Bulgаria – discover the treasures of the Balkans

Travel to the past, which ends in the future. A trip to the ancient and contemporary capital cities of Bulgaria. Authentic villages and monasteries. We have combined the traditions and old handicrafts with an overlook of contemporary Bulgaria and its everyday life. You will see how youth goes hand in hand with the wisdom of centuries.

Day 1
SOFIA

Arrival in Sofia. Hotel accommodation in Sofia.

Day 2
SOFIA

The whole day is devoted to sightseeing in the city of Sofia. We can visit the National History Museum, the famous Boyana Church (St. Nicholas) UNESCO – built at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, the historic center of the capital, the National Gallery of Art, the Archaeological Museum, etc. Of course we can also go shopping or other activity depending on the requirements.

Day 3
SOFIA – ROCKY MONASTERIES OF IVANOVO – RUSE

Transfer to the region of Ruse and the Danube plain. “Rusenski Lom” Natural Park. Visit the medieval fortress of Cherven. Visit Rocky monasteries of Ivanovo and Besarbovo. The city of Ruse.

Day 4
RUSE – TRACIAN TOMB OF SVESHTARI – PLISKA – MADARA HORSEMAN – VARNA

After breakfast departure to the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, included in the UNESCO list of cultural heritage, famous for its extraordinary decoration. Follow the visit of the capital of the First Bulgarian Kingdom – Pliska and the remains of the fortification. Departure to the Madara Horseman / UNESCO /. In the afternoon arrival in Varna – the third Bulgarian city as its size and importance. Accommodation and overnight in the city.

Day 5
VARNA

Breakfast. Tour around the city of Varna. Visit of the Ancient Roman Baths, The Catholic Cathedral dating from the seventeenth century, the Museum of History, The Sea Garden, etc. Free time at the afternoon. Overnight in Varna.

Day 6
VARNA – NESEBAR – VARNA

After breakfast departure to Nesebar, whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Old Town occupies a peninsula in the middle of the sea. It is famous with its churches that are over 41, the oldest of which dates from the fifth century. Is considered that this city has the best beaches in Bulgaria. It was also a Thracian settlement before becoming a Greek colony, and the remains of the Hellenistic period include an Acropolis, the Temple of Apollo and a canvas Thracian fortifications. From medieval times are preserved the Mitropolia and Fortaleza. Among the many churches the highlight is San Esteban whose interior is covered with fabulous frescoes, dating from the sixteenth century. Return to Varna, where we spend the night.

Day 7
VARNA – VELIKO TARNOVO

Breakfast. Departure for Veliko Turnovo. Arrival in the afternoon and overnight at the hotel. City tour and visit of Tsarevets Fortress. Walk through the medieval craft market – Samovodska Charshia. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 8
VELIKO TARNOVO – ETARA – SHIPKA – KAZANLAK

After breakfast we continue towards the Valley of Roses. On the way we stop at the Ethnographic Open Air Museum “Etara”. It is a craft city built in the sixties of the twentieth century as a sign of craft activities in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Balkans are crossed by the Shipka Pass which discovers us a spectacular scenery. In the village of Shipka will visit the famous Russian church, whose golden domes can be seen from the town of Kazanlak. Arrival in Kazanlak, located in the Valley of Roses. A certain miles from the city center, in a park, is the famous Thracian Tomb. This dates from the end of IV century BC and was discovered accidentally in 1944. Actually we visit an identical replica, built in 1974 for tourists. The tomb is covered with frescoes depicting battle scenes. The entire complex is typically Hellenistic and is the richest of all those found in Ancient Thrace. It’s considered by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage. Overnight in Kazanlak.

Day 9
KAZANLAK – PLOVDIV

After breakfast we headed to the city of Plovdiv. Tour of the Old Quarter of the city. Tourists can stroll through its narrow streets, visiting the ruins of the walls and the Roman Theatre and picturesque houses of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the church of Saints Constantine and Helen, the Ethnographic Museum, The museum houses Hindliyan and Balabanov. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 10
PLOVDIV – BACHKOVO MONASTERY – KOSTENETS – BOROVETS

Breakfast. Transfer to the monastery of Bachkovo the second largest and most important monastery in the country. Visit the monastery. Option to visit Asen Fortress, the most important of the mountain massif of the Rhodopes. Transfer to Kostenets, option pool. Transfer to Borovets – the second ski resort in the country in the Rila mountain, under the highest peak of the Balkan Peninsula – Musala. Accommodation and overnight in Borovets.

Day 11
BOROVETS – RILA MONASTERY – SOFIA

Transfer to the city of Sapareva Bania where is one of the hottest Geiseres in Europe. Possibility of thermal baths. Transfer to Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest and most important among the 120 monasteries that exist in Bulgaria. It is shaped like a fortress with 2 entrances. It was founded at the beginning of the tenth century by the hermit Ivan. From this period have remained only as witnesses the Tower of Jrelio and the Monastery Kitchen. The visit begins at the Museum of the Monastery where are exposed ancient icons, gospels, silver chests to relics, religious objects, etc. In the afternoon arrival in Sofia and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 12

Transfer to the airport. Farewell. Return to country of origin.