1.Day: Pristina – Prizren
After meeting at the airport with our guide we start with Balkans journey by visiting Kosovo’s capital city Pristine whose role during Ottoman rule was crucial in several occasions.
We start with panoramic tour, giving us beautiful sight of the city, whose rich history records marks from early 15th century.
Afterwards, we take a walk through Pristina exploring its main attractions in the centre and surroundings including: the Mother Teresa Boulevard, the monument of Scanderbeg (Albanian National Hero), the Clock Tower, Kosovo Government buildings and the “New Born” monument which is becoming the symbol of this new state. Of particular interest are the Ottoman period mosques of Pristina, probably the most beautiful is Fatih Mosque dating back to 1461 during the golden era of Sultan Mehmet II. Its huge ceiling domed cupola crowns a splendidly painted floral interior of Arabesque design.
Nearby is Pristina's oldest building, the Carshia Mosque completed in 1389. We end our tour with a visit to the Ethnographic Museum situated in a typical Ottoman architecture house, beautifully stocked with original artefacts which testify to the traditions and way of living of the people in Kosovo.
Afterwards, we move on to one of the most adorable cities in Balkans, the Prizren city, the second largest city in Kosovo. After free time for shopping and rest overnight in Prizren.
2.Day: Prizren – Skopje
After breakfast, our tour in Prizren begins. It is a historic city located on the slopes of the Šar Mountains. Prizren was the capital of the Sanjak of Prizren, and under new administrative organization of Ottoman Empire, it became the capital . After sightseeing of Prizren from the Castle, we go for a walk through the town to see: The Old Stone Bridge, Sinan Pasha Mosque, Minaret of Arasta Mosque, and many other symbols of this beautiful town.
After free time for shopping and rest, our journey continues on to Macedonia’s capital- Skopje. Macedonia was under control of Ottoman Empire for more than 500 years, and during our tour through this region we are able to see its main landmarks such as its capital city of Skopje. A walk throughout old Turkish part of the town, we notice marks of Ottoman culture and architecture. Allow yourself to be stunned by the beauty of this city visiting the Skopje Fortress, moving downtown to Vardar River and the Stone Bridge rising over it, making it the symbol of the city.
We see the 15th-century Mustafa Pasha Mosque. After free time, drive to the hotel. Overnight in Skopje.
3.Day: Skopje – Tetovo – Bitola – Resen – Ohrid
After breakfast departure from hotel. We are heading to the city of Tetovo, 1 hour distance from Skopje. Tetovo is a city in the northwestern part of Macedonia, built on the foothills of Šar Mountain and divided by the Pena River. We are able to see the city center from the bus, and we stop to see some of the landmarks of the era of Suleiman the Magnificent, when most of the buildings were constructed during his reign. Some of the buildings we are able to see are: The Bektashi Teḱe (Arabati Baba Teḱe), Šarena Džamija- Decorated Mosque and other important places.
Afterwards, we are moving towards Bitola, one of the oldest historical city in Macedonia. It has been known since the Ottoman period as "the city of the consuls", since many European countries have consulates in Bitola. During the Ottoman rule, the city was the last capital of Ottoman Rumelia. Some of the places that covered bazaar-one of the most impressive and oldest buildings in Bitola from the Turkish period; The Jeni Mosque (New Mosque) and other interesting places.
After free time for shopping, we are heading on to Ohrid city. On our way to Ohrid we also visit the beautiful small city of Resne- a town in southwestern Macedonia. After tour in this charming city, our tour will end by visiting the lovely city of Ohrid -the largest city on Lake Ohrid. Both Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were accepted as Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. In fact, Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage that are both Cultural and Natural sites. Drive to the hotel for overnight.
4. Day: Ohrid – Struga – Elbasan – Tiran – Shkoder – Podgorica
After breakfast we start Ohrid city tour. Ohrid is famous for once having 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and has been referred to as a "Jerusalem of the Balkans". The city is rich with picturesque houses and monuments such as Ohrid Harbor, Monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius, a mosque in the city center, the Old town and many more. Some of the important landmarks of Ohrid we see during the tour are the Old plane tree (Platanus Orientalis), 800 - 900 years old whose trunk is 20m wide, Ali Paşa Mosque and The Anthique Theathre.
After Ohrid tour we move on to the city of Struga. Our journey continues by the coast of Ohrid lake, towards west coast, leading us to another town settled in an open valley of Lake Ohrid - the Struga city. We have chance to see panoramic view of the Poet’s Bridge, Poet’s Park, the Old town... Moving on towards Albania. We are entering Albania through Kafasan border. As we enter this country we have opportunity to see the bunkers, symbol of Albanian communist rejime. Our first stop in Albania is Elbasan. During the journey we see the panoramic view of Elbasan city, take a break visiting the Elbasan Fortress, and have chance to see old Turkish streets around it.
Soon after, we arrive to the capital city- Tirana. We see the panoramic view of the city, and moving downtown, visit to Et'hem Bey Mosque in Skanderbeg Square; a mosque in the center of Kavajë, Tirana County, with its minaret and clock tower, the Bektashi World Headquarters, National History Museum, the Mother Teresa Square and other attractions. Some of landmarks we see during our visit of Tiran: The Statue of Suleyman Pasa, founder of the Tirana city, City square, Ethem Bey Mosque,ClockTower,National Museum,Presidential palace. After Tiran city tour we are heading to Montenegro.The journey takes us to Shkoder city, a small city on the shore of Skadar lake, the one that makes border between Albania and Montenegro. The city has an important meeting place of diverse cultures from other parts of the Empire, as well as influences coming westwards, by Italian merchants. It was a centre of Islam in the region, producing many clerical, poets and administrators, particularly from the Bushati family. After free time for shopping and short rest, we are moving on to Montenegro. Upon arrival to Podgorica- the capital, drive back to the hotel for overnight.
DAY 5: PODGORICA – CETINJE – ST STEFAN – BUDVA – KOTOR – MOSTAR
After breakfast, we start with panoramic Podgorica tour. Some of the places we see are: Presidential building, City park, Millennium bridge, Republic square fountain, Monument of ruler Petar (6,8-meter height).
Afterwards, heading on to the coast. Our first stop is in Cetinje city, the historic and the secondary capital of Montenegro, where the official residence of the President of Montenegro is located. We have chance to see the official Ottoman consulate building, that was in use until 1918. Afterwards, arrival to St Stefan. After a break for taking photos of this extraordinary view, moving on to city of Budva. Some of the places we have chance to see during our visit Budva visit are: Budva citadel, Fortress of Budva made by Napoleon, small shops inside the fortress, Chatolic Church, Orthodox Church, Marina etc.
After free time for shopping, we are heading on to city of Kotor, part of the World Heritage Site dubbed the Natural and Cultural-Historical Region of Kotor . The city was part of the Venetian Albania province of the Venetian Republic from 1420 to 1797. It was sieged by the Ottomans in 1538 and 1657. The centuries of Venetian domination has given the city typical Venetian architecture, that contributed to make Kotor a UNESCO world heritage site. Accompanied by local guide, we have chance to see: Venetian fortifications of Kotor, The Clock Tower, The Wall of shame, The Chatedral of St Trifun, Square of Arms and Maritime Gate.
After free time for shopping, we are heading to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 12 minute ferry boat trip gives us a great chance for taking photos and enjoying the splendind view of Kotor gulf. Shortly after, we are entering Bosnia and Herzegovina through Trebinje – Ljubinje – Stolac municipalities, and arriving to the beautiful city of Mostar. After dinner next to the stunnig Mostar’s Old bridge, overnight in hotel.
DAY 6: MOSTAR – BLAGAJ – JABLANICA – KONJİC – SARAJEVO
After breakfast, departure from the hotel. We move on towards legendary bridge of Bosnian history – Mostar Old Bridge/ Stari Most. The Old Bridge/ Stari Most is one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks and a fantastic piece of Islamic architecture in the Balkan region, built in 1566 by Mimar (architect) Hayrettin the student of famous Ottoman architect Sinan. After being completely destroyed in 1993, the bridge was rebuilt in 2004. Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Visit to Old City’s never lost history’s marks- Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Although under the “protection” of UNESCO, the mosque was heavily damaged in the war in 1993, with its minaret destroyed and roof dome heavily damaged. Later, we have free time for shopping. Visit to Kriva Cuprija – Crooked Bridge. The mini Old Bridge-Stari Most and the oldest single arch stone bridge in Mostar. Kriva Cuprija was built in 1558 by an Ottoman architect Cejvan Kethoda. Supposedly it was the “Guinea pig” before the construction of the Stari Most began, to test the designs plausibility.
Our next stop is the city of Blagaj. Blagaj and the spring of river Buna, lie under the rocky hill. The exact depth of the spring is undiscovered yet, and on the bank of the river, we visit a beautiful Blagaj Tekija/ Dervish Monastery that gives peace to eyes and souls for 550 years, one of the most visited places in Bosnia and Herzegovina.On our way to Sarajevo, after Blagaj, next break is at Jablanica. The city of Jablanica is famous for the Battle of the Neretva in 1943, the rail bridge over the river which was blown up while a train was in the middle of crossing.
Afterwards, we stop at Konjic city, where we are able to see famous Ottoman Konjic bridge, repaired thanks to the Republic of Turkey. We also make a small break for shopping at the Handicraft Konjic; afterwards a coffee break at the shore of the Neretva River. Our last stop is in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, dinner at the restaurant nearby hotel. Overnight in Sarajevo.
DAY 7: SARAJEVO
Sarajevo tour begins by visiting Bascarsija, Europe’s most exceptional old bazaar center.
The Old City – Baščaršija, the central and the most popular touristic area in Sarajevo, the heart of Sarajevo since its beggining. The mixture of the Oriental (Ottoman) and the Western (Austrian) style is what makes this part of Sarajevo so interesting. Visit to the recently reopened National Library, built during the Austria-Hungarian period (19th ct.), destroyed in the last war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and restored in 2014. Visit to the Latin Bridge and the museum next to it, where the World War One was triggered upon the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, Coppersmith street, Sebil fountain, Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque and Bezistan, Baščaršija square and Sebil fountain Kazandžiluk street (Coppersmith's street) Gazi Husrev bey mosque, Khanikah, Ezantash, Fountain, Clock tower, Gazi Husrev Bey’s bezistan (Bazaar), Madrassa, public bathroom, public kitchen. Morića Han (Inn) only surviving Ottoman time Han - hostel in Sarajevo) Imperial mosque, Chatedral of Sacred Jesus Hearth.Old Orthodox Church is one of the most uncommon in its design by being wider than longer, and built in some interesting manner.
After Sarajevo tour, free time for shopping. Afterwards, transfer to the airport hoping to welcome you again on one of our excursions soon.