27 May - 6 June, 2011

16 - 26 September, 2011

Itinerary: Sofia (2 nights) – Plovdiv (2 nights)- Nessebar (1 night)- Varna ( 2 nights) – Veliko Tarnovo (2 nights)-Sofia (1 night)

10 Nights/ 11 Days

Double Occupancy: $ 2060
Single Occupancy: $ 2298

This is a 11 day program that starts in Sofia, covering Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, The Valley of Roses and Kazanlak, Nessebar, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Tryavna and Etura.

You will visit 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

1. Boyana Church, UNESCO World Heritage Site
2. Rila Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage Site
3. The Thracian Tomb at Kazanlak, UNESCO World Heritage Site
4. Nessebar, UNESCO World Heritage Site
5. Madara Horse Rider Rock-Cut Relief, UNESCO World Heritage Site
6. Thracian Tomb of Sveshtary, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Days 1-2

Arrive at Sofia Airport. Coach to Sofia (2 nights)

Join an expert for a field trip through Bulgaria’s largest city to examine the fascinating Archaeological Museum, the Sephardic Synagogue and the Boyana Church — a World Heritage Site that is home to one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval monuments. Discuss the modern history of Bulgaria and its current social, economical and political development.
Comfortable hotel in the city center.

Days 3–4

Coach to Plovdiv (2 nights)

En route to Plovdiv, explore the 10th-century Rila Monastery in the majestic Rila Mountains, and learn why it is considered the highest achievement of Bulgarian monumental architecture of the National Revival period. Discover the Roman Empire’s history in Plovdiv, situated along the banks of the river Maritza, then visit a countryside wine cellar to learn about centuries-old wine making traditions and to sample local wines.
Comfortable hotel in the city center.

Day 5

Coach to Nessebar (1 night)

At a rose oil distillery in The Valley of Roses — home of the exquisite Bulgarian rose oil known as “attar of roses ” — learn about the centuries-old traditions of rose oil production and its modern development. In Nessebar (ancient Messambria), we’ll take an expert-led field trip through this UNESCO World Heritage Site to discover many brightly painted 18th- and 19th-century traditional timber houses and cobbled streets.
Comfortable hotel with views of the Black Sea.

Days 6-7

Coach to Varna (2 nights)

At the fabulous Archaeology Museum, ponder the theory that Varna was home to Europe’s most ancient civilization, and examine the world’s oldest manufactured gold — estimated to be from 4600-4200 B.C. Meet with young people from Varna and talk about everyday life in modern Bulgaria. Comfortable hotel in the city center.

Days 8-9

Coach to Veliko Turnovo (2 nights)

Take a field trip through this former capital city and home of the first Bulgarian constitution to its medieval fortress and the Museum of the National Revival. Explore the nearby village-museum of Arbanassi, famous for its traditional architecture and beautifully decorated churches and monasteries.
Comfortable hotel in the city center.

Days 10-11

Coach to Sofia (1 night)

On the way to Sofia, explore two of the most interesting and picturesque sites in the Central Balkan Mountains region: Tryavna and Etara. Tryavna is famous for its woodworking traditions and National Revival-style houses, while Etara is a beautiful museum-village recalling life in Bulgaria in the 18th and19th centuries.

Cost includes:

• 10 nights hotel accommodation, breakfast included
• All entrance fees to the museums as per itinerary
• 7 lunches and 9 dinners
• Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
• Experienced Group Leaders attuned to the needs of Exploritas participants.
• Expert-led field trips and excursions and hands-on activities.
• Comfortable, often exceptional, accommodations.
• All meals (except where noted).
• Group transportation throughout the program.
• Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
• The Exploritas Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
• Taxes

For more information please check the program TREASURES OF BULGARIA: ANCIENT RUINS, ROSES, AND REVIVAL

ROAD SCHOLAR is the World's Best Not-For-Profit Educational Travel Organization. ROAD SCHOLAR offers nearly 8000 programs a year in nearly 90 countries and Magic Tours provides all services related to ROAD SCHOLAR programs in Bulgaria.