Comfort Benelux & Paris & Alsace & Switzerland Tour - With Ajet Airlines, 7 Nights, Including Extra Tours AMS-BSL

1st DAY Istanbul – Amsterdam We will meet at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, international departures terminal, three hours before the flight to complete our ticketing and baggage procedures. Our scheduled Ajet Airlines flight to Amsterdam will take approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. After our arrival in Amsterdam, we will begin exploring the city. Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, is famous for its historical and cultural richness, canals, museums, and vibrant atmosphere; it also stands out among other European capitals with its liberal lifestyle. Throughout the year, the youthful city hosts many events, festivals, and concerts, and is also filled with galleries, museums, and exhibitions featuring classical and modern works of art. During our Amsterdam tour, among the places we will see are 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 and have free time to rest. 2nd DAY Amsterdam - Marken - Volendam - Brussels After breakfast, we will depart from our hotel and visit Marken & Volendam, located about 1 hour away from Amsterdam. While touring these two fishing towns, where traditional Dutch life can be observed at its best, you will be greatly impressed by their nature and the colorful houses lined up one after another. The residents of Marken, which used to live by fishing, transformed their way of life after the island became a tourist destination and was connected to the mainland by a bridge, with the production of handicrafts and traditional clothing becoming widespread. The houses built on stilts to prevent flooding are still under protection today. We will reach Volendam by a short trip over the bridge, much larger than Marken. Along the way, in the area where there are various cheese producers and cheese tasting workshops, we will visit a cheese producer and learn about cheese production. After some free time for shopping, we will continue on to Volendam. In this lovely town, where famous artists such as Picasso and Renoir stayed briefly in the 20th century, you may see many residents walking around in traditional clothing. As we tour the town, which still partly continues its fishing tradition, we will see historic fishermen’s houses, museums, workshops, and shops where handicrafts are made. In Volendam, which is known for its traditional cuisine, you will have time for lunch. After visiting these two beautiful villages, we will continue our journey to Brussels. After an approximately three-hour drive, we will arrive in Brussels. We can describe Brussels, the capital of the European Union, as one of the centers of international diplomacy. In Brussels, which has successfully preserved its medieval heritage while also developing as a modern metropolis, our city tour will include the Royal Palace, Grand Place (the main square), St. Michael, and the Stock Exchange Building. After the tour, you will have free time to explore the city. In the evening, we will head to our hotel, and after checking in to our rooms, you will have free time. 3rd DAY Brussels – Bruges - Paris After breakfast, we will complete our check-out from the hotel and depart for Bruges. After about a one-hour journey, we will arrive in Bruges, known as the Venice of the North. With its historical texture, well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow streets, colorful historic buildings, canals, and important landmarks, the city, protected by UNESCO, offers visitors a journey through time. Bruges, with its green parks and nature, will also enchant you with its romantic atmosphere. During our walking city tour, we will see Grote Markt, the Town Hall with its Gothic architecture, Belfort Bell Tower, Basilica of the Holy Blood, and Minnewater (Lake of Love), which has the city’s most beautiful view. During the free time to explore the city, you can spend time in its charming cafés and have lunch at local restaurants. After our Bruges visit, we set off for Paris. Upon arrival, we begin exploring Paris, one of the world’s most important metropolises, where traces of history can be seen in every corner. One of the first symbols that comes to mind when one thinks of romance, Paris owes this characteristic to the neoclassical architecture that shapes the entire city. Paris, decorated by Haussmann buildings from its wide avenues to its side streets, welcomes visitors like an open-air museum and offers a wide range of experiences from art and culture to fashion and gastronomy. On our Paris city tour, our first stop will be Champs-Élysées, one of the first places that comes to mind when shopping is mentioned. After free time for food and shopping, we will meet at the time determined by our guide and head to our hotel for overnight accommodation. 4th DAY Paris After breakfast, we depart from the hotel in the morning to see Paris’s most important sights. Our first stop will be Montmartre (the Painters’ Hill), the city’s most artistic and bohemian district in northern Paris. By vehicle, we will first see the Pigalle district, home to the world-famous Moulin Rouge cabaret show, known for its lively nightlife and colorful atmosphere. At the top of the hill, reached by funicular, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica will welcome us. Once the center of religious life, construction of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica began in 1875 to symbolize France’s spiritual renewal, but it was not opened for worship until after World War I. After its spiritual transformation, Montmartre became an art center and hosted many famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Émile Zola. You will enjoy exploring the bohemian streets filled with art galleries, and you will have free time for lunch. We will continue our city tour by seeing Montparnasse, known as the center of modern art and intellectual life, as well as home to many entertainment venues. Then, a scenic Seine River cruise will offer a delightful experience where you will see Paris’s iconic landmarks. During the river tour, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Alexandre III Bridge, the Orsay Museum, and the Institut de France are just some of the places we will see panoramically. In the late afternoon, we will go up to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, where you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Paris’s magnificent scenery. Designed for the 1889 Paris World Fair, the tower has become Paris’s symbol and one of the world’s most magnificent structures. It remains one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, still welcoming millions of visitors. Afterwards, after shopping at Benlux store at favorable prices, we will head to our hotel. Free time to rest. 5th DAY Paris – Metz – Luxembourg After breakfast, we will check out early in the morning and leave the hotel. After a journey of approximately 3.5 hours, our first stop will be Metz, one of France’s oldest cities. Having changed hands repeatedly throughout history due to wars between France and Germany, Metz will impress you with its history-filled atmosphere where you can see reflections of both cultures, as well as its magnificent nature. One of France’s greenest cities, Metz has a mesmerizing natural setting with the Moselle and Seille rivers and its lakes. Among the places we will see are the “German Gate,” a medieval structure built by German workers on the Moselle River; the dazzling Saint-Étienne Cathedral, 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 one of France’s oldest buildings, the opera and theater building. After our visit here, we will head to Luxembourg. After a pleasant one-hour drive, we will begin our city tour immediately. Luxembourg, located at the heart of Europe with its strategic position, is among the world’s most developed countries economically. Founded in 963, the city lies at a crossroads of Roman and Germanic cultures and has been influenced by both civilizations. After the Treaty of London, the country reached its present borders and its official name, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is the same as its capital city’s name. In Luxembourg, which attracts visitors with both its natural beauty and historical heritage, we will see the old city Casemates du Bock, featuring historic walls and underground tunnels and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Place Guillaume, one of the city’s main squares, and Chemin de la Corniche, built in the 17th century and described as the most beautiful balcony in Europe. During the free time we will have in the old town, you will have time for dinner. In the evening, we will depart the city and head to our hotel. After settling into our rooms, free time to rest. 6th DAY Luxembourg – Strasbourg – Colmar - Alsace After breakfast, we will leave our hotel early and head to Strasbourg. A city disputed for centuries by Germany and France and changing hands many times, it was returned to France again after World War I by 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 many canals and waterways. Built on the Ill River, a branch of the Rhine, the city was once home to Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the largest structures in the world. Le Petite France (Little France), the historic center of the city and a picturesque medieval quarter listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the most memorable places in Strasbourg. After our Strasbourg visit, we continue by visiting Colmar, the jewel of the Alsace region. As we explore Colmar, which vividly reflects the historical texture of the region, you will find yourself in an atmosphere where time seems to stand still. With its colorful half-timbered houses, flower-decorated balconies, and canal-lined streets, Le Petit Venice (Little Venice) is among Colmar’s most enchanting spots. In the evening, we will leave the city and head to our hotel. After settling into our rooms, free time to rest. 7th DAY Freiburg – Lucerne – Basel - Alsace After breakfast, we depart from our hotel and go to Freiburg. A German city, Freiburg is located next to the Black Forest. Without a doubt, the first thing that comes to mind when Freiburg is mentioned is that the city center is paved with miniature water channels called “Bächle.” These channels, built in the 13th century, were designed to prevent fires in the city. Today, they are among the historical features that attract the most attention from Freiburg’s visitors and children. Another notable structure is the Gothic Freiburg Minster Cathedral rising from the center of the city. After our Freiburg visit, we continue to Lucerne. Located on the shores of Lake Lucerne, the city will leave romantic impressions in your memories with its unique mountain scenery, half-timbered houses, narrow streets, and flower-decorated balconies. The beautiful Reuss River flowing through the center of the city is one of its symbols. During our Lucerne visit, which bears traces of Gothic architecture, we will see the Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument built in memory of the Swiss Guards who lost their lives while protecting the Tuileries Palace during the French Revolution, and the Musegg Wall and its Nine Towers, which were part of the city walls built in the 14th century to protect the city. After our tour, we head to Basel. Basel, historically a center of intense trade, has over time become a center of culture and industry. With the collapse of the Roman Empire, Germanic tribes began to dominate Basel and the surrounding regions, and from the 5th century onward they fully controlled the area around the Rhine River. Today, it is not only Switzerland’s third-largest city, but also home to many museums and exhibitions. During our walking tour, we will see the striking red City Hall and the Basel Minster, built in 1091 as a Catholic church and rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1356. Today serving as a Protestant church, it is listed on the Swiss national heritage list. Then we will visit Marktplatz, the old city square and market place. Hosting many festivals, this square is among the most lively places in the city. In the evening, we will leave the city and head to our hotel. After settling into our rooms, free time to rest. 8th DAY Basel – Istanbul After breakfast, we will complete our check-out and depart from the hotel. After free time given by our guide, we will head to the airport at the designated time. After completing our ticketing and baggage procedures, we will take Ajet Airlines’ scheduled flight to Istanbul Airport. Upon our arrival at local time, our Benelux tour comes to an end. We hope to meet again on another journey where you will create unforgettable memories… Museum and Site Entrance Fees: Seine River Cruise + Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor Entrance, Montmartre Funicular, Marken Entrance, City Taxes and Tourist Taxes Adult per person 160 € Ages 2–12: 100 € ***You can pay our guide during the tour*** Accommodation; o Hotel check-in times are between 15:00–17:00 / check-out times are between 10:00–12:00. o Departure and arrival times are local times. o Flights marked with * arrive at the destination on the following calendar day relative to the departure date. o Please ask for domestic connection details and price differences. SAW AMS 1340 1535 BSL SAW 1455 2000 AMSTERDAM BRUSSELS PARIS LUXEMBOURG/METZ ALSACE/COLMAR/MULHOUSE 3*** Ibis Schiphol Airport Hotel etc. 4**** ibis Styles Almere etc. 4**** Golden Tulip Ampt van Nijkerk etc. 3*** Ibis Waterloo Hotel etc. 3*** ibis Wavre Brussels East etc. 4**** Mercure Paris Airport Hotel etc. 3*** Ibis Hotels etc. 3*** Ibis Luxembourg Sud etc. 4**** Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg Hotel etc. 3*** Best Western Metz Centre Gare 3*** ibis Esch Belval etc. 3*** Greet Hotel Colmar etc. 3*** Brit Hotel Mulhouse etc.