KURBAN BAYRAM SPECIAL BALKAN TOUR WITH TURKISH AIRLINES 4 COUNTRIES VISA-FREE!! 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS – ACCOMMODATION IN 4* HOTELS Kosovo – Macedonia – Albania – Montenegro Pristina - Prizren - Skopje - Matka Canyon - Tetova (Kalkandelen) - Ohrid - Sveti Naum - Bitola (Manastir) - Elbasan - Tirana - Kruja - Berat - Shkodra - Podgorica - Kotor Tour Departure Date May 27 1st Day Istanbul – Pristina – (Prizren) – Skopje Meeting in front of Turkish Airlines Counter at Istanbul Airport International Departure Terminal. After ticket, luggage, and passport procedures, we take off to Pristina at 8:00 AM on Turkish Airlines Flight TK1017. Arrival in Pristina at 08:40. After completing passport, luggage, and customs procedures, we move for a city tour of Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, which has a predominantly Muslim Albanian population and is one of the youngest nations in the world. We will have an emotionally charged day in the old Ottoman territories that recently experienced a humanitarian drama. Among the panoramic sights we will see are the Bazaar, the Bazaar Mosque built by Sultan Bayezid in the 15th century, and the clock tower constructed in the 19th century to remind the public of prayer times. After seeing these sights, we will have some free time. Guests may join an optional tour to Prizren, considered one of the charming cities of the Balkans and Kosovo for an extra (45 EUR). First, we will visit the Murad Hüdavendigar Tomb. We will then proceed to Prizren with a short bus ride. The panoramic tour in Prizren will cover the Turkish Bath from the 17th century, the Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615, and Prizren Castle. Afterward, we will have free time to explore this charming city. Following the tour, we will transfer to our hotel in Skopje. Overnight stay at the hotel. Lunch: To be taken extra at a place determined by the guide during free time. Dinner: To be taken extra at a place determined by the guide during free time. Accommodation: Gold Hotel etc. – SKOPJE Route: Pristina – Prizren; 83 KM, Prizren – Skopje 102 KM Check-in Time: Estimated at 20:00 depending on customs clearance. 2nd Day Skopje – (Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Matka Canyon) – Ohrid After breakfast at the hotel, we will start a panoramic city tour. We will begin by visiting the Macedonian side, known for its sculptures, starting with the monumental statue of Alexander the Great. We will then cross the Historical Skopje Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, experiencing the shift in cultures at a more personal level, moving on to the Ottoman’s most qualified markets in the Balkans, the Skopje Turkish Bazaar. After discussing the sculptures at the bazaar entrance, we will start our tour at the historical Davut Pasha Bath, followed by an exploration of other crucial structures, including Kapan Han and the Murat Pasha Mosque, which has survived earthquakes. After our visits, we will have an hour of free time for shopping in the Turkish Bazaar. Items available include Shushka peppers, Ustrumca peanuts, and traditional shoes. After the city tour and free time, we will head to Ohrid, the pearl of Macedonia. Guests may join an optional tour to Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Matka Canyon (30 EUR). This tour starts with a visit to the beautiful Matka Canyon. Next, we will go to Tetova, the second-largest city in Macedonia, known as Kalkandelen in our history. Here, we will see the world-famous Alaca Mosque and the complex featuring a madrasah and city center. Arrival at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel. Optional: Guests may participate in the Macedonian Night Tour (45 EUR). Breakfast: Included in the tour price at the hotel. Lunch: To be taken extra at a place determined by the guide during free time. Dinner: To be taken extra at a restaurant determined by the guide. Accommodation: Imperial Hotel etc. – OHRID Route: Skopje – Matka 15KM, Matka – Tetovo 35 KM, Tetova – Ohrid 135 KM Check-in Time: Estimated at 19:30 depending on road conditions. 3rd Day Ohrid (St. Naum – Resne – Bitola (Manastir)) After breakfast, we will start our city tour of Ohrid, named after Lake Ohrid, one of the largest lakes in the Balkans, and a Mediterranean-esque town in the Balkans. Our tour begins at the Harbor Square, where we will discuss notable sculptures, followed by a walking tour in the neighborhood famous for its traditional houses featured in the series "Elveda Rumeli," exploring historical Ottoman houses, the Church of St. Sophia, and ending with a presentation of the famous Ohrid Pearls. Guests may join (15 EUR) an optional activity on a boat in Lake Ohrid. After this tour, we will have free time. Guests may also join an optional full-day tour to St. Naum – Resne – Manastır (Bitola) (65 EUR). We will set off for the tour from the hotel, first arriving at St. Naum after a scenic 1-hour drive. Here we will visit the source of Lake Ohrid, which is bound to take your breath away. Next, we will move on to Resne to see the palace of Resne’li Niyazi, one of the most famous figures of the Committee of Union and Progress owing to his contributions during the Greco-Turkish War, and proceed to Bitola. During our city tour of Manastır (Bitola), we will visit the Turkish Bazaar, the Bedesten, the Ishak Mosque, the New Mosque, the Haydar Pasha Mosque, and the poignant visits to the Military Secondary School and Atatürk Museum, where Atatürk graduated. We will then return to Ohrid. Overnight stay at the hotel. Breakfast: Included in the tour price at the hotel. Lunch: To be taken extra at a place determined by the guide during free time. Dinner: To be taken extra at a restaurant determined by the guide. Accommodation: Imperial Hotel etc. – OHRID Route: Ohrid – St. Naum; 30 KM, St. Naum – Resne; 70 KM, Resne – Manastır; 35 KM, Manastır – Ohrid; 70 KM Check-in Time: Estimated at 19:00 depending on road conditions. 4th Day Ohrid – Elbasan - Tirana – (Kruja) After breakfast, we reach Tirana via Elbasan. We will conduct a panoramic tour in this beautiful city, which has endured wars throughout the 20th century and experienced Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship for 40 years, establishing itself as the capital of Albania in 1920. During the tour, we will see Ethem Bey Mosque, the historical Clock Tower, the National Museum, the Opera and Ballet building, the Parliament and Prime Ministry buildings, the Presidential Palace, the statue of Mother Teresa, and Skanderbeg Square. After the Tirana tour, we will have free time. Guests may join an optional tour to Kruja (30 EUR). Kruja is one of the most beautiful places to see in Albania. This historical town, formerly known as Akçahisar during the Ottoman period, is situated 20 km north of Tirana, surrounded by steep rocky mountains. It features a castle over a long 800-meter expanse with surrounding walls. Among the highlights to be seen in Kruja are the Skanderbeg Museum, the Sarı Saltuk Dervish Lodge, the Residence of Esad Toptani Pasha, Kruja Castle, the Dolma Baba Bektashi Lodge, and the Ottoman Hamam. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel. Breakfast: Included in the tour price at the hotel. Lunch: To be taken extra at a place determined by the guide during free time. Dinner: To be taken extra at a restaurant determined by the guide. Accommodation: Te Stella etc. – Tirana Route: Ohrid – Tirana; 135 KM, Tirana – Kruja 32 KM 5th Day Tirana – (Berat) - Shkodra After breakfast at the hotel, we will have free time until flight time. Guests may join an optional tour to Berat, recognized as the museum city of Albania (65 EUR). We will depart from the hotel for Berat, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Berat, known as the "City of a Thousand Windows," we will see essential historical structures such as the Lead Mosque, the Halveti Tekke, the historical Gorica Bridge, and the Muslim and Christian neighborhoods. We will then have free time to explore the historical streets. After the tour, we will head to the city of Shkodra, where we will have a panoramic tour followed by free time. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel. Breakfast: Included in the tour price at the hotel. Lunch: To be taken extra at a place determined by the guide during free time. Dinner: To be taken extra at a restaurant determined by the guide. Accommodation: Hotel Alis etc. – Shkodra Route: Tirana – Berat; 125 KM, Berat – Shkodra 196 KM. 6th Day Shkodra – (Sv Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Perast) - Istanbul After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for a tour of Podgorica. As the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica is also the largest city in the country. After a panoramic city tour, we will have free time. Guests may join an optional tour to Sv. Stefan – Budva – Kotor – Perast (70 EUR). Our first stop will be Sveti Stefan, a once fishing village, now a favorite vacation spot for the jet-set, with stunning views from above. After a quick stop, we will head to Budva. Following a panoramic tour of Budva, we will then move on to Kotor. Kotor is a small yet historically and architecturally significant city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. During our walking tour of Kotor, we will see many significant buildings that embody the Venetian architecture. Then we will start our journey around Kotor Bay and visit Perast, renowned for its stunning scenery. After our journey along the beautiful coastline, we will transfer to Podgorica Airport. After procedures for ticketing, baggage, and passport, we will take off to Istanbul at 20:40 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1088 and arrive at 23:25 in Istanbul. We wish to see you on your next trip…