7 nights- 8 days Tour of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is undiscovered jewel of Europe. It is the melting pot of people and cultures, the cross-point where the political layers of north, south, east and west meet. This is a journey through the history and culture of a fascinating Balkan country with a spectacular Thracian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman heritage. Bulgaria is  Europe’s most ancient civilization with breathtaking archaeology and cultural finds.

During our journey we see the abundance and diversity of cultures - from ancient up to modern times. Bulgaria has been isolated for many years, it was a country behind the Iron Curtain. Nowadays Bulgaria is on the move and changes are happening every day. Already a member of the European Union we learn not only about Bulgaria’s ancient past, but also see how this country walk towards New Europe and modernize its economical, judicial and political systems.

Itinerary: Plovdiv (2 nights) – Veliko Tarnovo  (2 nights) – Sofia (3 nights)

Day 1
Arrive Sofia Airport. Meet your local tour guide. Direct transfer  to Plovdiv  and check in your hotel for two nights. 
     
Day 2  
All day in Plovdiv
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Guided sightseeing tour of the ancient Plovdiv by walk: the 2nd century Roman Forum, Stadium and Theater; Djumaya Mosque (built in 1423); an art gallery of a famous Bulgarian painter.
Afternoon: We enjoy the National Revival 19th century architecture of the Old
Town, visit The Ethnographic Museum.

Day 3
Transfer Day from Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo via Kazanlak, Shipka Pass & site of Etara
Breakfast at the hotel. 

The Thracian Temple at Kazanluk, 4th -3rd c. BC, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Morning: Picturesque drive through the famous Valley of Roses and via historical Shipka Pass in the Balkan Mountains:

Day 4
All Day in Veliko Tarnovo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Veliko Tarnovo was the capital city of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1396). It   has been at the center of many important historical events and was the birthplace of the first Bulgarian constitution. We visit:
-The fortress at Tsarevets Hill, where the Royal Palace and the Patriarch Church once were located
-The Museum of the National Revival, where the first Bulgarian Constitution was adopted in 1879
Afternoon: We’ll visit the village-museum of Arbanassi, famous for its traditional architecture.
We also take a walk through the narrow cobblestone street of the old Samovodene Market Place, leading into small, sunny squares.

Meeting with  Bulgarian family and have cooking “banitsa” lesson.

Day 5
Transfer Day from Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia.
Breakfast at the hotel.
En route:           
Morning: We’ll visit the town of Tryavna, famous for its woodworking and revival-style houses
Afternoon: Enjoy a visit to Etara, which is a unique open-air museum of traditional architecture and ethnography, reflecting the atmosphere of a typical Bulgarian town of the 18th -19th centuries. Arrive in Sofia and check in at your hotel for 3 nights

Day 6

All day in Sofia
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: We visit the National History Museum where the magnificent world remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating frescoes from the 13th century, reflecting both Byzantine and local Christian art tradition.
Afternoon: We have walking field trip through the downtown area of Sofia. We will see the Roman Serdica Fortifications (3rd-5th centuries) and St. George's Rotunda (4th century), famous for its original structure and unique frescoes, Alexander Nevski Momerial Church. We visit the National Art Gallery. Housed in the former Royal Palace, the gallery treasures the most valuable collection of classical paintings and sculptures, which chronically illustrate Bulgaria's artistic achievements from the beginning of the 19th century to the 1950s.

Day 7

Rila Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Excursion to Rila Monastery UNESCO World Heritage Site
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Depart for excursion to Rila Monastery, which is the most impressive of all Bulgarian monasteries and is an original national museum with a century-old history. This renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site is located 90 miles south of Sofia in the gorgeous natural scenery of the Rila Mountains and is considered one of the highest achievements of Bulgarian monumental architecture of the National Revival period (18th-19th centuries).
Lunch en route at a local restaurant in the mountains.
Afternoon: Continue excursion. Transfer to Sofia.

Day 8
Transfer to Sofia Airport for departure. End of program