Benelux & Paris Tour

Meeting Amsterdam

Istanbul – Amsterdam

We will meet at Sabiha Gökçen Airport international departures terminal three hours before the flight to complete our ticket and baggage procedures. Our flight to Amsterdam with AJet on a scheduled service will take approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. After our arrival in Amsterdam, we set out to discover the city. Famous for its historic and cultural riches, canals, museums and vibrant atmosphere, Amsterdam is among the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe and also stands out among other European capitals with its liberal lifestyle. In this youthful city, many events, festivals and concerts are held throughout the year, and it is also brimming with galleries, museums and exhibitions showcasing classical and modern works of art. During our Amsterdam tour, we will see the city's most popular square, Damrak, 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 and have free time to rest.

Fishing villages to Brussels

Amsterdam - Marken - Volendam - Brussels

Morning

After breakfast, we will leave our hotel and drive approximately 1 hour to visit Marken & Volendam, located close to Amsterdam. As we explore these two fishing villages — where you can observe the traditional way of life in the Netherlands at its best — you will be greatly impressed by the scenery and the rows of colourful houses lined up one after another. The residents of Marken, who used to earn their living from fishing, transformed their way of life once the island became a tourist destination and was connected to the mainland by a bridge, making the production of handicrafts and traditional clothing widespread. The houses built on stilts to prevent flooding are still under protection today. We will reach Volendam, which is much larger than Marken, after a short journey over the bridge. Along the way, in an area home to various cheese producers and a cheese-tasting workshop, we will visit a cheese producer and learn about the cheese-making process. After giving you some free time for shopping, we will continue on to Volendam. In this lovely town, where famous artists such as Picasso and Renoir stayed briefly in the 20th century, you can see many locals strolling around in traditional dress. As you explore the town, where fishing still continues in part, you will see historic fishermen's houses, museums, and workshops and shops where handicrafts are made. You will also have time for lunch in Volendam, known for its traditional cuisine. After visiting these two lovely villages, we will set off on our journey towards Brussels. After a journey of approximately three hours, we will arrive in Brussels. Brussels, which is also the capital of the European Union, can be described as one of the centres of international diplomacy. During our city tour in Brussels — which has successfully preserved its medieval heritage while also developing as a modern metropolis — the Royal Palace, Grand Palace (the city square), St. Michael, and the Stock Exchange Building will be among the places we will see. At the end of the tour, you will have free time to explore the city. In the evening, we will head towards our hotel, and once the check-in is completed, free hours .

Bruges to Paris

Brussels – Bruges - Paris

After breakfast, we complete the check-out procedures at our hotel and set off for Bruges. After a journey of approximately one hour, we will arrive in Bruges, known as the Venice of the North. With its well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow streets, historic buildings with colorful facades, canals, and important structures, this UNESCO-protected city offers its visitors an opportunity to travel back in time. Steeped in history with its green parks and nature, Bruges will leave you in awe with its romantic atmosphere. During our walking city tour, among the places we will see are Grote Markt, the Town Hall with its striking Gothic architecture, Belfort Belfry, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and Minnewater (Lake of Love), which offers the city's finest view. During the free time given to explore the city, you can spend time in its charming cafés and have lunch at local restaurants. After our visit to Bruges, we set off towards Paris. Upon arrival, we begin exploring Paris, one of the world's most important metropolises, where traces of history can be seen in every corner. One of the first symbols that comes to mind when romance is mentioned is Paris, and what undoubtedly gives it this quality is the way neoclassical architecture shapes the entire city. Adorned from its wide avenues to its side streets with Haussmann buildings, Paris welcomes its visitors as if they were in an open-air museum, offering them a wide range of experiences from art and culture to fashion and gastronomy, every time. In our Paris city tour, our first stop is the Champs Elysees, the first avenue that comes to mind when shopping is mentioned. After the free time given for meals and shopping, we meet at the time set by our guide and head to our hotel for accommodation.

Paris landmarks

After breakfast, we leave our hotel to see the highlights of Paris. Our first stop will be Montmartre (Artists’ Hill), the artistic and bohemian district in northern Paris. We will first travel through the Pigalle District, home to the renowned Moulin Rouge cabaret show and known for its lively nightlife and colorful atmosphere. We will then take the funicular up Artists’ Hill, where we will see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Construction of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart began in 1875 to symbolize France’s spiritual renewal, in an area that had once been a center of religious life. However, it did not open for worship until after World War I. Following its spiritual transformation, Montmartre developed into an artistic center and became home to many well-known artists, including Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Émile Zola. You will have free time to explore the bohemian streets of Artists’ Hill, surrounded by art galleries, and have lunch. We continue our city tour through the Montparnasse District, known as a center of modern art and intellectual life and home to numerous entertainment venues. We will then take a boat tour on the Seine River, enjoying panoramic views of Paris’s landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Alexander III Bridge, the Orsay Museum, and the Institute of France are among the sights we will see during our river tour. In the late afternoon, we will ascend to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower for a bird’s-eye view of Paris. Designed for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair, the tower gradually became the symbol of Paris and one of the world’s most recognizable structures. Today, it remains one of the best-known tourist attractions, welcoming millions of visitors. We will then allow time for affordable shopping at the Benlux store before traveling to our hotel. You will have free time to rest.

Metz and Luxembourg

After breakfast, we complete our room check-out procedures early in the morning and leave the hotel. Following a journey of approximately 3.5 hours, our first stop will be Metz, one of France’s oldest cities. Having changed hands many times during wars between France and Germany, the city displays traces of both cultures. One of France’s greenest cities, Metz is known for the Moselle and Seille Rivers, its lakes, and its natural surroundings. The sights we will see include the medieval Germans’ Gate, built by German workers on the Moselle River; Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, a fine example of Gothic architecture listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Arms Square; the renowned Metz Covered Market; and the opera and theater building, one of the oldest structures in France. After our Metz tour, we travel to Luxembourg. Following a one-hour journey, we begin our city tour. Strategically located in the heart of Europe, Luxembourg is among the world’s most economically developed countries. Founded in 963, the city stands at the crossroads of Roman and Germanic cultures and bears the influence of both civilizations. The country reached its present borders after the Treaty of London. Its official name is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the country and its capital share the same name. Among the sights we will see in Luxembourg are the Bock Casemates in the old town, with historic fortifications and underground tunnels listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; William Square, one of the city’s main squares; and Corniche Road, built in the 17th century and described as Europe’s most beautiful balcony. During our free time in the old town, you will also have time for dinner. In the evening, we leave the city and travel to our hotel. After settling into our rooms, you will have free time to rest.

Strasbourg and Colmar

Luxembourg – Strasbourg – Colmar – Alsace

After breakfast, we will depart from our hotel early in the morning and set off towards Strasbourg. A city that throughout history could not be shared between Germany and France and changed hands many times, it was returned to France once again with the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. Known as the place where European peace is represented, Strasbourg hosts many international institutions such as the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. In addition to its historical and cultural richness, Strasbourg is surrounded by many canals and waterways. Built on the Ill River, a branch of the Rhine River, the city is also home to the Notre Dame Cathedral, which once ranked among the largest structures in the world. Le Petite France (Little France), the picturesque medieval town that is the historic center of the city and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most memorable places in Strasbourg. After our visit to Strasbourg, we will continue our tour by visiting Colmar, the pearl of the Alsace Region. As you discover Colmar, which reflects the historical texture of the region most vividly, you will find yourself in an atmosphere where time seems to stand still. Le Petit Venice (Little Venice), with its colorful half-timbered houses, balconies adorned with flowers, and network of water canals, is one of the most enchanting spots in Colmar. In the evening hours, we will leave the city and head towards our hotel. After settling into our rooms, free time to rest.

Freiburg to Basel

Freiburg – Lucerne – Basel - Alsace

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Freiburg. A German city, Freiburg is located right next to the Black Forest. Undoubtedly, the first thing that comes to mind when Freiburg is mentioned is that the city centre is lined with miniature water channels called "Bachle." These channels, built in the 13th century, were designed to prevent fires in the city. Today, they can be considered the historical remains that attract the most attention from Freiburg's visitors and children. The Gothic Freiburg Minster Cathedral, rising from the heart of the city, is another of its striking structures. After our Freiburg tour, we move on to Lucerne. Set on the shores of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), the city, with its unique scenery nestled among mountains, its half-timbered houses, narrow streets and flower-decorated balconies, will leave romantic memories in your mind. The dazzling Reuss River, flowing through the centre of the city, is one of its symbols. During our tour of Lucerne, which bears traces of Gothic architecture, the Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument built in memory of the Swiss guards who lost their lives while protecting the Tuileries Palace during the French Revolution, and the Musegg Wall and its Nine Towers, built in the 14th century to defend the city, are among the historical structures we will see. After our tour, we set off towards Basel. Basel, where trade has been intense throughout its history, has gradually become a centre of culture and industry. With the fall of the Roman Empire, Germanic tribes began to establish dominance in Basel and its surroundings, and from the 5th century onwards, the Germanic tribes fully took control of the area around the Rhine. Today, in addition to being Switzerland's third-largest city, it is also home to many museums and exhibitions. During our walking city tour, we will see the City Hall with its striking red colour, and the Basel Minster, originally built in 1091 as a Catholic church and rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1356. Today serving as a Protestant church, the minster is listed on the Swiss National Heritage register. Afterwards, we will visit Marktplatz, the old town square and marketplace. Hosting many festivals, this square is one of the liveliest spots in the city. In the evening, we leave the city and set off towards our hotel. After settling into our rooms, there is free time to rest.

Flying home

Basel – Istanbul

After breakfast, we will complete the check-out procedures and leave our hotel. After some free time as advised by our guide, we will depart for the airport at the designated time. We will complete our ticket and baggage procedures and fly to Istanbul Airport with a scheduled flight of AJet. Upon arrival at local time, our Benelux tour comes to an end.

Wishing we could come together again on another journey where you will collect unforgettable memories…