On The steps Of The Thracian Kings - 10 Days

Upon arrival in Sofia meet your local guide. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. In the afternoon you will enjoy a comprehensive 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 round church of St. George, which is the best preserved Byzantine building, the Russian church st. Nikolas, St. Petka church, Banya Bashi Mosque, the ruins of ancient Serdica and some more. Overnight /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 included in the UNESCO world heritage list. 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. drive back to Sofia. Overnight. /B/

Today we shall get to know the second largest city in Bulgaria and the first elected as a European capital of culture for 2019. Plovdiv is a city with millennium old history. 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 amphitheater dating back to the 2nd AD; Walk along the tiny cobbled streets of the old town surrounded by beautiful Revival houses and churches. afternoon optional visit to Bachkovo monastery. Overnight in Plovdiv. /B/

After breakfast we drive to Perperikon – the ancient Thracian city located in the Eastern Rhodopes, 15 km from the town of Kurdjali. Perperikon is the largest megalith ensemble in the Balkans. It is thought that the famous sanctuary and oracular shrine dedicated to Sabazios (similar to Greek Dionysus) of the Bessi was situated there. Human activity in the area dates back to 5000 B.C. The first traces of civilization on the hill date from the Bronze Age, while the ceramics found on the place date from the Early Iron Age, as well as the impressive round altar, almost 2 m in diameter, hewn out of the rocks. Our tour continues with the village of Tatul, situated close to Momchilgrad. In the 2000s Bulgarian archaeologists discovered an ancient Thracian surface tomb and sanctuary in the immediate proximity of the village, and it was soon recognized as an exclusive religious center in the region of importance to the whole region. Latest archaeological finds date the earliest settlement to 4000 BC. In the afternoon we continue to the town of Kurdjali. Overnight. /B/

Today we head to see the 4th c BC Alexandrovo Tomb in Haskovo Municipality which is considered one of the most imposing monuments of Thracian Art found on the Bulgarian Lands. Discovered in the year 2000, the tomb impresses with its size and exceptionally well preserved frescoes which give new knowledge of the Thracian religious rituals and lifestyle. In 2009, with donations from the Japanese government, a museum was open right next to the tomb exhibiting gold decorations and jewellery from the area. Alexandrovo Tomb is currently into an open procedure for being included in UNESCO Patrimonial list. Afternoon arrive in Plovdiv. /B/

Leaving behind Plovdiv we continue to the village of Starosel, part of Hissarya municipality, mainly known for its abundance of ancient Neolitic 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. Enjoy an optional wine tasting in a local winery. Our 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. We will also see the famous Goliama Kosmatka tomb – proved Seuth III temple. Overnight. /B/

After breakfast proceed to the Etara - an open-air museum which presents the Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship. Proceed to Arbanassi, a small Bulgarian village situated at 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo. Arbanassi is interesting for its architecture. You may see the Konstancaliev Ethnographical house and the church of Nativity, which mural-paintings are considered a real masterpiece. 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/

After breakfast we head to see the unique 3rd-century BC Thracian tomb near Sveshtari. It is an extremely rare and very well preserved monument of the sepulchral architecture containing remarkable elements in terms of their quality and style sculpture and painting. The Tomb is also remarkable for the fact that it represents local art, inspired by Hellenism, a rare case of an interrupted creative process which possesses specific characteristics. In the afternoon we continue to the city of Ruse. Overnight. /B/

After breakfast we drive to the village of Ivanovo, situated in the valley of the Roussenski Lom River. Near the village lies a complex of rock-hewn churches, chapels, monasteries and cells. This is where the first hermits had dug out their cells and churches during the 12th century. The 14th-century murals testify to the exceptional skill of the artists belonging to the Tarnovo School of painting. The frescoes of the Ivanovo churches reveal an exceptional artistry and a remarkable artistic sensitivity for 14th century painting and Bulgarian medieval art; they are an important achievement in the Christian art of South- Eastern Europe. After Ivanovo we return to Sofia. Overnight. /B/

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