ANTALYA – BASEL – FREIBURG – ALSACE / BASEL
We will fly from Antalya Airport's International Terminal with SunExpress Airlines' direct scheduled flight XQ110 at 11:05 to Basel after completing your ticket, luggage check-in, and passport procedures 3 hours before departure. We will arrive at Basel Airport at 12:55 local time, and then we will head to Freiburg, one of the best examples of green urbanism, with our private bus to organize our city tour. In Freiburg, known as the city of happy people, where only low carbon vehicles have been allowed since 2010 and transportation is primarily provided by trams and bicycles, we will see the traces of the historical and architectural cultures of Germany, France, Austria, Spain, and Sweden that have protected the city throughout history. During our city tour in Freiburg, which is also referred to as the capital of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), we will visit Freiburg Cathedral, the charming streets with unique water canals specific to Freiburg, Martin’s Tor, the city gate from the Middle Ages, and Rathausplatz. At the end of the tour, we will transfer to our hotel in the Alsace region. Upon arrival at the hotel, we will check into our rooms and have some free time to relax.
ALSACE / BASEL – (Alsace Pearls: Colmar & Riquewihr & Strasbourg Tour) – ALSACE / BASEL
After breakfast, we offer a full day of free time. Guests who wish can join our optional Alsace Pearls: Colmar & Riquewihr & Strasbourg Tour (95 Euro). In this tour, we will first visit the fairy-tale city of Colmar, where we will see the Old Customs House, the Pfister House, and the colorful houses surrounding the Rhine River, including the city's most famous region, Petite Venise (Little Venice). You will have the chance to sample many delicious foods according to your palate and buy many souvenirs in the unique environment surrounded by the Rhine River and canals. The next stop of our tour will be Riquewihr, famous for its flower-covered balconies, unique row of shops, car-free cobblestone streets, buildings that survived World War II, and charming cafes, which also includes the Dolder Museum that carries the city's story to the present with documents. After our visit in Riquewihr, we will continue our journey towards Strasbourg. Located at the borders of Germany, Switzerland, and France and also the largest city in the Alsace region, Strasbourg will greet us with a fairy-tale beauty as if it has sprung from the pages of a storybook. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and home to the European Parliament since 1992, we will walk through the vehicle-free center and streets of Strasbourg during our panoramic city tour, where we will see the Gutenberg Square and Monument, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the most important structure located in the heart of the city, and the Kammerzell House, which is the oldest house in the city and continues to operate as a hotel and restaurant. After the Strasbourg tour and some free time, we will return to our hotel in the Alsace region.
ALSACE / BASEL – (Bern & Gruyeres Tour) – LAUSANNE – MONTREUX and FAIRY TALE CASTLES – GENEVA
After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we will head to Lausanne. On the way, guests who wish can join our optional Bern & Gruyeres Tour (80 Euro). Our first visit will be to Bern. Bern is one of the few cities in Europe that has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Due to this historical fabric, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The architectural influence of German culture can also be seen in Bern, which is located within Switzerland and has German as its official language. After our tour in Bern, we will head to Gruyeres, which was selected as Switzerland's most beautiful village in 2014 and is the homeland of the world-famous Gruyère cheese, preserving its medieval character to this day. It is a fairy-tale-like village with flower-adorned houses and streets, located at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level in the upper valley of the Saane River, with no vehicle traffic. Gruyeres is known not only for its cheese but also for the famous Swiss dish Fondue. After our environmental tour in Gruyeres, we will continue our journey to Lausanne. Lausanne, which has a significant place in our national history due to hosting the Lausanne Treaty signed on July 24, 1923, is also one of the important bishopric centers of the Middle Ages. We will have a short sightseeing tour in Lausanne, which leads visitors deep into history with its medieval castles, the D’Ouchy Castle, palaces, cathedrals, and museum buildings, and due to its location by Lake Geneva, its attractiveness is greatly enhanced. After our short tour in Lausanne, we will visit Montreux. Montreux, well known from our national history, is important not only for its castles and historical buildings but also for its natural beauties. The song "Smoke on the Water," which left a mark on an era, narrates a fire at a casino in Montreux, and there is also a statue of Freddie Mercury, who worked here during the last years of his life. After our city tour in Montreux, we will panoramically see Chillon Castle, which has become a symbol of Montreux, and we will take pictures of the postcard-like views. At the end of the tour, we will transfer to our hotel in the Geneva region. Upon arrival at the hotel, we will check into our rooms and have some time to relax.
GENEVA – (Annecy Tour) – MONT BLANC – MILAN
After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we will move towards Milan. We will conduct a city tour of Geneva, known as “the French of Switzerland,” located on the shores of Lake Geneva. Geneva is a remarkable city where history, culture, science, and nature meet. As the centers of international organizations such as CERN, World Health Organization, UEFA, FIFA, and the United Nations are located in Geneva, the city holds a central position both culturally and administratively. During our visit to Geneva, we will see the St. Pierre Cathedral, the Jet d’Eau fountain rising up to 140 meters and becoming the symbol of Geneva, and the Reformation Monument. After our city tour, we will continue our journey to Milan. On the way, guests who wish can join our optional Annecy Tour (50 Euro). Known as “the Venice of the Alps” due to its canals and Thiou River, Annecy captivates visitors with its canal-based structure and extraordinary location between mountains and lakes. During our tour in Annecy, we will see Chateau d’Annecy, built in the 17th century and restored in 1947, St. Maurice Church, and the Palais de l’Isle, which is a captivating point for photography enthusiasts, from a panoramic viewpoint. After a short free time by Lake Annecy, which is the third largest lake in France, we will continue our journey with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, known as the roof of Europe, located at the tri-border area of France, Switzerland, and Italy. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Milan region, we will check into our rooms and have free time to unwind.
MILAN - BERNINA EXPRESS / RED TRAIN – ST. MORITZ – MILAN
After breakfast, we will depart for an unforgettable and dream-like train journey aboard the Bernina Express / Red Train, which operates on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bernina railway line. Constructed between 1898 and 1904, the world-renowned Bernina Train, which has become the dream of many travelers, will offer us an enchanting journey where we can see and photograph extraordinary landscapes. After an approximately 2-hour delightful train ride, we will arrive at St. Moritz Station. Following a brief free time and a sightseeing tour in St. Moritz, a natural wonder and a favorite spot for jet-setters in Switzerland, we will head back to Milan. Upon arrival at our hotel in the Milan region, we will have free time to rest.
MILAN – (Como and Outlet Tour) – ANTALYA
After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we will head to Milan city center for our city tour. As one of the fashion capitals of Europe, Milan shines with its cuisine and opera in addition to being recognized as Italy's business and financial capital. During our city tour in Milan, we will see the famous opera house La Scala, the Duomo Square and Cathedral, and Porta Romana. After completing our city tour, we will head towards Milan Malpensa Airport. On the way, guests who wish can join our optional Como and Outlet Tour (70 Euro). In our Como tour, we will visit Lake Como, which hosts the summer residences of Hollywood celebrities, European wealthy individuals, and the jet set, famous for its luxurious lifestyle and natural beauties, enjoying the stunning views that the evening lights provide. After our Como Tour, we will have some free time before we reach the Milan Outlet shopping center, where we can find world-famous brands at affordable prices. The outlet center is home to many famous brand stores, cafés, restaurants, and personal activity areas, providing an opportunity to enjoy affordable and quality shopping. Finally, we will continue our journey to Milan Malpensa Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, we will complete our luggage check-in, ticket, and passport control procedures before we fly back to Antalya with SunExpress Airlines’ direct flight XQ481, departing at 20:30. We will arrive at Antalya Airport at 01:45 (+1 day) and conclude our tour.