ARRIVAL IN SOFIA/ DEPARTURE FROM SOFIA

Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to the hotel, accommodation. Guided walking tour in Sofia. Visit to 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; St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th century, the National Theatre, the former Royal Palace, etc. Free time in the city center and main shopping area around Vitosha Boulevard. Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Free time in Sofia for shopping and visiting museums or, optional one-day tour to Koprivshtitsa.

Departure for Koprivshtitsa. Walking tour in the architectural reserve. Koprivshtitsa is a small town situated in a picturesque valley among the mountains in the central part of Bulgaria. A town with a special spirit, now turned into a museum where you can feel the unique atmosphere of the Revival Period in Bulgaria. Beautiful 19th century houses, homes of some of the most eminent Bulgarians – the writers Dimcho Debelyanov and Lyuben Karavelov, the rebels against the Ottoman empire – Georgi Benkovski and Todor Kableshkov. Outstanding ethnographic treasures can be seen together with significant historical monuments: specific architecture, original furniture, old weapons, national costumes, traditional crafts, precious jewelry (the entrance fees are not included). Free time. Return to Sofia.

Tour duration – approx. 8 hours.

Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Free time in Sofia or, optional one-day tour to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi.

Departure for Veliko Tarnovo. Veliko Tarnovo is the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, superbly situated on four hills. The houses are at the foot of the hills, perched one above the other, crowning the steep streets with their gables. Guided walking tour in Veliko Tarnovo with a visit to Tsarevets Medieval Fortress located on a picturesque hill in the town center (the entrance fee is not included), Samovodska Charshiya Street market, etc. Free time. Drive to the nearby village of Arbanassi – an architectural reserve famous for its well-preserved 17th and 18th century churches and the typical Revival architecture of the houses. Guided walking tour in Arbanassi with a visit to the Church of the Nativity (the entrance fee is not included). Return to Sofia.

Tour duration – approx. 11 hours.

Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Free time in Sofia for shopping and visiting of museums or, optional one-day tour to Rila Monastery.

Departure for Rila Monastery, which is one of Bulgaria's most important UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is the most exquisite example of monastery art and architecture of Bulgaria located in the picturesque heart of Rila Mountain. Guided visit to the monastery complex. The Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary keeps the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary, splendid gilded iconostasis and the chest with the relics of St. John of Rila, founder of the monastery. In the court are located the medieval battlements of Hrelyu’s tower and the old kitchen. You will be able to visit the church museum with the wood-carved cross of monk Rafael (the entrance fees for the church museum and Hrelyu’s tower are not included). Free time. Return to Sofia.

Tour duration – approx. 7 hours.

Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Free time in Sofia or, optional one-day tour to Melnik and Rozhen Monastery.

Departure for Melnik – the smallest town in Bulgaria. Guided walking tour with visit to Kordopulova house museum (the entrance fee is not included). You will witness original medieval houses, together with the ruins of a fortress preserved here. The town and the region are famous for their wine cellars producing the best red wine in the country – you will have the chance to taste local wine at one of those. After that you will visit the 13th century Rozhen Monastery, situated to the east of Melnik. The iconostasis, the woodcarvings and the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary in the monastery church are real masterpieces of local artisans. Return to Sofia.

Tour duration – approx. 9 hours.

Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. А free day in Sofia or, optional half-day tour to Boyana Church and the National History Museum (entrance fees included). National History Museum is one of the largest history museums on the Balkans with 650.000 exhibits and huge archaeological and historical archive. Boyana Church is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church situated in the Boyana Suburb, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The frescoes in the church, painted in 1259, are real masterpiece of medieval Bulgarian art.

Tour duration – approx. 4 hours.

In the evening – optional dinner at traditional Bulgarian restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Free time in Sofia or, optional one-day tour to Plovdiv.

Departure for Plovdiv, European Capital of Culture 2019 and second biggest city in Bulgaria. It was inhabited by the Thracians, Romans, Slavs, Bulgarians, Ottomans, whose traces have turned the town into a living museum.

Walking tour in the old town – a place of special interest, part of the preliminary list of UNESCO cultural heritage. During this tour we will take a walk on the cobbled streets of the old center to discover the 19th century Baroque houses and churches. We will also see the Ancient Roman Theater, symbol of Plovdiv, and marvel at other remains from the largest Roman city in Bulgaria. Visit to the Ethnographic Museum (the entrance fee is not included). Free time. Return to Sofia.

Tour duration – approx. 9 hours.

Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.