Discover 400+ Balkans trips in December 2025 with 1170+ verified reviews. Crafted by vetted tour operators, these Balkans December 2025 tours showcase the country at its seasonal best.
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)
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.
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
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.
Explore the highlights of Turkey's Aegean Coast and Istanbul In five days with this private, guided tour.
Soak up the highlights of Istanbul and see important monuments in the city like Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Sail down the Bosphorus after that. Up next are the white terraces of Pamukkale formed by calcium-rich water cascading downhill.
Discover the magnificent ruins of Ephesus on the last day of this tour. Legends say that Virgin Mary lived in this place. See the House of the Virgin Mary as well as the Temple of Artemis. Fly back to Istanbul after the tour is over.
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.
Balkan Tour is the best introduction of the Balkan countries including Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North of Macedonia.
During the tour, you will visit and discover the best hotspots of the countries. In Montenegro, you will visit the city of Kotor classified as Unesco World Heritage Site, the city of Budva, and the National Park of Biogradska. In North of Macedonia, you will have the opportunity to visit the most beautiful city, Ohrid, and the Cave of Gadime. In Albania, take a tour of an ancient site and two cities, which are listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites.
The seaside of Albania is another attraction for this tour as well. The tour of Albania also includes a wine degustation in the city of Berat.
Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise is a very popular cruise that you can enjoy a memorable evening of food, wine and entertainment. Admire the spectacular views of Istanbul’s beautifully illuminated palaces, mosques and Bosphorus bridges, and enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner with select drinks. Glittering entertainment from belly dancers, whirling dervishes and other artistes is included, along with hotel pickup and drop-off.
Begin your Bosphorus dinner cruise with either a coach pickup from your hotel or join your guide at the port. Then, board your festive boat for a sightseeing cruise of the Bosphorus Strait and see the monument-laden European and Asian coastlines. See the Blue Mosque, the Kiz Kulesi tower and Dolmabahçe Palace glow gold at sunset. As dusk turns to nightfall see the last slivers of light illuminate Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, famously known for connecting the two continents.
Enjoy exciting performance of music and dancing which sheds light on the city’s Anatolian culture. As the show picks up, get ready for classic belly dancing with playful twists and shakes enjoyed by all. Once the show is over, spend the last few minutes admiring the sparkling city as your boat arrives at the port.
Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring the Bosphorus Strait during this spectacular 4.5-hour lunch cruise. Take in the iconic sights along the way and stop for a visit in the fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi and discover the old fortress remnants on a hill with breathtaking views of Bosphorus and the Black Sea.
Climb aboard a gorgeous boat and forget your worries as you enjoy a relaxing half-day cruise down the Bosphorus Strait. Admire the views of beautiful castles, palaces, old mansions and the minarets of the city mosques. During the cruise you will have plenty of time to relax, sit back and indulge in two course lunch that offers a variety of delicious dishes and fresh seasonal fruits.
The open air observation deck gives you the perfect place to capture photos. Go for a stroll on deck to soak up the sun and see the many famous sights that line both coastlines, such as Galata Tower and the immense Bosphorus Bridge that connects Asia and Europe. Sail towards the Black Sea, and then make your way to the small coastal town of Anadolu Kavagi.
Drop anchor and take a walk in the lush hills of the surrounding area. See the ruins of a medieval fortress and other landmarks before the journey back to Istanbul in the late afternoon.