Itinerary

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

Day 2 Sofia-Koprivshtitsa-Troyan
Morning departure for Koprivshtitsa, the architectural-ethnographic museum town. Sightseeing tour including the beautiful museum houses featuring the romantic atmosphere of the National Revival period. After lunch, drive to the town of Troyan. En route see the 16th century Troyan Monastery, one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria. Pass by the Oreshaka village, well known for its professional craftsmen, making ceramics and Souvenirs. Once in Troyan, visit the Museum of national crafts and applied arts, situated in the town center, enjoy the craft samples from the 18-19th centuries Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Troyan Plaza or similar.

Day 3 Troyan-Tryavna-Kazanlak
After breakfast, drive to Tryavna, the picturesque town, which evolved from an ancient Thracian settlement to a town with its own architectural design featuring rich wood-crafted decoration, wooden bow-windows and slate covered roofs. After lunch visit Bozhentsi, a historical, architectural museum village, preserving more than 100 monumental picturesque houses from the Bulgarian revival, typical with their high stone fences and wooden gates. Proceed to the Etura open-air ethnographic museum where traditional Bulgarian crafts are on display at restored 18-19th century houses and workshops. Continue to Kazanlak, the capital of the famous Valley of Roses. See the 4th century BC Thracian Tomb, included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, well-known for its beautiful and extremely valuable murals. Dinner and overnight in Kazanlak. Hotel Palas or similar.

Day 4 Kazanlak-Plovdiv
Morning departure for Plovdiv, Bulgarian second largest city and one of oldest in Europe dating back to the 5th century BC and reaching apogees during the reign of Philip II of Macedonia. Sightseeing tour including the Old Quarter with its remarkable examples of houses of the National Revival Period, the Ethnographic museum, in particular. Tour also includes the 2nd century AD Roman Amphitheater, 4th c.AD Church of St.Konstantine and Helena, 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. Dinner and Overnight in Plovdiv.Hotel Ramada Princess or similar.

Day 5 Plovdiv-Bansko-Melnik- Sandanski
Drive to Bansko, a museum town of ancient and modern history, popular with its folklore, architecture and rich interior decoration and paintings. See the century-old houses and the magnificent Holly Trinity Church. Located at the foot of the beautiful Pirin mountains, Bansko makes a unique resort equally attractive to tourists throughout the year. After lunch, proceed to Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria, declared a historical and cultural reserve and museum-town. Visit the old houses with impressive architecture and unique wine cellars. You will enjoy wine tasting of Bulgarian wines during the tour. Dinner and overnight in Sandanski. Interhotel Sandanski or similar.

Day 6 Sandanski-Rila Monastery-Sofia
Morning departure 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 Cultural Heritage List. After lunch, drive back to Sofia. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at traditional folk style restaurant. Overnight in Sofia at the Hotel Thracia or similar.

Day 7 Sofia
Morning visit of 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. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Sofia 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, 11th century AD church of St.Petka of the Saddlers. Lunch included. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.

Day 8 Sofia-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport or you may extend your stay in historic Sofia. Tours to beautiful Romania are available.

Additional nights available.