5 Country Full Alpine Tour Route (BSL - ZRH)

Tour details

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT

This trip is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 40 people.  If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days before the tour starts. The canceled tour due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through your agency.

VISA

Ordinary Passport  - Visa required                         

Green Passport -  Visa not required

Service Passport -  Visa not required 

You must have a passport valid for 6 months from the end date of travel and not older than 10 years.

HEALTH

There is no vaccination requirement at the Swiss border. We do not expect any problems threatening your health in meals taken at good restaurants and hotels in the region. However, when you are not with the group, we recommend that you be careful with food and drink, definitely consume bottled water, avoid ice, milk and dairy products, eat meat and fish products that you are sure are well cooked, and for fruit, eat fruits that can be peeled such as bananas and pineapples.

FLIGHT DURATIONS

Istanbul - Basel 3 hr 25 min

Zurich - Istanbul 3 hr 25 min

OPTIONAL TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Optional tours and activities are organized by the local agency from which we receive service with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people, and participation is not mandatory. If sufficient numbers are not reached, the excursions may not be carried out, or the prices, content, and vehicle used for the optional tour/activity may vary depending on the number of participants. In addition, the days and times of the optional tours/activities may be changed by the guide according to the opening/closing status of the museums, ruins, or venue at the places to be visited and weather conditions.

ACCOMMODATION

During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the stated km. 

Triple rooms may be provided depending on the availability of the hotels, and the bed offered to the 3rd person in such rooms may be smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed and 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or called coach beds, participants are deemed to have declared that they accept the possible congestion in the rooms and the bed type in reservations for the 3rd person and/or child.

Child discounts are valid for only one (1) child staying with 2 adults and matching the age group specified in the pricing section. 

Breakfasts taken at the hotel among the services included in the tour program are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country visited and usually with a limited menu called continental breakfast, consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea or coffee, and may be served for groups in a separate hall allocated to the group.

CURRENCY

The Swiss currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF) and the European currency is the Euro (EUR). It is advisable to have Euro (EUR) with you.

TIME ZONE

Switzerland, France and Italy are 3 hours behind Turkey during daylight saving time and 2 hours behind during winter time. For example, when it is 18:30 in Turkey in summer, it is 15:30 in Italy.

CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS

If traveling in the summer season, we recommend bringing t-shirts that can be easily put on and taken off, short- and long-sleeved shirts, cotton trousers, shorts, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket and a light sweater for the evenings. In addition; you may also bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs against possible noise, a camera, video camera and their chargers and spare memory cards. In winter, we recommend clothes that allow you to move comfortably and keep you warm.

 FOOD CULTURE

Swiss cuisine is influenced by French, German, and Northern Italian cuisine as well as by Switzerland's history as primarily an agricultural country. Many traditional Swiss dishes tend to be relatively simple and are made from staple ingredients such as potatoes and Swiss cheese. 

French cuisine, whose roots go back to the Middle Ages, has a rich culture. French cuisine, whose fame has spread worldwide with its famous wines and various cheeses, is known for meat dishes cooked with different sauces and delicacies such as the famous desserts crème brûlée, macaron, and soufflé. 

Italian cuisine, which varies by region, is among the richest cuisines in the world with the contributions of Mediterranean influence. It offers a wide range of options, from snacks prepared with fresh tomatoes, greens, and country-specific cheeses, to delicious pizzas, pastas made with various sauces, and seafood.

 IMPORTANT NOTES

Having a valid passport and/or having obtained a visa (for destinations/passports requiring a visa) does not mean that you will be allowed to enter the country. The passport police have the authority to refuse you entry. The agency is not responsible for this situation; responsibility belongs to the passenger.  

The agency is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol dated 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delay on scheduled and special flights, or the times may change before the current trip and flight. The agency is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport tax and airport service fees. 

The panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours organized for the general introduction of cities, lasting at most 2-3 hours, and carried out panoramically from inside the vehicle with guide narration, without museum or historical site entrances. In the event that panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, cannot take place on the day and time of the tour due to roads closed by local authorities, places not being permitted to be visited or entered, or any event, or when the tour becomes impossible due to weather conditions, the agency is not responsible for the failure of the aforementioned tours to be carried out. Some tours may be carried out by public transportation or on foot, within possibilities, at points where roads are closed or vehicle entry is not allowed.

What's included
  • Round-trip economy class airline ticket with Turkish Airlines on the Istanbul (IST) – Basel (BSL) / Zurich (ZRH) - Istanbul (IST) route AND airport taxes
  • 7 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3*& 4* hotels
  • Airport-hotel-airport transfers & all transfers by private bus
  • Train ticket from Torino to Pontresina with the Bernina Express
  • Panoramic Freiburg city tour
  • Panoramic Milan city tour
  • Panoramic Zurich city tour
  • Panoramic Mullhouse city tour
  • Alsace Wonders Colmar & Strasbourg Tour worth 100 Euro included
  • Bern Tour worth 30 Euro included
  • Como & Lugano Tour worth 100 Euro included
  • Portofino & Outlet Tour worth 80 Euro included
  • 4 Countries in One Day Tour worth 195 Euro included
  • Professional Turkish-speaking guide and assistance services
  • Hotel and tourist city taxes (25-30 Euro)
  • TURSAB mandatory professional liability insurance
  • Travel and health insurance (surcharge applies for those over 65)
Not included
  • Visa fee, service fee
  • International departure tax fee
  • Domestic connecting flight ticket
  • Driver tips and gratuities are excluded.
  • Lunch and dinner
  • All kinds of personal expenses and hotel extras
  • Optional excursions/activities
  • Museum and archaeological site admissions not specified in the services included in the price
Need to Know

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT

This trip is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 40 people.  If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days before the tour starts. The canceled tour due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through your agency.

VISA

Ordinary Passport  - Visa required                         

Green Passport -  Visa not required

Service Passport -  Visa not required 

You must have a passport valid for 6 months from the end date of travel and not older than 10 years.

HEALTH

There is no vaccination requirement at the Swiss border. We do not expect any problems threatening your health in meals taken at good restaurants and hotels in the region. However, when you are not with the group, we recommend that you be careful with food and drink, definitely consume bottled water, avoid ice, milk and dairy products, eat meat and fish products that you are sure are well cooked, and for fruit, eat fruits that can be peeled such as bananas and pineapples.

FLIGHT DURATIONS

Istanbul - Basel 3 hr 25 min

Zurich - Istanbul 3 hr 25 min

OPTIONAL TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Optional tours and activities are organized by the local agency from which we receive service with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people, and participation is not mandatory. If sufficient numbers are not reached, the excursions may not be carried out, or the prices, content, and vehicle used for the optional tour/activity may vary depending on the number of participants. In addition, the days and times of the optional tours/activities may be changed by the guide according to the opening/closing status of the museums, ruins, or venue at the places to be visited and weather conditions.

ACCOMMODATION

During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the stated km. 

Triple rooms may be provided depending on the availability of the hotels, and the bed offered to the 3rd person in such rooms may be smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed and 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or called coach beds, participants are deemed to have declared that they accept the possible congestion in the rooms and the bed type in reservations for the 3rd person and/or child.

Child discounts are valid for only one (1) child staying with 2 adults and matching the age group specified in the pricing section. 

Breakfasts taken at the hotel among the services included in the tour program are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country visited and usually with a limited menu called continental breakfast, consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea or coffee, and may be served for groups in a separate hall allocated to the group.

CURRENCY

The Swiss currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF) and the European currency is the Euro (EUR). It is advisable to have Euro (EUR) with you.

TIME ZONE

Switzerland, France and Italy are 3 hours behind Turkey during daylight saving time and 2 hours behind during winter time. For example, when it is 18:30 in Turkey in summer, it is 15:30 in Italy.

CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS

If traveling in the summer season, we recommend bringing t-shirts that can be easily put on and taken off, short- and long-sleeved shirts, cotton trousers, shorts, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket and a light sweater for the evenings. In addition; you may also bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs against possible noise, a camera, video camera and their chargers and spare memory cards. In winter, we recommend clothes that allow you to move comfortably and keep you warm.

 FOOD CULTURE

Swiss cuisine is influenced by French, German, and Northern Italian cuisine as well as by Switzerland's history as primarily an agricultural country. Many traditional Swiss dishes tend to be relatively simple and are made from staple ingredients such as potatoes and Swiss cheese. 

French cuisine, whose roots go back to the Middle Ages, has a rich culture. French cuisine, whose fame has spread worldwide with its famous wines and various cheeses, is known for meat dishes cooked with different sauces and delicacies such as the famous desserts crème brûlée, macaron, and soufflé. 

Italian cuisine, which varies by region, is among the richest cuisines in the world with the contributions of Mediterranean influence. It offers a wide range of options, from snacks prepared with fresh tomatoes, greens, and country-specific cheeses, to delicious pizzas, pastas made with various sauces, and seafood.

 IMPORTANT NOTES

Having a valid passport and/or having obtained a visa (for destinations/passports requiring a visa) does not mean that you will be allowed to enter the country. The passport police have the authority to refuse you entry. The agency is not responsible for this situation; responsibility belongs to the passenger.  

The agency is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol dated 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delay on scheduled and special flights, or the times may change before the current trip and flight. The agency is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport tax and airport service fees. 

The panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours organized for the general introduction of cities, lasting at most 2-3 hours, and carried out panoramically from inside the vehicle with guide narration, without museum or historical site entrances. In the event that panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, cannot take place on the day and time of the tour due to roads closed by local authorities, places not being permitted to be visited or entered, or any event, or when the tour becomes impossible due to weather conditions, the agency is not responsible for the failure of the aforementioned tours to be carried out. Some tours may be carried out by public transportation or on foot, within possibilities, at points where roads are closed or vehicle entry is not allowed.

Tour Program
Istanbul - Basel - Freiburg - Mulhouse
After meeting your guide at Istanbul Airport International Terminal, you will complete your baggage and ticket procedures at the Turkish Airlines counter and then depart for Basel on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Upon arrival in Basel, we begin our panoramic Basel city tour. Among the sights to be seen are the flower-adorned Altstadt (Old Town), the Town Hall made of red sandstone, the 12th-century Münster Cathedral, and Mittlere Rheinbrücke over the Rhine River. At the end of the tour, we depart for Freiburg. During our visit, we will see the “Bächle,” the small canals running along the streets that cover the entire old town with a total length of 15.5 km, the Freiburger Münster (Cathedral) with its 116-meter-high tower visible from anywhere you are in the city, Markthalle (Covered Market), a paradise where you will find different varieties of cuisine from around the world and which will surprise you the most, Münsterplatz, the large square, Rathausplatz with the old and new town halls, Kaiser Joseph Street with many souvenir shops, chain stores, cafes and restaurants, Augustiner Platz, the city’s meeting point, Adelhauser Platz, the square for those who enjoy tranquility in the city, and Gerberau, where you can see the city’s most pleasant cafes and gardens. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Mullhouse - Alsace - Colmar - Strasbourg
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Wonders of Alsace Colmar & Strasbourg Tour. First, we head to the fairytale town of Colmar, where we will see the Old Customs House, the Pfister House, and the colorful houses around the Rhine River in the city’s most famous area, Petite Venise (Little Venice). In this unique setting surrounded by the Rhine River and its canals, you will have the chance to enjoy many delicious local specialties as well as buy various souvenirs. Our next stop is Riquewihr, Alsace’s vineyard-surrounded town, famous for its flower-filled balconies, distinctive rows of shops, cobblestone streets closed to traffic, buildings that somehow survived World War II without damage, and charming cafés; it also features the Dolder Museum, which preserves the town’s history through documents, and a tower that resembles something out of a Grimm fairy tale. Riquewihr, the most visited village in the Alsace region, is considered the pearl of the region with its population of approximately 1,100 and the vineyards surrounding it. Riquewihr, whose appeal is further enhanced by the vineyard harvest festivals that begin every year in mid-September, is adorned with typical German-style half-timbered houses in pastel tones decorated with flowers, arranged around the cobblestone main street called “Grand Rue,” which rises gently uphill from the town’s entrance gate. After completing our visit here, we head to Strasbourg. We are now in the second most important city in Europe after Brussels in terms of the European Union. Rich in history and culture, it is the city of Gutenberg, Rouget de Lisle, the Dutch philosopher Erasmus, and the German writer Goethe. Strasbourg’s historic city center is in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed “Grande Île” area. On our city tour, we will see Notre Dame Cathedral and most of the other sights, which are located on an island surrounded by the river. In the southwest of this island lies Strasbourg’s most beautiful and interesting district, Little France (La Petite France). This area, where the rivers meet and are regulated, is filled with historic Renaissance-era houses and museums. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and then have free time. Overnight at our hotel.
Mulhouse - Bern - Montreux - Lausanne - Geneva
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Bern. Bern is one of the few cities in Europe that has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Due to this historical character, it is included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Bern, located within the borders of Switzerland where the official language is German, also reflects the influence of German culture in its architecture. After a short break in Bern, built around the Aare River, we continue to visit Montreux. Montreux, which is also very well known in our national history, is a city important not only for its castles, historic buildings, and natural beauty, but also for the world of music. The song Smoke on the Water, which marked an era, tells the story of a casino fire in Montreux, and there is also a statue of Freddie Mercury, who spent the final period of his life working here. After our city tour in Montreux, we will see the iconic Chillon Castle panoramically and take photos of its postcard-perfect scenery. Then we head to Lausanne. Lausanne, which hosted the Treaty of Lausanne signed on 24 July 1923, holds an important place in our national history, and is also one of the important episcopal centers of the Middle Ages. With its medieval castles, D’Ouchy Castle, palaces, cathedrals, and museum buildings that take visitors deep into history, and with its appeal enhanced by being on the shores of Lake Geneva, we will take a short sightseeing tour in Lausanne, after which we will proceed to a city tour of Geneva. During our tour in Geneva, St. Pierre Cathedral, the Jet d’Eau fountain, which has become the symbol of Geneva and rises up to 140 meters, and the Reformation Wall are among the main sights to be seen. Overnight at our hotel.
Geneva - Como - Lugano - Milan
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Milan. Along the route, we will take a Como & Lugano tour. We begin our excursion with Lake Como, the third largest lake in Italy. This glacial lake, located at the foot of the Alps, resembles the letter “Y” or a wishbone and welcomes many tourists throughout the year. We take a short walk around this natural wonder, where green and blue meet, and stop for photos. In this charming town, known for its lovely villages, among the places we will see are the towns of Como and Lecco, Piazza Cavour, and the Duomo dating back to the 14th century. After the tour, we continue to Lugano. We take a panoramic tour around Lake Lugano, a natural wonder within the borders of Switzerland with its unique scenery that will captivate us, and stop for photos. At the end of the tour, we continue on our way. Upon arrival in Milan, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Milan
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for a panoramic city tour of Milan. On our panoramic Milan tour, the places to be seen include the Duomo Cathedral, which is considered the city’s symbol, the Galleria, Scala Square, and La Fortezza. Afterwards, there will be free time for shopping. Then, with our guide, we will take part in the Portofino & Outlet tour. Our first stop on the tour, Portofino, offers pleasant moments among houses dominated by shades of yellow, orange, green, and red, with green trees also prevailing behind the houses. Afterwards, we head to Fidenza Village Outlet, where our guests can shop to their heart’s content. Following the tour, we return to our hotel in Milan. Overnight at our hotel.
From Milan to Zurich by Bernina Express
We will have breakfast at our hotel and then head to Tirano train station. Today, we are departing for the unforgettable and dreamlike train journey we will experience with the Bernina Express & Red Train. Built between 1898 and 1904 and now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the world-famous Bernina Train, which inspires the dreams of many travel enthusiasts, will take us on a fairytale journey during which we will have the chance to admire and photograph extraordinary scenery. After this enjoyable train ride, we arrive at Pontresina train station. Then we set off for Zurich with our private vehicle waiting for us. Upon arrival in Zurich, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Zurich - Lindau - Bregenz - Liechtenstein - Rapperswil
After breakfast at our hotel, guests may join our “4 Countries in One Day Tour” featuring Lindau – Bregenz – Liechtenstein – Rapperswil. Early in the morning, we pick you up from your hotel in Zurich with our private vehicle and begin our pleasant journey. Our first stop is the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. Here we take a short break. You can feel the power of this natural wonder while standing right near the roaring waters and take plenty of photos. After our visit to the waterfall, we continue south. Along the way, our guide shares the cultural richness and history of Switzerland. Then we cross the border into Liechtenstein, one of the world’s smallest yet most impressive countries. Upon arriving in the capital, Vaduz, we allow free time in the city center. Guests who wish may shop in boutique stores, sit in cafés, or see Vaduz Castle on the hill. Those who want may get a Liechtenstein souvenir stamp in their passports. After leaving Vaduz, we head to Austria. We arrive in the lakeside town of Bregenz on the shores of Lake Constance. Here we take a short break by the lake. After Austria, our next stop is Germany. We cross to the town of Lindau on the opposite shore of the lake. This charming island town is famous for its medieval streets and preserved historical character. We walk through its narrow streets and see the Bavarian Lion statue and Lindau Lighthouse. A panoramic view of the lake and the Alps awaits you here. Before ending the day, we return once again to Switzerland. On the way, we make one last stop in Rapperswil, located at the northern end of Lake Zurich. Also known as the “Town of Roses,” in Rapperswil you can walk along the lakeshore and enjoy the magnificent view from Rapperswil Castle on the hill above the town. At the end of the day, we return to your hotel in Zurich. Overnight at our hotel.
Zurich - Istanbul
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our panoramic tour of Zurich. During our panoramic city tour, the places to be seen include the Fraumünster Church, Grossmünster Church, the Swiss National Museum, the Opera House, Lake Zurich, the Clock Tower, the Old Guild Houses, Zurich Altstadt (Old Town), and Bahnhofstrasse, a bustling and colorful street lined with world-famous shops. At the end of the tour, we transfer to the airport at the time determined by our guide. After baggage, ticket, and customs procedures, we take our scheduled Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our tour and services come to an end.