Discover 320+ Balkans trips in December 2026 with 830+ verified reviews. Crafted by vetted tour operators, these Balkans December 2026 tours showcase the country at its seasonal best.
This ten-day, private, guided tour takes you to some of the most beautiful castles of Transylvania and offers you a relaxing holiday in this enchanting land. Your journey starts from Bucharest, the capital city. From there you will head for Sibiu, the former cultural capital of Europe. See the magnificent Alba Carolina, a citadel decked in white, followed by a one-night-stay in Haller Castle. See the big fortified church in Biertan and visit Sighisoara, the only medieval citadel in Europe that is still inhabited, along with Peles and Bran castles
Learn more about the myths and legends surrounding these fairy tale castles and fortresses. Wander down the streets of medieval cities and take in the beautiful landscape of Romania along the way. For more details, scroll down to the itinerary section below.
This action-packed eight-day tour of Turkey offers an ideal overview to this diverse and beautiful country. You do not need to worry about flights, overland transport or hotel bookings, as all logistics are taken care of. Sit back and relax as you visit some of the most impressive sites in the country, including bustling cities, ancient ruins, natural wonders, and more.
Included in this itinerary are historic destinations like Ephesus and Hierapolis as well as famous natural landmarks like Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
The flights from and to Istanbul that we generally use are listed below:
From Istanbul: The flight leaves at around 07:00 to 07:30 am and arrives in Izmir between 08:00 and 08:30 am.
From Cappadocia: The flight leaves between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm and arrives in Istanbul between 9:30 pm and 11:00 pm.
(Note: The schedule may vary as per flight availability)
Spend a week tracing the shared history of three nations.
Travel to Tirana, Prishtina, Skopje, and the UNESCO site of Ohrid and Prizren to understand how the area’s complex past has shaped each destination’s culture. As you venture from city to countryside, learn about the local traditions from the resilient people who call this region home.
Day 1:
Early morning pick up from city center hotels and transfer to airport in Istanbul for flight to Cappadocia. Meeting at Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport and transfer to Cappadocia to meet with the group and guide.
Departure and walk through the “Fairy Chimneys” in Devrent Valley, Paşabağ (Monks’) Valley, practice pottery production with the ancient technique in Avanos. Visit to Göreme, the "open-air museum“ holding the earliest churches and chapels carved in fairy chimneys presenting finest examples of frescoes. Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in the region.
Lunch will be during the tour.
Dinner and overnight at a 4* hotel in Cappadocia
Day 2
Departure after breakfast for panoramic view of the Hospital Monastery. Walk into the “wonderland” at Kızılçukur (Red Valley) and the village of Çavuşin with rock-cut dwellings. Underground City of Kaymaklı, rock-cut city beneath the earth up to 8-9 levels where early Christians used to hide from Roman and Byzantine persecution. Explore the rock formations in Çatalkaya. A fantastic overview of the fairy chimneys from Esentepe. Pigeon Valley, greatest collection of pigeon nests in the world
Evening transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for flight back to Istanbul. Arrive to Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotels
Embark on a mesmerizing journey through pristine landscapes and cultural treasures of Trabzon, Rize and Artvin—the hidden gems of Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea region.
Visit popular attractions like Green Kackar Mountains, Uzungol and Ayder Highland. Discover majestic waterfalls like Mencuna, Palivot and Gelintülü amidst lush green forests and explore Zilkale—the most romantic castle in Turkey. Enjoy local delicacies like Hamsikoy Sutlacı and Muhlama.
With expert guides, comfortable accommodations and a carefully curated itinerary, this tour promises great opportunities to immerse in the local culture, nature, cuisine and lifestyle of Turkey.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Age Range
1-79 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, Black Sea
Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, Black Sea Region, Ayder Plateau, Karagol
This is an eight-day tour of Albania, a country steeped in history and beauty. Albania is known for its historical castles and archaeological sites from many civilizations of the past including the Greeks, Romans, Illyrians and Ottomans.
In this fully-guided excursion, you will explore the cities of Berat, Gjirokaster, and Butrint, all of which have been listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites. You will visit several historical and archaeological landmarks and monuments in these cities, and along the way learn about Albanian history and culture.
The city of Shkodra, which was the capital of Albania during the Illyrian time, is another attraction you will explore in this tour, whileTirana, the capital city, will be a great city to discover the country's ancient and modern history and culture.
Known world over for its dramatic landscape shaped largely by volcanic rock into towers valleys and caves over time, Cappadocia is among the most visited places in Turkey.
This is the best two-day tour of Cappadocia designed for first-time visitors. The top highlights of this incredibly beautiful region include Goreme Open Air Museum, Derinkuyu/Ozkonak Underground City, Urgup Village, Esentepe Panorama, Pigeon Valley, Avanos Village, Fairy Chimneys, Devrent Valley and Rose Valley and much more.
We promise you that the two-day you spend exploring Cappadocia in this group tour will be filled with exciting discoveries and awe-inspiring vistas. Come join us in this adventure.
Discover the ancient wonders of the country in our 12 day Essential Turkey tour that combines history, culture, wonders and natural phenomena. Begin your journey in the vibrant city of Istanbul, exploring its majestic palaces, bustling bazaars, and iconic mosques, then cruise between Europe and Asia along the Bosphorus. Continue to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, where you can drift above fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon. Unwind on the stunning Mediterranean coast in Antalya, enjoying its blend of natural beauty and historic charm. Head west to discover the ancient marvels of Pergamum and Ephesus and visit the thermal terraces of Pamukkale. Pay tribute at the historic shores of Gallipoli before returning to Istanbul to conclude your journey.
For travelers interested in discovering the key highlights of Turkey in less than a week, this is the tour for you. Included in this itinerary is a comprehensive exploration of Cappadocia (including both its northern and southern parts) as well as trips to the ruins of Ephesus and the ethereal travertines of Pamukkale.
Book this itinerary for an unforgettable holiday in Turkey and leave it to us to plan your accommodation, transportation and other services. The flights from and to Istanbul that we generally use are listed below. Please note that this is subject to availability and may vary depending on weather and other factors.
From Istanbul: The flight leaves between 07:00 to 07:30 am and arrives in Izmir between 08:00 and 08:30 am.
From Cappadocia: The flight leaves between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm and arrives in Istanbul between 9:00 pm and 11:50 pm.
Early morning pick up from city hotels and transfer to airport in Istanbul for flight to Cappadocia. Meeting at Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport and transfer to Cappadocia to meet with the group and guide.
Walk through the “Fairy Chimneys” in Devrent Valley, Paşabağ (Monks’) Valley, practice pottery production with the ancient technique in Avanos. Visit to Göreme, the "open-air museum“ holding the earliest churches and chapels carved in fairy chimneys presenting finest examples of frescoes. Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in the region.
Lunch will be served during the tour.
Evening transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for flight back to Istanbul.
Meeting at Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotels.