Benelux, Paris, Alsace and Switzerland Adventure Tour

We will meet at the international departures terminal of Sabiha Gökçen Airport three hours before our flight to complete ticketing and baggage procedures for our journey from Istanbul to Amsterdam. Our scheduled flight with Ajet Airlines will take approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. Upon arrival in Amsterdam, we will begin our city tour. Known for its history, cultural riches, canals, museums and lively atmosphere, Amsterdam is one of Europe’s cosmopolitan cities. The city also stands out among European capitals for its liberal way of life. Events, festivals and concerts take place throughout the year. Galleries, museums and exhibitions display classical and modern works of art. Our tour will include Damrak, a popular city square, the Royal Palace, one of the official residences of the Dutch royal family, and Oude Kerk (Old Church), the oldest church in Amsterdam. In the evening, we will head to our hotel, followed by free time to rest.

After breakfast, we will leave our hotel for a trip to Marken & Volendam, approximately 1 hour from Amsterdam. In these two fishing towns, where we can observe the traditional way of life in the Netherlands, we will see the natural surroundings and rows of colourful houses. The lives of Marken’s residents, who once earned their living from fishing, changed when the island was connected to the mainland by a bridge and became a tourist destination. Handicrafts and the production of traditional clothing became widespread. The houses, built on stilts to protect against flooding, remain protected today. We will take a short journey across the bridge to Volendam, which is larger than Marken. On the way, we will visit a cheese producer in an area with cheese producers and a cheese-tasting workshop to learn about cheesemaking. After a short period of free time for shopping, we will continue towards Volendam. In this town, where artists such as Picasso and Renoir stayed briefly in the 20th century, you may see residents walking around in traditional clothing.

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and depart for Brugge. After a journey of approximately one hour, we arrive in Brugge, known as the Venice of the North. Protected by UNESCO, the city is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow streets, historic buildings with colourful facades, canals and notable landmarks. Green parks and natural areas also form part of its historic setting. On our walking tour, we will see Grote Markt, the Gothic Town Hall, the Belfort Bell Tower, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and Minnewater (Lake of Love). During free time to explore the city, you can sit at a café or have lunch at a local restaurant. After our visit to Brugge, we depart for Paris. On arrival, we begin our city tour. Historic landmarks, neoclassical architecture and Haussmann buildings line the streets of Paris, from broad avenues to side streets. The city offers a range of experiences in art, culture, fashion and gastronomy. The first stop on our Paris city tour is Champs Elysees, an avenue known for its shopping opportunities. After free time for dining and shopping, we meet at the time set by our guide and head to our hotel for our overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will leave our hotel to see the main sights of Paris. Our first stop will be Montmartre (Painters’ Hill), in northern Paris, known for its art scene and bohemian streets. First, we will drive through the Pigalle district, known for its nightlife and home to Moulin Rouge, famous for its cabaret shows. We will then take the funicular up Painters’ Hill to reach Sacre Coure Basilica. Construction of the basilica began in 1875 on this hill, once a centre of religious life, to symbolise the spiritual renewal of France. It opened for worship only after World War I. Following its spiritual transformation, Montmartre became an artistic centre and was home to artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Emile Zola. You will have free time to explore the streets lined with art galleries and have lunch. We will continue our city tour in the Montparnasse district, known as a centre of modern art and intellectual life, with many entertainment venues. We will then take a boat tour on the Seine River to see the landmarks of Paris.

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Metz. After a journey of approximately 3,5 hours, we arrive in Metz, one of France’s historic cities. We have free time in the city centre. Guests who wish can join the optional Moselle and Seille Rivers and Lakes - Germans’ Gate - Place d’Armes Square - Metz Covered Market Tour at an extra cost (45 Euro). Metz changed hands frequently throughout history due to wars between France and Germany, and traces of both cultures can be seen in the city. One of France’s greenest cities, Metz has the Moselle and Seille Rivers and lakes as part of its natural surroundings. On the tour, we see the medieval Germans’ Gate, built by German workers on the Moselle River; the Gothic Saint-Etienne Cathedral, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Place d’Armes Square; Metz Covered Market; and the opera and theatre building, one of the oldest buildings in France. After the visit, we set off for Lüksemburg. Following a journey of approximately one hour, we arrive in Lüksemburg and begin our city tour.

After breakfast, we leave our hotel early in the morning and set off from Luksemburg for Strasbourg. The city changed hands between Germany and France many times throughout history and was returned to France under the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. Known as a place that represents peace in Europe, Strasbourg is home to international institutions such as the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. The city has a rich historical and cultural heritage and is surrounded by canals and waterways. During our tour of Strasbourg, which stands on the Ill River, a tributary of the Rhein River, we see Notre Dame Cathedral, once among the largest buildings in the world, and the medieval district of Le Petit France, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After our visit to Strasbourg, we depart for Colmar in the Alsace region. Colmar is known for its colourful half-timbered houses, balconies decorated with flowers and canals. The Le Petit Venice (Little Venice) district is among the main stops on our city tour. In the evening, we set off for our hotel. After settling into our rooms, we have free time. We spend the night at our hotel.

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Freiburg on our route through Freiburg, Lucerne, Basel and Alsace. One of the distinctive features of this German city beside the Black Forest is the network of small water channels called “Bachle” in its centre. Built in the 13th century to prevent fires in the city, these channels are now part of its historic heritage. We will also see the Gothic Freiburg Minster in the city centre. After our visit to Freiburg, we set off for Lucerne. Guests who wish may join the optional Lucerne City Tour at an extra charge (45 Euro). The tour of Lucerne, on the shores of the Lake of the Four Cantons, includes views of the Reuss River, Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Musegg Wall and Nine Towers. After our visit to Lucerne, we head to Basel and begin our city tour upon arrival. An important trading centre throughout its history, Basel is now Switzerland’s third-largest city and home to many museums and exhibitions. On our walking tour, we will see the red Town Hall and Basel Monastery, built as a Catholic church in 1091 and rebuilt after the major earthquake of 1356. Our stops also include Marktplatz, the old town square and marketplace.

After breakfast, we will check out and leave our hotel. At the end of the free time arranged by our guide, we will depart for the airport at the designated time. After completing ticketing and baggage procedures, we will fly to Istanbul Airport on a scheduled Ajet Airlines flight. Our Benelux tour will end upon arrival. We hope to see you again on another trip.