Day 1

Arrival at the Sofia Airport. Transfer to the hotel, short rest or we will pick you up directly from your hotel. Walking tour in the center – visit to the Saint Nedelya Church, the Statue of St Sofia – the symbol of the city, the Parliament square, the Presidency, the National Theater, the Ruins of Serdica and the Rotonda St George 4th c. AC, the Russian Church, the St. Sophia early Christian basilica, which has given the city its name, the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – the biggest and the most beautiful on the Balkan Peninsula, the Monument of Alexander II – Tzar Liberator (1802), the Parliament. In the afternoon – time at leisure. Dinner. Overnight. 

Day 2

Departure to the town of Plovdiv. Before arriving – visit of Bachkovo Monastery – important monument of Georgian Christian architecture and one of the largest and oldest Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Eastern Europe. The monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. Continue to Plovdiv. Accommodation. Sightseeing tour of the town which has more than 200 known archeological sites, 30 of which are of national importance. Some of the world-famous sites include the Ancient Theater (early 2nd century AD), the Roman Stadium (late 2nd century AD), the magnificent colored mosaics of the villas, the ones of the Episcopal temple, the Nebet Tepe archaeological complex and the noted samples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Dinner in a traditional restaurant with folklore program and dances. Overnight.

Day 3

Departure to Nessebar – one of the oldest towns in Europe. An undoubted jewel of Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. We will visit the Old town – An architecture – historical and archaeological reserve with ancient archaeological remains of various periods, original churches from the 5th – 17th centuries and more than hundred authentic Revival houses – it is included in the list of UNESCO. Time will pass too quickly here as you hunt for souvenirs in the gift shops, explore churches and museums and enjoy the country’s great-value at a traditional mehana. Overnight. 

Day 4

Departure to Varna – During the Second Bulgarian state, Varna was one of the most important trading and craft centers in the country. Now a day it is the biggest sea port and one of the favorite holiday places. Numerous hotels, restaurants and night clubs make it a preferable seaside centre. Summer is fresh and pleasant because of the breezes. Here the wide beach strip attracts thousands of tourists. The city lies in the bay of Varna and is 11 km long. The city’s structure resembles an amphitheatre as it follows the curves of the Bay of Varna. We will make tour of the town – The city center, the Cathedral, the Archaeological museum where is being kept the oldest gold treasure in the world dating back 4000 years B.C., the Roman baths, the Ethnographic museum. Overnight.

Day 5

A trip to Aladga Monastery – situated only 16 km from Varna. The name of Aladzha Monastery comes from the Turkish word for colorful (“aladzha”) due most probably to the bright colors of its wall paintings, dating back to the early Middle Ages. The monks’ cells, common rooms and sanctuaries, dug directly into the limestone rock and situated on two levels high above the ground, were connected via an external staircase. The entire monastery is considered to date back from the 12th century AC. Departure to Veliko Tarnovo town – the capital of the Second Bulgarian State. Tarnovo was the second most greatest and magnificent city in the Balkans after Constantinople. The city is situated in the plains of Stara planina (The Balkan), bisected by the Yantra river and its feeders. It rises in tiers, which gives it a special architectural outlook. The hill of Tsarevets, which houses the king`s palaces is the most significant site of the town. Here are the remains of the throne- room and the palace church. 47 churches and 400 residential houses have been discovered in the whole complex. Fortified walls and defensive towers surround the city. The tower of Baldwin is the most famous and it is an evidence for the power of the Bulgarian Kingdom. Accommodation. Overnight.. 

Day 6

Departure to Gabrovo. Visit of Etara – an open-air museum. It is the first museum in Bulgaria of Skansen type a new form of presenting the historic past, economic development, the way of living and the Renaissance architecture and techniques. Optional: Visit to Sokolski Monastery – It was founded in 1833 by archimandrite Yossif, called later Sokolski. The monastery is a monument of culture. The trip continues through the Shipka pass. Visit of Shipka Memorial Church and The biggest Tracian Tomb “Goljamata Kosmatka” – founded in 2004. Departure to Koprivshtica. Accommodation. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight.

Day 7

Tour of Koprivshtica – The town boasts a large number of architectural monuments from the Revival period, 383 in all, most of which have been restored to their original appearance. Collections of ethnographical treasures, old weapons, National Revival works of art, fine fretwork, household weaves and embroidery, national costumes and typical Bulgarian jewelry has also been preserved. Departure to Sofia.

Accommodation. Free afternoon in Sofia. Overnight.

Day 8

Departure to Rila Monastery – the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history. You will see the Monastery’s most treasured historic and artistic monuments, which includes the 14th century Hrelyo’s Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church, the original 19th century Monastery’s kitchen. Back to Sofia. Overnight.

Day 9 – Transfer to the airport.