Step-by-Step 15-Day Itinerary (January 29 - February 12)
Introduction: North Macedonia (3 Days)

January 29 (Thursday): Flight from Izmir to Skopje. Transfer to the city center using "Vardar Express". Check into your hostel. For dinner, enjoy köfte at either Destan or Turist Köftecisi in the Turkish Bazaar.

January 30 (Friday): Visit Matka Canyon. Take the public bus (number 60) early in the morning. It's mystical and beautiful in winter with fog. In the afternoon, explore the sculptures around Skopje.

January 31 (Saturday): Take a bus to Ohrid (approximately 3 hours). Walk to Sveti Jovan Kaneo Church by the lakeside. The lakeshore is very serene in winter.
Transition: Albania (2 Days)

February 1 (Sunday): Bus from Ohrid to Tirana (you may need to transfer via Struga; check with your hostel). In the evening, grab a coffee in the Blloku district of Tirana.

February 2 (Monday): City tour of Tirana. Visit the "Bunk'Art 2" museum (a communist-era bunker). In the afternoon, catch a bus to Shkodër and get closer to the Montenegro border (or hop on a direct bus to Kotor if available).
Scenery: Montenegro (3 Days)

February 3 (Tuesday): Kotor. Enjoy one of the world's most beautiful views. Get lost in the old town.

February 4 (Wednesday): Hike up to Kotor Fortress (use the free path). In the afternoon, take a minibus to Budva for a round trip (30 minutes).

February 5 (Thursday): Early morning bus from Kotor to Mostar (Bosnia). This route is a bit longer, so be prepared.
History: Bosnia and Herzegovina (3 Days)

February 6 (Friday): Mostar. Visit the Mostar Bridge and the old bazaar. With fewer tourists in winter, you can take a photo on the bridge without anyone else around.

February 7 (Saturday): Legendary Train Journey. Take the 07:00 train from Mostar to Sarajevo. (Sit on the left side for the best views). In the afternoon, try a Bosnian börek in Baščaršija.

February 8 (Sunday): Sarajevo. Visit the Tunnel of Hope museum. In the evening, enjoy the sunset at Sarajevo City Hall.
Final Destination: Serbia (4 Days)

February 9 (Monday): Bus from Sarajevo to Belgrade. (Expect mountainous and snowy roads; the journey takes 6-7 hours).

February 10 (Tuesday): Belgrade. Explore Kalemegdan Fortress and Knez Mihailova Street. Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum (if interested).

February 11 (Wednesday): Day trip to Novi Sad. It takes 35 minutes by high-speed train (Soko Train) from Belgrade. It has a more European feel. Return to Belgrade in the evening.

February 12 (Thursday): Flight from Belgrade to Izmir. Take the A1 minibus from Slavija Square to the airport.

Flexibility is possible; I arranged it this way because the most suitable flight tickets are on these dates. If we agree, we can change to different dates. This is an affordable plan. Everyone pays for their own expenses.