Baba Vida Fortress, Belogradchik & Magurata cave

Morning departure towards Vidin. Our route passes through the picturesque Iskar Gorge and will not leave you bored – scenic meanders alternate with jagged cliffs, waterfalls and caves. So imperceptible, we reach Chiprovtzi monastery. Founded in the 10th century, it played a key role in the struggles against Ottoman rule. The journey takes us to the Danube town of Vidin - the successor of the Roman settlement Bononia, seat of the last Bulgarian medieval king. We will visit the only fully preserved medieval fortress in Bulgaria - Baba Vida. From the castle exciting views over the Danube are revealed. Optional visits to other points of interest in town such as The Synagogue, which is second largest in Bulgaria after the one in Sofia (to be seen from outside only), the mausoleum of the first Bulgarian Exarch - Antim I, The Cross-Shaped Barracks Museum and the town’s park. Free time and overnight.

Morning departure to the town of Belogradchik and visit the Belogradchik Citadel (Kaleto) built by the Romans in the 3rd c AD, and later on strenthened and fortified by the Bulgarians. The fortress was built to control the strategic roads crossing the area. It was one of the last strongholds to fall under Turkish yoke. The Kaleto fortress opens a stunning view to Belogradchik Rocks - Bulgaria's only landmark nominated for the global New Seven Wonders of Nature Campaign. The Belogradchik Rocks are a natural phenomenon over 200 million years old. The rocks have been shaped under the influence of wind, sun and tectonic movements and are spread on a territorry of nearly 50sq.km. Some of the rocks have weird shapes and are associated with interesting legends. Others are named after people or objects they are thought to resemble. Among the best known are the figures of the Schoolgirl, the Dervish, the Mushroom, the Weddig, the Madonna, Adam and Eve and others. After lunch we head to Magura cave. The cave is associated with the pre-historic drawings which are deemed to have been made between 10 000-8 000 years BC and which make Magura cave of equal scientific importance as the cave "Grotta dei Cervi" in Northern Italy. Today the access to the paintings layer is restricted for conservation purposes. The Magura cave is also astonishing with its rich in shape and size cave formations - stalactites, stalagmites, cave pearls, sinter pockets, etc. The cave is also used for the production of sparkling wine, which matures under natural conditions similar to those used in the production of French champagne. On the way back to Sofia, have a short photo stop to capture a fantastic view over the nearby Rabishko lake - th ebiggest inland lake in Bulgaria.