7 Day Tour of Bulgaria, 2022

Sample Itinerary: Sofia (2 nights) – Melnik (1 night) -Plovdiv (2 nights) - Sofia (1 night )

Tour Cost: 2022

Minimum: 2       participants:  € 1 150 (  per person, double/twin room sharing)

3-4 participants: € 970 (per person, double/twin room sharing)

5-6 participants: € 815 (per person, double/twin room sharing)

Single supplement: € 160

Single supplement applies for single travelers or for those travelling together who would prefer a single room.

Tour cost includes:

♦ 6 nights (breakfast & taxes included)  as per itinerary:5 nights at 3 stars hotels in Sofia and in Plovdiv. 1 night in a guest house in Melnik.

♦ Transportation throughout the itinerary by private car. English speaking guide-driver.The guide will drive.

♦ Entrance fees to sites and museums.

Day 1: Arrival in Sofia.

Arrive at Sofia airport. Your guide-driver will meet you at Sofia airport. Transfer Sofia airport - your hotel in Sofia.

Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, was founded more than 7 000 years ago, and has long been an important crossroads between Asia Minor and Europe. Sofia’s monuments attest to the many cultures and civilizations that flourished here.

Overnight Sofia.

Day 2: All day in Sofia.

Breakfast.

We will visit:

• The National Museum of History where one can see the magnificent Thracian golden treasures, as well as artefacts from the oldest in the world discovered so far golden objects, processed by Europe’s most ancient civilization (4600-4200 BC);
• The 13th century Boyana Church, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. The murals of the famous church in Boyana reflect both Byzantine and local traditions of the preceding two centuries. The portrait of Dessislava is a genuine masterpiece of 13th century painting, created 200 years before the European renaissance, mark a remarkable peak of Christian Art;
• The ancient Serdica Fortifications dating from the 3rd-5th century
• The 4th century St. George’s Rotunda famous for its unique frescoes and original architecture. Its majestic figures illustrate the development of Christian Painting over several centuries, making Rotunda one of the gems of Bulgarian and East European culture;
• The magnificent Alexander Nevski Memorial Church is a masterpiece of late 19th – early 20th century architecture, splendidly decorated;
• The Sephardic Synagogue is the third largest in Europe (next to the synagogues in Budapest and Amsterdam). Not many people know that during World War II Bulgaria saved its entire Jewish population. The Bulgarian people lead by their Orthodox Church Metropolitans Kiril and Stefan stood in the way of the Nazi machine that was firmly resolved to implement the “final solution” of the Jewish question. The “solution” was never realized in Bulgaria. Ultimately, not a single Bulgarian Jews was deported to Nazi’s death camps. Anti-Semitism never had roots in Bulgaria. Jews were integral part of the Bulgarian society.

Overnight Sofia.

Day 3: Transfer Day: Travel from Sofia to Melnik

Breakfast.

En route visit Rila Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Rila Monastery, located 120 km (90 miles) south of Sofia in the Rila Mountains, is an original national museum with a century-old history. The monastery dates back to the 10th century, but has been plundered and burned down several times. The present building was built in mid-19th century (1816 – 1848). Located in the gorgeous mountain scenery of the mountains, it is considered the highest achievement of Bulgarian monumental architecture of the National Revival period. It is also a monument of international significance, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of particular interest are the Museum, and also the 1335 Hrelyo's Tower in the courtyard, which is actually the oldest preserved building, standing alongside the big five-dome church Assumption of the Holy Virgin, which has splendid frescos by some of Bulgaria’s finest artists of the time. Close to the Monastery are the rock-cell and the grave of St John of Rila, the founder of the monastery in the 10th century.

Continue drive to Melnik. Arrive Melnik. Check in a guest house for one night. Overnight Melnik.

Day 4: Transfer Day: Travel from Melnik to Plovdiv.

Breakfast.

Sightseeing tour of Melnik. The smallest town in Bulgaria (208 residents), Melnik, is nested in the south slopes of Pirin Mountain, among sand pyramids with queer forms. Melnik is declared a natural and architectural reservation. Melnik is famous with its excellent wines. The  wine of the  unique Bulgarian brand Wide Melnik Vine has a wonderful quality, scents of ripe cherry, herbs, and in the presence of an oak it develops nuances of tobacco and leather. Wine is one of the attractions of the town and the region, and it attracts many admirers from the whole world.

Depart Melnik to Plovdiv. Arrive in Plovdiv and check in your hotel for 2 nights. Overnight Plovdiv.

Day 5: All day in Plovdiv.

Breakfast.

Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second biggest city, which treasures a history that goes back thousands of years, traces of which have survived to the present day. The Thracians founded Plovdiv during the Neolithic period in the 2nd millennium BC. The Old Quarter was built in the 18th-19th centuries as the center of the Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Along steep cobblestone lanes, behind stone walls and iron-studded heavy oak gates, one could glimpse at verdure and flowers, surrounding the typical Plovdiv symmetrical houses with their painted facades, oriels and jetties and grid windows. The St. Constantine and St. Helena Church completed in 1832, contains murals painted in 1836 by Zachary Zograph, the best known Bulgarian National Revival painter.

We will visit:

• The Roman period archeological finds and sites, dating from the 2nd – 3rd century: the Forum, the Stadium, the Fortress Walls, and, above all, the fabulous Amphitheater, which was built during the time of Emperor Trajan (98-117). It has 28 rows with tiers of marble seats, which can accommodate over 3 500 spectators and today is still functioning
• The Old Town with spectacular architecture of the National Period (18th – 19th century). Visit a house museum in the Old town.

Overnight Plovdiv.

Day 5: Transfer Day: Travel from Plovdiv to Sofia. En route visit Koprivshtitsa.

Breakfast.

Depart Plovdiv to Sofia.

En route visit Koprivshtitsa.

• The delightful ethnographic town of Koprivshtitsa is famous for its National Revival architecture (18th – 19th century). You can walk along its picturesque streets, stop in the small squares, and feel the plastic treatment of the stone fencing walls, the large gates and the dignity of the houses amidst the yards.

Arrive Sofia and check in your hotel fore one night.

Day 7: Morning free for personal exploration/activities in Sofia.

Breakfast.

Transfer your hotel in Sofia- Sofia airport. End of our service.Contact us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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