Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Sofia
Upon arrival to Sofia you will be met and taken to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of the historic Bulgarian capital. Dinner and overnight in Sofia. Hotel Thracia or similar.

Day 2 Sofia-Koprivshtitsa-Veliko Turnovo
After breakfast you will be taken on a Sofia city tour including the gold domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Crypt, a precious museum of Orthodox Art, 4th century AD, St. Sophia Church, 4th century AD, St. George Rotunda and the 11th century AD church of St. Petka of the Saddlers. Continue for a visit to the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage listed Boyana Church with its astonishing 13th century AD frescoes, one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European Medieval art. Lunch included. Departure for Koprivshtitsa.and tour this unique museum town with its 19th century atmosphere and architecture. Then continue to Veliko Turnovo. En route see the Russian Memorial Cathedral of Shipka and visit the Etura open-air architectural-ethnographic museum where traditional Bulgarian crafts are on display at restored 18-19th century AD houses and workshops. Dinner and overnight in Veliko Turnovo. Hotel Yantra or similar.

Day 3 Veliko Turnovo-Arbanassi-Veliko Turnovo
Morning sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo, the medieval Bulgarian capital. See Tsarevets Holy Hill, 9th century AD church of St. 40 Martyrs and the Church of St. Peter and Pavel. Then visit the museum village Arbanassi with the Church of Nativity (unique frescoes dating 16-17th century. AD) and Konstanzaliev House. Drive to the Bozentsi museum architectural village keeping the 19th century AD romantic atmosphere of the National Revival Period. En route see the picturesque Dryanovo Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Veliko Turnovo

Day 4 Veliko Turnovo-Sliven-Kazanlak
Morning departure for the town of Elena with a panoramic tour. Then continue to Kotel to see the Ethnographic museum, the Museum of Natural History and the Galata Quarter School. After lunch departure for the Zeravnaanother architectural reserve to see the museum native houses of Yordan Yovkov and Sava Filaret and the Church Then continue to Sliven to visit the Textile Museum, 5 o�clock tea or coffee and late afternoon arrival in Kazanlak, the capital of the famous Valley of Roses. Dinner and overnight in Kazanlak. Hotel Palas or similar.

Day 5 Kazanlak-Plovdiv
Morning tour of Kazanlak. See the 4th century B.C. Thracian Tomb included on UNESCO-s World Heritage List, famous for its beautiful and extremely valuable murals. Visit the Rose Distillery in town. The tour continues via Starosel where you will enjoy lunch and a wine tasting to Plovdiv. Visit Starosel with Chetinyova Hill (recently discovered 5th century BC Thracian sanctuaries once used as a temple as well as a Thracian tomb). Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv. Hotel Ramada Princess or similar.

Day 6 Plovdiv
Morning sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, Bulgarian second largest city with picturesque and well-conserved houses of the National Revival Period of 18-19th centuries AD. See the Old Quarter with its 2nd c. AD Roman Amphitheater, the 4th century AD Church of St.Konstantine and Helena, the Ethnographic museum, Lamartine’s House and Jumaya Mosque. Lunch in the famous Alafrangite restaurant. Afternoon visit of the 11th century AD Bachkovo Monastery, second largest in Bulgaria with original architecture and icons. En route Visit Assen’s Fortress: see the 13th century church of St. Mary of Petrich one of the best examples of Medieval architecture in Bulgaria. Drive back to Plovdiv for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Plovdiv-Rila Monastery-Sofia
Morning leave for the 10th century AD Rila Monastery, the biggest and most spectacular in Bulgaria, one of Europe’s oldest and included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. After lunch, drive back to Sofia. Dinner at a traditional folk style restaurant. Overnight in Sofia at the Hotel Thracia or similar.

Day 8 Sofia-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport or you can extend your stay in Sofia. You may extend your stay with a tour of beautiful Romania.

Additional nights available.