Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Sofia
Upon arrival to the Sofia airport you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of historic Sofia. Overnight Hotel Thracia or similar.

Day 2 Sofia
Morning sightseeing tour of Sofia. See the unique mixture of ancient, medieval and more recent examples of architecture: the gold domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Crypt, a precious museum of Orthodox Art, the 4th century AD St. Sophia Church, the 4th century AD St. George Rotanda and the 11th century AD church of St. Petka of the Saddlers. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. Afternoon visit of UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage listed Boyana Church with astonishing 13th century AD frescoes, one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European Medieval art, located at the foot of Mt.Vitosha. Continue with visit of the National Museum of History. Dinner and overnight in Sofia at the Hotel Thracia or similar.

Day 3 Sofia-Plovdiv-Bachkovo Monastery-Plovdiv
Early morning drive to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city, a thousand years older than Sofia with picturesque and well preserved houses of the National Revival Period of 18-19th century AD. Upon arrival visit the Old Quarter: Ethnographic Museum, 2nd century AD Roman Amphitheater, and the 4th century AD St.St. Konstantine & Helena Church. Lunch will be served at the famous Alafrangite restaurant. Afternoon visit of the 11th century AD Bachkovo Monastery, second largest in Bulgaria with original architecture and icons. Back to Plovdiv for dinner and overnight at the Hotel Ramada Princess or similar.

Day 4 Plovdiv-Etura-Arbanassi-Veliko Turnovo
After breakfast departure for Veliko Turnovo, the medieval Bulgarian capital. En route see the Russian Memorial Cathedral of Shipka, cross the Balkan Mountains by the magnificent Shipka Pass. Visit the Etura open-air ethnographic museum where traditional Bulgarian crafts are on display at restored 18-19th century AD houses and workshops. After lunch proceed to Veliko Turnovo. Sightseeing tour of the city: visit the Tsarevets Holy Hill, 9th century AD church of St. 40 Martyrs, and the church of St. Peter and Pavel. Also visit Arbanassi, the museum village: the Church of Nativity (16-17th century AD) and Konstanzaliev’s House. Dinner and overnight in Veliko Turnovo Hotel Yantra or similar.

Day 5 Veliko-Turnovo-Sofia airport
After breakfast you will be taken to the Sofia airport. You may extend your stay in Veliko Turnovo or in Sofia. You can also continue with a tour to beautiful Romania.

Additional nights available.

Wine tasting in Plovdiv available for the supplement of EURO 25 per per person to be paid on the spot.