Benelux & Paris Icons Tour - Spring Season - with THY
Tour details
1. Day ISTANBUL – PARIS – (Paris Monuments Tour)
We depart from Istanbul Airport International Terminal with Turkish Airlines flight TK1823 at 10:10, after completing baggage check-in, passport control, and other procedures 3 hours before the flight. We fly to Paris. Our arrival in Paris is at 12:50 local time, then we transfer to our private vehicle at the airport and head to our hotel in Paris. Upon arrival, check-in to the rooms and free time to rest. During this free time, guests who wish can join our additional program, the Paris Monuments Tour (45 Euro). In our Paris Monuments Tour, we will start from the magnificent squares of Paris, visit the Eiffel Tower, which is located on a hill directly opposite Trocadéro Square, offering the best views of the tower, with many cafes and restaurants. We will also see Opéra House, Concorde Square>, with 365 street lamps, and Champs Elysées Avenue. After the tour, we will have free time before returning to our hotel.
2. Day PARIS – (Paris Phenomena Tour and Seine River Cruise) – (Paris Icons Tour)
After breakfast, we enjoy a full day of free time. Guests who wish can join our additional program, the Paris Phenomena and Seine River Cruise (85 Euro). First, we start our tour from Paris' and France's symbol, the Eiffel Tower, built in 1889 for the Paris Universal Exposition by Gustave Eiffel. This steel and iron structure gained massive interest during and after the 1889 Exposition, so it was preserved instead of being dismantled, and it remains today. You can take photos around the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the surroundings during the free time. During this free time, guests can also ascend to the 2nd floor of the tower via lift (extra fee of 23 Euro, not included in the tour) and enjoy the panoramic view of Paris and take beautiful photos. After the Eiffel Tower, we organize a Seine River (Sen) boat cruise. (The boat tour is included in the extra tour fee.) The Seine River, which is 776 km long, is one of the most famous rivers in the world and divides the city into two. During this leisurely cruise on the river, we will see many of Paris' famous buildings and the 37 bridges spanning the river from a unique perspective. After the Seine cruise, we will pass by Invalides Square (War Veterans Square), see the Statue of Lady Diana, the 17th-century royal entertainment center Palis Royal, and visit many historic buildings such as Comedie Francaise, and see these panoramically. Then, we will reach the Benlux Store, an international fashion center in Paris known for its perfumes since 1959, for shopping and sightseeing. Those interested can also visit the Louvre Museum, a former medieval fortress turned museum, which was visited by nearly 10 million people in 2012. A photo break in the museum is scheduled, and guests can choose to visit the museum during free time (entry fee 23 Euro, not included). Afterward, there is free time in the city center. Guests who wish can join our additional Paris Icons Tour (65 Euro). We will first go to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica on Montmartre, the highest point in Paris, where bohemian life continues with street painters and caricaturists. The funicular ride up to the basilica (extra fee included in the tour) offers stunning views. After the visit, we have free time to have portraits drawn and explore around. We return to our hotel at the end of the tour.
3. Day PARIS – (Brugge Tour) – BRUSSELS – AMSTERDAM
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we head towards Brussels. On the way, guests who wish can join our additional Brugge Tour (50 Euro). Known as the "Venice of Belgium" because of its canals and water houses, Brugge is seen as a fairy-tale city. The city’s historic structures and medieval architecture have remained preserved, having survived World War II largely unscathed. The city square features colorful, single-story houses resembling cakes, churches, statues, and cobblestone medieval streets, creating a fairytale ambiance. After the Brugge city tour, we continue towards Brussels. We will go to the city center to explore Brussels, which is also the capital of the European Union and NATO, hosting many institutions. With its preserved historic buildings, grand squares like the Grand Palace and Gothic architecture, Brussels is an important city. After the sightseeing tour, we proceed to Amsterdam. Upon arrival at our hotel in Amsterdam, check-in and enjoy free time to relax.
4. Day AMSTERDAM – (Amsterdam Phenomena & Giethoorn Fairy Tale Villages and Windmills Tour)
After breakfast, we enjoy a full day of free time. Guests interested can join our additional program, the Amsterdam Phenomena & Giethoorn Fairy Tale Villages and Windmills Tour (95 Euro). First, we visit Zaanse Schans, a historic Dutch village famous for its windmills, museums, nature, and culture. It features traditional windmills still used for dyeing and oil production, along with wooden shoe shops and traditional crafts. (Optional entrance fee to Zaanse Schans Museum is 15 Euro, not included). Next, we visit Volendam, a picturesque seaside town with well-maintained houses, restaurants, and cafes, where we take a leisurely walk along the scenic harbor. Then, we reach the peaceful Giethoorn, called the "Village of Fairies," known for its pristine nature, bridges, canals, and charming thatched-roof houses. We explore Giethoorn and have free time. Those interested can pay an additional fee (optional boat ride 10 Euro) to experience a boat tour on the canals reminiscent of hobbit houses. After the visit, we head to Amsterdam city center. In Amsterdam, main sights include Dam Square, the Royal Palace, and the Central Station. The city is famous for its canals, cobblestone streets, and vibrant neighborhoods. We will explore the city on foot and enjoy its unique perspective before returning to our hotel.
5. Day AMSTERDAM – (Cologne and Outlet Tour) – COLOGNE / BONN – ISTANBUL
After breakfast and check-out, we head to Cologne/Bonn Airport for our return flight to Istanbul. On the way, guests who wish can join our additional Cologne and Outlet Tour (50 Euro). During this tour, we visit the outlet center, home to many prestigious brands, cafes, restaurants, and recreational areas. After the shopping time, we will proceed to Cologne city center, which is located along the Rhine River, an important trading hub since the Middle Ages. Cologne is known for its Gothic cathedral, Roman-era artifacts, city walls, medieval churches, and historic sites. We explore the city before heading to Cologne/Bonn Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, after completing baggage check-in and passport procedures, we fly back to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines flight TK1676 scheduled at 19:10. We arrive in Istanbul at 23:25 local time, marking the end of our tour.
What's included
- Turkish Airlines scheduled flights between Istanbul HL (IST) – Paris HL (CDG) // Cologne – Bonn HL (CGN) – Istanbul HL (IST) round-trip economy class airfare,
- Airport taxes and service fees,
- In-flight meals,
- 4 nights in 3* city outer hotels with bed and breakfast accommodation,
- Airport / Hotel / Airport transfers and intercity transfers,
- Panoramic city tour and/or surrounding excursions in Brussels,
- Turkish-speaking guide services,
- TURSAB Professional Responsibility Insurance
Not included
• Visa fee and service charge
• Foreign exit tax fee
• All hotel extras and personal expenses,
• Domestic connecting flight ticket,
• Lunch and dinner,
• Extra tours and excursions specified/not specified in the program,
• (Mandatory) Hotel city accommodation and city entry taxes (€40)
• (Optional) Driver tips (€10)
*** There is limited availability for domestic connections, and reservation is required.
*** Our connections are valid for the most suitable domestic flight available within 24 hours.
Need to Know
Advantages Extra Tour Package: 390 € instead of 295 €
Advantages Extra Tour Package Discount is valid until 5 days before the tour departure date.
During the tour, purchases will be charged 350 € instead of 390 €.
Included Tours in the Package:
• Museums & archaeological site entrance fees indicated as "included" in extra tours
• Paris Masterpieces Tour (45 Euro)
• Paris Icons Tour (65 Euro)
• Paris Phenomena and Seine River Boat Tour (85 Euro)
• Bruges Tour (50 Euro)
• Cologne and Outlet Tour (50 Euro)
• Amsterdam Phenomena & Giethoorn Fairy Tale Villages and Windmills Tour (95 Euro)
Advantages extra tour packages are free for children aged 0-2, and a 75 Euro discount is applied for children aged 3+/12.
*** Amsterdam accommodations can be provided in Eindhoven, Leiden, or Lelystad regions.
IMPORTANT NOTES
• Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation of 30 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notice will be issued 20 days before the tour departure date. The tour canceled due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through your agent.
• In cases where only category information is provided without specific names or there are options for the same destination, the hotels will be notified by your agent 48 hours before the tour departs.
• During fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located farther than the specified kilometers. In such cases, your agent will inform you 15 days prior to the tour's start date.
• Triple rooms are provided depending on hotel availability, and the third bed in these rooms is smaller than standard beds. The triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 additional bed. Since additional beds can be foldable or called coach beds, tour participants agree to the potential tightness and the types of beds in such rooms for the third person and/or children. Child discounts are valid only for a single child staying with two adults who meet the age criteria.
• Breakfasts included in the hotel services are generally continental, consisting of butter, jam, bread, and tea or coffee, served in a designated area, reflecting the country's breakfast culture.
• Panoramic city tours included in the tour packages are designed to introduce the cities, lasting maximum 2-3 hours, and do not include museum or archaeological site entrance fees. These tours might be affected by local authorities’ restrictions, weather conditions, or other events, and if they cannot be performed, the agency is not responsible. Some panoramic tours may be conducted via public transport or on foot where vehicle access is restricted.
• You will be informed about the hotels where you'll stay 48 hours prior to departure if only category information or alternatives are provided for the same destination.
• Participants agree to pay the amounts specified in the tour program for entrance fees, city taxes, audio systems, etc., during the travel, and commit to informing the tour leader if they participate in the planned tours, which may cause the tour to be disrupted if they do not.
• Promotions and Early Booking discounts are non-refundable and non-changeable once booked.
• Our agency acts as an intermediary between travelers and airlines, subject to the 1955 Hague Protocol. In scheduled and private flights, delays may occur, and schedules may change before the tour or flight. The agency will inform you of such changes promptly. Travelers acknowledge and accept that flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 do not pay passenger service charges or airport taxes.
VISA
• Visa is required for Turkish citizens. To apply for a visa, you need a valid passport at least 6 months beyond the travel end date and the documents specified in the "Documents Required for Visa" list, submitted through our agency.
• Turkish citizens with a green passport must renew their passports if issued more than 10 years ago; otherwise, entry to the destination country or boarding the flight may be refused. Responsibility lies with the passenger in this case.
• Green passport holders do not require a visa; a valid passport for at least 6 months after travel is sufficient.
• Having a visa does not guarantee entry into the country; immigration officers have the authority to refuse entry. Our agency is not responsible for such issues, and they are the passenger's responsibility.
• Passports that are torn, damaged, soaked, or otherwise compromised should be renewed to avoid problems at border crossings. If a visa is needed for entry, it must be in the new passport. Responsibility for this rests with the passenger.
• Minors traveling alone or with only one parent may face questions from border officials regarding parental consent; we advise minors and parents to be prepared for such situations.