Best of Bulgaria

Today, you will explore Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by Bulgaria’s 10th-century patron saint, it is regarded as one of the country’s holiest sites. This architectural masterpiece played a vital role in preserving Bulgarian culture throughout the Middle Ages and well into the 19th century when exquisite restoration work created frescoes and icons by renowned masters.

In the afternoon, continue your journey with a visit to the stunning Boyana Church (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site), located on the outskirts of Sofia. Built over more than six centuries, the church is celebrated for its well-preserved, realistic Byzantine-style frescoes.

Return to Sofia Old Town later in the day and enjoy the rest of your time at leisure.

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 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.

Today, you’ll have a rare opportunity to visit three distinct outdoor UNESCO World Heritage sites.

You’ll begin the day at the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, an extraordinary medieval religious complex carved into solid rock.

Next, proceed to the 3rd-century B.C. Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, famous for its unusual half-plant, half-human caryatids and elaborate murals.

Conclude the day at the UNESCO World Heritage Madara Horseman, an ancient landmark and popular symbol of Bulgaria. This massive early-medieval relief, carved into a high cliff, may represent a past military victory or Thracian deity.

You’ll arrive in Varna in the late afternoon.

This morning, take a stroll along the vast Sea Garden in the Black Sea resort of Varna, passing by the Roman Baths. Visit the Archaeological Museum to see the Gold of Varna, the oldest gold treasure ever discovered, featuring priceless artifacts dating back to 4000 B.C.

Spend the afternoon on your own, relaxing on the beach, or exploring the beautiful Balchik Palace with its botanical gardens and the Aladzha Monastery, a cave structure elegantly adorned with vibrant exterior frescoes.

Morning brings a journey to Nessebar, a beautiful 9,000-year-old town built on a former island (now a stunning peninsula). Nessebar is known for its picturesque churches and houses, and the settlement still boasts a vibrant fishing culture. Secure a table at one of the charming restaurants overlooking the sea, and breathe in the refreshing salt air.

Next, stop in Kazanlak, an area famous for its rose harvest. Here, you’ll visit the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Thracian Tomb. This remarkable complex, discovered in 1944, includes a vast Thracian necropolis featuring an impressive array of murals. It represents Bulgaria’s only collection of Hellenistic masterpieces still in their original condition.

Arrive in Plovdiv in the late afternoon.

Today, discover Plovdiv, one of the most historically diverse cities in Europe. Founded by the Thracians, Plovdiv later emerged as a key center for the Greeks and Romans. The city is renowned for its vibrant arts scene and bohemian atmosphere, featuring an abundance of galleries and cafés. With your guide, visit the ancient Roman theater of Philippopolis and the notable Ethnographic Museum, housed in one of Plovdiv's oldest buildings.

Next, journey to the Chepelare River to explore the expansive Bachkovo Monastery, founded in 1083, and take in the stunning views at the impressive Asenovgrad Fortress, perched on a strategically high point that has been inhabited since the Thracian and Roman eras.

Today, you’ll explore the charming village of Koprivshitsa. 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 or evening.