* For minimum 2 persons. Depending on the availability, this tour can be organized at any other dates and for any number of persons, but the prices could vary.

Day 1 – Sunday

SOFIA

Arrival in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Pick-up from the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. In the evening – meet with the guide and the fellow travelers. Overnight in Sofia.
Optional: Dinner in a Bulgarian traditional restaurant with folklore program (4-course menu with drinks).

Overnight in Sofia.

FULL DAY-TOUR OF SOFIA

After breakfast, guided sightseeing tour of Sofia. Visit of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral – one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction with the richest collection of icons on the Balkan peninsula, St. George Roman Rotunda dating from the 4th century, St. Sophia Basilica built by the roman emperor Justinian in the 6^th century, the Ruins of Serdica, the National Theatre Ivan Vazov, the former Royal Palace, the National Bank, the Presidency and the Ministry Council, the Statue of St. Sophia, the Synagogue, etc.
Optional: Half day visit of Boyana Church (included in the list of UNESCO) and the National History Museum with transportation and professional English guide. Tour duration – approx. 3 ½ hours.

Overnight in Sofia.

SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY – PLOVDIV

After breakfast departure to Rila Monastery. Tour of the monastery complex, church and museum with its lavish collection of precious old manuscripts, icons, jewellery, masterpieces of woodcarving, ethnographic exhibition of fabrics and carpets. Drive to Plovdiv – a city ranking second in importance after Sofia, passing through the highest Bulgarian mountain – Rila with a short break in Borovets Resort.

Overnight in Plovdiv.

PLOVDIV – BACHKOVO MONASTERY – KAZANLAK

Breakfast. Sightseeing of the Old town of Plovdiv with its 3,000 years long history, National Revival architecture and excavations from Roman times. Visit of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre with impressive marble statues, decorative columns and arcades. Visit to the Ethnographic Museum, the Roman Stadium, the Church St Constantine and Helena, etc. Excursion to Bachkovo Monastery (11th c) – one of the richest galleries of traditional Bulgarian religious art with exquisite murals and medieval icons. The monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. Departure for the town of Kazanlak, the capital of the famous Valley of Roses and Thracian kings.
Optional: Visit to the Museum of Rose in Kazalnak. It owns unique collection of articles related to the traditional rose-oil production since 1660: photos and documents of merchants of rose-oil produce vessels and others.

Overnight in Kazalnak.

KAZANLAK – SHIPKA PASS – ETARA – TRYAVNA – VELIKO TARNOVO

Breakfast. Visit to the recently discovered Thracian golden treasures in Kazanlak Historical Museum. Continue with one of the UNESCO’s sites – the Thracian Tomb dating back from the 4th c. BC. Visit the replica of the Thracian Tomb.

Departure for the town of Tryavna via Shipka Pass. On the way stop for a visit of Etara Open-Air Ethnographic Museum, representing the Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship. The park features typical Bulgarian Revival houses and the tourists are able to see how locals use original old instruments in crafts such as wood carving, pottery, coppersmith, needlework, etc.

Walking tour of Tryavna, where vaulted stone bridges, houses, churches and square with a clock tower preserve the spirit and talent of the artists from Tryavna School of Art from the 17th century.

Drive to Veliko Tarnovo in the evening.
Optional: Visit of Shipka Memorial Church, located only 12 km north of Kazanlak, at the south foot of the Stara Planina Mountain near the town of Shipka. It was erected after the Liberation as a monument to both Russian and Bulgarian dead.

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

VELIKO TARNOVO – ARBANASSI

Breakfast. Sightseeing of Veliko Tarnovo, including Tsarevets Hill – an impressive sight with medieval fortifications and dramatic architecture.

Departure to the architectural reserve Arbanassi, boasting a genuine gallery of art in its Church of Nativity. The houses in the village of Arbanassi resemble fortresses on the outside and are artistically fashioned and beautifully decorated inside. A former residence of the communist leader Todor Zhivkov is also situated here.
Optional: Visit to the architectural reserve Bozhentsi.

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

VELIKO TURNOVO – TROYAN MONASTERY – SOFIA

Departure to Sofia.

On the way stop and visit the Troyan monastery, dating from 16th century and third largest in Bulgaria.

Arrival in Sofia. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Sofia.

Optional: Visit of Saeva Dupka Cave.

SOFIA

In the morning free time in Sofia and transfer to the airport

End of the tour.

What’s included:

- Airport pick-up and drop-off

- Accommodation with breakfast 7 nights as per the above program at 3-star hotels

- Transport by modern car, minibus or coach

- Professional English speaking guide

- Entrance fees to museums, monasteries and sites included in the program

What’s not included:

- Flight tickets

- Meals other than breakfast

- Hotel extras (telephone, mini bar, etc)

- Drinks (other than water)

- Other meals except breakfast

- Photographing or filming fees at the visited sites

- Tips

- Porterage

- Travel insurance

- Personal Expenses

- Visa procurement (if needed)

Supplements:

- Dinner in a Bulgarian traditional restaurant with folklore program – 24 €/person;

- Half day visit of Boyana Church and the National History Museum – 30 €/person (including entrance fees);

- Visit to the Museum of Rose in Kazalnak – 10 €/person (including entrance fees);

- Visit of Shipka Memorial Church – 3 €/person;

- Visit to the architectural reserve Bozhentsi – 35 €/person with coffee break.

- Visit of Saeva Dupka Cave – 8 Euro/person (entrance fees included)