Switzerland Tour

Geneva and Bern

We meet at the Turkish Airlines counter in the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After check-in and passport control we board Turkish Airlines flight TK 1917, departing at 08.10 for Geneva. We land at 09.25 local time and start our city tour with our waiting vehicle. Set on the shore of Lake Geneva in the west of the country, close to the French border, Geneva is one of Switzerland's most cosmopolitan cities and home to the European Office of the United Nations, the Red Cross and many other international organisations. Here we see Lake Léman, the Mont Blanc Bridge, the Cathedral, the United Nations and Red Cross buildings, Notre Dame and the old town.

We then continue to Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Bern's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with medieval streets, stone buildings, arcades and fountains. Our panoramic tour takes in the Clock Tower, the old town, described as Europe's longest covered shopping promenade, Einstein's House, the History Museum and the Parliament building and square.

Guests who wish can then join the optional extra Lausanne, Ouchy, Montreux and Chillon Castle tour (80 Euro). The first stop is Lausanne on Lake Geneva, a city of historic importance for Türkiye, where we see Lausanne Cathedral, the historic Old Town (Vieille Ville) and Flon, a modern shopping and entertainment district. We continue to Ouchy, once a fishing village, which was included within the city of Lausanne in the mid 19th century because of its port on the lake; here we see the Château d'Ouchy and Ouchy harbour. Our last stop is Montreux, known for its mountain views and lakeside promenades, where we see Chillon Castle (from the outside), the statue of Queen singer Freddie Mercury and Montreux harbour. Afterwards we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at a hotel in or around Geneva.

Basel and the villages of Alsace

After breakfast we drive to Basel. Switzerland's third most populous city after Zürich and Geneva, Basel is small in area but rich in treasures, blending modern and historic layers. Our city tour takes in Basel Minster, where the Dutch Renaissance writer Erasmus is buried, the main square Marktplatz, the Town Hall and the Hotel Les Trois Rois.

Guests who wish can then join the optional extra Fairy-Tale Villages of Alsace tour (100 Euro), visiting Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Colmar and Eguisheim.

Our first stop is Riquewihr, one of the most charming places in Alsace with its half-timbered houses. Known for flower-decked old houses, narrow lanes and a walled medieval core, the village has the ruins of Riquewihr Castle, and we walk along its old ramparts. We continue to Kaysersberg, a colourful medieval town whose symbol is the 13th century Kaysersberg Castle; the Gothic Sainte-Croix Church stands at its centre.

Next is Colmar, known for its historic buildings, Gothic churches and brightly painted houses. In its well-preserved streets we see the pink sandstone St. Martin's Church, the canals of Little Venice, the Maison Pfister, one of the oldest houses in town, and the Maison des Têtes, a Renaissance building decorated with carved faces. Our last stop is Eguisheim, voted "Favourite French Village" in 2013, where every corner of the colourful Alsatian streets looks like a postcard. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at a hotel in or around Mulhouse.

Zurich, Rhine Falls and Lucerne

After breakfast we drive to Zürich, arriving at 09.45 local time to begin our city tour.

Zürich welcomes millions of visitors every year with its historic centre, Gothic churches and old buildings. We see the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches and St. Peter's Church, known for Europe's largest clock tower, then stroll along Bahnhofstrasse, the city's shopping street. After the tour we transfer to our hotel.

Guests who wish can then join the optional extra Rhine Falls and Lucerne tour (80 Euro). Our first stop is the Rhine Falls, which at 150 metres wide and 23 metres high hold the title of Europe's largest waterfall. After a walk close to the power of the water we continue to Lucerne, a historic town in central Switzerland at the foot of the Alps. We see the Lion Monument, carved in memory of the 800 Swiss soldiers who died protecting King Louis 16 and his family, the Chapel Bridge and the views over Lake Lucerne, then transfer to our hotel. Overnight at a hotel in or around Zürich.

Departure from Zurich

After breakfast and check-out we transfer to the airport at the time set by our guide. After check-in and passport control we board Turkish Airlines flight TK1910, departing at 18.35 for Istanbul. We arrive at 23.35 local time, and our tour ends.