A European Fairy Tale Tour with Bernina Expression - Scheduled Flight with Turkish Airlines

1.DAY                   ISTANBUL – BASEL – STRASBOURG – (Alsace Pearls: Colmar & Riquewihr Tour) – ALSACE / BASEL

We meet at Istanbul Airport International Terminal 3 hours before departure to complete check-in, baggage procedures, ticketing, and passport controls. Afterward, we fly to Basel with Turkish Airlines flight TK1923 scheduled at 07:40. Our arrival at Basel Airport is expected at 09:45. Once we arrive, our private vehicle will be waiting to transfer us to Strasbourg. Located at the border of Germany, Switzerland, and France and also the largest city in the Alsace region, Strasbourg looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale—a picturesque scene. Strasbourg, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and hosting the European Parliament since 1992, is a city where we will tour the historic city center and streets on foot; during this panoramic city tour, we will see the Gutenberg Square and Statue, the city's most important landmark, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the oldest house, which now operates as a hotel and restaurant, Kammerzell House. After the Strasbourg tour, you will have free time, then we head towards our hotel in Alsace. On the way, guests who wish can join an additional tour, **Alsace Pearls: Colmar & Riquewihr Tour (80 Euros)**. Our first stop will be the fairy-tale city of **Colmar**, where we will visit the Old Customs House, Pfister House, and the colorful houses around the Rhine River, including the famous Petite Venise (Little Venice). In this unique environment surrounded by the Rhine and its canals, you will find delicious local specialties and many souvenirs. Next, we will visit **Riquewihr**, a charming town surrounded by vineyards, with flower-decorated balconies, unique shops, cobblestone streets free of traffic, and well-preserved historic buildings, including the Tower housing the Dolder Museum and stories from Grimm fairy tales. After this tour, we continue to our hotel in Alsace. Upon arrival, check-in and free time for rest.

2.DAY               ALSACE – HEID'S VILLAGES – (Milan Masterpieces and Lake Como Tour) – MILAN

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will begin our panoramic journey through the picturesque villages where our beloved childhood character Heidi lived with her grandfather and her best friend Peter in the Alps, leaving behind childhood memories. We then head towards Milan. Guests who wish can join an additional tour, **Milan Masterpieces and Lake Como Tour (65 Euros)**. Our first destination will be Como. During this tour, we will visit the Hollywood celebrity hotspot and the European wealthy, the luxurious Lake Como, which hosts summer homes for the elite, with stunning views and photo stops. After free time in Como, we continue to Milan for a city tour. Milan, known as one of Europe's fashion capitals, is also famous for its cuisine, opera, and churches. Although primarily Italy’s business and financial center, Milan offers excellent shopping and dining experiences. On this tour, we will see the famous La Scala Opera House, Duomo Square and Cathedral, and Porta Romana. After the Milan tour, we transfer to our hotel for check-in and leisure time.

3.DAY               MILAN – ST. MORITZ – BERNINA EXPRESS / RED TRAIN – MILAN

After breakfast, we will head to St. Moritz for an unforgettable and dreamlike scenic train journey on the Bernina Railway. Located in Switzerland, St. Moritz, a favorite among the elite, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, you will have free time or a short tour around the area before embarking on the famous **Bernina Express / Red Train** for a spectacular train journey. Built between 1898 and 1904 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this enchanting journey promises extraordinary views. During this approximately 2-hour scenic train ride, you will witness breathtaking landscapes and have photo opportunities. Afterward, we arrive at Tirano station, where our vehicle will take us back to our hotel in the Milan region.

4.DAY                  MILAN – OUTLET – (Boat Trip to Portofino) – NICE

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will head to visit an \***outlet center***. Italy, which sets fashion trends worldwide, is home to many prestigious shops, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues. After free time for shopping, we continue our journey to Nice. On the way, guests who wish can join an additional tour, **Boat Tour to Portofino (65 Euros)**. Portofino, surrounded by colorful houses and inspiring many songs with its beauty, features narrow streets, colorful houses, lush hills, and turquoise Mediterranean waters that captivate visitors. After the Portofino visit, we continue our road to Nice. Upon arrival in the Nice area, check-in at our hotel and free time for relaxation.

5.DAY               NICE – (Cannes & Nice Tour) – (Eze & Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour)

After breakfast, we have a full day of free time. During this time, guests who wish can join an additional tour, **Cannes & Nice Tour (70 Euros)**. This tour starts with Cannes, known for hosting the annual Cannes Film Festival, with its sparkling sea and golden sandy beaches. We will walk through the old town of Cannes, the first settlement of the city, with its narrow and winding streets closed to traffic, where shopping and souvenir buying are possible. We will then see the famous La Croisette Boulevard and Rue Meynadier, lined with luxury restaurants, shops, and hotels. After the tour, we proceed to Nice. In Nice, places like Promenade des Anglais, Nice Port, Massena Square, Flower Market, and the Palace of Justice will be visited. During free time in Nice, guests may choose to join an additional tour, **Eze & Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour (80 Euros)**. This includes a visit to Eze Village, one of the most famous hilltop villages in the French Riviera, known for its perfumes, where you can test and buy exquisite perfumes at the perfume factory. Afterwards, we visit Monaco, the world's smallest independent country and fairytale kingdom, located on the French Riviera, and then take a panoramic city tour of **Monte Carlo**, famous for luxury and glamour. We return to our hotel in Nice after the tour.

6.DAY              NICE – (Annecy Tour)– GENEVA

After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we will head towards Geneva. During this journey, with breathtaking natural scenery, we will pass through the Alps, which form the border between France, Switzerland, and Italy. En route, guests who wish can join an additional tour, **Annecy Tour (50 Euros)**. Known as the "Venice of the Alps" due to its channels and Thiou River, Annecy captivates visitors with its unique location between mountains and lakes, featuring Château d’Annecy, St. Maurice Church, and Palais de l’Isle as highlights. We will have brief free time at Lake Annecy, the third largest lake in France, before continuing to Geneva. After arriving in Geneva, we will check into our hotel and have free time for rest.

7.DAY              GENEVA – (GOLDEN PASS Express Train to Lausanne & Montreux and Fairy Tale Castles Tour) – (Gruyères Tour) – BERN – ALSACE / BASEL

After breakfast and check-out, we will take a city tour of Geneva. Known as the "Geneva of Switzerland," and situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, Geneva is a magnificent city where history, culture, science, and nature converge. The presence of international organizations such as CERN, the World Health Organization, UEFA, FIFA, and the United Nations makes it a hub of global diplomacy and culture. During our sightseeing, notable places include St. Pierre Cathedral, the iconic Jet d'Eau fountain with its 140-meter-high spray, and the Reformation Monument. After the tour, we head towards Bern. Along the way, guests can join an additional tour, **GOLDEN PASS Express Train to Lausanne & Montreux and Fairy Tale Castles Tour (95 Euros)**. Our first stop will be Lausanne, which is significant for hosting the signing of the Lausanne Treaty in 1923 and boasts medieval castles, palaces, cathedrals, and museums; it is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva. Then we proceed to Montreux. The city, famous for its beautiful setting by the lake and the Montreux Jazz Festival, offers scenic views and a pleasant atmosphere. Next, we visit the fairy-tale castles and the charming village of Gruyères, famous for its cheese and medieval character. Graubünden, with its artistic history, is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. After the tour, we continue to Bern, one of Europe's most preserved medieval cities, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its distinctive Swiss-German architecture, located on the Aare River. We will explore Bern's historic old town during our city tour, then proceed towards Alsace / Basel region hotels for check-in and rest.

8.DAY                  ALSACE / BASEL – ISTANBUL  

After breakfast and check-out, we will head to Basel Airport for our return flight to Istanbul. Once at the airport, completing baggage check-in, passport control, and other procedures, we will fly back to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines flight TK1924 scheduled at 10:40. Our expected arrival in Istanbul at 15:50, and the tour concludes here.