Best of Bulgaria

Today’s journey takes you deep into the Rila Mountains to visit the magnificent Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most celebrated spiritual monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century, it’s renowned for its colorful frescoes, grand arcaded galleries, and peaceful mountain setting. You’ll also visit the monastery’s museum, home to precious icons and artifacts that trace the site’s long history.

On the return to Sofia, stop to explore another UNESCO treasure—the Boyana Church, famous for its remarkably preserved 13th-century frescoes that mark a turning point in medieval European art.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner with a folklore show, celebrating Bulgarian music, dance, and cuisine in a warm, festive atmosphere.

After breakfast, leave Sofia for Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval “City of the Tsars.” Enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the Old Town, where you’ll discover the Tsarevets Fortress and encounter charming shops filled with traditional arts and crafts. You’ll discover the intricacies of icon painting, woodcarving, textiles, and metalworking.

In the afternoon, proceed to the village of Arbanassi, known for its rare architectural gems from the 17th and 18th centuries. Arbanassi thrived under the patronage of an Ottoman sultan, establishing itself as a residential hub for affluent merchants. At the Konstantsalieva house, you’ll get a detailed look at how the elite class lived in the 18th century.

Next, visit the Nativity Church in Arbanassi, constructed during the Ottoman occupation in accordance with the strict codes and tenets of that era.

You will leave Veliko Tarnovo this morning, heading north toward the Danube. Along the way, visit Nicopolis ad Istrum, a Roman city founded by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD. Walking among its remarkably preserved ruins offers a glimpse into life at the empire’s frontier.

Next, discover the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carved into the cliffs of the Rusenski Lom Valley, these chapels are decorated with vivid 13th- and 14th-century frescoes—masterpieces of medieval Bulgarian art.

By afternoon, arrive in Ruse, often called “Little Vienna” for its refined architecture and cultural atmosphere. Enjoy a guided walk through the elegant city center before settling in for the night.

Depart Ruse this morning, traveling east toward the Bulgarian coast. Our first stop is the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the 3rd century BC. This remarkable burial complex, discovered only in 1982, reveals the artistry and spiritual beliefs of the ancient Getae people through its intricate stone carvings and vivid wall decorations.

Continue to the Madara Horseman, another UNESCO site—an impressive medieval rock relief carved high into a cliff, symbolizing the power and unity of the First Bulgarian Empire.

By late afternoon, arrive in Varna, Bulgaria’s lively seaside city on the Black Sea. Enjoy a short orientation walk through the city center to get acquainted with its relaxed coastal atmosphere and elegant 19th-century landmarks.

You will depart from Varna this morning and travel north along the Black Sea coast to Balchik, a charming seaside town famed for its Palace and Botanical Gardens. Built for Queen Marie of Romania in the early 20th century, the residence blends oriental and Mediterranean influences, surrounded by terraces overflowing with rare plants and sea views.

In the afternoon, continue south to Nessebar, one of Bulgaria’s oldest towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on a small peninsula, its cobbled lanes, medieval churches, and traditional wooden houses tell stories spanning more than 3,000 years. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Town, exploring its rich layers of history and coastal charm.

Overnight in Nessebar, Hotel St. John Nessebar**** (located in the Old Town)

Begin your day with a guided walking tour through Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town, where colorful 19th-century houses lean gracefully over narrow lanes. Step inside the magnificent Roman Theatre, still in use after nearly two millennia, and admire sweeping views over the city. Continue to the Ethnographical Museum, housed in a splendid Renaissance mansion, for an intimate look at Bulgaria’s folk traditions and daily life from centuries past.

The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace—perhaps linger in one of Kapana’s vibrant cafés, browse local artisan shops, or simply soak in the city’s easy charm and artistic energy. Plovdiv’s blend of ancient history and youthful creativity makes it a delight to discover at leisure.

Today, you’ll explore the charming village of Koprivshtitsa. On your guided walking tour, wind your way along the narrow cobblestoned streets to admire the abundance of 19th-century architecture: over 400 of Bulgaria’s best-preserved National Revival houses can be found here.

Travel through the picturesque countryside to Starosel, the location of the largest known Thracian complex in Bulgaria. The mausoleum, consisting of six underground temples, dates back to the 6th century B.C. Visit the Chetinyova Mogila temple, the only one of the existing sites that is open to the public.

Continue to Sofia; arrive in the late afternoon.