The Beauty of Bulgaria

With this tour, you are offered the unforgettable experience of getting familiar with Bulgariaʹs rich cultural heritage

8 DAYS/ 7 NIGHTS

Day 1 ‐ Sofia
Arrival at Sofia airport. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner with a folklore show at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant. Overnight.

Day 2 ‐ Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo ‐ Arbanassi
Breakfast. Morning sightseeing tour of Sofia ‐ a 7000 year‐old city. You will see the Saint Sofia Church, built in the middle of the 6th century under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, that gave the city its name; the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral ‐ one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; the former royal palace; the Parliament; the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and many more interesting places. Next, you will depart to the town of Veliko Tarnovo, famous as the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The town is located on three historical hills along the shores of the Yantra River. It still keeps the unique
atmosphere of ancient times. In the evening you will have the opportunity to see the famous Sound and Light Show – an attraction that uses three lasers, variegated lights, authentic music and church bells to tell the story of the fall of Tarnovo to the Ottomans, as well as other key moments of the history of Bulgaria. Dinner and overnight in the beautiful village and architectural reserve Arbanassi, located next to the town of Veliko Tarnovo

Day 3 ‐ Veliko Tarnovo – Bozhentsi ‐ Kmetovtsi
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo ‐ you will see the ruins of the castle Tsarevets; the St. Forty Martyrs Church, which houses some of the Bulgarian Empireʹs most significant historical records; the Samovodska Charshiya Street in the Old Town. In the afternoon you will visit the village of Bozhentsi, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is noted for its well‐preserved Bulgarian National Revival architecture and history, and is thus a well‐known tourist destination. Later you will proceed to the village of Kmetovtsi where you will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian dinner. Overnight in a folklore style hotel in Kmetovtsi.

Day 4 ‐ Etara ‐ Kazanlak ‐ Plovdiv
After breakfast you will travel to the Etara Architectural‐ Ethnographic Complex. It is a unique open‐air museum that presents the Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship. You will take a sightseeing tour of Etara – you will see some typical Bulgarian revival houses, a clock tower, and a beautifully decorated house by Saakov featuring 21 windows. You will also visit workshops of Bulgarian craftsmen – cutlers, wood‐carvers, fur‐dressers, confectioners. Next, you will continue to the town of Kazanlak ‐ the capital of the Bulgarian Rose Valley. You will visit the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak. The monument dates back to the 4th century BC and has been on the UNESCO protected World Heritage Site list since 1979. In the evening you will proceed to Plovdiv, where you will overnight.

Day 5 ‐ Plovdiv – Bachkovo Monastery ‐ Pamporovo
After breakfast you will take a morning sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, one of the most historically rich cities in Europe. It is a contemporary of Troy and Mycenae, and older than Rome, Athens, Carthage and Constantinople. During this tour you will see numerous preserved historical sites of different ages: the Roman theatre (early 2nd century BC) and Stadium (late 2nd century BC), the St. Constantine and Helena Church, Tsar
Simeonʹs Garden and The Singing Fountains. In the afternoon you will head to the Bachkovo Monastery – one of the largest and oldest Orthodox monasteries in Europe. There you will visit the Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary, home of the wonder‐working icon of the Virgin Mary Eleusa from 1310; the Saint Archangels Church painted by the famous Zahari Zograf; the museum of the monastery with its rich exhibition of church plate, icons and books. Next, you will travel to the famous mountain resort Pamporovo. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6 – Gela – Shiroka Laka ‐ Sandanski
After breakfast your journey continues to the beautiful mountain village of Gela, surrounded by enchanting meadows. The legend has it that the famous poet Orpheus was born in Gela. Next, you will proceed to the village of Shiroka Laka. It is a proclaimed architectural and folklore reserve and lies in the central Rhodope Mountains. The village is famous for its authentic Rhodopean houses set in tiers on both banks of the local river. You will visit some of the most famous houses ‐ those of the Zgurov, Uchikov and Grigorov families. In the afternoon you will leave for the town of Sandanski, known for its mineral springs with healing water. You will have the chance to enjoy some healthy spa procedures. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7 ‐ Rila Monastery ‐ Sofia
Following breakfast you will proceed to the Rila monastery. It is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The monastery complex is regarded as one of Bulgariaʹs most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments.The Rila Monastery became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. You will visit the main church of the monastery, famous for its unique frescoes and its gold‐plated
iconostasis; the monastery museum, known for housing Rafail’s Cross and the monastery kitchen “Magernitsa”, noted for its uncommonly large vessels. In the afternoon you return to Sofia. Farewell dinner.
Overnight.

Day 8 ‐ Sofia
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.