Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Sofia
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. In the afternoon you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Sofia including the gold domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Crypt, a precious museum of Orthodox Art, 4th c. AD St. Sophia Church, the 4th century St. George Rotanda, the 11th c. AD church of St. Petka of the Saddlers. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Thracia or similar.

Day 2 Sofia-Rila Monastery-Melnik-Sandanski
Departure for Melnik, on the way visit the 10th c. AD Rila Monastery, the biggest and most spectacular in Bulgaria, one of Europe’s oldest and included on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List.Lunch included today. Visit of Melnik, sightseeing of the smallest town in Bulgaria and wine tasting of Melnik wines at the Hotovo Winery. Dinner and overnight in Sandanski at Hotel Interhotel or similar.

Day 3 Melnik-Bansko-Plovdiv
Visit the 9th c. AD Rozhen Monastery and proceed to Bansko, a town in the Pirin mountains famous for its unique architecture and cuisine. Lunch will be served in Bansko. Afternoon departure for Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city. Wine tasting at the Thracian Winery Pamidovo near Plovdiv. Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv at the Hotel Ramada Princess.

Day 4 Plovdiv-Assenovgrad-Plovdiv
Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city. Visit the Old Quarter with its Ethnographic museum, 2nd c.AD Roman Amphitheater and the 4th c. AD St. St. Konstantine and Helena Church, Lamartine’s house and Jumaya Mosque. Lunch in the famous Alafrangite restaurant. Afternoon visit of the 11th century Bachkovo Monastery with original architecture and spectacular 17th c. AD frescoes. Visit Assen’s Fortress, see the 13th century church of St. Mary of Petrich one of the best examples of Medieval architecture in Bulgaria. Wine tasting and dinner at the boutique Todoroff Wine cellar in Brestovitsa, producer of the unique Mavrud wines. Overnight in Plovdiv

Day 5 Plovdiv-Kazanlak-Veliko Turnovo
Depart for Kazaluk, see the famous 4th century BC Thracian Tomb included on the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List; Goliamata Kosmatka Tomb dating back to 5-4th century BC belonging to the Thracian king Seuthes III. Lunch will be served in Kazanlak: Rose liqueur tasting. In the afternoon proceed to Veliko Turnovo through the spectacular Shipka pass. On the way visit the Russian Memorial Cathedral of Shipka and the architectural ethnographic museum of Etura.Lunch included today. Dinner and overnight inVeliko Turnovo at the Hotel Yantra or similar.

Day 6 Veliko Turnovo-Lyaskovets-Troyan
Sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital. See the Tsarevets Holy Hill, 9th c. AD church of St. 40 Martyrs, church of St. Petar and Pavel. Wine tasting at Lyaskovets Winery, only 10 km away from Veliko Turnovo. Lunch included today. Proceed to Troyan stopping at Troyan Monastery (16th c. AD) one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria. Tasting of Troyan brandies. Dinner and overnight in Troyan at the Hotel Troyan. Plaza.

Day 7 Troyan- Koprivshtitsa-Sofia
Departure for Koprivshtitsa and tour of this museum town with 19th c. atmosphere and architecture. Drive back to Sofia and visit the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage listed magnificent Boyana Church with its astonishing 13th century AD frescoes. lunch included today. Late afternoon at Sofia. Dinner will be served 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. You can extend your stay in Sofia or continue to Romania.

Additional nights available