SHORT BALKAN CAPITALS (SJJ-SKP) WITH PGS

Meeting with our valued guests at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Departure to Sarajevo via Pegasus Airlines' scheduled flight. Upon arrival in Sarajevo, we will board our private bus for a city tour. We will get off the bus in front of the central library building, one of the city's iconic structures, and begin our walking city tour. After seeing the Inat Kuca, whose story will surprise you; the Latin Bridge built during the Ottoman period; and the site where Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife were shot, an event that led to World War I, we will continue towards Başçarşı, the heart of the city. Our tour, which continues through Sebil Square named after this historic fountain—a tradition of the Ottoman Empire—will proceed 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 market. It will conclude at the Eternal Flame Monument, erected in memory of the victims of World War II.

Guests who wish may additionally join the extra organized War (Life) Tunnel and Vrelo Bosna National Park tour.

War (Life) Tunnel & Vrelo Bosna National Park Tour (45 Euro per person)

The War (Life) Tunnel; it is the tunnel that sustained Sarajevo's communication with the outside world during the recent civil war, when the city was under siege for a long time, meeting all of the city's needs and playing a major role in ending the siege. At the exit point of the tunnel, which now serves as a museum, we will experience the accessible part of the tunnel, visit the museum displaying items used during that period, and witness the events of that era through a documentary we will watch. Afterwards, we head to Vrelo Bosna National Park, located at the foothills of Igman Mountain. Vrelo Bosna, the source of the Bosna River, is a natural wonder national park containing streams, waterfalls, and ponds, showcasing every shade of green.

At the end of our tour, after free time, 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 (70 Euro per person)

We make our first stop in the town of Konjiç (Konyitz). Here we see the famous Konjiç (Konyitz) bridge, which has existed since the Ottoman era and was restored by Turkey. Continuing our journey along the Neretva River, we take a coffee break to enjoy the beautiful views of the river. Further along, on the Jablanica road, we view the panoramic scene of the sabotaged Nazi train and the destroyed bridge by Partisan soldiers during World War II. Then we continue towards Blagaj. Upon arrival, we visit the Alperens 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 hosted followers of the Qadiri, Rufai, Halveti, and Nakshbandi Sufi orders. (Guests who wish may visit the lodge.) After visiting the lodge, we have lunch and continue our journey towards Mostar. From the historic Koski Mehmed 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 to allow the Ottoman army to cross during Sultan Suleiman's last 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 (70 Euro per person)
We will spend an unforgettable evening with dinner at a local restaurant in Sarajevo, accompanied by Bosnian cuisine and traditional music. At the end of the night, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

We depart for Belgrade after morning wake-up, breakfast, and room check-out. Upon arrival in Belgrade, during our city tour, we observe the city's daily life, important buildings, and the Ministry of Interior buildings, 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, Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, Clock Tower, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Fountain, Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Dungeon Gate, Leopoldov Gate, Monument to Stefan Lazarevic, Nebojsa Tower, Castle Square, Saborna Church, Republic Square, Terazije Square, and Stone Square. We conclude 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 settle into our rooms. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel and checking out of 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 other side, viewing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods. During this walk, we will see Macedonia Square, the Ottoman Bridge, and Davut Pasha Bath 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: Sulu Han and Kapan Han, built in the second half of the 15th century, and Çifte Hamam. Our tour continues with visits to one of Skopje's iconic monuments, the Clock Tower built in the 16th century, the Sultan Murat Mosque from the 14th century, an early-period mosque, and the Isa Bey Mosque, also from the same century. At the end of our tour, after some free time, we transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel.
In the evening, guests who wish may join the extra-organized Macedonian Night tour.

• Macedonian Night (70 Euro per person)

After enjoying the flavors of Macedonian cuisine and listening to Macedonian music, we transfer back to our hotel.

Morning wake-up, room check-out and free time until the transfer time for breakfast. Meeting at the designated time and transfer to Skopje Airport. After check-in procedures, departure to Istanbul via Pegasus Airlines scheduled flight. Arrival in Istanbul and end of our tour.

*GRADUATED PRICING IS APPLIED AND PRICES MAY CHANGE WITHIN THE DAY.

Visa Information: No visa requirement applies for Turkish passport holders participating in this tour. A valid passport with at least 6 months validity is required.