Tour around Bulgaria

Day 1.
SOFIA
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Tour in the centre of Sofia, visit The Parliament, National art gallery ( before a King palace), National theatre and the Church “St.Sofia” – the second oldest church in Sofia after the rotunda “St.George” and the cathedral “St.Alexander Nevsky”, built in 1912. Visit the famous Russian church, officially known as the Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, built by donations of russian emigrants. Free time. Dinner.Overnight.

Day 2.
SOFIA
Breakfast. Trip to Boyana Church in Vitosha mountain, which is part of the cultural heritage of UNESCO.

• If you want:

Trip to Rila Monastery, which is the largest and most famous Eastern Ortodox monastery in Bulgaria, founded in X century by bulgarian St. Ivan Rilski (876-946) and built in its present location in XIV century. The Monastery resembles a medieval fortress - with high stone walls and narrow windows. In the center of the inner yard raises the Tower of Hrelyu. The domes are separated in four wings, bound in one amazing architectural entity. The Rila Monastery is declared as one of the most important international cultural, historical and architectural monuments.
In the evening going back to Sofia. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 3.
SOFIA - PLOVDIV
Breakfast. Going to Plovdiv by bus. Accomodation in the hotel.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia and it has more than 6000 years history-one of the most ancient cities in Europe. Scientists think that it might be contemporary of Troy, older than Athens and Rome. Plovdiv is situated in on the two banks of Maritsa River. During the centuries it was populated by thracians, romans, gothes and ottomans, whose thraces made the city a living museum.
City tour. Lunch. Walk in Ancient Plovdiv, visiting Balabanov House, the aqueduct, archeological site “Nebet tepe”, the fortress of Filipopulous, Hisar kapia, church “St. Konstantine and Helen”, the roman forum( amphitheatre), roman stadium and the clockwork tower in Sahat tepe, built in 16th century and still working.
Overnight.

Day 4
PLOVDIV
Breakfast. Free time.

• If you want:

Excursion to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery
The earliest archaeological findings in the area date from the time of the Thracians. The fortress gained importance in the Middle Ages and was conquered by the armies of the Third Crusade. It was considerably renovated in the 1231 during the rule of Bulgarian tsar Ivan Asen to serve as a border fortification against Latin raids. The best preserved and the most notable feature of Asen's Fortress is the Church of the Holy Mother of God from the 12th-13th century.
Bachkovo Monastery, founded in 1083, is an important monument of Christian architecture and one of the largest and oldest Eastern ortodox monasteries in Europe.
The monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. The Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary (dating from 1604) is the place where a valuable icon of the Virgin Mary Eleusa from 1310 is kept. The original monastery buildings are preserved today- the bone-vault, as well as the 12th century “Holy Archangels” Church, whose floor was painted by Zahari Zograf and his students in 1841. A lotus tree, brought from Georgia 2 centuries ago, grows in the the Monastery garden. The museum of the monastery has a rich exhibition of church plates, icons, books, the sword of Friedrich Barbarossa, a sultan's firman from 1452, a wood-carved cross with miniatures etc.
Or Excursion to Belintash
Belintash is one of the most mysterious and oldest megalithic sites in the world, founded 7000 years ago. They say it is a magical place, which name means "Stone of Knowledge". It is 300 meters long plateau in the heart of Rhodopa Mountain - an Thracian sanctuary of an ancient Thracian god. Mediums go there to “recharge” their powers. Points of interest in Belintash are the two water reservoirs- perfect circular holes into the rock. It is a mystery how ancient Thracians could have made them. The reservoirs never dry up. According to one legend, these rocks gave shelter to Noah’s Ark. Researchers also see carved into the cliffs an ancient astronomical observatory. Nothing comapres to the magical feeling you will get on Belintash - being on top of the world, full with holy powers, reconnecting with your ancestors.
Going back to Plovdiv. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 5.
PLOVDIV - KAZANLAK - BOURGAS/SUNNY BEACH*

• (from November to May – overnights in Bourgas, from June to October- in Sunny beach).

Breakfast. Leaving the hotel at 09.30. Trip to The Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak. The tomb is part of a large Thracian necropolis. It comprises a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber, both decorated with murals. The monument dates back to the 4th century BC and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1979. The murals are memorable for the splendid horses and especially for the gesture of farewell, in which the seated couple grasp each other's wrists in a moment of tenderness and equality.
Lunch. In the evening arrival in Bourgas/Sunny beach and accommodation in the hotel. Overnight.

Day 6
BOURGAS/SUNNY BEACH - NESSEBAR
Breakfast. Free time. Tour in the center of Bourgas.Walk in Ancient Nessebar.
Nesebar (ancient Mesembria) is a rich city-museum defined by more than 3000 years of ever-changing history, inhabited in the Antiquity by the Thracians and the Greeks. The ancient part of the town is situated on a peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, and it bears evidence of occupation by a variety of civilisations. Its abundance of historic buildings convinced UNESCO to include Nessebar in its list of World Heritage Sites in 1983.
In the evening return in Bourgas/Sunny beach. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 7
BOURGAS/SUNNY BEACH - VARNA
Breakfast. Arrival at Varna- the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and third-largest in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv. It is referred to as the marine capital of Bulgaria.
Accomodation in the hotel. Free time.
City tour: Archeological museum, The Roman Thermes, which were part of the roman city Odessos. In the evening- dinner in traditional restaurant with bulgarian cuisine and music. Overnight.

Day 8.
VARNA
Breakfast.Tour in the center of Varna. Visit the famous Sea garden- the largest landscaped park in the Balkans. Also visit the Dolphinarium, The alley of renaissance, The Summer theatre, the Aquarium with the miniature model of Black sea, the observatory and the Sun clock.

• If you want :

Excursion to Aladzha rock monastery (15 km from Varna)
Established in 11-12 century, the monastery premises are carved and arranged on two levels in a limestone rock that is almost 40 m high. The complex also includes two small nearby catacombs. The name of Aladzha Monastery comes from the word of Turkish origin for colourful ("aladjha") due most probably to the bright colours of its wall paintings, dating back to the early Middle Ages. The ornament on the ceiling is well- preserved, in its centre is depicted Jesus on Throne with wide decorated frame, bright aureole and four figures of flying angels surrounding the main mural. A unique audio-visual show called Legends of Aladzha Monastery has been taking place in the monastery since 2009. The monastery was declared a monument of architecture and construction of national importance in 1968.
Return in Varna. Free time. Overnight.

Day 9.
VARNA - VELIKO TARNOVO
Breakfast. Arrival at Veliko Tarnovo, often referred to as the "City of the Tsars”. It is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old city is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora. Trip to Tsarevets, which is the main tourist attraction. It is a medieval stronghold, a witness of the past that, offering us an amazing landscape. Also visit Samodivska Charshiq- an ethnological complex with restavrated houses and workshops, where masters are showing how different things are done infront of the tourists. You can take part in the work and get certificate for being an apprentice and also the hand-made object. Interesting landmark is “The house with the monkey”, the masterpiece of the famous bulgarian architect - Kolyu Ficheto. It is built in 1848.
Also, visit the The Church of the Assumption of Mary - unique monument of architecture and art from the Renaissance, built in 1838. With its impressive size (33 m long, 21 meters wide, 25 meters high) and striking architecture, the temple is one of the most significant representatives of the building of the church during the Renaissance and the largest in northern Bulgaria, made by the master Gorni Bolertsi.
Accomodation in the hotel.

• If you want:

Excursion to Arbanassy:
Arbanassy is known for the rich history and large number of historical monuments, such as 17th and 18th century churches and examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Handicrafts were well-developed, with goldsmithing, vine-growing and silk production playing an important part. The houses in Arbanassy are with an unique architecture with high stone walls and richly decorated interior.
Dinner. Overnight.

Day 10.
VELIKO TARNOVO - SOFIA
Breakfast. Visit the cave “Sueva dupka”, a naturally occurring limestone karst cave with many unique geologic features. The name comes from the story of two brothers, Sea and Seyu, who used the cave as a hiding place from the Turks during the time of the Ottoman Yoke. It is one of the most beautiful, called “the underground pearl.” The cave is 205m long and is 70m underground, where a river flows. It is formed more than 3.5 million years ago. Inside there are stalactites, stalagmites, stalactones, heliktones and dendrites, situated in 5 chambers and a few galleries. The visitors will be enchanted also by the fantastic forms of the icicles. The cave offers a great acoustics and concerts take place in it.
Late afternoon arrival at Sofia. Accommodation in a hotel. Free time. Dinner in a traditional restaurant with unique bulgarian cuisine. Overnight.

Day 11.
SOFIA - AIRPORT
Breakfast. Free time. Transfer to Sofia airport.

• The tour-operator keeps his right to change the sequence of the program. The accommodation is made in 3*/4* hotels. The information about the hotels, included in the tour, will be given 10 days before departure.

• The excursion will be made with minimum of 15 people.

THE EXCURSION INCLUDES:

• 10 overnights with breakfasts,

• 2 lunches,

• 8 dinners

• City tour in Sofia

• City tour in Plovdiv

• City tour in Bourgas and Nessebar

• City tour in Varna

• City tour in Veliko Tarnovo

• Visit to the cave “Saeva dupka” (without entrance taxe- 10 BGN)

EXCURSION DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Excursion to Rila Monastery with lunch (minimum of 10 people)

• Excursion to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery with lunch (minimum of 10 people)

• Excursion to Belintash with lunch (minimum of 10 people)

• Excursion to Aladzha Monastery (minimum of 10 people)

• Entrance taxes in museums and other landmarks