Triple Benelux, France and Germany Tour

Düsseldorf and Amsterdam

We meet at the Turkish Airlines counter in the International Departures Terminal at Istanbul Airport 3 hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Düsseldorf at 08.00 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 1523. Upon arrival at 09.20 local time, we begin our city tour in the vehicle waiting for us at the airport. In Düsseldorf, one of Germany's important cities for culture, art and industry, the sights we will see include the revolving restaurant at Rheinturm, the shopping street Königsallee and Horfgarten with its green spaces. After the city tour, we set off for Amsterdam. Upon arrival in Amsterdam, we begin our city tour. The sights we will see include Dam Square, Central Station, the National Monument, the Royal Palace and the Flower Market. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotels in Amsterdam or the surrounding area.

Fairytale villages

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional Fairy-Tale Villages and Waterways tour (Zaanse Schans & Volendam & Giethoorn Hobbit Village), available at an extra charge. (110 Euro) Our tour begins in the town of Zaanse Schans. This town in the Netherlands is known for its historic windmills dating back to the 17th century that are still in operation, its wooden houses and its natural surroundings. As you walk around the town, you can see historic buildings in a setting resembling an open-air museum. Stop 2 on our tour is Marken. Once an island, Marken was later connected to the mainland by filling in the area between them. After exploring Marken, we head to Volendam. Volendam is known for its harbour, traditional Dutch houses and people in traditional dress. Here, you can sample seafood and cheeses and buy reasonably priced souvenirs. After visiting Volendam, we continue to our final stop, Giethoorn Hobbit Village. A visitor destination in Europe, Giethoorn began to gain recognition through the 1958 film Fanfare, which was filmed here. The village became better known after the film and now welcomes over 800.000 tourists a year. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotels in or around Amsterdam.

Onward to Brussels

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Brussels. Along the way, guests who wish can join the optional Bruges & Ghent Cities Tour at an extra cost. (90 Euro) The first stop on the tour is Bruges. One of Europe's most visited cities, Bruges was placed under UNESCO protection in 1991. The city is known for its medieval architecture, canals, narrow streets, bridges, historic buildings and squares. After visiting Bruges, we continue to Ghent. With a history spanning 1400 years, Ghent was founded at the confluence of the Schelde and Lys rivers. One of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Middle Ages, Ghent is known for its historic monuments from this period and its university. After completing our tour here, we depart for Brussels. A stop on Benelux tours, Brussels offers visitors a variety of experiences thanks to its cosmopolitan character. Upon arrival, our city tour includes sights such as the Royal Palace, the Chinese and Japanese Houses, Brussels Cathedral, the city square, the Stock Exchange Building, the Atomium Monument and the Manneken Pis Statue. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and have free time. Overnight at our hotels in or around Brussels.

Onward to Paris

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Paris. Upon arrival, our city tour takes us past Charles de Gaulle and the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, the Louvre Museum and Pyramid, Etoile Square, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais Exhibition Halls, Concorde Square and the Obelisk, the French Parliament Building, Alexandre 3 Bridge, the Seine River, Napoleon's Tomb and the Eiffel Tower. After the tour, there is free time. Later, guests who wish can join the optional Paris by Night tour at an extra charge. (35 Euro) On this tour, we see Champs Elysees, Concorde Square, the Louvre Museum and various boulevards, buildings and squares illuminated at night. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at a hotel in or around Paris.

Paris landmarks

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Paris Masterpieces & Seine River Boat Tour (Eiffel Tower & Seine River Boat Trip & Montmarte Artists’ Hill & Sacre Coeur Basilica & Notre Dame Cathedral), available at an extra cost. (110 Euro) The first stop is the Eiffel Tower, one of the city’s landmarks, visited by millions of tourists every year. We go up to floor 2 of the tower to see Paris from above. Next, we take a boat trip on the Seine River, which divides Paris in two, and see the historic buildings on both banks. After the boat trip, we take a cable car up Montmarte Hill, the highest hill in Paris. On this hill, which bears the traces of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henry Toulouse Lautrec, Dalida, Vincent Van Gogh and Jean Marais, we first see Sacre Coeur (Church of Vows). We then stop at Tertre Square for shopping and the chance to have your portrait drawn. After the break, we visit Notre Dame Cathedral, considered one of the symbols of France’s history and part of the Paris skyline. Notre Dame Cathedral was built on the orders of King Louis VII, who reigned between 1137 - 1180, to show the world the political, economic and cultural power of Paris. After the visit, we take a short photo break and then transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotels in Paris or the surrounding area.

Onward to Luxembourg

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Luxembourg. On arrival, we begin our city tour, seeing Notre Dame Cathedral, the Grand Ducal Palace, City Hall and Constitution Square. After the tour, guests may join the optional History and Mosaics (Trier & Remich & Schengen) tour at an extra charge. (65 Euro)

Our first stop on this tour is Trier, founded by the Romans in 15 BC and known as Germany's oldest city. The city lies on the banks of the Moselle River, a tributary of the Rhine River, in the Moselle Wine Region, among low red sandstone hills covered with vines. During the city tour, we see Porta Nigra, the largest surviving Roman city gate north of the Alps; the Roman Monuments, St. Peter's Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady, which form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Basilica of Constantine; and the house where Karl Marx, the revolutionary thinker known as the father of scientific socialism, was born.

After visiting Trier, we head to the town of Remich, where you can shop at the lowest prices on this tour. Thanks to Luxembourg's low tax policies and the town's border location, you can buy products such as chocolate, coffee and alcoholic drinks at low prices.

Our last stop is Schengen, where the borders of Germany, France and Luxembourg meet. The agreement on free movement that abolished passport checks between European Union member countries was signed here. In this village, located in one of Europe's important wine regions, you can taste local wines and see the building where the Schengen Agreement was signed, as well as the monument.

After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotels in Luxembourg or the surrounding area.

Strasbourg and Alsace

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Strasbourg in France's Alsace region. During our visit to Strasbourg, we will see some of Europe's largest medieval neighbourhoods with cobblestone streets. The city is known for its natural surroundings, historic buildings, wooden houses, medieval churches, cathedrals and works of art. Strasbourg, where the French national anthem La Marseillaise was written, brings together Alsace culture and French architecture. On our city tour, we will see Strasbourg Cathedral, Rohan Palace, Kleber Square and the Petit France district, home to traditional Alsace houses.

After the city tour, guests who wish can join the optional Villages of Alsace (Eguisheim & Colmar & Kaysersberg & Riquewihr) tour. (110 Euro) The first stop on this tour, which offers opportunities to take photographs, will be Egusheim. Named Favourite French Village in 2013, Egusheim is known for its historic buildings and natural surroundings. The colourful houses of Equesheim reflect the typical architecture of the Alsace region.

We then depart for Colmar, known for its medieval buildings, Gothic churches and colourful houses. As we explore Colmar's well-preserved streets, we will see St.Martin Cathedral, built entirely of pink stone; Little Venice, whose small canals recall Venice in Italy; Maison Pfister, one of the city's oldest houses; and Maison des Tetes, a Renaissance building decorated with faces.

The third stop on our tour will be Kaysersberg. Located in France's Alsace region, Kayserberg is known for its medieval buildings, colourful houses and narrow streets. The 13th-century Château de Kaysersberg castle is one of the town's main landmarks. Sainte-Croix Church, in the centre, stands out for its Gothic architecture.

Our final stop will be Riquewihr, one of the settlements in Alsace with many half-timbered houses. This historic village features old houses decorated with flowers, narrow streets and a medieval setting enclosed by walls. During our visit, we will see the ruins of Riquewihr Castle and walk along the village's old walls.

After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Strasbourg or the surrounding area. Overnight at our hotels in Strasbourg or the surrounding area.

Stuttgart and the return

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart for Stuttgart. Located among green hills in southwestern Germany, Stuttgart is known for its industry, parks, vineyards and cultural life. The city tour will include views of Schlossplatz (Palace Square), Stuttgart's largest square, Neues Schloss (New Castle), Altes Schloss (Old Castle) and Johanneskirche (St. John's Church). After the tour, depart for Stuttgart Airport at the time announced by the guide. After baggage, ticket and passport procedures are completed, depart for Istanbul at 18.50 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1706. The tour will end upon arrival at 23.50 local time.