Belgium and France Tour , August 29

Istanbul – Paris We will meet at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport international departure terminal three hours before the flight to complete our check-in and baggage procedures. Our flight to Paris with Pegasus Airlines scheduled service will take approximately 3 hours 40 minutes. After our arrival, we will start exploring Paris, one of the world's most important metropolises, where you can see traces of its history at every corner. When romance comes to mind, one of the first symbols that comes to people's thoughts is undoubtedly Paris, and we can say that this feature is given to it by the neoclassical style architecture that shapes the entire city. Paris, with its Haussmann buildings adorning its wide avenues down to its side streets, welcoming its visitors as if they were in an open-air museum, offers its visitors a wide range of experiences from art to culture, fashion to gastronomy every time. Our first stop on the Paris city tour is Champs Élysées street, which comes to mind first when shopping is mentioned. After the free time given for dining and shopping, meeting at the time determined by our guide and moving to our hotel for accommodation, free hours for rest.

After breakfast, you will have free time throughout the day. Guests who wish may join the optional Eiffel Tower, Seine River and Louvre District tour (100 €), organised by our guide. During our boat tour along the Seine River, we will have an opportunity to see Paris’s iconic landmarks from a different angle. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, Alexandre III Bridge, Orsay Museum and Institute of France are among the places we will see panoramically during the river tour. Throughout the cruise, you will view the city from the river and discover Paris from a different perspective. After our river cruise, 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 eventually became a symbol of Paris and one of the world’s most impressive structures. Today, it remains one of the world’s best-known tourist attractions, welcoming millions of visitors. We will then continue to the Louvre District. One of the world’s largest art museums, the Louvre houses internationally recognised works such as the Mona Lisa.

After breakfast, you will have free time. Guests who wish may join the optional Montmartre (Artists’ Hill), Notre Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg Garden, Louvre District and Outlet tour (90 €), organised by our guide. Our first stop will be Montmartre (Artists’ Hill), the artistic and bohemian district in northern Paris. We will first travel by vehicle through the Pigalle District, known for its lively nightlife and colourful atmosphere and home to the world-famous Moulin Rouge cabaret show. We will then take the funicular up Artists’ Hill to the Sacred Heart Basilica. Construction of the Sacred Heart Basilica began on Artists’ Hill in 1875 to symbolise France’s spiritual renewal, but it was not opened for worship until after World War I. Following its spiritual transformation, Montmartre became an arts centre and was home to many famous artists, including Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Emile Zola. You will have free time to explore the bohemian streets of Artists’ Hill, lined with art galleries, and enjoy lunch. We will continue our tour at Notre Dame Cathedral, located on the banks of the Seine River in the historic centre of Paris.

After breakfast, we will check out of our rooms early, leave the hotel and depart for Luxembourg. On the way, we will visit the city of Metz. One of France’s oldest cities, Metz frequently changed hands throughout history because of wars between France and Germany. As a result, traces of both cultures can be seen throughout the city. Metz is also one of France’s greenest cities, noted for the Moselle and Seille Rivers, its lakes and natural areas. The Germans’ Gate, a medieval structure built by German workers over the Moselle River; Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and regarded as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture; Arms Square; the famous Metz Covered Market; and the opera and theatre building, one of France’s oldest structures, are all located within Metz. After arriving in Luxembourg, we will begin our city tour. Noted for its strategic location in the heart of Europe, Luxembourg is one of the world’s most economically developed countries. Founded in 963, the city bears the influence of both Roman and Germanic cultures because it stands at the meeting point of these two civilisations.

Luxembourg - Trier - Brussels After breakfast, we set off towards Brussels in the morning. On our way, we will visit the city of Trier. Located in the southwest of Germany, on the banks of the River Rhine, Trier is one of the country's oldest cities. Known as Augusta Treverorum during the Roman Empire, Trier is a fascinating city with its rich history and architecture. The history of Trier dates back to the Roman period, and the city was founded by the Romans in the 16th century BC. For this reason, many ruins and structures from the ancient Roman period can still be visited today. These include Porta Nigra (Black Gate), Kaiserthermen (Imperial Thermal Baths) and the Roman bridge (Römerbrücke), all of which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After our journey, we will have arrived in Brussels. We can describe Brussels, which is also the capital of the European Union, as one of the centres of international diplomacy.

Brussels – (Brugge) – Amsterdam After breakfast, we complete check-out procedures at our hotel and depart for Amsterdam. Free time in the city. Guests who wish can join the Brugge tour (45 €), organized as an optional excursion by our guide. After our journey, we will have arrived in Brugge, known as the "Venice of the North." The city, with its historical texture, well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow streets, colorful-fronted historic buildings, canals and important structures, protected by UNESCO, offers visitors a journey through history. Brugge, with its parks and nature nestled in greenery, will also captivate you with its romantic atmosphere. During our walking city tour, we will see Grote Markt, the City Hall with its striking Gothic architecture, Belfort Bell Tower, Basilica of the Holy Blood, and Minnewater (Lake of Love), which offers the most beautiful views of the city. Afterwards, we meet at the time set by our guide and depart towards Amsterdam. Upon our arrival in Amsterdam, we set out to explore the city.

Amsterdam (Marken & Volendam - Zaanse Schans) After breakfast, free time. Our guests who wish may join our optional excursion to Marken & Volendam - Zaanse Schans (100€), organized by our guide as an extra. While visiting Marken and Volendam, where you can best observe Holland's traditional way of life, the nature and the colorful houses lined up one after another will impress you greatly. The residents of Marken village, who previously made a living from fishing, transformed after the island became a tourist destination and was connected to the mainland by a bridge, with the widespread production of handicrafts and traditional costumes. The houses built on stilts to prevent flooding are still protected today. We will reach Volendam, which is much larger than Marken, with a short journey over the bridge. Along the way, in the area with various cheese producers and a cheese tasting workshop, we will visit one of the cheese producers and learn about cheese production. After giving you a short free time for shopping, we will head towards Volendam.

Amsterdam – Istanbul After breakfast we will check out of our rooms and depart from our hotel. After the free time provided by our guide, we will head to the airport at the designated time. After completing our ticket and baggage procedures, we will fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport on Pegasus Airlines' flight. With our arrival at the local time, our Benelux tour comes to an end. Hoping to meet again on another journey where you will collect unforgettable memories…