Museum Towns and Revival Architecture - 6 Days

Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to your hotel and city tour of Sofia. Visit Alexander Nevski Cathedral dominating the city, the church of st. Sophia which gave the name of the city, The Military Club, The National Theatre, the Russian church st. Nicolas with its onion shaped domes, the ruins of the Roman town Serdica revealed in the city centre, the communist edifices now comprising the Council of Ministers, The President Offices and a Central Department Store. Optional visit some of Sofia's most interesting museums - Boyana church (UNESCO sitre), National History Museum, Sofia History Museum or Archaeological Museum featuring some of the finest gold treasures discovered in the country.

After breakfast, depart towards Balkan Mountain (the longest mountain chain on the Balkan peninsula, from where the name of the peninsula comes). Optional stop might be the cave “Saeva dupka”, where you will be delighted by its beautiful rock formations. The cave has hosted many music performances, thanks to its excellent acoustic conditions. Continue to Glozhene Monastery. Picturesquely situated on a high rocky hill above the Teteven Valley, the monastery is named after a Kiev Prince George Glozh, who in the 17th century settled nearby. Our next stop is the town of Teteven where you will have free time for lunch. If you are interested, you may see the town’s All saints church.

Continue deeper into the Balkan Mountains and stop in the village of Oreshaka to see The National Arts and Crafts Exhibition. The museum is unique for the country, presenting fine wood-carvings, traditional Bulgarian handmade rugs, mats, ceramics, copper vessels, knitting and embroidery works, produced by artists from all ethnographic regions in Bulgaria. Visit the nearby Troyan Monastery - home of one of the holiest icons in the Bulgarian Orthodoxy - the Three-Handed Virgin. After lunch, continue to Etara open-air museum and the nearby Sokolski monastery. In the afternoon, arrive in Veliko Tarnovo for an overnight.

Explore the numerous attractions in the old medieval capital of Bulgaria, often referred to as the “City of the Tsars”. Situated on three hills, along the scenic meanders of Yantra river, Veliko Tarnovo has much to show. On Tsarevets Hill was the seat of the Bulgarian Kings and the Patriarchal Cathedral. Trapezitsa Hill is newly open to public. In between the two hills, are many medieval churches among which most interesting are St. 40 Holy Martyrs, St. Demetrius, St. Peter and Paul. Visit the nearby village Arbanassi, well known for its large number of historical sites such as 17th and 18th centuries fortress-like houses and the unique church of the Nativity with its well-preserved murals depicting over 2000 scenes from the Old and the New Testament.

Morning drive to the town of Tryavna, another fine example of the Bulgarian Revival architecture as well as the village of Bozhencite. After lunch, cross the Balkan Mountains through the historical Shipka Pass, which played a key role in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War and arrive in Plovdiv. Enjoy a comprehensive city tour of Plovdiv – a city with millennium old history. See the Roman Forum, the Odeon, the Stadium, walk in the old town to see ancient fortress walls, Roman Theatre from the 2nd c along with beautifully decorated revival houses and churches. The old part of Plovdiv is the most artistic town in Bulgaria with unique atmosphere which has to be experienced

On the way back to Sofia, stop in the town of Koprivshtitsa – another jewel of the Bulgarian architecture. You will be delighted by the colored houses, the wooden bridges, the charming taverns. In the afternoon, drive back to Sofia