Austria and Hungary Tour , August 29

Istanbul - Amsterdam We will meet at the international departure terminal of Istanbul Airport three hours before our flight to complete our ticket and baggage procedures. Our flight with Turkish Airlines to Amsterdam will take approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. Upon arrival in Amsterdam, we will set out to explore the city. Known for its historical and cultural richness, canals, museums, and vibrant atmosphere, Amsterdam is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, standing out among other European capitals with its liberal lifestyle. The youthful city hosts numerous events, festivals, and concerts throughout the year, and is filled with galleries, museums, and exhibitions showcasing classical and modern artworks. During our tour of Amsterdam, we will visit Damrak, the city's most popular 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 relax.

Amsterdam - Marken - Volendam - Brussels After breakfast, we will depart from our hotel for our excursion to Marken & Volendam, located about 1 hour from Amsterdam. As we explore these two fishing villages, known for their traditional Dutch lifestyle, you will be captivated by the natural beauty and the rows of colorful houses. The residents of Marken, who once relied on fishing, have transformed their way of life since the village became a tourist destination and was connected to the mainland by a bridge, leading to a rise in crafts and traditional clothing production. The houses built on stilts to prevent flooding are still preserved today. We will take a short journey over the bridge to Volendam, which is much larger than Marken. Along the way, we will visit a cheese producer in an area known for various cheese makers and cheese tasting workshops, where we will learn about cheese production. After a brief free time for shopping, we will head towards Volendam. In this beautiful village, where famous artists like Picasso and Renoir stayed briefly in the 20th century, you can see many locals dressed in traditional costumes.

Brussels - Bruges - Paris After breakfast, we will complete our hotel check-out and head to Bruges. After approximately one hour of travel, we will arrive in Bruges, often referred to as the Venice of the North. This UNESCO-protected city offers visitors a journey through history with its rich historical fabric, well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow streets, colorful facades of historical buildings, canals, and significant structures. With its parks and nature surrounded by greenery, Bruges, steeped in history, will also captivate you with its romantic atmosphere. During our walking city tour, we will see places such as the Grote Markt, the Town Hall with its Gothic architecture, the Belfry 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 relax in its charming cafes and enjoy lunch at local restaurants. After our visit to Bruges, we will set off for Paris. Upon arrival, we will begin exploring Paris, one of the world's most important metropolises, where you can see traces of its history at every corner.

After breakfast, we will depart from our hotel to see the most important sights of Paris in the morning. Our first stop will be Montmartre (Artists' Hill), the most artistic and bohemian district located in the north of the city. We will first see the Pigalle area, home to the world-famous cabaret show Moulin Rouge, known for its vibrant nightlife and colorful atmosphere. As we ascend to Artists' Hill via funicular, the Sacre Coure Basilica will greet us. Once the center of religious life, the construction of the Sacre Coure Basilica began in 1875 to symbolize France's spiritual renewal, but it was only opened for worship after World War I. After its spiritual transformation, the Montmartre area became an art center, hosting many famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Emile Zola. You will have free time to explore the charming bohemian streets filled with art galleries and enjoy lunch. Our city tour will continue as we visit the Montparnasse area, known as the center of modern art and intellectual life, which also features many entertainment venues.

Paris - Metz - Luxembourg After breakfast, we will complete our check-out procedures early in the morning and depart from our hotel. Following a journey of approximately 3.5 hours, our first stop will be Metz, one of the oldest cities in France. Due to the wars between France and Germany throughout its history, Metz has constantly changed hands, and you will be captivated by its historic atmosphere, which reflects both cultures, as well as its magnificent nature. As one of the greenest cities in France, Metz boasts a stunning landscape with the Moselle and Seille Rivers and lakes. Among the sights we will see are the “German Gate,” built by German workers during the Middle Ages on the Moselle River, the dazzlingly beautiful Saint-Etienne Cathedral, which is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Place d’Armes Square, the famous Metz Covered Market, and the opera and theater building, which are among the oldest structures in France. After our visit here, we will head towards Luxembourg. Following a pleasant one-hour journey, we will immediately start our city tour.

Luxembourg - Strasbourg - Colmar - Alsace After breakfast, we will set off early from our hotel towards Strasbourg. This city, which has been contested by Germany and France throughout history and has changed hands many times, was returned to France after World War I with the Treaty of Versailles. Known as a symbol of European peace, 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 numerous canals and waterways. The city is built on the Ill River, a tributary of the Rhine, and is home to the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was once among the largest structures in the world. The picturesque medieval town of La Petite France (Little France), located in the historic center of Strasbourg and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most memorable places to visit. After our exploration of Strasbourg, we will continue our journey with a visit to Colmar, the jewel of the Alsace region.

Freiburg - Luzern - Basel - Alsace After breakfast, we will depart from our hotel and head to Freiburg. This German city is located at the edge of the Black Forest. When you think of Freiburg, the first thing that comes to mind is undoubtedly the city center lined with miniature water channels known as "Bachle." These channels, built in the 13th century, were designed to prevent fires in the city. Today, we can say they are historical remnants that attract the attention of Freiburg's visitors and children. The Gothic Freiburg Minster Cathedral, rising in the heart of the city, is another remarkable structure. After our visit to Freiburg, we will proceed to Luzern. Situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne, the city will leave romantic impressions in your memories with its unique scenery surrounded by mountains, half-timbered houses, narrow streets, and flower-adorned balconies. The stunning Reuss River, flowing through the city center, is one of its symbols.

Basel - Istanbul After breakfast, we will complete our check-out procedures and leave the hotel. After some free time given 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 on Turkish Airlines flight. With our arrival at local time, our Benelux tour comes to an end. We hope to come together again on another journey where you will create unforgettable memories…