Germany and Belgium Tour

Istanbul – Amsterdam We will meet at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport international departure terminal three hours before the flight to complete our ticket and baggage procedures. Our flight to Amsterdam with Pegasus Airlines on a scheduled service will take approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. After arriving in Amsterdam, we set out to explore the city. Famous for its historical and cultural riches, canals, museums and lively atmosphere, Amsterdam ranks among Europe's most cosmopolitan cities and also stands out from other European capitals with its liberal lifestyle. In this young-spirited city, many events, festivals and concerts are held throughout the year, and it is also brimming with galleries, museums and exhibitions displaying classical and modern works of art. During our Amsterdam tour, the places we will see include Damrak, the city's most beloved square; the Royal Palace, one of the official residences of the Dutch royal family; and Oude Kerk (Old Church), the oldest church in Amsterdam. After free time for shopping and dinner, in the evening hours we will move to our hotel and have free hours to rest.

Amsterdam - Marken & Volendam - Zaanse Schans After breakfast, we set off on our Marken & Volendam - Zaanse Schans tour. While exploring Marken and Volendam, where you can observe the traditional Dutch way of life at its best, you will be deeply impressed by the scenery and the colourful houses lined up one after another. The residents of Marken, a village that once made its living from fishing, adapted their way of life after the island became a tourist destination and was connected to the mainland by a bridge, with handicrafts and the production of traditional clothing becoming widespread. The houses, built on piles to prevent flooding, are still under preservation today. We will reach Volendam, which is considerably larger than Marken, after a short journey over the bridge. Along the way, in an area home to various cheese producers and cheese-tasting workshops, we will visit a cheese producer and learn about the cheese-making process. After a short free time for shopping, we will move on to Volendam. In this lovely town, which was briefly home to famous artists such as Picasso and Renoir in the 20th century, you can see many homeowners walking around in traditional clothing.

Amsterdam – Bruges - Brussels After breakfast, we complete the check-out procedures at our hotel and set off for Brussels. Following our journey, we will arrive in Bruges, often called the Venice of the North. Protected by UNESCO, the city offers visitors a journey back in time through its historic texture, well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow streets, colorful historic buildings with distinctive facades, canals, and important landmarks. With its green parks and nature steeped in history, Bruges will leave you in awe with its romantic atmosphere. During our walking city tour, we will see the Grote Markt, the Town Hall notable for its Gothic architecture, the Belfort Bell Tower, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and Minnewater (Lake of Love), which offers the most beautiful view of the city. During the free time given to explore the city, you can spend time in the charming cafes and have your lunch at local restaurants. After our journey, we will arrive in Brussels. Brussels, also the capital of the European Union, can be described as one of the centers of international diplomacy.

Luxembourg - Trier After breakfast, we set off in the morning hours towards Luxembourg. On the way, we will visit Trier, located in the southwest of Germany on the banks of the Rhine River, one of the oldest cities in the country. Known as Augusta Treverorum during the Roman Empire, Trier is a fascinating city with its rich history and architecture. Trier's history dates back to the Roman period, and the city was built by the Romans in the 16th century B.C. For this reason, many ruins and structures from the ancient Roman period are still visitable today. Among them are the Porta Nigra (Black Gate), the Kaiserthermen (Imperial Thermal Baths), and the Roman Bridge (Römerbrücke), all of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After our tour here, we will move on towards Luxembourg. Strategically located in the heart of Europe, Luxembourg is one of the most economically developed countries in the world. Founded in 963, the city sits at the crossroads of Roman and Germanic cultures and has been shaped by the influence of these two civilizations.

After breakfast, we will check out of our rooms early and leave our hotel to travel to Paris. During our journey, we will visit Metz. One of France’s oldest cities, Metz changed hands many times throughout history due to wars between France and Germany. Bearing traces of both cultures, the city stands out for its historic atmosphere and natural surroundings. One of France’s greenest cities, Metz has a rich natural environment thanks to the Moselle and Seille Rivers and its lakes. The medieval Germans’ Gate, built by German workers over the Moselle River; Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 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, will be among the places we see in the city. After our visit to Metz, we will continue to Paris. Upon arrival, we will begin exploring Paris, one of the world’s leading cities, with traces of its past visible around every corner. Closely associated with romance, the city largely derives this identity from the neoclassical architecture that shapes it.

After breakfast, we will begin our Eiffel Tower - Seine River tour. During our boat trip on the Seine River, we will see Paris’s iconic landmarks from a different perspective. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Alexander III Bridge, the Orsay Museum and the Institute of France will be just some of the places we view panoramically. During our time on the river, we will have the opportunity to see the city’s well-known landmarks from the water. After the boat trip, 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 and welcomes millions of visitors. After our tour, we will visit a shop where you can sample tax-free, reasonably priced, high-quality perfumes. You will also have an opportunity to shop here. Free time will then be provided on Champs-Élysées Avenue for shopping and dinner. We will meet at the specified time, travel to our hotel and have free time to rest.

After breakfast in the morning, we will begin our tour of Montmartre (Painters’ Hill), Notre Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg Gardens and the Louvre District. Our first stop will be the artistic and bohemian district of Montmartre (Painters’ Hill) in northern Paris. As we travel by coach, we will see 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 Painters’ Hill and visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Construction of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart began on Painters’ Hill in 1875 to symbolise France’s spiritual renewal, at a time when the hill was a centre of religious life. The building only opened for worship after World War I. Following its spiritual transformation, the Montmartre District became an artistic centre and was home to many famous artists, including Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Emile Zola. You will have free time on Painters’ Hill to explore its bohemian streets lined with art galleries and have lunch. We will then proceed to Notre Dame Cathedral, located beside the Seine River in the historic centre of Paris.

Paris – Istanbul After breakfast, we will complete the check-out procedures and leave our hotel. Following the free time to be given by our guide, we will move towards the airport at the designated time. After completing our ticket and baggage procedures, we will fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport on a Pegasus Airlines flight. With our arrival at local time, our Benelux tour comes to an end. Wishing we may come together once again on another unforgettable journey…