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 (1902), the Parliament. In the afternoon – time at leisure. Dinner. Overnight. 

Day 2

Departure to Sandanski – one of the most famous SPA centers in Bulgaria. Visit of Melnik – the smallest town of Bulgaria, architectural reserve and ethnographic monument, the capital of wine production. Visit of a wine cave. In Melnik we will enjoy the marvelous architecture at the foothills of sandstone pyramids. Visit of the Rojen Monastery – perched on a high hill it is a piece of art that should definetly not be missed. Accommodation. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight.

Day 3

Departure to the Rila Monastery – the richest historical and architectural monument of the Orthodox enclave, founded in 10th century and transformed to the most important spiritual and cultural center of Bulgaria. The site is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world heritage list. The tour continues to the town of Borovets – the most famous ski resort in Bulgaria. Accommodation. Overnight. 

Day 4

Departure to Velingrad- the biggest Bulgarian spa resort. On the way we will pass by the picturesque small towns of Dospat, Devin, Trigrad. The Trigrad gorge will evoke feelings that will make you shiver recalling the stone hell that you have just gone through. The Miracle – how the turbulent river waters disappear into the Devil’s mouth in the underground caves and tunnels and comes again of the surface 500 m down below. Arrive in Smolyan. Accommodation. Overnight.

Day 5

Departure to Plovdiv. We will pass by Pamporovo winter resort. Before arriving in Plovdiv we will visit the Monastery of Bachkovo (20 km from Plovdiv) – the second largest monastery after the Rila Monastery. The complex and its neighborhoods have grown into a developed tourist sight where dozens of small shops, stalls, and restaurants stand on both sides of the walkway to the gates and appeal with their variety to visitors. Arrive in Plovdiv. Visit to the Old Town. It is declared an architectural museum reserve with over 150 monuments of culture. Its magnificent houses are turned into museums, galleries, workshops, restaurants. There are also parlours and studios of painters and wood-carvers. Visit to the Ancient Roman Amphitheater (2nd century A.C) and the Roman Stadium. Accommodation. Dinner in a traditional restaurant with folklore program. Overnight.

Day 6

Departure to Veliko Tarnovo. On our way we will visit the Tomb of Kazanlak - a thracian tomb dating back to the end of the 4th – the beginning of the 3rd century BC. The frescoes in the burial chamber and in the corridor are of extreme artistic value – included in the list of UNESCO. Continue to the village of Shipka situated at the foothills of Stara Planina Mountain. Visit to the Memorial Shipka Church which was built in living memory to the Russian soldiers and Bulgarian revolutionaries who died during the Russian-Turkish Liberation War of 1877-1878. Cross the Shipka Pass. To the other side of the pass we will visit “Etara” – an open air museum. The shopping street represents the way crafts were practiced locally in the mid-19th century.  Arrival in Veliko Turnovo. Accommodation. Overnight.

Day 7

After breakfast – tour of the town – visit to “Tsarevets” - a mediaeval stronghold located on a hill with the same name. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire’s primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces. 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 is an evidence for the power of the Bulgarian Kingdom. We will continue our tour by visiting the old Marketplace Samovodska Tcharshia. Only 4 km from Veliko Turnovo is Arbanassi, a charming village with an eventful history and fascinating architecture. Thirty six of its 80 houses and the five local churches have been declared for national monuments of culture. Overnight.

Day 8

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 9

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, appetizing cuisine at the traditional mehanas. Overnight.

Day 10

Departure to Sofia. Accommodation. Overnight.

·     Accommodation /10 overnights/

·     transport – car A/C, fuel costs, vignette, parking fees

·     transfer airport/hotel/airport

·     entrance fees

·     guide services 

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