Classic Tour Of Bulgaria

Arrival in Sofia and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a half day city tour of Sofia and get to know the highlights of the capital. Among the most impressive sites are the Alexander Nevski Cathedral dominating the city, the church of st. Sophia which gave the name of the city, the Monument of Tsar Liberator, the Rotunda of St. George, which is the best preserved Byzantine building, the Russian church st. Nikolas, the medieval church of St. Petka, Banya Bashi Mosque, the ruins of ancient Roman Serdica and some more. You will visit Boyana church located in Vitosha Mountain, part of the UNESCO world heritage list. /B/

After breakfast we drive to Rila mountains (the highest on the Balkan peninsula) to see one of Bulgaria’s most famous tourist sites – Rila monastery. This monastery is a sanctuary of Bulgarian literature and spiritual life. Founded in the middle of the 10th century by St. Ivan of Rila it played a key role in preserving Bulgarian culture and language during the centuries. It is part of UNESCO Patrimony. We shall see the monastery church with its amazing frescoes painted by the most famous Bulgarian finest artists from 19th c. and the monastery museum housing a rich collection of exhibits connected with the history of the monastery and the spread of Christianity on the Bulgarian lands. In the afternoon continue to Plovdiv – Bulgaria`s second largest city and the first Bulgarian city elected as a European capital of culture for 2019. Overnight. /B/

Morning drive to Rhodopi Mountains and will visit the famous Bachkovo monastery. It is the second largest in Bulgaria and one of the oldest Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Europe. The Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary (dating from 1604) is the place where a valuable icon of the Virgin Mary Eleusa from 1310 is kept (brought from Georgia). According to the legend, the icon is wonder-working, attracting many pilgrims. In the afternoon, have a guided tour of Plovdiv - Bulgaria’s second largest city. Plovdiv is a city with millennium old history, contemporary to Troy and Mycenae. It has preserved ruins from Roman, Ottoman and Bulgarian Revival period. During our city tour you will see the Roman Forum and Stadium as well as the Roman theatre dating back to the 2nd AD. Have a walk in Plovdiv old town where you will see beautifully decorated houses, magnificent churches, the ancient fortress wall and charming paved streets. Visit the Museum house of Hindliyan - national monument of culture, impressive with its artistic decoration, with many well preserved original murals. Overnight in Plovdiv. /B/

Leaving behind Plovdiv, we continue to the village of Starosel, mainly known for its abundance of ancient Neolithic and Thracian sites. We will see the largest underground temple in the Balkans found in the area under the Chetinyova Mogila (tumulus), along with a mausoleum. Optional wine tasting in a local winery. Out tour continues through the rose fields to Hissarya – a town of rich history, mineral water springs and present-day SPA complexes. We will see the best preserved Roman fortress in Bulgaria. In the afternoon we continue to the town of Kazanluk. The area is well known as The Valley of the Thracian Kings due to the numerous Thracian tombs discovered in the surroundings. Visit one of the finest examples - a replica of the oldest discovered Thracian tomb listed in UNESCO World Heritage. Cross the Balkan mountains via the historical Shipka pass which played a key role in the Russo-Turkish Liberation war for Bulgaria. Arrive in Veliko Turnovo – the medieval capital of Bulgaria. Overnight. /B/

After breakfast, proceed to the Transfiguration monastery, picturesquely situated above the meanders of Yantra river. The Transfiguration Monastery is the biggest monastery of those located in the Veliko Turnovo region and the fourth in Bulgaria. It is a precious architectural and artistic monument established during the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire in 13-14th century. Proceed to Arbanassi, a small Bulgarian village situated at 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo, founded in the 15th c. by Bulgarians, Greeks and Albanians. The town is well known for its rich history and large number of historical monuments. Visit one of the most interesting churches of “Nativity of Christ” with its well preserved murals depicting over 2000 Old and New Testimonial scenes. In the afternoon we return to Veliko Tarnovo for sightseeing tour with a walk to Tsarevets fortress where the Bulgarian kings once lived. Walk along the oldest merchant street in the town called Samovodska Charshia. There guests can see masters who pursue their crafts according to old traditions. /B/

Morning drive to Troyan monastery, situated in the northern folds of the so called Troyan Balkan (Central Stara Planina), at about 400 meters above the sea level, on the left bank of the Cherni Osam River. Troyan monastery is the third biggest monastery in Bulgaria, established in the beginning of 17th century by several hermits who also brought with themselves the miracle-working icon of “Holy Virgin Troerouchitsa” (three-handed Holy Mother). After visiting this holy place we continue our trip to the town of Koprivshtitsa – a remarkable historic reserve from the Bulgarian National Revival period and centre of the April Uprising in 1876. The town boasts a large number of architectural monuments from the period, 383 in all, most of which have been restored to their original appearance. Collections of ethnographic treasures, old weapons, National Revival works of art, fine fretwork, household weaves and embroidery, national costumes and typical Bulgarian jewellery has also been preserved. We will visit some of the famous museum houses. In the afternoon we continue back to Sofia. Overnight. /B/

After breakfast free time. Transfer to Sofia airport for your flight back home. End of service. /B/