 |
  |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Arrival in Sofia, transfer to your hotel.Overnight. DAY 2: SOFIA Full day in Sofia. Visit the Alexander Nevski cathedral, The church of St. Sophia, The Round church of St. George, The Russian church of St. Nicolas, the Synagogue; see the buildings of The National Theatre, The Largo, The mineral Baths of Sofia, The National Palace of Culture. Visit the Boyana church – a UNESCO site and the National history museum – possessing the richest collection of exhibits from the Bulgarian art and history. Overnight. (B) DAY 3: SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY – SANDANSKI (210 km) Drive to Rila monastery – one of the greatest centres of scholarship and religion in Bulgaria during the National Revival Period. Founded in the middle of the 10th century it played a key role in preserving Bulgarian culture and language during the centuries. It is included in the UNESCO world heritage list. See the monastery church with its amazing frescos painted by the most famous Bulgarian finest artists from 19th c. and the monastery museum. Proceed to Sandanski – a town, famous for its clean air and curative mineral waters. Overnight. (B) DAY 4: MELNIK - BANSKO (110 km) Morning depart to the town of Melnik - the smallest Bulgarian town. Surrounded by reddish sandstone pyramids, the region has a magnificent nature. It is also famous for the good red wine produced in the area. Visit the Kordopulova house – once property to a local merchant, now turned into a museum. You can taste the famous Melnik wine in the authentic wine cellar of the house. Proceed to the town of Bansko, which became one of the most popular all season’s resort. Bansko is also very attractive with its athmospere, keeping the Old- Bulgarian culture and architecture. Overnight. (B)
Departure from Bansko to Plovdiv in the morning, which is the second largest Bulgarian city. Have a tour there in the old town with its cobbled streets and typical national revival architecture. See the Ethnographic museum, inhabiting a rich merchant’s house from 19th c., The Roman amphitheatre, the church of St. Konstantine and Elena, the house of Lamartin and Jumaya mosque. Overnight. (B) DAY 6: PLOVDIV- BACHKOVO MONASTERY – PLOVDIV (70km) Half day tour to Bachkovo monastery-the second in size and importance in Bulgaria. See the monastery churches whose oldest paintings date back to the 11th and 12th c. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight. (B) DAY 7: PLOVDIV- KAZANLUK – SHIPKA – BOJENCI – KMETOVCI (200 km) Depart from the city of Plovdiv. Drive through the famous Valley of Roses, where the world prominent Bulgarian rose oil is being produced. Short stop in Kazanlak and see the UNESCO listed Thracian tomb dated back to 3rd c. BC. Passs through Bojenci and arrive in Kmetovci, which are both peculiar villages with typical old- styled Bulgarian athmosphere. Overnight. (B)
After breakfast leave the village of Kmetovci and go for visiting the Etara open-air museum, showing the architecture, the life style and the economic past of Gabrovo region during the Revival period. Different crafts are demonstrated in numerous workshops alive. Proceed to the town of Veliko Turnovo. Sightseeing of Turnovo. See the medieval quarter of the town and the historical “Tsarevets” hill, where remains from the former capital’s glory can still be seen. Proceed to Arbanassi – a small Bulgarian village interesting for its architecture. See the Konstancaliev house and the church of Nativity, whose wall-paintings are considered a real masterpiece. Overnight. (B) Day 9: VELIKO TURNOVO – TROYAN MONASTERY– KOPRIVSHTICA– SOFIA (315 km) Departure in the morning from the town of Veliko Turnovo to the Troyan monastery. Founded in the early 15th century, the monastery is the third biggest in the country. Its church is one of the most interesting, principally because of its interior and exterior frescos, painted by Zahari Zograf, Bulgaria’s most famous religious painter. Continue on route to see Koprivshtica – one of the best preserved museum towns, declared an architectural reservoir. It still bears the atmosphere of The Bulgarian Renaissance period with its cobbled streets, stone and wooden houses in different colors. Return to Sofia. Overnight. (B) Day 10: DEPARTURE After breakfast transfer to Sofia airport. Flight back home.(B) Price is inclusive of: Accommodation Entrance fees throughout Transportation with A/C car / minivan English speaking guide throughout Price is exclusive of: Any camera and video fees Tips for the guide and driver Any additional meals Porterage fee in / out of the hotels |
|
