Bernina Express: From the Alps to the Riviera – A Switzerland, Italy, and France Route
Tour Detail
IMPORTANT NOTES
REGARDING THE TOUR PROGRAM
• The advertised prices are subject to a tiered pricing system that applies as capacity fills up.
• Your travel documents and flight tickets must be with you throughout the journey.
• Sufficient participation is required for the package tour to take place (typically, the minimum number of participants is set at 20 and the maximum at 40, though this may vary based on date and specific tour). In case sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days prior to the tour start. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be communicated to you through your agency.
• In necessary cases, Küheylan Tur reserves the right to change the order of visiting tours/cities and the airline company without prior notice and without altering the program content.
• Possessing a valid passport and/or visa does not guarantee entry into the country. Border police have the authority to deny entry; Küheylan Tur is not responsible for this situation, and all responsibility lies entirely with the passenger.
• Küheylan Tur acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. There may be a risk of delays or cancellations in both scheduled and special flights, and flight times may change; Küheylan Tur is obligated to notify passengers of such changes as soon as possible. Our passengers purchase the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change.
REGARDING ACCOMMODATION
• Hotels specified in the program are listed as "and similar" categories; final hotel information will be provided 48 hours before the tour departure.
• Hotel star ratings may vary depending on local conditions in the destination countries.
• During peak periods such as trade fairs, congresses, concerts, events, or sports tournaments, hotels may be selected at distances greater than those specified.
• Check-in at the hotel is earliest at 15:00 local time, and check-out is between 11:00 and 12:00.
• Bed types cannot be guaranteed and are blocked based on hotel availability. Triple rooms are assigned according to hotel suitability and consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed; since extra beds are often foldable or convertible sofa beds (coach beds), guests booking triple occupancy and/or children accept any potential crowding and the type of bed available. Child discounts apply only to one child accompanying two adults and falling within the age group specified in the pricing section.
• In group accommodations, breakfast is typically served as a limited continental menu (butter, jam, bread, tea or coffee) in a separate room allocated exclusively for the group, at a designated time, in accordance with the culture of the host country.
REGARDING FLIGHT TICKETS
• Tickets are issued exactly matching the name/surname, date of birth, Turkish ID number, and passport details on the passport; our agency bears no responsibility for incorrect information provided.
• Passengers must be at the airport at least 3 hours before the flight time. Online check-in procedures are performed by the guest 24 hours before the flight. Some airlines do not allow online check-in or seat selection for group tickets.
• Our agency is not responsible for delays, cancellations, or changes in time/route/price caused by the airline.
• Due to the sequential ticket rule of airlines; if the outbound flight is not used, the return flight may also be cancelled.
NOTES REGARDING GUIDANCE AND TOURS
• Panoramic city tours are guided tours conducted from inside the vehicle to provide a general introduction to cities; they do not include entrance fees to museums or historical sites and last a maximum of 2-3 hours.
• Our agency is not responsible for tours being unable to take place due to closures of sites by local authorities, road closures, or adverse weather conditions. Some tours may be conducted using public transport or on foot, where feasible, due to closed roads or points where vehicle access is not permitted.
• Optional/extra tours are organized by the local agency subject to a minimum participation rate of one-third of the group size and participation is not mandatory. If the required number is not met, tours may not take place, or prices, content, and vehicles used may vary based on the number of participants. The days and times of optional tours may be changed depending on whether museums/historical sites are open or closed and weather conditions.
VISA AND PASSPORT
• Holders of ordinary (red) passports are subject to visa requirements; holders of special (green) and service passports are exempt from visas. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the end date of the trip and must not be older than 10 years. There must be blank pages in the passport for entry and exit stamps.
• For destinations requiring a visa, applications must be made using the documents listed in the "Documents Required for Visa" list provided by your agency.
• Torn, worn, wet, or otherwise damaged passports must be renewed; if the destination country requires a visa for Turkish citizens, a valid visa must be present in the new passport. Otherwise, responsibility lies with the passenger.
• Guests under 18 traveling alone or with only one parent may be asked for a joint consent document at border crossings; we advise exercising caution regarding this matter.
HEALTH
• There are no mandatory vaccinations for visiting European countries.
• No health issues are expected in hotels and quality restaurants; however, during times outside the group schedule, it is recommended to consume bottled water, avoid ice, milk and dairy products, eat well-cooked meat/fish, and prefer fruits that can be peeled like bananas and pineapples.
CURRENCY
• Countries using Euro (EUR): Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and other Eurozone countries.
• Countries using their own currency: Switzerland (Swiss Franc / CHF), United Kingdom (Pound Sterling / GBP), Czech Republic (Czech Koruna / CZK), Hungary (Forint / HUF), Poland (Zloty / PLN), Denmark/Sweden/Norway (Krona). It is advisable to carry some Euros even when visiting countries outside the Eurozone.
TIME ZONES
• Most Continental European countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, etc.) are 1 hour behind Turkey during daylight saving time and 2 hours behind during standard winter time.
• United Kingdom and Portugal are 2 hours behind Turkey during daylight saving time and 3 hours behind during standard winter time.
• Greece is in the same time zone as Turkey.
ELECTRICITY AND PLUGS
• In Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, and most Continental European countries, plug types are the same as in Turkey (Type C/F, 220-230V).
• In the United Kingdom, a different plug type (Type G, three flat pins) is used; you must bring a plug adapter for this country.
TELEPHONE USAGE
• Your mobile phone line can be used abroad if international roaming is enabled.
SHOPPING
• You have the opportunity to shop at shopping malls in city centers and souvenir stalls. In EU countries, you can benefit from Tax Free (tax refund) on purchases above a certain amount.
CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS
• Summer season: T-shirts and shirts that are easy to put on and take off, cotton trousers, shorts, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket and sweater for evenings; additionally, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, and chargers are recommended.
• Winter season: Layered clothing that allows free movement and keeps you warm, jackets, scarves, beanies, and waterproof shoes are recommended.
Tour Program
Istanbul – Zurich – City Tour – Zurich
Zurich – Bernina Red Train (St. Moritz – Tirano) – Milan
Milan – Milan City Tour – Genoa City Tour – Genoa
Genoa – Portofino – Cinque Terre – La Spezia – Genoa
Genoa – Nice Tour – Nice
Nice – Eze – Monaco – Cannes – Nice – Istanbul
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class air tickets on Turkish Airlines routes Istanbul (IST) - Zurich (ZRH) / Nice (NCE) - Istanbul (IST)
- Airport taxes
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in 4-star hotels: 1 night in Zurich, 1 night in Milan, 2 nights in Genoa, and 1 night in Nice
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers
- Bernina Red Train journey on the Bernina Route, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Panoramic Zurich city tour
- Panoramic Milan city tour
- Panoramic Genoa city tour
- Panoramic Nice city tour
- All transfers via private bus
- Professional Turkish-speaking guide and assistant services
- Hotel and city tourist taxes (25-30 Euro)
- TURSAB mandatory professional liability insurance
- Travel and health insurance (surcharge applies for ages over 65)
Not Included
- Fees for personal and official items such as exit stamp, visa, etc.
- All types of personal expenses and hotel extras
- All services not explicitly specified in the program and included services3
- Optional tours and activities, if available in the program
- Museum and historical site entrance fees not explicitly stated as "visited" in the program
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed during included meals, if available in the program
- Domestic connecting flights and domestic transportation fees
- Tips for guides and drivers