HIGLHLIGHTS OF BULGARIA

Destination Covered : Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo – Kazanlak – Plovdiv – Rila Monastery – Sofia

Highlights:

• Fully escorted affordable tour
• Solo travelers friendly
• Accommodation in tourist class hotels
• Customizable itinerary – possibilities for tour extensions, pre and post tour nights

Most important objects and attractions:

• Bulgaria's capital city Sofia – one of the oldest cities in Europe
• Veliko Tarnovo castle on the top of Tsarevets Hill
• UNESCO listed Thracian Tomb
• Old town of Plovdiv – 19th century houses and Roman ruins, including a Roman amphitheater in use today
• Etara open air museum, preserved ancient crafts methods still used nowadays
• UNESCO listed Rila monastery – the biggest Bulgarian spiritual centre

There are 3 UNESCO objects included in this itinerary:

• 1. Rila Monastery
• 2. The Thracian tomb in Kazanlak
• 3. Boyana Church (optional)

Day 1 – Welcome to Sofia – a 8500 years old town

Arrival to Sofia. Transfer from the airport with an assistant and accommodation in 3* hotel Sofia Place or similar. Overnight.

Day 2 – The Capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom

After breakfast – meet your tour guide for panoramic tour around the Bulgarian capital (a 8500 years old city!) and visit to the most interesting historical sights: the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the St. Sofia Church, which had given the name of the city, and the historical and cultural center of the capital. Departure to Veliko Tarnovo – the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Free time for orientation tour around the city. Accommodation and overnight in 3* hotel Gurko or similar).

Day 3 – The Valley of the Roses and the Thracian Kings

After breakfast – panoramic tour of Veliko Tarnovo with visit to the historical hill Tsarevets with the Fortress, the Patriarchal church and the Emperor Baldwin's Tower. You will also have a walk along the old Trade Street – "Samovodska charshia". Departure to Etara - a unique open air museum, recreating the way of life of the Bulgarians in the 19th c. It is a great attraction for tourists, one of the most visited places in the country. Set off to Kazanlak - the capital of the Rose valley. Visit of the Historical Museum, which houses collection of bronze and gold treasures, and the replica of Thracian Kazanlak Tomb as well, dating back to the 4th C. B.C. It is listed in the world natural and historical heritage of UNESCO. Accommodation and overnight in hotel Palace 3* in Kazanlak (or similar).

Day 4 - The Antique Plovdiv

After breakfast – we continue exploring the Valley of the roses with visit of Skobelevo village. Here is located the Ethnographical Complex "Damascene", which works also as a family run rose oil distillery from more than 20 years. The hosts will show you how the famous Bulgarian rose oil (used in the perfumery) is produced.
Departure to Plovdiv – the city of the seven hills. Visit to the old part of the town, built in IV century B.C. from King Philip of Macedonia, with the some of the museum houses, the Antique Theatre and the Roman Stadium.
Optional: wine tasting in the boutique wine-cellar "Todoroff", near to the village of Brestovica, where a red wine of high quality is produced. Accommodation and overnight in Plovdiv – hotel Expo 3* or similar.

Day 5 – The treasury of the Rila Monastery

After breakfast – take off to the Rila monastery. Founded in 10th c., it was the biggest Bulgarian medieval spiritual centre with rich collection of icons, wall-paintings, old-printed books – some 15 000 volumes. Guided tour around the monastery. The monastery is a monument in the UNESCO list of world heritage and is situated in the highest mountain on the Balkans – Rila Mountain, with its top peak "Moussala" at 2925 m. In the afternoon - return to Sofia. Accommodation and overnight in 3* hotel Sofia Place or similar.
Optional: Dinner at a typical Bulgarian folk style restaurant. Excellent cuisine, great selection of wines and folklore show.

Day 6:Bulgarian Tour

After breakfast – free time. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.

Join-a-group tour prices for min 2 passengers arriving together

***5% discount for 4 passengers travelling together

Tour prices include:

• Accommodation for 5 nights in best available hotels 4*, 3* on BB (Bed & Breakfast) base.
• A/C vehicle with driver during the whole trip (for groups up to 12 persons, the driver could be also a guide).
• Parking fees and road taxes.
• All entrance fees for the museums, sites and churches.
• Professional English speaking guide throughout (for groups up to 12 persons, the guide could be also a driver).
• Porterage in the hotels.

Tour prices don't include:

• Other meals than mentioned.
• Beverages.
• Flight tickets to Bulgaria

Optional:

• Half board (dinner) supplement – 9 EUR per person per day
• Dinner with folklore show in Sofia – 35 EUR per person
• Wine tasting in wine-cellar "Todoroff" – EUR 15 per person