Sun Express HY with the Great Balkan Tour 6 Countries Antalya Visa-Free - TIA-TIA

Meeting at Antalya Airport from 22:00. (one calendar day before the departure flight date)

Meeting in front of the Antalya Airport International Departures Terminal …. Counter. After ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we depart for Tirana at 00:25 on Sun Express Airlines flight XQ 214. Arrival in Tirana at 01:30 local time. After passport, baggage, and customs procedures, we depart from the capital city of Tirana with our private buses along our route passing through Elbasan and head towards Ohrid, the pearl of the Balkans. Our first stop is visiting the source where Lake Ohrid was born. The magnificent view here will take your breath away. After our visit to Sveti Naum, we reach the city center of Ohrid, which has the character of a Mediterranean town in the Balkans. We begin our tour introducing Ohrid at Liman Square, mentioning the statues we will see there. During the walk through the historic neighborhood featuring traditional Ottoman houses where the series "Farewell Rumelia" was filmed, we will see the historical Ottoman houses, the Hagia Sophia church, and conclude our tour with a presentation of the famous Pearl of Ohrid, the largest symbol of the city of Ohrid. After free time, we arrive at our hotel. Overnight at our hotel
Lunch: Will be taken separately during free time at a location determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Belvedere or similar – OHRID
Route: Tirana-Ohrid; 131 KM
Hotel Check-in Time: Approximately 18:00 depending on customs clearance time

After breakfast, we depart for our tour to Tetova, the second-largest city in North Macedonia and home to a majority of Muslim Albanians. We will view the city panoramically and visit the Alaca Mosque in Kalkandelen (Tetova), which features rare architecture in the Balkans. Afterwards, we head to the Matka Canyon, known for its unique beauty. After our nature walk, guests who wish can spend their free time taking a boat ride through the famous canyon. Following the free time, we regroup in our vehicle and continue our journey to the capital, Skopje, where we begin our city tour. This city, divided by the famous Vardar River representing two distinct cultures, we start with the Macedonian side, often called the land of statues. First, we will see the colossal statue of Alexander the Great, then cross the historic Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, experiencing how cultures change instantly, and proceed to the Skopje Turkish Bazaar, one of the most qualified markets from the Ottoman era in the Balkans. At the entrance of the bazaar, we will discuss the statues before starting our bazaar tour with the historical Davut Pasha Hammam. Continuing, we will see the Kapan Han, one of the most important structures of Ottoman bazaar organization, and the Murat Pasha Mosque, which managed to survive despite earthquakes, concluding our tour. After our visits, one hour of free time will be provided for shopping at the Turkish Bazaar. Items available for purchase include Shushka peppers, Ustrumca peanuts, and charpies. After the free time, following our sightseeing, there will be a Balkan Night at a local restaurant determined by our guide, included in the tour fee. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Breakfast; Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Will be taken separately during free time at a location determined by our guide.
Dinner: Local dishes and music accompanied by a Macedonian Night at a location determined by our guide. (INCLUDED IN TOUR FEE)
Accommodation: Gold Hotel or similar – SKOPJE
Route: Ohrid – Tetova; 131 KM, Tetova – Matka; 37 KM, Matka – Skopje; 15 KM
Hotel Check-in Time; Approximately 20:00 depending on road conditions
 

After our morning breakfast, we depart for Belgrade. Following our journey, we begin our city tour of Belgrade, one of Europe's oldest cities and the new symbol of vibrancy and activity, starting with Knez Mihailova Street, the city's most stylish avenue. Next, we proceed to Belgrade Fortress, a supply center of the Ottoman navy where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded but whose conquest was destined for Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. Inside the fortress, we will see the Key Handover Monument, the French statue, Istanbul Gate, the Military Museum, Damat Ali Pasha's tomb, Sokullu Fountain, and conclude our tour at the terrace area offering the city's most beautiful view of the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. After the tour, we have free time. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Will be taken separately during free time at a location determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or a restaurant and is included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Abba Hotel v.b. – BELGRADE
Route: Skopje – Belgrade; 450 KM
 Hotel Check-in Time: Approximately 20:00, subject to customs clearance duration.

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Sarajevo. Along the mountainous Balkan roads, we enjoy magnificent views and, after approximately seven hours of travel, upon arrival, we begin our panoramic city tour. We explore Baščaršija, Europe's most exceptional bazaar. In this cultural city tour, we start with the Sarajevo Sebil Fountain, which has become a symbol of the bazaar, then visit Morica Han, one of the city's most authentic spots. Next, we tour Hüsrev Bey Mosque, built by a relative of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Continuing our tour, we see the Clock Tower, the famous fountain that has become a ritual, and the meeting point of cultures; this street is also home to the iconic Never-Burning Flame monument. Afterward, we have free time; guests who wish may photograph Latin Bridge, where World War I began. Following free time, we transfer back to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.Breakfast: Included in the tour price and served at our hotel.
Lunch: Served separately during free time at a location determined by the guide.
Dinner: Served as Bosnian Meatballs at a local restaurant, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Holiday Hotel or similar – SARAJEVO
Route: Belgrade – Sarajevo; 295 KM
 Hotel Check-in Time: Approximately 20:00, subject to customs clearance duration

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off for Mostar amidst beautiful views within the ecosystem of the Neretva River. We make a short stop at the small, charming town known today as Konjic (Konyitz), which is referred to in historical sources as Koniçe, where Evliya Çelebi described in his Travelogue as a place where horses rested and drank water. After seeing and photographing the Konjic Bridge built by Sultan Mehmed IV, we continue our journey via Jablanica. On this route, we will have the chance to see some of the most beautiful natural landscapes formed by the Neretva River. Upon arriving in Mostar, we visit the Koski Mehmet Pasha Mosque and the Turkish Consulate Building, and then view the famous Mostar Bridge, which was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war that began in 1992 but was reopened in 2004 with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey and is listed by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage site. If fortune favors us, we may also witness brave Bosnian youths performing their daring jumps from the bridge for show. We then explore the Old Town bazaar. After free time, we head towards Blagaj, the land of Alperens. At the source of the Buna River, nestled against massive cliffs, stands the Blagaj Tekke (dervish lodge); its peaceful atmosphere, the calm sound of the water, and its mystical ambiance seem to transport visitors outside of time. Following our guided tour in this special place where nature and spirituality intertwine, we have free time. After visiting Blagaj, we transfer back to our hotel. Depending on traffic conditions, we will stay overnight in Trebinje or in the Medjugorje or Blagaj area. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: To be taken at our hotel and included in the tour price.
Lunch:  Will be taken separately during free time at a location determined by the guide.
Dinner: To be taken at our hotel and included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Olea Vitis Hotel etc. – Medjugorje
Route: Sarajevo – Konjic; 60 KM, Konjic – Mostar; 70 KM, Mostar – Blagaj 20 KM, Blagaj – Trebinje 100 KM
Hotel Check-in Time: Approximately 19:30 depending on road conditions

After having breakfast at our hotel, we will cross over to Montenegro, one of the youngest states in the world. Our first stop is Kotor, a paradise of history and nature and a major tourist attraction. Here, you will get to know this charming town with a walking tour in StariGrad (Old Town-Castle). After our tour of Kotor, we will finally pass through Budva, then take a panoramic break from above (depending on parking availability at the site) to view the magnificent St Stefan – an island that was once a fishermen's settlement, later nationalized and sold to a Singaporean multimillionaire, now a holiday destination for the jet set – and Budva. Following this break, we head to Shkodra, a city in Albania. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.Breakfast: To be taken at our hotel, included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Will be taken separately at a location determined by the guide during free time.
Dinner: To be taken at our hotel, included in the tour fee.
Accommodation: Alis Hotel or similar – SHKODRA
Route: Medjugorje – Kotor 190 KM, Kotor – Shkodra 108 KM
Hotel Check-in Time: Approximately 20:30, depending on customs crossing time

After having breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Kosovo, one of the youngest states in the world. During the panoramic tour in Prizren, one of perhaps the most charming cities of the Balkans, we will visit the Turkish Bath dating back to the 17th century, the Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615, and Prizren Fortress. After the tour concludes and during free time.. Following free time, we head to Tirana, the capital of Albania. Upon arrival, we will conduct a panoramic tour introducing this beautiful city, which remained caught between wars throughout the 20th century, lived under Enver Hoxha's dictatorial regime for 40 years, is a mountainous country of the Balkans, was developed by Suleiman Pasha in 1614, and became the capital of Albania in 1920. During our tour, we will see the Ethem Bey Mosque located in Skanderbeg Square, the Historical Clock Tower, the National History Museum, and the Opera House. Some of the sites we will view from our vehicle include the Parliament Building, the Prime Minister's Office, the Presidential Palace, Mother Teresa Square, and the Pyramid of Tirana. After our tour, we provide free time. After our visit, we continue our journey with a transfer to Tirana Airport. After completing ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we depart for Antalya on SunExpress Airlines flight XQ 214 at 02:20 the next day. Arrival in Antalya at 05:10. We look forward to seeing you on your next trip… Morning Breakfast; To be taken at our hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken additionally during free time at a location determined by the guide.
Route: Shkodër – Prizren; 182 KM, Prizren – Tirana; 182 KM