Grand Balkan Tour Departing from Diyarbakır
Tour details
Diyarbakır Moving Grand Balkan Tour - 6 Countries
Macedonia – Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro - Kosovo – Albania
Transportation with Turkish Airlines
Visa-free
Non-stop Direct Flight
No Extra Tour – All Inclusive
Dinner Included
Balkan Night and Bosnian Meatballs Included at Local Restaurants
Day 1 Diyarbakır – Skopje
Meeting in front of the THY counter at the International Departures Terminal of Diyarbakır Airport. After ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, departure to Skopje at 23:55 with Turkish Airlines flight TK3414.
Day 2 Skopje – Belgrade
Arrival in Skopje at 01:45. After passport, baggage, and customs procedures, we depart from the airport to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. We begin our city tour of Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe and a new symbol of vitality and dynamism, with Knez Mihailova Street, the city's most elegant avenue. Then we proceed to Belgrade Fortress, one of the supply centers of the Ottoman navy, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded in pursuit of it, but whose conquest was achieved by Suleiman the Magnificent. Inside the fortress, we see the Key Hand-Over Monument, the French monument, Istanbul Gate, the Military Museum, the tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, Sokullu Fountain, and we end our tour at the terrace area where we will see the best view of the city, the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. After our tour, we have free time. Accommodation at our hotel in Belgrade.
Breakfast: Will be taken extra during free time at a place to be determined by the guide.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time at a place to be determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or in a restaurant, and is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Teather etc. BELGRADE
Route: Skopje – Belgrade; 430 km,
Hotel Check-in Time; 19:30
Day 3 Belgrade – Vrelo Bosne – Sarajevo
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we visit Vrelo Bosne, Sarajevo’s water source and the largest national park in Sarajevo, located on the edge of Mount Igman, where the source of the Bosna River is also found, arranged by Tito’s आदेश at the time, famous for its excellent walking paths, carriages, and authentic coffee houses. After free time, we head to Sarajevo. We stroll through Baščaršija, the city's most exceptional bazaar in Europe. On our tour introducing this cultural city, we begin with the Sarajevo Sebilj Fountain, which has become almost a symbol of the bazaar, and continue to see Morica Han, one of the most authentic points of the city. Then we visit Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, a relative of 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 where the symbolic Eternal Flame monument is located, after which we have free time. Guests who wish may photograph the Latin Bridge, where World War I began, during free time. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time at a place to be determined by the guide.
Dinner: Bosnian Meatballs at a local restaurant, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Holiday Hotel etc. SARAJEVO
Route: Belgrade - Sarajevo 297 Km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:00
Day 4 Sarajevo – Konjic – Mostar – Blagaj – Trebninje (Medjugorje)
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off for Mostar with beautiful views in the ecosystem of the Neretva River. We make a short stop in the small, charming town known today as Konjic (Konyitz), referred to in sources as Koniçe, which Evliya Çelebi described in his Seyahatname as a place where horses rested/drank water. After seeing and photographing Konjic Bridge, built by Mehmet IV, we continue our journey via Jablanica. On this road, we will have the chance to see the most beautiful natural landscapes formed by the Neretva River. Upon arrival in Mostar, on our walking city tour we first see Mostar Bridge. (Built in 1557 by Architect Hayreddin, the bridge is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture.) The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war in 1992, but with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey, it was reopened in 2004. We tour the old town bazaar. After free time, we head to Blagaj, the land of the dervishes. After a short journey, we get off at the parking area in Blagaj and, after our walk, during the free time we will spend in the area where the Buna River originates and where the Dervish Lodge is located, guests who wish may visit the lodge, and those who wish may take the best exterior photos of the lodge. After our visits, transfer to our hotel. Depending on the crowd, accommodation in Trebinje or in the Medjugorje or Blagaj region nearby. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time at a place to be determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel or in a restaurant, and is 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: Estimated 19:30 depending on road conditions
Day 5 Trebinje (Medjugorje) – Kotor – Budva - Shkodra
After breakfast at our hotel, we cross into Montenegro, one of the youngest states in the world. Our first stop is Kotor, an important historical and natural paradise and tourist attraction... Here you will get to know this charming town on a walking tour in Stari Grad (Old Town-Fortress). After our Kotor tour, we finally pass through Budva and, after a stop where we can see the magnificent St. Stefan and Budva from above in a panoramic view (depending on parking availability), which was once a fishermen’s settlement island, later expropriated and then sold to a Singaporean multimillionaire, and today is a holiday destination for jet-set society, we depart for the Albanian city of Shkodra. After arrival, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time at a place to be determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Luane Arte Hotel etc. – Shkodra
Route: Medjugorje – Kotor 190 KM , Kotor –Shkodra 108 KM
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:30
Day 6 Shkodra - Tirana – Ohrid
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. After arrival, we will take a panoramic tour introducing this beautiful city, which was caught between wars throughout the 20th century and lived under Enver Hoxha's dictatorship for 40 years, a mountainous Balkan country, developed by Suleiman Pasha in 1614 and becoming the capital of Albania in 1920. During our tour, we see the Et'hem Bey Mosque in Skanderbeg Square, the Historic Clock Tower, the National History Museum, and the Opera House. The Parliament and Prime Ministry buildings, the Presidential Palace, Mother Teresa Square, and the Tirana Pyramid are some of the places we will see from our vehicle. After our Tirana tour and free time, we depart via Elbasan for Ohrid, the pearl of the Balkans, in Macedonia. We arrive at the center of Ohrid, which has the character of a Mediterranean town in the Balkans. We begin our tour introducing Ohrid with Port Square, and by mentioning the statues we will see in the square, we end our tour with a walk in the district where the historical Ohrid houses used in the filming of the TV series Elveda Rumeli are located, seeing the historic Ottoman houses, the Hagia Sophia Church, and a presentation of the famous Ohrid Pearl, the biggest symbol of Ohrid city. After our tour, we have free time.
Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time at a place to be determined by the guide.
Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Imperial Hotel etc. – Ohrid
Route: Shkodra – Tirana 100 KM , Tirana – Ohrid 130 KM
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated depending on customs crossing time: 20:30
Day 7 Ohrid – Sv Naum – Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje (Balkan Night)
After breakfast, we arrive at St. Naum with a journey through magnificent landscapes. We visit the source where Lake Ohrid is born. The exquisite view here will literally take your breath away. After our visit to Sveti Naum, we depart for Tetova, the second largest city in Macedonia and home to a majority of Muslim Albanians. We see the city panoramically and visit the Painted Mosque in Kalkandelen (Tetova), which has an architecture rarely seen in the Balkans. After our tour, we depart for the capital of Macedonia, Skopje, and upon arrival we begin our Skopje tour. We start our tour introducing this city, where two different cultures are separated by the famous Vardar River, with the Macedonian side, which we can call the land of statues. Among the statues we will see first is the monumental Alexander the Great statue. Then, crossing the Historic Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, we experience how cultures suddenly change and move on to the Skopje Turkish Bazaar, one of the most distinguished bazaars of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Mentioning the statues at the bazaar entrance, we begin our bazaar tour with the historic Davut Pasha Bath, and continue to see Kapan Han, one of the most important structures of Ottoman bazaar organization, and Murat Pasha Mosque, which managed to survive despite earthquakes, bringing our tour to an end. After our visits, one hour of free time will be given in the Turkish Bazaar for shopping. Items we can buy include Šuška peppers, Strumica peanuts, and shoes. Our tour includes Balkan night at a local restaurant to be determined by our guide, included in the tour price. After our entertainment, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time at a place to be determined by our guide.
Dinner: Balkan night at a local restaurant to be determined by our guide, included in the tour price
Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc. – Skopje
Route: Skopje-Matka 19 KM , Matka–Tetova 61 KM , Tetova-Ohrid 132 KM
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated 20:00 depending on road conditions
Day 8 Skopje – Matka Canyon – Prizren(Kosovo) – Skopje - Diyarbakır
After breakfast, we depart for the Matka Canyon, known for its unique beauty; after our nature walk, guests who wish may take a canyon tour with the canyon’s famous boats during free time. After our tour, we depart from the area for Kosovo, one of the youngest states in the world, whose population is mostly Muslim Albanians. After visiting the Ottoman mansion from the 19th century near the capital Pristina of Kosovo and the Tomb of Murad I (Hüdavendigar), who was martyred by Obilic in the Battle of Kosovo Field, one of the greatest victories the Ottoman Empire achieved in the Balkans, we head to Prizren. During our panoramic tour in Prizren, perhaps one of the most charming cities in the Balkans, the Turkish Bath from the 17th century, the Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615, and Prizren Fortress are among the places to be seen. After the tour ends and free time, we arrive at Skopje Airport. After ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, departure to Diyarbakır at 02:45 on the following calendar day with Turkish Airlines flight TK3416. Arrival in Diyarbakır at 06:45.
Breakfast: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken extra during free time at a place to be determined by the guide.
Route: Skopje – Matka 15 KM , Matka – Prizren 100 KM, Prizren – Skopje 100 KM
What's included
✅ Airline ticket with Turkish Airlines from Diyarbakır to Skopje and from Skopje to Diyarbakır
✅ Local Transportation Services
✅ Local professional Turkish-speaking guiding services
✅ Accommodation with breakfast included at 4* hotels: 1 night in Belgrade, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Medjugorje or surrounding area, 1 night in Shkodër or Podgorica, 1 night in Skopje, and 1 night in Ohrid
✅ 4 dinners served in hotels or restaurants
✅ Balkan Night to be organized at a local restaurant
✅ Bosnian Meatballs to be served at a local restaurant
✅ Mandatory local guiding services in some cities
✅ Panoramic city tours of Prizren, Skopje, Tetova (Kalkandelen), Ohrid, Kotor, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Tirana, and Mostar
✅ Kosovo Tour
✅ St. Naum Ohrid Lake Spring Tour
✅ Blagaj Tekke and Buna River Spring Tour
✅ Vrelo Bosne Tour
✅ Matka Canyon Tour
✅ All highway checkpoint and parking fees
✅ Kosovo entry fee
✅ Customs duties
✅ Panoramic city tours specified in the program
✅ Airport taxes and service fees
Not included
❌ Museum and archaeological site entrance fees
❌ Extras taken at the hotel and all personal expenses
❌ Lunches
❌ Hotel accommodation and tourist city taxes (25 EUR per person)
❌ All tours and excursions not specified in the program
❌ Optional guide tips
❌ Driver tip (5 EUR per person)
❌ Foreign departure tax
❌ Overseas travel health insurance
Need to Know
INFORMATION
- During the tour, having Euro with us is sufficient for shopping and spending in all countries included in the program. In regions where local currency is used, the guide will assist with currency exchange.
- If train travel with the Mostar Express cannot be carried out due to any force majeure, the specified route will be operated by bus, and guests will be refunded the train travel fee on site.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sports shoes should be preferred during the trip. It is advisable to bring a cardigan or similar clothing for the night.
- On our tours, a rotation (seat change) practice is applied daily in seat planning, and no fixed seat or front seat guarantee is given. Seat changes are organized by the vehicle guide.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, there is a minimum 3-day accommodation requirement in order to bring items (alcohol, cigarettes, etc.).
- Duty-free shopping limits when entering Turkey from abroad: Cigarettes: 3 cartons, Alcoholic beverages: 1 liter of spirits (excluding alcoholic beverages with more than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne), Alcoholic beverages: 2 liters of spirits (including alcoholic beverages with less than 22% alcohol, wine and champagne), Perfume: 600 ml, Makeup or skincare products: 5 units, Chocolate and confectionery: 2 kg, Coffee: 1 kg, Tea: 1 kg
- In the tour program, the guides may make changes to the flow of the program depending on weather and road conditions, provided that all places specified in the program are shown.
- Our guests who register for the tour have the right to cancel free of charge up to 30 days before departure. If there are less than 30 days remaining until the tour date, a 30% penalty applies, and if there are 20 days or less remaining, a 100% penalty applies. Hospital reports, work permit documents, etc. submitted with a participant's cancellation request and obtained from authorities in Turkey unfortunately are not accepted for cancellation of the hotel and services they will receive outside Turkey.
-Our Tour Program is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, the last cancellation notification date is 20 days before the tour departure. The tour canceled due to insufficient participation will be announced by Lidya Tour.
-In cases where only category information is given without specifying a name in the tour program and/or there are options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be notified by Lidya Tour 2 days before the trip departure.
-During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified km. In such a case, information will be provided by Lidya Tour 15 days before the tour departure date.
- 3-person rooms are provided depending on the hotels' availability, and the bed allocated to the 3rd person in such rooms is smaller than standard beds. 3-person rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable and called coach beds, the tour participant is deemed to have accepted the possible crowding in the room and the bed type in 3rd person and/or child reservations. Child discounts are valid for one child only, staying with 2 adults, within the applicable age group.
-Breakfasts included among the services in the tour program are served at the hotel according to the breakfast culture of the country and generally with a limited menu called continental breakfast, consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall allocated to the group.
-Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours organized for the general introduction of cities, lasting at most 2-3 hours, and conducted panoramically from inside the vehicle with guide narration, excluding museum and archaeological site entries. Panoramic tours, including the other tours specified in the program, if they cannot be carried out on the day and time of the tour due to roads closed or places not being permitted to be visited or entered by local authorities, or due to any event, or if the tour becomes impossible due to weather conditions, Lidya Tour is not responsible for the failure to carry out the tours in question. Some tours may, where possible, be carried out by public transportation or on foot at points where roads are closed or vehicle entry is not allowed.
- During the trip, waiting times at border gates crossed by road may exceed the standards, and Lidya Tour cannot be held responsible for any inconveniences arising from these waiting times.
-Extra tours are organized by the local Lidya Tour we receive service from with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If the required number cannot be met, the trips cannot be carried out, or the prices, content, and vehicle to be used for extra tours vary according to the number of participants. In addition, the days and hours of the tours may be changed by the guide according to the open/closed status of museums and archaeological sites in the places to be visited and weather conditions.
- Extra tours are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to participate in extra tours organized during the tour are deemed to have accepted waiting at a suitable rest facility along the route. These passengers are dropped off at a roadside rest facility before the extra tour starts and picked up from the point where they were left after the tour is completed.
- The check-in and boarding procedures that must be carried out for those participating in tours by plane are personal procedures and must be completed by the guest before the flight at the relevant airline counters at the airports or online on the airlines' websites.
- Lidya Tour is not responsible for the inability of persons who are not present at the airport at the times announced by Lidya Tour for tour participation, who do not complete check-in and boarding on time, or who complete check-in and boarding on time but do not board the plane, to take the flight. The round-trip new plane tickets required for those who miss the plane to join the tour, and all expenses arising from their transfers in the region to be visited, are their responsibility.
- Lidya Tour is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol dated 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delay on scheduled and special flights, or times may change before the current trip and flight. Lidya Tour is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. The passenger has purchased the trip accepting the risk of schedule changes. Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport tax and airport services fee.
-The Vehicle Types Used in Our Tours are classified as follows according to the number of people. The vehicle types below are assigned according to the number of people in each tour.
Buses: (Used for 25 - 46 people) *Mercedes Travego/Tourismo *NEOPLAN Cityliner/Tourliner -*Temsa Safir/Maraton *Man Fortuna
Midibuses: (Used for 17 - 24 people) *Isuzu Turkuaz , *Otokar Mega
Minibuses: (Used for up to 16 people) *Vw Volt , *Mercedes Sprinter
-All guests are deemed to have sold the tour by accepting the above-mentioned items.