CITY BREAK & SPA TOUR IN BULGARIA

Highlights:

• 3 nights in Sofia – one of the oldest capitals in Europe
• 2 nights in Sandaski – the city of Spartacus and one of the most renewed Bulgarian SPA resorts
• Cultural visits en route
• Possibility for visit Thessaloniki (Greece) in one day tour from Sandanski

Day 1

Arrival to Sofia airport. Transfer and accommodation in 4* hotel in the city center. Dinner with vegetarian menu and evening free at leisure. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast – departure to Rila National Park to visit the Rila monastery. Founded in the 10-th c., it was the biggest Bulgarian medieval spiritual centre. The monastery has a rich collection of icons, wall-paintings, old-printed books - about 15 000 volumes. It is included in the UNESCO list of world heritage. Lunch in a restaurant near the monastery. In the afternoon we will reach Sandanski – one of the biggest SPA resorts in the country in Bulgaria, located in a valley at the foot of Pirin Mountain (second highest mountain in Bulgaria and UNESCO-protected site), on both banks of the Sandanska Bistritsa River and just 25 km away from Greek border. The region is well known for its healthy climate and mineral water resources - over 80 springs with temperature between 42 to 81°С and different level of mineralization. The mineral waters offer conditions for outdoor swimming all year round and have a strong healing effect on a number of medical conditions. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in 4* SPA hotel (Interhotel Sandanski or similar).

Day 3

Buffet breakfast in the hotel. Short panoramic tour around Sofia 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.
Transfer to Vitosha National park to visit National Museum of History with it's unique collection of gold treasures. Lunch in a local restaurant with chicken or vegetarian meal. Afternoon free at leisure or shopping. Sofia has 6 big shopping Malls representing all famous international brands, which could be found on very attractive prices.
Dinner in Indian restaurant. Evening free at leisure, or enjoy the rich night life opportunities – discos, casinos, night clubs.

Day 4

After breakfast – free time at leisure. Possibility to make SPA treatments. Lunch and dinner in the hotel. Overnight.

Optional: one day tour of Thessaloniki with visit of the White Tower – symbol of the city, the extensive Byzantine walls of the Upper City, the Triumph Arc, the famous church "St. Dimitаr" (patron saint of the city) and other sights of the city. Free time for shopping on the main commercial street "Ignatiya".

Day 5

After breakfast – departure for Melnik – the town of the sand pyramids and the smallest one in Bulgaria (once there lived some 18 000 people, and nowadays there are no more than 700-800 inhabitants). This is a unique unforgettable place. Melnik is famous for its red wines. Visit of Kordopulova house and tasting of a glass of Melnik wine in cellar, dug in the sand rocks.

Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon return back to Sofia. Dinner in a typical Bulgarian folklore restaurant with music and dance show performance. After dinner you can enjoy the night life opportunities of Sofia.

Overnight in the hotel.

Day 6

After breakfast – free time at leisure or shopping. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.

Day 6 – Rome

After breakfast – transfer to the airport and flight back home.

Hotels in the program:

Sofia – Hotel Princess & Casino 4* - http://www.boiana-mg.com/hotels/bulgarian-city-hotels/sofia/princess-sofia-hotel/

Complimentary services included: internet, fitness and semi Olympic size indoor swimming poll in the hotel's Victoria SPA center.

Sandanski – Interhotel Sandanski 4* http://www.boiana-mg.com/hotels/bulgarian-spa-resorts/sandanski/interhotel-sandanski/

Complimentary services included: indoor and outdoor mineral water swimming pool, thermal pool, sauna, outdoor Jacuzzi, steam bath, fitness, kids club, kids play ground, parking, wireless internet access.

Tour prices include:

• Accommodation for 3 nights in hotel Princess Sofia 4*/ and 2 nights in Interhotel Sandanski 4* (or similar) with daily buffet breakfast included
• Full board base (starting with dinner on day 1, ending with breakfast on day 6) with Indian and local restaurants. Lunches and dinners are 3 course menu with mineral water and tea included
• One of the dinners is in a typical Bulgarian folklore restaurant with show performance
• 2 x 0.5 ml bottles of mineral water in the bus per person per day
• Parking fees and road taxes
• Porterage in the hotels
• All entrance tickets for the tour objects visited
• Professional English speaking guide for tours
• PAX free of charge for min 15 full paying tourists

Tour prices don't include:

• Other meals than mentioned.
• Alcoholic beverage package with meals (a glass of beer or wine or whiskey) – 4 EUR per person per meal
• Optional one day tour to Thessaloniki, Greece – 79 EUR per person
• Personal expenses