D1. Afternoon arrival at Sofia airport to meet local staff and guide. Transfer to a hotel (4*) in Sofia by private air-conditioned bus . Distance and driving time: 10 miles, 30 min. Check-in for 3 nights. Guided city tour by bus and walk in downtown area: the Sofia University; the National Assembly (the Parliament); Alexander Nevski Cathedral; St. Sophia basilica, 6 century; the National Theatre; former Royal Palace; Serdica Fortifications, 2– 3 centuries; St. George Rotunda, 4th century. Welcome dinner in the hotel.

The Portrait of Dessislava, Boyana Church, 1259

D2. All day in Sofia . Morning: Depart hotel for guided visits and sightseeing: The National Museum of History ; The Boyana Church , 12 - 13 centuries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch at the Boyana Restaurant close to the church. Afternoon: The Crypt, a renowned Orthodox Icons Exhibition. Free in town or Shopping Boutique Women's Fashion . Evening: Depart hotel for dinner in a folk style restaurant.

D3. Morning: Depart hotel for excursion: The Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Distance and driving time: 160 miles, 4h 30min. Lunch in a restaurant in the mountains. Return to the hotel in Sofia. Depart hotel for opera/concert performance at the National Opera/Bulgaria Concert Hall. Late dinner in the hotel.

D4. Transfer Day. Morning: Depart hotel. Guided visit and sightseeing en route: The historical town - museum of Koprivshtitsa . Lunch in a local restaurant en route. Guided visit to the Kazanluk Thracian mound , 4 BCE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Evening: Arrive in Veliko Turnovo and check-in at a hotel (3*) for the next 2 nights. Distance and driving time: 195 miles, 5h. Dinner in the tavern of the hotel.

D5. All day in Veliko Turnovo. Morning: Guided visits and sightseeing in the capital city of the 2 Bulgarian Kingdom (12 - 14 centuries): The Constitutional Assembly Museum; Tsarevets Hill Fortress. Lunch in a local national style restaurant. Afternoon: The historical village of Arbanassi: a beautifully painted church and an ethnographic house. Drive to the wine cellar of Lyaskovets for guided tour and tasting of wines. Late afternoon: return to Veliko Turnovo for guided walking sightseeing tour in the National Revival architectural reserve area and free in town or shopping silver jewelry . Dinner in the hotel. Optional: dramatic “Son et Lumiere” laser show at the medieval fortress in the evening (not included in price).

D6. Transfer Day. Morning: Depart hotel. Guided visits and sightseeing en route: The Unique Museum of Humor and Satire in Gabrovo; The Etura Open-air Architectural and Ethnographic Museum of Traditional Art and Crafts. Lunch in a local national style restaurant en route. Continue via historical Shipka Pass in the Balkan Mountains . Evening: Arrive Plovdiv and check-in at a hotel (4*) for the last 2 nights. Distance and driving time: 125 miles, 4h. D inner in the hotel.

D7. All day in Plovdiv . Morning: Guided sightseeing tour in downtown area by walk: The Roman Forum and Stadium, 2– 3 centuries; The Roman Amphitheatre, 2 century; The Fortress Walls, 2– 3 centuries; The Ethnographic Museum; art galleries, historical houses, etc. Lunch in a national style restaurant in the Old Town . Afternoon: drive for visit the 11th century Bachkovo Monastery (optional). Distance and driving time: 40 miles, 1h. Late afternoon: return to the hotel and free in town, shopping women's fashion. Farewell dinner in town.

D8. Transfer Day. Morning: free in town. Depart hotel and direct transfer to Sofia Airport . Distance and driving time: 100 miles, 2h. C heck-in for departure flight. End of Program.