Benelux & Paris & Alsace & Switzerland Adventure - 7 Nights With Ajet Airlines (AMS-BSL)

Istanbul – Amsterdam

We will meet at the Sabiha Gökçen Airport international departures terminal three hours before departure to complete our ticket and baggage procedures. Our scheduled flight with Ajet Airlines to Amsterdam will take approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. Upon arrival in Amsterdam, we begin exploring the city. Known for its history, cultural richness, canals, museums, and vibrant atmosphere, Amsterdam is among Europe's most cosmopolitan cities and stands out for its liberal lifestyle compared to other European capitals. In this youthful city, numerous events, festivals, and concerts are held throughout the year, and it is also filled with galleries, museums, and exhibitions showcasing both classical and modern art. During our Amsterdam tour, 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), Amsterdam's oldest church. In the evening, we will head to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Amsterdam - Marken - Volendam - Brussels

After breakfast, we will depart from our hotel to visit Marken & Volendam, located approximately 1 hour from Amsterdam. While touring these two fishing villages where you can best observe the traditional lifestyle of the Netherlands, their natural beauty and rows of colorful houses will surely impress you. The residents of Marken, a village once dependent on fishing, transformed after it became a tourist destination and was connected to the mainland by a bridge; handicrafts and traditional costumes production became widespread. Houses built on piles to prevent flooding are still preserved today. We will reach Volendam, much larger than Marken, via a short journey across the bridge. On the way, in an area featuring various cheese producers and cheese tasting workshops, we will visit a cheese producer and learn about cheese production. After a short free time for shopping, we will proceed towards Volendam. In this charming town, where famous artists like Picasso and Renoir stayed briefly during the 20th century, you can see many hosts dressed in traditional attire. As we tour the village, where fishing continues to some extent, you will see historic fishermen's houses, museums, workshops, and shops where handicrafts are made. Volendam is known for its traditional cuisine, and you will have time for lunch here. After visiting these two beautiful villages, we will continue our tour towards Brussels. After approximately three hours of travel, we will arrive in Brussels. We can describe Brussels as one of the centers of international diplomacy and the capital of the European Union. During our city tour in Brussels, which has successfully preserved its heritage from the Middle Ages while developing into a modern metropolis, we will visit sites including the Royal Palace, Grand Place (city square), St. Michael's Church, and the Bourse Building. At the end of the tour, you will have free time to explore the city. In the evening, we will head back to our hotel, and after completing check-in procedures, you will have free time.

Brussels – Bruges – Paris

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and head to Bruges. After approximately one hour of travel, we will arrive in Bruges, known as the "Venice of the North." With its historic fabric, well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow streets, colorful facades of historic buildings, canals, and significant landmarks, this city protected by UNESCO offers visitors a journey through time. Bruges, steeped in history with its green parks and natural surroundings, will captivate you with its romantic atmosphere. During our walking city tour, we will visit Grote Markt, the Town Hall with its striking Gothic architecture, the Belfry Bell Tower, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and Minnewater (Lake of Love), which offers the most beautiful views of the city. During the free time given to explore the city, you can spend time in its charming cafes and enjoy lunch at local restaurants. After our tour of Bruges, 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. Undoubtedly, what gives Paris this characteristic is that neoclassical architecture shapes the entire city. Paris, adorned from its wide boulevards to its side streets with Haussmann buildings, welcomes visitors as if they were in an open-air museum, offering a broad range of experiences in art, culture, fashion, and gastronomy on each visit. Our first stop on the Paris city tour is Champs-Élysées, the street that immediately comes to mind when thinking of shopping. After free time for dining and shopping, we will meet at the time specified by the guide and proceed to our hotel for accommodation.

Paris  

After breakfast, we will leave our hotel in the morning to visit the most important sites of Paris. Our first stop will be Montmartre (Artists' Hill), the city's most artistic and bohemian district located in northern Paris. By vehicle, we will first see the Pigalle area, famous worldwide for its vibrant nightlife and colorful atmosphere, which is also home to the cabaret show Moulin Rouge. At Artists' Hill, accessible by funicular, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica will welcome us. Once the center of religious life, Artists' Hill saw the construction of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica begin in 1875 to symbolize France's spiritual renewal; however, it could only open for worship after World War I. Following its spiritual transformation, the Montmartre district became an art center and has hosted many renowned artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Émile Zola. You will enjoy strolling through its bohemian streets filled with art galleries, and you will have free time to explore Artists' Hill before lunch. We will continue our city tour by visiting the Montparnasse district, known as the center of modern art and intellectual life, which also hosts numerous entertainment venues. Afterwards, a pleasant boat tour on the Seine River awaits you, offering views of Paris's iconic landmarks. During our river cruise, you will see panoramic views of several sites including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Alexandre III Bridge, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Institut de France. In the late afternoon, we will ascend to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, from where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Paris. Designed for the 1889 Paris World Fair, the tower has gradually become the symbol of Paris and one of the world's most magnificent structures. It remains one of the most famous tourist attractions globally, welcoming millions of visitors each year. Afterward, following some shopping at the Benlux store, we will proceed to our hotel. Free time to rest.

Paris – Metz – Luxembourg

After breakfast, we depart from our hotel and head towards Metz. After approximately 3.5 hours of travel, we arrive in Metz, one of France's historic cities. You will have free time in the city center. Guests who wish may optionally join the additional tour of the Moselle and Seille Rivers and Lakes – Porte des Allemands – Place d'Armes Square – Metz Covered Market (45 Euro). Throughout its history, Metz has constantly changed hands due to wars between France and Germany; it offers an atmosphere steeped in history where you can see reflections of both cultures, as well as stunning natural beauty. As one of France's greenest cities, Metz boasts a mesmerizing landscape with the Moselle and Seille Rivers and lakes. Among the places we will visit are the "Porte des Allemands" (German Gate), built by German workers on the Moselle River during the Middle Ages; the dazzling Saint-Etienne Cathedral, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture; Place d'Armes Square; the famous Metz Covered Market; and the opera and theater building, one of France's oldest structures. After our visit here, we proceed towards Luxembourg. After approximately one hour of travel, we arrive in Luxembourg. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. Included in the tour are Casemates du Bock, Place Guillaume, and Chemin de la Corniche, recognized as one of Europe's most beautiful balconies. In the evening, we head back to our hotel. After settling into your rooms, you will have free time. Overnight at our hotel.

Luxembourg – Strasbourg – Colmar - Alsace

After breakfast, we will depart early from our hotel towards Strasbourg. A city that throughout history was shared between Germany and France and changed hands many times, it was returned to France after World War I via the Treaty of Versailles. Known as a symbol of European peace, Strasbourg is home to numerous international institutions such as the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. Along with its historical and cultural richness, Strasbourg is surrounded by many canals and waterways. During our city tour in this city built on the Ill River, a tributary of the Rhine, we will visit Notre Dame Cathedral, once among the largest structures in the world, and the picturesque medieval quarter Le Petit France, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the Strasbourg tour, we head to Colmar, the jewel of the Alsace region. In our city tour of Colmar, famous for its colorful half-timbered houses, flower-adorned balconies, and canals, the Le Petit Venice (Little Venice) district stands out as one of the most striking areas of the city. In the evening, we proceed to our hotel. After settling into our rooms, there is free time. Overnight at our hotel.

Freiburg – Lucerne – Basel - Alsace

After breakfast, we depart from our hotel and head to Freiburg. A German city located at the edge of the Black Forest, Freiburg is known for its "Bachle," miniature water channels that adorn the city center—one of its most characteristic features. Built in the 13th century to prevent fires in the city, these channels are now among the most striking historical elements of Freiburg. The Gothic Freiburg Minster Cathedral, rising in the city center, is another important landmark we will visit. After our tour of Freiburg, we proceed to Lucerne. Guests who wish may join an optional City Tour of Lucerne (45 Euro). Located on the shores of the Four Cantons Lake, Lucerne's highlights include the Reuss River, Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Musegg Wall, and the Nine Towers. After our tour of Lucerne, we continue to Basel. Upon arrival in Basel, we begin our city tour. Historically a major trade hub, Basel is today Switzerland's third-largest city and also hosts numerous museums and exhibitions. During our walking city tour, we will see the ornate red City Hall, the Basel Monastery originally built as a Catholic church in 1091 and rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1356, as well as the old town square and market area, Marktplatz. In the evening, we leave the city and head back to our hotel. After settling into our rooms, we have free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel.

Basel  –  Istanbul

After breakfast, we will complete our check-out procedures and depart from our hotel. Following the free time provided by our guide, we will proceed to the airport at the scheduled time. We will complete our ticket and baggage procedures and fly to Istanbul Airport via Ajet Airlines' scheduled flight. With our local arrival, the Benelux tour concludes. 

We hope to meet again on another unforgettable journey...