O/N in Sofia, Hotel Niky*** (centrally located)

Day 2 - departure from Sofia in the morning, headed for Veliko Tarnovo. On the way, stop in Troyan, where you will visit the Museum of Folk Crafts and Applied Arts. Upon arrival in Veliko Tarnovo, visit the Tsarevets Fortress and the Samovodene (Craftsmen’s street). Then continue to the village of Arbanassi, where you will visit the Nativity Church and the Konstantsalieva House.

O/N in Veliko Tarnovo, Hotel Bolyarski**** (located in the Old Town)

Day 3 - discover the quaint, small town of Tryavna in the morning, famous for its wood-carving tradition. You will visit the Old School here and the Daskalova house, then drive to Etara, where you will visit the Ethnograhical Village Museum.

O/N in Veliko Tarnovo, Hotel Bolyarski**** (located in the Old Town)

Day 4 - leave Veliko Tarnovo in the morning, headed for Varna. On the way, visit the Madara Horeseman (UNESCO World Heritage). Upon arrival in Varna, visit the Archaeological Museum (where some of the oldest gold items in the world are exhibited) and also enjoy a walk around the central area.

O/N in Varna, Hotel Splendid**** (centrally located)

Day 5 - drive to Balchik in the morning, where you will visit the Palace and Gardens built there by the Queen Marie of Romania. Then head south, to the ancient town of Nessebar (UNESCO World Heritage). Guided walk in the Old Town upon arrival.

O/N in Nessebar, Hotel Nessebar Royal Palace*** (located in the Old Town)

Day 6 - departure for Plovdiv. On the way, visit the Thracian Tomb in Kazanlak (UNESCO World Heritage). Upon arrival in Plovdiv, guided walk in the Old Town.

O/N in Plovdiv, Hotel Alafrangite*** (located in the Old Town)

Day 7 - for today, we offer you a choice regarding the sights you want to visit, depending on your interests:

• option 1: day trip to the Asenova fortress and the Bachkovo Monastery, both located in the vicinity of Plovdiv
• option 2: visit the town of Hissarya, famous for its well – preserved Roman ruins. Then visit the impressive Thracian shrine of Chetinyova Mogila, located in the village of Starosel. In spite of its age (2400 years), it’s in remarkably good condition.

O/N in Plovdiv, Hotel Alafrangite*** (located in the Old Town)

Day 8 - head for Sofia, via the Rila mountains. Visit the Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage) and the monastery museum.

O/N in Sofia, Hotel Niky*** (centrally located)

Day 9 - departure. Transfer to the airport.

Day 1 – arrival in Sofia, city tour

Statue of Sofia

Upon your arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by your private tour guide and taken to the hotel. After check in at your hotel you can start exploring Bulgaria’s capital city. Sofia will offer you a blend of West and East, of new and old, of modern and antique. It is a city with rich history, which waits to be discovered, and also a city trying to achieve a modern European outlook.

Sofia was a small town until 1879 when it was chosen to be the capital of the newly liberated Bulgarian state. Since then the city grew to more than 1.2 million inhabitants. It lies at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain which is the favorite place of the city’s residents for hiking and skiing.

As you enjoy a guided walk along the central area of the town you will discover traces from the Roman and Thracian times as well as beautiful examples of the 19th and early 20th century European architecture – usually the work of German, Austrian or Italian architects. They coexist with some monstrous concrete buildings inherited from the Communist past of the country.

Alexandar Nevski Cathedral

Your stroll along the area of “yellow paving stones” once marking the Palace district will start with the impressive Alexander Nevski Cathedral. It is one the country’s landmarks and Sofia’s top attraction. Its gold-plated domes dominate the skyline of the city center. Built to commemorate the Russian and Ukrainian soldiers who fought in the Russo-Turkish Wars 1877- 1878, this large Eastern Orthodox Cathedral is a gallery of the best Russian and Bulgarian artists at the turn of the 20th century.

Nearby you will also see one of the most valuable examples of early Christian architecture in South Eastern Europe – the 14th century Hagia Sophia church that also gave the name of the Bulgarian capital.

If you enjoy treasure-hunting, you might want to stop at the little flea market opposite the church where you can find a large variety of little souvenirs and antiques, including also some memorabilia from the country’s communist history and way of life.

Change of the Guards

Walking further, you will be fascinated by the golden onion-shaped domes and vibrant colors of the Russian church – the official church of the Russian embassy in 1882. Then it will be time for something more European as you will have reached the former Royal Palace, the work of 2 Austrian architects and home of the Bulgarian Royal family. Nowadays it houses the National Art Gallery. Passing by the National Theater, another lovely piece of work of Viennese architects and also the place where the mausoleum of the communist leader Georgi Dimitrov once stood, you will get to the Presidency building. Take a peak through the gate and you will discover the charming 4th century Rotunda St. George, hiding in the courtyard of the presidency and the Sheraton hotel. The surrounding area was the heart of the ancient town of Serdica and in the underpass next to the Presidency you can see some more traces of the Roman and Thracian times – the old city gates and fortification walls.

Fresco in the Boyana Church

If you are interested you can also see and visit The Synagogue, which was recently beautifully restored and is the center of community life for the Jewish people in the capital. Next to it is the restored building of the Covered food market.

One of the highlights of the city is the Boyana church (UNESCO World Heritage Site) set in one of the green suburbs of the city. The church dates from the 11th c. and has 3 layers of frescos, the most remarkable ones from the 13th century. They are a precious example of Medieval art in our lands and display individuality and vitality, not typical for that period.

O/N in Sofia, Hotel Niky*** (centrally located)

Day 2 – Sofia – Troyan – Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Veliko Tarnovo

Troyan pottery

After breakfast today you will leave Sofia and head for Veliko Tarnovo. Some 160 km from Sofia you will make as top in the little mountainous town of Troyan. The name Troyan originates from the ancient Roman road of Via Trajana, which linked the Danube with the Aegean Sea in the 1-2 c. AD. The town has been a thriving crafts center, the most important craft for the locals being pottery making. The Museum of Folk Crafts and Applied Arts in the center of Troyan has a good collection of ceramics, wood-carvings, iconography, artistic metal-work, folk costumes and textiles, and is definitely worth a visit. The town is also known for the production of premium plum brandy so why not stop for lunch here and taste the local specialty.

Veliko Tarnovo

After this stop you continue to drive to Veliko Tarnovo or “the town of noblemen” as it is called in Bulgaria. You will take a stroll along the historical Samovodene street in the Old Town. There you will find a charming handicraft shops and get acquainted with some traditional local crafts like icon-painting, wood-carving, weaving, copper-smithing, silver-smithing, etc. You can even enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee made on hot sand the way it was prepared for the craftsmen and tradesmen 100 years ago.

Tsarevets Fortress

The symbol of the city is the Tsarevets fortification, which was the seat of the kings and the Bulgarian Patriarch during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The fortress walls and watchtowers as well as the Patriarch’s church on top of the hill can still be seen. You will also see the so-called Baldwin Tower surrounded by legends and myths where supposedly one of the most prominent leaders of the Fourth Crusade, Baldwin of Flanders was imprisoned and died.

Fresco in the Nativity Church

Only some 2 miles (4km) from Veliko Tarnovo lies the village of Arbanassi, a small architectural gem with houses and churches from the 17th and 18th centuries. The village enjoyed some privileges from the Ottoman sultan and was the residence of rich merchants in the past. Now it is a great and beloved place for both locals and tourists. The most famous church is the Nativity church where you can admire the beautiful fresco depicting the circle of life. Depending on the day of the week you can also see the Konstantzalieva house and learn about the way of life in the 17th century of a wealthy local family. The village offers spectacular views over the town of Veliko Tarnovo.

O/N in Veliko Tarnovo, Hotel Bolyarski**** (located in the Old Town)

Day 3 – Veliko Tarnovo – Tryavna – Etara – Veliko Tarnovo

Today you will enjoy sightseeing in the area of Veliko Tarnovo and you will go deeper into the Balkan Mountains.

Etara Ethno Village

In the morning you will go for about an hour drive to Etara – one of the most interesting open-air museums in Bulgaria. It presents the local traditions, customs and craftsmanship from the period of the National Revival in Bulgaria. The complex includes water installations, houses with the craftsmen’s workshops attached, bakery, and a small restaurant. The museum is a wonderful illustration of the way of life and the economy of the region in the past.

Architecture in Tryavna

After the visit to the ethnographic complex Etara you will head for the town of Tryavna, nested on the northern slopes of the Balkan mountain range. It is a quaint, neat, charming little town with well-preserved architecture from the 1800s. The typical houses in Tryavna have ground floors with irregular forms and usually housed craftsmen and traders. The upper floors featured wooden bow-windows and the roofs were covered with well arranged rocks. The town was a busy crafts center and particularly famous for the wood-carving school. You will see some lovely examples of it when you visit the Old School in the center of town and also the Daskalova house where two of the best masters of wood – carving competed and worked hard for six months in the two largest rooms in the house to decorate the ceiling. You can be the judges and tell who did a better job.

In the afternoon you will return to Veliko Tarnovo and enjoy some free time or do some more sightseeing on your own.

O/N in Veliko Tarnovo, Hotel Bolyarski**** (located in the Old Town)

Day 4 – Veliko Tarnovo – Madara Horseman – Varna

Madara horseman

Today you will continue your journey to the east towards the Black Sea. Along the way you will take a short detour to the village of Madara and see another monument from UNESCO’s world heritage list – the Madara Horseman. It is dated to 8th century and is connected to the early history of the Bulgarians. It is a relief cut in vertical rocks and depicting a rider on a horse. The horseman is thrusting his spear in a lion at his horse’s feet, there is a dog running behind him and an eagle flying ahead of him. It possibly represents a military victory or a Thracian god. The Madara Horseman is seen as one of the symbols of the Bulgarian State.

Varna Cathedral

The trip continues to Varna and the Black Sea. Once you arrive at the “summer capital” of Bulgaria you can take a short stroll along the pedestrian street where you will find a number of lovely cafes and small restaurants. As you are exploring the city with your guide you will pass by the Train station – the first in the country to connect the port of Varna with the town of Ruse on the Danube and provide a commercial link between Europe and Istanbul. You will also have a short stop at the port area to enjoy the view of the bay and the port. Then along the beautiful Sea Garden, the favorite park of the locals, you will drive by the Maritime Museum, the former Greek neighborhood in town, and the ruins of the Roman baths. You will visit the Archaeological Museum (depends on the day of the week your visit takes place) to see the Varna Necropolis and its unique findings – some of the gold items were dated back to the year 4000 BC. The museum takes us on a trip through the history of Odessos, the ancient name of the town, revealing layer after layer. You can visit the Orthodox cathedral The Dormition of the Theotokos, dominating the main square in town and rightfully deserving to be one of the city’s landmarks.

After the sightseeing you will have the time to explore the central part of Varna on your own and enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the numerous local restaurants.

O/N in Varna, Hotel Splendid**** (centrally located)

Day 5 – Varna – Balchik – Nessebar

The Balchik Castle

You will spend the day exploring the beauty of the Black sea coast. For the morning you will go for about an hour drive to the north of Varna. Your destination will be the pretty little town of Balchik and its highlight – the Summer Residence and Gardens of the Romanian Queen Maria. The complex was built between 1926 and 1937 during the Romanian domination of the region. It was the natural beauty of the area that Queen Maria fell in love with and then turned the place into her dream residence – a green oasis where she found peace and happiness. The Quiet Nest, as the official name of the residence is, contains summer villas for the Queen and her children, a chapel, a wine cellar, several springs, and a park that is today a state-run botanical garden.

Nessebar

After you enjoy the beauty of the gardens and you relax in one of the charming cafes we will leave Balchik heading back south, passing by Varna and going further south to another Black sea jewel – the town of Nessebar (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The old town is more than 9000 years old, is situated on a tiny peninsula, and a narrow strip of land connects this small jewel to the mainland. Nessebar not only has many layers of history, beautiful old churches and houses but also the charm of a fishermen settlement, narrow cobbled stoned streets, lovely little restaurants overlooking the sea and the smell of the salty sea water in the air. Your guide will take you on a guided walk to show you the hidden treasures of Nessebar.

O/N in Nessebar, Hotel Nessebar Royal Palace*** (located in the Old Town)

Day 6 – Nessebar – Kazanlak – Plovdiv

Kazanlak Thracian Tomb

Today after breakfast you leave the Black Sea coast and we travel inland, direction west towards Plovdiv. Before you reach Plovdiv, you stop at Kazanlak – the town in the Valley of the Roses and the Thracian kings. You will visit the Thracian tomb (you will visit the copy as visits to the original are rarely possible) on the heritage list of UNESCO. Discovered in 1944, this tomb dates from the Hellenistic period, around the end of the 4th century BC. It is located near Seutopolis, the capital city of the Thracian king Seutes III, and is part of a large Thracian necropolis. The tomb has a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber, both decorated with murals representing Thracian burial rituals and culture. These paintings are Bulgaria’s best-preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period.

Architecture in Plovdiv

With Plovdiv as our destination today, you leave Kaznalak behind and you drive southwest. Originally Plovdiv was a Thracian settlement before becoming a major city ruled by Greeks and Romans. The city is located on both banks of the Maritsa River and historically has developed on 7 hills. It is abundant of monuments from different historical periods – Antiquity, Middle Ages, and the Ottoman rule, The National revival. Plovdiv has also a unique artistic atmosphere with its many prominent artists, galleries and cozy bistros where the local Bohemians gather.
 

Roman theatre

During your guided walk you will admire some of the highlights of Plovdiv. As you discover the Old Town you will get to the Antique theater. Built in the early 2nd century A.D. by the Roman Emperor Traianus (98-117), the theatre was one of the most important public buildings in Trimontium, remarkable with its architectural impressiveness and splendor. The Ancient Theatre seated 5 to 7 thousand. It still is the center of the cultural life in Plovdiv. Another trace from the Roman times is the Roman stadium under the main street in town. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Septimus Severus (193-211) and had a capacity to seat 30 000 spectators. Now the larger part of it remains still underground but the stadium is visible from the Dzhumayata Square. The Old Town of Plovdiv will offer you the possibility to admire also the Bulgarian Renaissance architecture with a few houses that are masterpieces of the local architectural tradition. Nowadays many of them are galleries and museums; some are turned into restaurants and cozy hotels.

O/N in Plovdiv, Hotel Alafrangite*** (located in the Old Town)

Day 7 – Plovdiv – choice tour

Today is your second day in Plovdiv and we offer you 2 choices for day trips (they are both included, but the choice is all yours):

Option 1: An easy and relaxed day out of Plovdiv combining a medieval fortress and the second largest monastery in Bulgaria.

Asenova Fortress

About an hour ride to the south of Plovdiv will take you to the town of Assenovgrad. You will visit the Asenova fortress perched on a high rocky ridge of the Rhodopi Mountains. It was a Thracian settlement at first. Then it changed hands to Byzantines and Romans, eventually Bulgarians took over the control of the fortification. It used to guard the road from Plovdiv to the Aegean Sea. The importance of the fortress grew in the Middle Ages and is connected with the name of the Bulgarian king Ivan Asen the 2^nd. One of the best preserved features of the fortress is the Church dedicated to the Holy Mother of God.

Fresco of Bachkovo Monastery

Further south from Asenova fortress lies Bachkovo Monastery. It is a unique  monument of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian architecture and culture. The church keeps several frescoes which are representative and rare example of Orthodox art. The monastery church is also know for keeping the wonder-working icon of Virgin Mary which is attracting thousands of pilgrims.

After a relaxed sightseeing morning we return to Plovdiv and you can enjoy some time on your own to explore the city and its numerous treasures.
 
 
Option 2: if you are fascinated by the rich history of the country and you simply can’t get enough we suggest you explore the area further.

Roman gate in Hissarya

Today you can go to Hissarya, a small town north of Plovdiv, which was an important Roman town in the past. Nowadays Roman ruins of public buildings, small amphitheater, Roman garrison, etc, can be seen. The largest preserved fortress gate from the Roman period can also be found there. The town is also known for its mineral springs – they were the reason for the establishment of the town.

Next stop will be the village of Starosel, which became widely known only in the year 2000 when a team of Bulgarian archaeologists led by Prof. Kitov made one of the biggest discoveries in their career – an impressive Thracian shrine known as the Chetinyova Mogila. Formed in the shape of a hill, the mogila has a grand view of the Pyasuchnik River Valley and is clearly the achievment of a powerful king. Some suggest it is the final resting place of Sitalkes, who during his brief life of 20 years extended the Thracian empire from the Danube River to the Aegean Sea. The historical details are uncertain, yet the magnificent dry stone construction remains in good shape after 2400 years of wear. If you wish you can also stop in a local wine cellar for lunch and some excellent Bulgarian wine. When you return in Plovdiv you will still have some free time to enjoy the city on own.

O/N in Plovdiv, Hotel Alafrangite*** (located in the Old Town)

Day 8 – Plovdiv – Rila Monastery – Sofia

Rila monastery

In the morning, you depart from Plovdiv and head for south western part of Bulgaria where you will find the next UNESCO site on our tour, the Rila Monastery. The monastery lies in the heart of Rila mountain at 1147 meters (3,763 ft) above sea level, and is regarded as the holiest place in Bulgaria. It is no doubt the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history. It is believed that the hermit John of Rila founded the monastery in the 10th century. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex that played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. In the main church of the monastery you can see beautiful examples of frescoes and icons of the prominent icon-painters of the 19th century – the brother Dimitar and Zahari Zograf. The monastery museum has also some interesting items and valuable items among which is Rafail’s cross – a wooden cross, made from a whole piece of wood (81×43 cm) and recreating 104 religious scenes and 650 miniature figures.

The mountainous surroundings of the monastery will appeal to those of you who love nature and if time and weather allow it, you can take a short hike to the dwelling place of the hermit John of Rila.

In the afternoon you will head back to the staring point of your trip, the city of Sofia.

O/N in Sofia, Hotel Niky*** (centrally located)

Day 9 – Sofia, departure

Today, you will say goodbye to Bulgaria and the friends you made here. Your guide will escort you to the airport for the flight home.