BALKAN CAPITALS WITH THY - RAMADAN BAYRAM

Meeting with our valued guests at Istanbul Airport. Departure to Sarajevo at 14:50 on Turkish Airlines' scheduled flight TK 1021. After our arrival in Sarajevo at 14:40 local time, we will depart for a city tour by our private bus waiting for us. Upon arriving in the city center, we will get off our bus in front of the central library building, one of the city's iconic structures, and begin our walking city tour. After visiting the Central Library, Inat Kuca (whose story will surely surprise you), the Latin Bridge built during the Ottoman period, and the site where Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife were assassinated—an event that triggered World War I—we will continue towards the heart of the city, Başçarşı. Our tour will proceed through the Sebil Square, named after this historic fountain, a tradition of the Ottoman Empire, and continue along the streets of Başçarşı, which still preserve their historical character. Other monuments we will see include Kurşunlu Medrese, Morica Han, Gazi Hüsrev Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower. The tour will continue along Ferhadija, the city's most popular street, featuring buildings reflecting Austro-Hungarian imperial architecture, the Catholic Cathedral, Markale Market, and the covered bazaar, before concluding at the Eternal Flame Monument, erected in memory of the victims of World War II. After our tour, following the free time we will provide, we will transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, guests who wish may join the extra Mostar & Blagaj tour with lunch.
Mostar & Blagaj Tour - With Lunch (75 Euro per person)
We make our first stop in the town of Konjić (Konyitz). Here we see the famous Konjić (Konyitz) bridge, which has survived from the Ottoman era to today and was restored by Turkey. Continuing our journey along the Neretva River, we pause for a coffee break and enjoy the beautiful views of the river. Further along, on the Jablanica road, we view the panoramic scene of the Nazi train sabotaged by Partisan soldiers during World War II and the destroyed bridge, then continue toward Blagaj. Upon arrival, we visit the Alperen Dervish Lodge, which has been active for 550 years. The lodge is located slightly inland from the main road, built beside water emerging from beneath a very high and magnificent rock. Founded in the early 15th century, it has historically hosted followers of the Qadiri, Rufa'i, Halveti, and Nakshbandi Sufi orders. (Guests who wish may visit the lodge.) After visiting the lodge, we have lunch and continue our journey toward Mostar. From the historic Köşki Mehmet Bey Mosque, one of the enduring and unspoiled monuments of the Old Town, we admire the historic Mostar Bridge before visiting it. This bridge was built so that the Ottoman army could cross here during Sultan Süleyman's final campaign, the Siege of Szigetvár. It was destroyed by Croat forces during the war in 1993 and later restored to its original condition by a Turkish company. After visiting the Small Mostar Bridge and strolling through the bazaar, we depart for Sarajevo and check into our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

In the evening, guests who wish may join the extra Bosnian Night tour.
Bosnian Night (75 Euro per person)
We will spend an unforgettable evening at a local restaurant in Sarajevo, enjoying Bosnian cuisine accompanied by traditional music. At the end of the night, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel and checking out of the rooms, we depart for Belgrade. Upon arrival in Belgrade, during our city tour, we observe the city's daily life, important buildings, and the Ministry of Interior buildings located in the city center, which are claimed to have been deliberately left standing and were bombed by NATO. Continuing our tour on foot through the city, we visit Flag Mosque, Belgrade Fortress, Damat Ali Pasha Mausoleum, Clock Tower, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Fountain, Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Zindan Gate, Leopoldov Gate, Stefan Lazarevic Monument, 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. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel.

After waking up, breakfast and clearing the rooms, we depart for Skopje. Upon arrival in Skopje, we begin our city tour. In Skopje, the birthplace of our famous poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, we walk along the banks of the Vardar River and across to the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods on the other side. During this walk, we will view Macedonia Square, the Ottoman Bridge, and Davut Pasha Hamam from the outside. The Kurşunlu Han, dating back to 1550 and located within the Old Turkish Bazaar, is currently used as the Academy of Fine Arts. During the Ottoman period, 17 han buildings were constructed in Skopje; today only three remain. Built in the second half of the 15th century are Sulu Han and Kapan Han, as well as Çifte Hamam. Our tour continues with visits to one of Skopje's iconic monuments, the clock tower built in the 16th century, the early-period mosque Sultan Murat Camii from the 14th century, and Isa Bey Camii, also from the same century. At the end of our tour, after some free time, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms.

In the evening, guests who wish may join the extra-organized Macedonian Night tour.

Macedonian Night (70 Euro per person)
After tasting the flavors of Macedonian cuisine and listening to Macedonian music, we transfer back to our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, your day is free. Guests who wish may join the full-day Ohrid tour with lunch as an extra.
Ohrid Tour - With Lunch (75 Euro per person)
We depart from our hotel heading to Ohrid. Upon arrival, we begin our walking city tour. In Ohrid, a city on the UNESCO World Heritage List, you will see the Hagia Sophia Church, still used for concerts and festivals today; the Roman-era amphitheater; the Halveti Dervish Lodge from the Ottoman period; old buildings reminiscent of Safranbolu houses; and places like Cinar Square. After lunch, during the free time provided, you will have the opportunity to purchase "Pearl of Ohrid" souvenirs and other gifts. At the end of the tour, transfer back to our hotel in Skopje.

Morning wake-up, room check-out and free time until the transfer time after breakfast. Guests who wish can join the Matka Canyon tour organized as an extra.

Matka Canyon Tour (25 Euro per person)

Matka Canyon, located at the confluence of the Treska River and the Vardar River, captivates visitors with its breathtaking views and nature. There are 10 caves of varying depths in Matka Canyon. After a walk and boat tour accompanied by natural scenery, there will be free time until the transfer time. Meeting at the time determined by our guide and transfer to Skopje Airport. After check-in procedures, departure at 20:35 on Turkish Airlines' scheduled flight TK1006. Arrival in Istanbul at 00:15 and end of our tour.