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 centre 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  with a visit to traditional house museum (the entrance fees are not included). 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 Luben Karavelov, the rebels against the Turks - 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 jewellery. Fee 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, is superbly situated on four hills. The houses are at the foot of the hills, perched one above other, crowning the steep streets with their gables. Guided walking tour of Veliko Tarnovo with a visit to Tsarevets Medieval Fortress located on a picturesque hill in the town centre, Samovodska Charshiya Street market, etc. (the entrance fee is not included). 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 of Arbanassi with a visit to "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. Itis the most exquisite example of monastery art and architecture of Bulgaria located in the picturesque heart of the mountain Rila. 

Guided visit to the monastery. The Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary keeps the miraculous icon, splendid gilded iconostasis and the chest with the relics of St. Ivan Rilski. In the court are located the medieval battlements of Hrelyu 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 tower are not included). Free time.

Departure for 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 town of Melnik. Guided walking tour with visit to Kordopulova house museum (the entrance fee is not included). Melnik is the smallest town in Bulgaria. Original mediaeval houses, together with the ruins of a fortress are preserved here. The town and the region are famous for their wine cellars producing the best red wine in the country.

The 13th century Rozhen Monastery is situated to the east of Melnik. The iconostasis, the wood-carvings and the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary in the monastery church are real masterpieces.

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. National Museum of History 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, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. Tour duration – approx. 4 hours.

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

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

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

A place of special interest is the old part of the town. Walking tour in the old town. 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.

Return to Sofia. Tour duration – approx. 9 hours.

Overnight in Sofia. 

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.