1st Day Istanbul – Düsseldorf – Amsterdam
Meeting at the Turkish Airlines counter at the Istanbul Airport International Departures terminal 3 hours before the flight. After luggage, ticket, and passport procedures, we depart for Düsseldorf on Turkish Airlines flight TK 1523 at 06:50. Arriving at 09:05 local time, we will take a city tour of Düsseldorf, one of Germany's most important cultural, artistic, and industrial cities, visiting the rotating restaurant Rheinturm, Schloss Benrath, where some of Germany's most important thinkers were nurtured, the shopping street Königsallee, and the green spaces of Horfgarten. After the tour, we head towards Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands which borders Germany to the east and Belgium to the south, we will visit Dam Square, Central Station, the National Monument, the Royal Palace, the Flower Market, and the Red Light District. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
2nd Day Amsterdam – Zaanse Schans – Marken – Volendam – Giethoorn – Amsterdam
After breakfast at the hotel, guests may join the optional "Magnificent Fairy Tale Villages and Water Canals" tour (Zaanse Schans & Marken & Volendam & Giethoorn Hobbit Village) for 100 Euros. Our tour begins in the town of Zaanse Schans, one of Holland's hidden gem villages, dating back to the 17th century, known for its operational historic windmills and untouched nature. You will feel like you are visiting an open-air museum in Zaanse Schans with its historic windmills and wooden houses. Our second stop is Marken, once an island, now connected to the mainland. After exploring this lovely island, we head to Volendam, known for its harbor, typical Dutch houses, and traditional costumed people, where you can taste delicious seafood and cheese and find inexpensive souvenirs. Our last stop is Giethoorn Hobbit Village, considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Giethoorn, known for its fairytale-like quality, gained popularity after the 1958 film "Fanfare" was shot here, and now hosts over 800,000 tourists annually. After the tour, transfer back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
3rd Day Amsterdam – Brugge – Gent – Brussels
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Brussels. Guests may join the optional "Magnificent Cities Brugge & Gent" tour for 75 Euros. Our first stop is the stunning Brugge, a city that has become one of Europe's most visited destinations and was placed under UNESCO protection in 1991. With its medieval architecture, canals, narrow streets, bridges, historical buildings, and squares, Brugge has successfully established itself as a gem of Europe. After exploring this beautiful city, we proceed to Gent, a city that seems to have stopped time with its 1400-year history, located at the confluence of the Schelde and Lys rivers, known as one of the largest and richest cities of the Middle Ages. Following our tour of historic monuments and the university, we head to Brussels, one of the most notable stops in the Benelux tours. Known for its cosmopolitan nature, Brussels offers various options to travelers. Upon arrival, we will visit key sites including the Royal Palace, Chinese and Japanese Houses, Brussels Cathedral, the City Square, Stock Exchange Building, Atomium Monument, and Manneken Pis Statue. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight at the hotel.
4th Day Brussels – Paris
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Paris, one of the world's most romantic cities. Upon arrival in Paris, highlights will include Charles de Gaulle and the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, the Louvre Museum and Pyramid, Etoile Square, Grand Palais and Petit Palais Exhibition Palaces, Concorde Square and the Obelisk, French Parliament Building, 3rd Alexandre Bridge, the Seine River, Napoleon's Tomb, and the Eiffel Tower. After the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight at the hotel.
5th Day Paris
After breakfast at the hotel, guests may join the optional "Magnificent Paris Masterpieces & Seine River Cruise" tour (Eiffel Tower & Seine River Boat Trip & Montmartre Painter's Hill & Sacre Coeur Basilica & Notre Dame Cathedral) for 100 Euros. Our tour begins at the Eiffel Tower, a symbolic structure visited by millions each year. You will have the opportunity to view Paris from the second level of the Eiffel Tower. Next, we will embark on a boat tour on the Seine River, seeing historical landmarks on both banks. Afterwards, we ascend Montmartre Hill by funicular, known for its associations with famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh, where we first visit the Sacre Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart). After exploring this site, we have some free time in Tertre Square for shopping and portrait drawing before visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, built under the command of King Louis VII to display Paris's political, economic, and cultural power. After a brief photo break, transfer back to the hotel. In the evening, guests may also join an optional "Magnificent Paris by Night" tour for 30 Euros. Experience the illuminated beauty of Paris by viewing Champs Elysees, Concorde Square, the Louvre Museum, and many other buildings and plazas. After the tour, transfer back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
6th Day Paris – Luxembourg
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Luxembourg. Upon arrival, we will start our city tour, visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, the Duke's Palace, City Hall, and Constitution Square. After the tour, guests may join the optional "Magnificent History and Mosaics" tour (Trier & Remich & Schengen) for 55 Euros. Our first stop is Trier, founded by the Romans in 15 BC, known as Germany's oldest city. Located along the Moselle River banks, an area renowned for its wine, we will see Porta Nigra, the largest Roman city gate standing north of the Alps, UNESCO World Heritage Roman Ruins, St. Peter's Cathedral, and Karl Marx's birthplace. After the Trier visit, we'll visit Remich, a tax haven where you can find chocolate, coffee, and alcoholic beverages at very low prices due to Luxembourg's tax policies. Finally, we'll visit Schengen, at the confluence of Germany, France, and Luxembourg, where the agreement to abolish passport controls among EU member states was signed. You will have the chance to taste local wines and see the monument where the Schengen Agreement was signed. After the tour, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
7th Day Luxembourg – Strasbourg
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Strasbourg, one of the most beautiful cities in France and the jewel of the Alsace region. While strolling through Strasbourg, you'll feel as though you're traveling back in time in the largest cobblestone Middle Ages districts of Europe. Rich in history, Strasbourg features timbered houses, churches, cathedrals, and numerous artworks worthy of exploration. Also significant for being the birthplace of the French national anthem "La Marseillaise," Strasbourg showcases a blend of Alsace culture and French architecture. During our city tour, we will visit Strasbourg Cathedral, Rohan Palace, Kleber Square, and the traditional Alsace Houses in the Petit France area. Afterwards, guests can join the optional "Magnificent Fairy Tale Villages of Alsace" tour (Eguisheim & Colmar & Kaysersberg & Riquewihr) for 100 Euros. Our first visit is to Eguisheim, voted "Favorite French Village" in 2013, a village where history and nature intertwine with colorful houses that create an iconic postcard view. Next we proceed to Colmar, known for its well-preserved medieval buildings, featuring St. Martin Cathedral made of pink stone, the Little Venice area reminiscent of Venice, Maison Pfister, one of the oldest houses in Colmar, and Maison des Tetes, adorned with numerous faces. Our third stop is Kaysersberg, a medieval town with colorful houses and narrow streets. Notably, the Château de Kaysersberg castle from the 13th century and the Sainte-Croix Church with its Gothic architecture are key attractions. Our final stop will be Riquewihr, a charming village with beautifully flower-adorned ancient houses and medieval ambience. We will visit the remnants of Riquewihr Castle and walk along the old city walls, soaking in the medieval atmosphere. After the tour, we will transfer back to our hotel in Strasbourg or nearby. Overnight at the hotel.
8th Day Strasbourg – Freiburg – Basel
After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and head to Freiburg. Freiburg, Germany's fourth largest city, is located near the Black Forest and enchants visitors with its natural beauty. During our city tour, we will see Freiburg Cathedral, the symbol of the city and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, Markthalle (Covered Market), Münsterplatz (Main Square), Rathausplatz, Kaiser Joseph Street, Augustinerplatz, Adelhauserplatz, and Gerberau. After the tour, we will head to Basel. Once we arrive, our city tour begins. Basel, Switzerland's third-largest city, contains numerous treasures despite its small area, blending modern and historical elements. During our tour, we will visit Basel Cathedral, the burial site of famous Renaissance writer Erasmus, the main square Marktplatz, and the government building. After the tour, we will proceed to Basel Airport. After luggage, ticket, and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK1926 at 18:55. Arriving at 23:05 local time concludes our tour.