base for the Ottoman army for 435 years. After seeing the historic Rozafa Castle and learning its story from our guide, we check into our hotel in the Shkodra area for dinner and accommodation.
Accommodation: Shkodra Deluxe Hotel, Gardenland Hotel, etc.
⦁ Day 4
Shkodra - Budva – Kotor – Perast – Mostar/Trebinje/Medugorje (Optional Dubrovnik Tour)
After having breakfast at our hotel, we board our vehicle and head towards MONTENEGRO. Along the Adriatic coast, we pass through Bar and Petrovac and make a brief photo stop at the point where we can see St. Stefan Island, one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Montenegrin coast. We continue to the vibrant city center of BUDVA, renowned for its colorful nightlife, and then, while enjoying beautiful views, we arrive in KOTOR, a nature paradise and tourist attraction that has never been conquered by the Ottomans due to its geographic conditions. During our walking tour of Kotor, we will see many historical buildings, including Sea Gate, Arms Square, Historic Clock Tower, Shame Column, Beskuca Palace, St. Triphon's Church, "Gossip" Fountain, and St. Nicholas and St. Luke Churches, as well as important squares and mansions of the old town. After the Kotor tour, we proceed towards Perast, a remarkable medieval village under UNESCO protection. We will have a brief photo stop at the two small islands facing its shores, one of which is an island monastery and closed to tourists, known as Sveti Djordje or St. George Island, and the other is the Lady of the Rocks, which was artificially created 600 years ago. After marveling at these beauties, we complete our customs procedures at the Bosnia-Herzegovina border and leave Montenegro for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will spend the night and enjoy dinner at our hotel in the Trebinje area.
Accommodation: Mostar HA Hotel, Trebinje SL Industry Hotel, Medugorje Brotnjo Hotel, etc.
Optional Dubrovnik Tour: After having dinner at the hotel, our guests with a Schengen visa or green passport can leave Trebinje and reach the Bosnia-Herzegovina–Croatia Border an hour later with a short journey. This optional tour will take place if we have enough participants. After completing our passport and customs procedures, we arrive in Dubrovnik, formerly known as Ragusa, famous for its medieval heritage along the Croatian Adriatic coast. We will explore this historic city built on a fortified peninsula famous for its impressive walls. We will visit significant sites including the impressive city walls and gates, Onofrio Fountain, Franciscan Monastery, 14th-century Pharmacy, Bell Tower, Orlando Statue, St. Blaise Church, Sponza Palace, Rector's Palace, and the historic port. After enjoying free time, we leave the city, go to the Bosnia-Herzegovina border, and complete our passport and customs procedures before returning to our hotel in Trebinje. *This tour can only take place if we have accommodation in Trebinje.
⦁ Day 5
Trebinje - Blagaj (Sarı Saltuk-Alperenler Tekkesi) - Mostar - Konjic – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we visit the Alperenler Tekkesi in Blagaj, which has been thriving for 550 years. This remarkable tekke, set in a breathtaking natural setting, will impress you. We then head to MOSTAR and visit the legendary Historic Mostar Bridge, a timeless architectural gem in the old city. We will get a view of the Mostar Bridge from Koski Mehmet Bey Mosque and tour Karagöz Mosque. After seeing the remains of the war martyrs, we have free time in the rich bazaar of Mostar. After leaving Mostar, we set off for SARAYBOSNA. Our journey will be a visual feast through the beautiful landscapes of the Balkans, known for its mountains and rivers. We reach Neretva Bridge, famous for the legendary fight of Yugoslav partisans against Nazi and Italian troops, and observe its remnants from Jablanica, where German supply trains were blown up. Continuing through Konjic, we finally reach SARAYBOSNA, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Once the cultural capital of the Balkans for 200 years, it is known as the place where World War I ignited with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serbs in 1914. Considered the Jerusalem of Europe for its religious diversity, Sarajevo bore significant damage during the 1992 war; nevertheless, it has largely preserved its beauty. Our walking tour of Sarajevo begins with the views of the Old Library, the Seher Bridge, the Inat House, the Hunkar Mosque, and the Latin Bridge, where the assassination that sparked World War I took place. In the Austrian section of the old city, we will see significant works like Heart of Jesus Church, Eternal Fire Monument, the site of the Massacre at Open Market, Synagogue, and in the Turkish section Ferhadiye Mosque, Morica Han, Gazi Hüsrev Bey Complex as well as complete our tour. After free time in Bašcaršija, we head to our hotel for dinner and accommodation in Sarajevo.
Accommodation: Sarajevo Exclusive Hotel, Brcko Gas Hotel, Hollywood Hotel, etc.
⦁ Day 6
Sarajevo - Belgrade
After breakfast at our hotel, we head to BELGRADE. We enjoy a wonderful ride through increasingly unique mountains until we reach the Bosnia-Herzegovina – Serbia border. After completing passport and customs procedures, we continue towards the capital of Serbia, BELGRADE. Meaning "white city" in Serbian, located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, we will start our tour by visiting the stunning structures and landmarks, including Parliament, Old Palace, National Museum, and the Scale Fountain. We will visit the fortress of the old city, which overlooks the meeting point of the Sava and Danube Rivers. Along with that, we will visit Clock Tower Gate and the Istanbul Gates, the meeting point of the Sava and Danube rivers, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Fountain, Damat Ali Pasha Tomb, Military Open-Air Museum, and the France Gratitude Monument while our guide informs us. During free time, guests can stroll along Mihailova Street, similar in atmosphere to the "Istiklal Street" of Belgrade. We conclude this delightful day with dinner and accommodation at our hotel in Belgrade.
Accommodation: Belgrade Royal Inn Hotel, Abba Hotel, etc.
⦁ Day 7
Belgrade - Skopje
After breakfast at our hotel, we head towards the capital of Macedonia, SKOPJE. We travel to the city center, exploring the main squares and boulevards, seeing numerous statues and neoclassical buildings constructed as part of the Skopje 2014 Project, and begin our walking tour from the Skopje Fortress. We will see Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Sulu Han, Murat Pasha Mosque, Double Hamam, the Old Turkish Bazaar, Kapan Han, Davut Pasha Hamam, and Stone Bridge, as well as modern buildings and the Macedonia Square, where many monuments are dedicated to historic Macedonian figures, including Tsar Samuil, Justinius, II. Philip, Queen Olympia, Alexander the Great statues, and Mother Teresa's Memorial House as we have many opportunities to take photos. Afterward, we check into our hotel in SKOPJE. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Accommodation: Skopje Actor Hotel, DOA Hotel, etc.
⦁ Day 8
Skopje - Matka Canyon - Prizren - İzmir (Direct Flight)
After breakfast at our hotel, we travel to MATKA CANYON, located about 15 km southwest of SKOPJE, where the Treska River meets the Vardar River, recognized as one of the natural wonders of the world. You will be enchanted by the calm and stunning natural beauty of the Canyon that resembles a hidden paradise with nearly a thousand different plant species. Guests can join a boat tour or enjoy leisure time at the cafes in this splendid canyon. Afterwards, we enter Kosovo and continue to the capital Pristina, where we visit the tomb of Sultan Murat Hüdavendigar, the first and only Ottoman Sultan martyred on a battlefield here. Next, we arrive in Prizren, one of the prettiest cities in the Balkans, located at the foot of Mt. Shar, where the Bistrica River runs through. We will observe Halveti Tekkesi, Gazi Mehmet Paşa Hamam, and the Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the finest examples of the architectural period. Then we will have free time at the square known for its famous Kosovar Meatballs. After gathering at the designated time, we head to Skopje Airport and after completing passport and check-in procedures, we take a DIRECT FLIGHT at 03:10 with SUN EXPRESS AIRLINES back to İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport. We say goodbye to you, our valued guests, hoping to meet you again at another IZMIR PORT TRAVEL organization.
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