ANKARA – ZURICH – STRASBOURG – (Alsace Pearls: Colmar & Riquewihr Tour) – ALSACE / BASEL
After baggage drop-off, check-in, and passport control procedures that we will complete 3 hours before departure at Ankara Esenboğa Airport International Terminal, we fly to Zurich at 07:20 on SunExpress Airlines’ direct scheduled flight XQ732. Upon arrival at Zurich Airport at 09:45 local time, we head to Strasbourg with our private coach waiting for us at the airport. Strasbourg, located on the border of Germany, Switzerland, and France, and also the largest city of the Alsace region, will welcome us like something out of a fairy tale, with a picture-perfect beauty. During the panoramic city tour we will carry out on foot in the vehicle-free center and streets of Strasbourg, which was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1988 and has hosted the European Parliament since 1992, we will see places such as Gutenberg Square and Statue, Notre Dame Cathedral, the city’s most important landmark located in its very heart, and Kammerzell House, the oldest house in the city and still operating today as a hotel and restaurant. After free time following the Strasbourg tour, transfer to our hotel in the Alsace/Basel region. On the way, guests who wish may join our optional Alsace Pearls: Colmar & Riquewihr Tour (€80). On this tour, we first travel to the fairy-tale town of Colmar, where we will see the Old Customs House, Pfister House, and the colorful houses around the Rhine River, as well as the city’s most famous area, Petite Venise (Little Venice). In this unique setting surrounded by the Rhine River and its canals, you will have the chance to enjoy many delicious local foods as well as buy many souvenirs. Our next stop will be Riquewihr, famous for its vineyards, flower-decorated balconies, characteristic rows of shops, cobblestone car-free streets, buildings that somehow survived World War II without damage, and charming cafés; with its tower housing the Dolder Museum, which preserves the city’s story through documents, it resembles a Grimm fairy tale. After our visit in Riquewihr, we continue our journey to our hotel in the Alsace/Basel region. Upon arrival at the hotel, room assignment and free time for rest.
ALSACE / BASEL – HEIDI’S VILLAGES & ST. MORITZ – BERNINA EXPRESS / RED TRAIN – MILAN
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for St. Moritz for the unforgettable and dreamlike train journey on the Bernina railway line. Following our panoramic journey through the scenery of Heidi’s Villages, featuring countless images from the beloved childhood story of our sevimli heroine Heidi, who lived in the Alps with her grandfather and best friend Peter, and landscapes of endless mountains and green meadows, we arrive in St. Moritz, Switzerland’s natural wonder and a favorite destination of the jet set. Depending on the Bernina railway line train departure time, there may be free time and a short sightseeing tour, after which we reach the station for the unforgettable and enchanting train journey on the Bernina Express / Red Train. Built between 1898 and 1904, this world-famous line, now included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, is a dream for many travelers. During this fairy-tale journey, we will witness and photograph extraordinary landscapes. After approximately 2 hours of pleasant train travel, we arrive at Tirano Station and return to our hotel in the Milan region by the vehicle waiting for us.
MILAN – (Portofino Tour by Boat) – NICE
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for our Milan city tour. Milan, one of Europe’s fashion capitals, is also known for its cuisine, opera, and churches. Although recognized as Italy’s business and financial capital, it is also the right destination for shopping and dining experiences. During our city tour of Milan, major sights include the famous opera house La Scala, Duomo Square and Cathedral, and Porta Romano. At the end of the Milan city tour, we set off for Nice. On the way, guests who wish may join the optional Portofino Tour by Boat (€65). Surrounded by colorful houses and inspiring songs with its beauty, Portofino enchants visitors with its narrow streets, colorful houses, green hills, and turquoise Mediterranean views. After our visit to Portofino, we continue our journey to Nice. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Nice region, room assignment and free time for rest.
NICE – (Cannes & Nice Tour) – (Eze & Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour)
After breakfast, we offer a full day of free time. During this free time, guests who wish may join the optional Cannes & Nice Tour (€70). On this tour, we first head to Cannes. Famous for hosting the annual Cannes Film Festival, Cannes has a sparkling sea and golden sandy beaches. During our city tour, we will first see the old town, the city’s first settlement. While walking through its narrow, winding, traffic-free streets, we will have the chance to see souvenir shops and do some shopping. After visiting La Croisette Boulevard, which stretches along Cannes’ coast and is home to many luxury restaurants, shops, and hotels, and Meynadier Street, we enjoy free time before arriving in Nice. On our Nice tour, we will see Promenade des Anglais, Nice Port, Massena Square, Flower Market, and the Courthouse. During the free time after the Nice tour, guests who wish may join the optional Eze & Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour (€80). On this tour, our first stop is Eze Village, one of the most famous villages of the Côte d’Azur with its magnificent views, where we visit a perfume factory where you can test many beautiful and famous perfumes and purchase them at favorable prices. Afterward, our second stop is the country of Monaco, the kingdom of fairy tales and, after the Vatican, the world’s smallest state on the French Riviera. Upon arrival, we will conduct a panoramic city tour of Monte Carlo, the center of luxury and splendor. After the tour, we return to our hotel in the Nice region.
NICE – (Annecy Tour) – GENEVA
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for Geneva. On the way, guests who wish may join the optional Annecy Tour (€50). Known as the “Venice of the Alps” thanks to the canals and the Thiou River passing through it, Annecy captivates visitors with its canal-based structure and extraordinary location between mountains and a lake. During our tour, the Château d’Annecy, built in the 17th century and restored in 1947, St. Maurice Church, and the Palais de l’Isle, a favorite spot for photography lovers, will be seen panoramically. After a short free time on the shores of Lake Annecy, the third largest lake in France, we complete the tour and continue our journey to Geneva. Upon arrival at our hotel, room assignment and free time for rest.
GENEVA – BERN – (Switzerland Alpine Villages by Train: Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen Tour) – ALSACE / BASEL
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for our Geneva city tour. Known as the “French city of Switzerland” and located on the shores of Lake Geneva, Geneva is a magnificent city where history, culture, science, and nature come together. The presence of the headquarters of international organizations such as CERN, the World Health Organization, UEFA, FIFA, and the United Nations makes the city an important cultural and administrative center. During our tour of Geneva, where museums, parks, historical monuments and streets, and clean air come together, the main sights include St. Pierre Cathedral, the Jet d’Eau fountain, which has become a symbol of Geneva and rises up to 140 meters, and the Reformation Wall. After the city tour, we head to Bern. Bern is one of the rare cities in Europe that has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Due to this historic character, it is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Located within Swiss borders and with German as the official language, Bern also reflects German cultural influence in its architecture. After our tour in Bern, guests who wish may join the optional Switzerland Alpine Villages by Train: Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen Tour (€80). Our first stop will be Interlaken. We will tour this place, named “inter-lakes” because of its location between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, and famous for its natural beauty and breathtaking views. Important hotels, casinos, and shopping streets of the region are located along our walking route. The Victoria Jungfrau Hotel and Höhematte Park, some of the city’s historical symbols, will be seen panoramically. After free time for photography and sightseeing, we proceed to the train station for our next stop, Lauterbrunnen. We arrive in Lauterbrunnen after an approximately 20-minute train ride from Interlaken. From the station, we will immediately feel the deep structure of the valley and the steep rock walls. Walking toward the village center, we will see the magnificent Staubbach Falls cascading toward the valley floor. Lauterbrunnen is known for the small settlements along the valley, home to 72 waterfalls, and its walking paths. On our walk along the designated route in the village, we will photograph traditional chalet architecture, natural formations surrounding the valley floor, and the beautiful, heaven-like scenery. We return to Interlaken by train and complete the tour. After the tour, we head to our hotel in the Alsace/Basel region. Upon arrival at the hotel, room assignment and free time for rest.
ALSACE / BASEL – (Freiburg Tour) – OUTLET – STUTTGART
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for our outlet center visit in the Stuttgart region. On the way, guests who wish may join the optional Freiburg Tour (€45). On this tour, we visit Freiburg, one of the best examples of green urbanism. In Freiburg, where only low-carbon-emission vehicles have been allowed to enter since 2010 and transportation is largely provided by tram and bicycle, we will see the traces of the German, French, Austrian, Spanish, and Swedish historical and architectural cultures under whose rule the city has been throughout history. In our city tour of Freiburg, also known as the capital of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), the city’s most important symbol, Freiburg Cathedral, the small water channels unique to Freiburg, the charming streets, Martin’s Gate, a medieval city gate, and Rathausplatz will be among the sights. After the tour, we continue our journey to the outlet center. After pleasant free time for affordable and quality shopping among the stylish stores of world-famous prestigious brands, cafés and restaurants, and personal activity areas, we arrive at our hotel in the Stuttgart region. Upon arrival at the hotel, room assignment and free time for rest.
STUTTGART – ANKARA
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we head to Stuttgart Airport for our return flight to Ankara. Upon arrival at the airport, after completing baggage drop-off, check-in, and passport control procedures, we fly to Ankara on SunExpress Airlines’ direct scheduled flight XQ791 at 08:05. Arrival at Esenboğa Airport at 12:10 local time, and end of the tour.