Bulgaria revealed

Arrive in Sofia, meet your guide, and unpack your bags at the Hotel Niky, situated right in the center of the city. It’s the perfect starting point for experiencing the spirited, reinvigorated culture of the Bulgarian capital.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk along Sofia’s magical yellow-paved streets, visiting the breathtaking Aleksandar Nevski Cathedral, Parliament, the Presidency, and the ancient St. George’s Rotunda. Journey to the base of Vitosha Mountain to visit the medieval Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its exhaustive collection of intact 13th-century frescoes and iconic art.

*should you travel to Sofia on a flight that arrives late in the afternoon or evening, the city tour can also be done the next morning

Today, depart Sofia in the direction of the UNESCO World Heritage Rila Monastery. Founded in the 10th century by the ascetic Saint Ivan of Rila, the complex is known as one of Bulgaria’s most revered and celebrated religious sites. This spectacular architectural masterpiece was crucial to Bulgarian cultural preservation throughout medieval times and remained in this protective role well into the 1800s, when exquisite restoration work resulted in a profusion of new paintings and murals.

Upon arrival in Melnik, enjoy a guided walking tour to view the exquisite architecture as well as the unusual natural sand formations of the surrounding landscape. Melnik is also a renowned wine region, so a dinner at one of the excellent traditional taverns here will be a special treat.

Today, head further into the Pirin Mountains to visit the medieval Rozhen Monastery, built in the 1300s and restored in the 18th century. Next, make a short stop in the village of Kovacevica, a thriving artists’ retreat historically and culturally untouched by Ottoman rule. The town is filled with prime examples of National Revival architecture.

Exquisite views await at the Dospat Reservoir, surrounded by wildlife and pine forests. You’ll also visit the magnificent Trigrad Gorge and Devil’s Throat Cave, site of a breathtaking waterfall and Orpheus’ attempted rescue of Eurydice from Hades.

Next, continue your journey into the Rhodope Mountains to view the stalactites and extraordinary cave pearls at Yagodinska Cave.

Spend the night in Dospat, in a wonderful complex built in the traditional architectural style.

Today, you’ll drive to Batak, a key location in the decisive April Uprising against Ottoman rule. The terrible massacre of Bulgarians here in 1876, documented by Januarius MacGahan and Eugene Schuyler, definitively turned the tide of British (and worldwide) opinion against the Turks.

Next, visit Kostandovo to tour the fascinating workshop of a famous traditional carpet-maker who designs for royalty and other luminaries. Because his masterpieces must be ordered well in advance, pieces will not be available for sale; take time here to learn all the details of his exclusive trade.

In the evening, enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town in Plovdiv, famous for its Bulgarian Renaissance architecture and ancient Roman City.

Today, you’ll discover the charming little town of Koprivshitsa. Walk with your guide along narrow cobblestoned streets to take in the exquisite 19th-century architecture: hundreds of Bulgaria’s best-preserved traditional houses are clustered here.

Continue on through the lovely countryside to Starosel, site of the largest Thracian necropolis ever discovered in Bulgaria. The complex dates to the 6th century B.C., and its extensive scope encompasses six underground temples. Explore the Chetinyova Mogila temple, the only site currently open to the public.

Today, travel to Kazanlak in the Valley of Roses to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Thracian Tomb. Discovered in the mid-20th century, it was part of an enormous Thracian mausoleum featuring a vast array of Hellenistic murals.

Next, journey through the Balkan Mountains via the awe-inspiring Shipka Pass, stopping at the memorial honoring Bulgarian heroes who gave their lives during the Liberation of Bulgaria in the late 19th century.

Later on, experience living history at the incredible ethnographic complex of Etara, a captivating open-air museum rich in exhibits and live demonstrations of local traditions, customs, and craftsmanship. The complex includes numerous watermills, traditional homes, workshops, a crafts bazaar, a bakery, and a small restaurant.

Next, head for the town of Tryavna, a picturesque town famous for its woodcarving. Witness lovely examples of this trade when you visit the Old School in the center of town, then tour the Daskalova House; in 1808, two famous masters of woodcarving competed for six months to create the finest ceiling.

Arrival in Veliko Tarnovo in the evening.

Today, explore Veliko Tarnovo, medieval capital and cultural center of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Take a guided tour of the Old Town, where you’ll find delightful handcraft shops offering demonstrations of icon painting, woodcarving, textile arts, and traditional metalworking. Savor a cup of Turkish coffee brewed over hot sand, just as it was done in times long past.

Next, take a short drive to the village of Arbanassi, an architectural gem of the 1600s and 1700s brought to prominence by the patronage of an Ottoman sultan. This is where rich and powerful merchants of the past lived out their lives; catch a glimpse at the Konstantsalieva House, home of one of the wealthiest merchants of the 18th century. Discover the Nativity Church, built at a time when Christian architecture in Bulgaria was heavily restricted by the Ottomans.

Today  you’ll have the chance to explore three UNESCO World Heritage sites. Begin at the unforgettable Ivanovo, a monastic complex hewn directly into the solid rock of the cliff face.

Next, proceed to the 3rd-century B.C. Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, famous for its Grecian caryatids and ancient murals.

Finally, you’ll view the Madara Horseman, a towering 8th-century relief portraying a monumental horse and rider. Medieval Greek inscriptions document a pivotal military victory.

Finish the day in Varna, an enchanting city on the Black Sea.

This morning in Varna, walk along the lovely Sea Garden, passing by the old Greek neighborhood and the Roman ruins. Visit the Archaeological Museum to see the oldest collection of gold in the world: its priceless treasures date back to 4000 B.C.

You can spend the rest of the day on your own enjoying free time at the beach; alternatively, you may choose to visit Queen Marie’s exquisite Balchik Palace and botanical gardens, along with the Aladzha Cave Monastery, brightly painted with lovely exterior frescoes.

Today, drink in the incomparable atmosphere at the Black Sea town of Nessebar (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Old Town, more than 9000 years old, is situated on a tiny peninsula; a narrow manmade strip of land connects this jewel to the mainland. Take a guided walking tour to discover the ancient Hellenistic ruins, Thracian wall, medieval churches, and Byzantine monuments.

Be sure to stop for a moment in one of Nessebar’s pretty restaurants to savor the local catch and fresh salt breezes.

Continue to Sofia, where you’ll arrive in the late afternoon.

Your tour ends; transfer to the airport for your flight home.