France Tour

Istanbul – Basel – Freiburg We will meet at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) international departures terminal three hours before the flight to complete our ticket and baggage procedures. Upon our arrival in Basel, which we can describe as the crossroads of three countries, we will begin our city tour. We can certainly say that the most beautiful feature of this lovely city, where we will witness the synthesised structure of France, Germany and Switzerland, is its decoration by the Rhine River. Basel, where trade was intense throughout its history, has over time become a centre of culture and industry. With the collapse of the Roman Empire, Germanic tribes started to gain control of Basel and the surrounding areas, and from the 5th century onwards the Germanic tribes brought the area around the Rhine fully under their influence. Today, it is Switzerland's third-largest city and also hosts many museums and exhibitions.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart in the morning for our full-day excursion. Our first visit will be Haut Koenigsbourg Castle, one of the symbols of Alsace and one of its most visited landmarks. The castle, part of the region’s cultural heritage, dates back to the 12th century. Construction was initially begun by the Hohenstaufen Dynasty, and because of its strategic position, the castle changed hands many times among different families and lords. Today, it serves as a museum presenting medieval life and culture and is noted for its architecture. After visiting the castle, we will explore the nearby village of Obernai. Located very close to Strasbourg and surrounded by vineyards, Obernai stands on the Alsace Wine Route. Famous Alsatian wines such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer are produced in the town. After our visit to Obernai, we continue towards Strasbourg.

Kaysersberg – Riquewihr – Eguisheim – Colmar After breakfast at the hotel, we depart early in the morning and travel to Kaysersberg in the north of the region. Kaysersberg Castle, built in the 13th century, and Holy Cross Church, known for its picturesque architecture, are among the town’s notable historic buildings. The town, whose name means “Emperor’s Mountain,” is also the birthplace of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer. After our tour of Kaysersberg, we continue to Riquewihr, regarded as one of the finest villages in the Alsace Region. One of the most popular stops on the Alsace Wine Route, Riquewihr has a distinctive atmosphere created by its colourful half-timbered houses, narrow cobbled streets and surrounding vineyards. After exploring this town, whose architecture has been largely preserved since the Middle Ages, we continue to Eguisheim. A member of the “Most Beautiful Villages of France” association since 2003, Eguisheim was chosen as the favourite village of the French in 2013 and has become one of the most visited villages on the Alsace Wine Route.

Basel – Istanbul After breakfast at the hotel, we will complete the check-out procedures on the final day of our Alsace journey and leave the hotel. Free time until the meeting time given by our guide. We will then set off towards Basel Airport. After completing our ticket and baggage procedures, we will depart for Istanbul on a scheduled Pegasus Airlines flight. Wishing to come together again on another journey where you will collect unforgettable memories…