BERNINA EXPRESS A European Fairy Tale Tour with Turkish Airlines, 7 nights, afternoon departure to Milan and afternoon return from Geneva

ISTANBUL – MILAN – NICE
After arriving at Istanbul Airport International Terminal 3 hours before the flight and completing baggage drop-off, ticketing, and passport control procedures, we fly to Milan on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1895 at 11:50. Upon arrival at Milan Malpensa Airport at 13:35 local time, we are met by our private vehicle and depart for our Milan city tour. Milan, one of Europe’s fashion capitals, also stands out with its cuisine, opera, and churches. Although known as Italy’s business and financial capital, Milan is also the right destination for shopping and dining. During our city tour, the famous opera house La Scala, Duomo Square and Cathedral, and Porta Romana are among the main places to be seen. After the Milan city tour, we depart for Nice. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Nice region, room allocation and free time to rest.
NICE – (Cannes & Nice Tour) – (Eze & Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour)
After breakfast, we offer a full day at leisure. During this free time, guests who wish may join our optional Cannes & Nice Tour (70 Euro). On this tour, we first head to Cannes. Famous for hosting the annual Cannes Film Festival, Cannes has a sparkling sea and golden beaches. During our city tour, we first see the old town, the city’s original settlement. While walking through its narrow, winding, pedestrian streets, there will be an opportunity to see souvenir shops and shop. After visiting La Croisette Boulevard, which runs along the Cannes coast and is home to many luxury restaurants, shops, and hotels, and Meynadier Street, we continue to Nice. On our Nice tour, Promenade des Anglais, Nice Port, Massena Square, the Flower Market, and the Palace of Justice are among the places to be seen. After the Nice tour, during the free time, guests who wish may join our optional Eze & Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour (80 Euro). On this tour, our first stop is Eze Village, one of the most famous villages of the Cote d’Azur with its magnificent view, where we visit a perfume factory where you can test many beautiful and famous perfumes and buy them at reasonable prices. After the tour, our second stop is the principality of Monaco, the world’s second smallest country after the Vatican, located on the French Riviera. Upon arrival, we will take 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 – (Portofino by Boat Tour) – OUTLET – MILAN
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for Milan. Along the way, guests who wish may join our optional Portofino by Boat Tour (65 Euro). Portofino, surrounded by colorful houses, is a sight worth seeing with its narrow streets, colorful houses, green hills, and turquoise Mediterranean, inspiring songs with its beauty. After our Portofino visit, we continue our journey to Milan. On the way, we will visit an outlet center. After the free time we will provide for pleasant and affordable shopping at the famous outlet center, which hosts prestigious stores, cafes and restaurants, and areas for personal activities, we complete our tour and continue toward Milan. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Milan region, room allocation and free time to rest.
MILAN – ST. MORITZ – BERNINA EXPRESS / RED TRAIN – MILAN
After breakfast, we depart for St. Moritz for an unforgettable and magical train journey on the Bernina railway line. We arrive in St. Moritz, Switzerland’s natural wonder and a favorite destination of high society, and after some free time and a short surrounding tour, depending on the train departure time on the UNESCO World Heritage Bernina railway line, we head to the station for the unforgettable and enchanting train journey with the Bernina Express / Red Train. Built between 1898 and 1904, this world-famous line, now on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is a dream for many travelers. During this fairy-tale journey, we will witness extraordinary scenery and have the chance to photograph it. After an approximately 2-hour enjoyable train ride, we arrive at Tirano Station and return to our hotel in the Milan region by the vehicle waiting for us.
MILAN –– (Como & Lugano Tour) – HEIDI’S VILLAGES – ALSACE / BASEL
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for our hotel in the Alsace / Basel region. Along the way, guests who wish may join our optional Como & Lugano Tour (65 Euro). On our tour, we first arrive in Como. Como is a center located in the Lombardy region and stands out with its historical buildings and orderly urban fabric. Its squares, cathedral, and shoreline offer visitors a compact and easy-to-explore area. Lake Como is one of Italy’s most famous lakes, and the hills surrounding it, lakeside settlements, and orderly transport lines complete the region’s natural scenery. The lake area is visited regularly throughout the year and presents a balanced appearance between city and nature. In our Como & Lake Como tour, we first reach Como city center and see the cathedral area, squares, and shoreline from the outside. Then free time will be given on the shores of Lake Como; during this time, visitors may walk around the lake, take photos, or explore the surroundings. After the free time, we reach the next stop on our tour, Lugano. Located within Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Lugano, Lugano will captivate us with its unique nature, stunning views, and city park. We will enjoy a peaceful walk along the lake and take in the wonderful nature and breathtaking scenery. At the end of the tour, we continue our journey to the Alsace / Basel region. During our panoramic drive through Heidi’s Villages, which feature many of the scenes remembered from the cartoon of our beloved heroine Heidi, who lived in the Alps with her grandfather and best friend Peter, we pass through endless mountains and green meadows. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Alsace / Basel region, room allocation and free time to rest.
ALSACE / BASEL – (Alsace Pearls: Colmar & Riquewihr Tour) – STRASBOURG – FREIBURG – ALSACE / BASEL
After breakfast, we depart for Strasbourg. Along the way, guests who wish may join our optional Alsace Pearls: Colmar & Riquewihr Tour (80 Euro). On our tour, we first go to the fairy-tale town of Colmar and see the Old Customs House, Pfister House, and the colorful houses around the Rhine River in the city’s most famous area, Petite Venise (Little Venice). In the unique setting surrounded by the Rhine River and canals, you will have the opportunity to enjoy many delicious foods and purchase souvenirs. Our next stop is Riquewihr, famous for its vineyards, flower-decorated balconies, unique rows of shops, car-free cobblestone streets, buildings that somehow survived World War II without damage, and charming cafés; it is a village that looks like it came straight out of a Grimm fairy tale, with its tower housing the Dolder Museum, which preserves the village’s history. After our visit to Riquewihr, we continue toward Strasbourg. Located on the borders of Germany, Switzerland, and France, and also the largest city in the Alsace region, Strasbourg welcomes us like a painting, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 and home to the European Parliament since 1992, Strasbourg’s car-free center and streets will be explored on foot during our panoramic city tour; Gutenberg Square and Statue, Notre Dame Cathedral, the city’s most important landmark, and Kammerzell House, the oldest house in the city and still operating today as a hotel and restaurant, are among the places we will see. After free time following the Strasbourg tour, we head to Freiburg, one of the most important examples of green urbanism. In Freiburg, where only low-carbon vehicles have been allowed to enter since 2010 and transportation is mainly by tram and bicycle, we will see traces of the historical and architectural influences of Germany, France, Austria, Spain, and Sweden throughout the city’s history. Also known as the capital of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), our city tour in Freiburg includes the Freiburg Cathedral, the small water channels unique to Freiburg’s charming streets, the medieval city gate Martin’s Tor, and Rathausplatz. After the tour, we return to our hotel in the Alsace region.
ALSACE/BASEL – (Bern & Gruyeres Tour) – LAUSANNE – MONTREUX and FAIRY-TALE CASTLES – GENEVA
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for Lausanne. Along the way, guests who wish may join our optional Bern & Gruyeres Tour (80 Euro). Our first visit is Bern. Bern is one of the few cities in Europe that has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Due to this historical texture, it is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Located in Switzerland and where German is the official language, Bern’s architecture also reflects German cultural influence. After our tour of Bern, we proceed to our next stop, Gruyeres. Selected as Switzerland’s most beautiful village in 2014 and the homeland of the world-famous Gruyère cheese, Gruyères is a fairy-tale village that has preserved its medieval character to the present day, giving its name to the region and its world-renowned cheese. Located in the upper valley of the Saane River, on a hill at an altitude of 800 meters, and free of vehicle traffic, this village is also known for Switzerland’s famous dish fondue. After our sightseeing in Gruyères, we complete the tour and continue toward Lausanne. Lausanne, which holds an important place in our national history due to hosting the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923, is also one of the important bishopric centers of the Middle Ages. With its castles from the Middle Ages, D’Ouchy Castle, palaces, cathedrals, and museum buildings, Lausanne takes visitors deep into history, and its location on the shores of Lake Geneva further enhances its appeal. After a short city tour of Lausanne, we visit Montreux. Montreux, also well known in our national history, is a city of castles, historical buildings, and natural beauty, and is also important for the music world. The song “Smoke on the Water” tells the story of a casino fire in Montreux, and there is also a statue of Freddie Mercury, who spent the final period of his life working here. After our city tour in Montreux, we view the iconic Chillon Castle panoramically and photograph its postcard-perfect scenery. At the end of the tour, we head to Geneva. Known as the “French side” 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 gives the city a central role in cultural and administrative terms. During our visit to Geneva, where museums, parks, historic monuments, streets, and fresh air come together, the St. Pierre Cathedral, the 140-meter-high Jet d’Eau fountain, and the Reformation Wall are among the main sights. At the end of the city tour, transfer to our hotel in the Geneva region. Room allocation and free time to rest.
GENEVA – ISTANBUL
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we depart for Geneva Airport for our return flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival at the airport, after completing baggage drop-off, check-in, and passport control procedures, we fly to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1922 at 14:40. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 18:55 local time and end of the tour.