The Best of Bulgaria

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IIf you want to get  the essence  of Bulgaria  this is the tour  you have to choose. It includes guided visits to some of the most interesting and characteristic places in our country .
Highlights:
♦Plovdiv – the second Bulgarian town  after the capital, Plovdiv is famous for the Old Town with charming houses with picturesque  facades.
♦Veliko Turnovo –the medieval fortress  town is situated on  the historic hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora on the banks of Yantra River. The houses of the old town  are like white birds on the cliff side above Jantra river and create a magnificent view.
♦Arbanasi - houses that resemble minor fortresses on the outside, with high, solid walls and heavy gates, richly decorated and traditionally furnished on the inside.
♦Rila Monastery – the most popular tourist site in Bulgaria, the treasure of the Bulgarian culture The legendary monastery lies in the very heart of the Rila mountain.
♦Melnik (380 m a.s.l.) – the smallest and one of the most fascinating towns-museums in Bulgaria,   known for   its  wine and limestone pyramids.
 
Itinerary: 
Day 1. Sofia
Arrival at Sofia airport and   transfer  to Sofia city center. Short sightseeing tour of Sofia:  The city was founded 7 000 years ago. Main attractions are the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and the Crypt, the National Theatre, St. Sofia church, Sofia’s oldest building St. George rotunda.
Overnight in Sofia.  4* hotel

Day 2. Sofia – Rila Monastery – Melnik- Sandanski
Drive to the Rila Monastery – the biggest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox church. The Monastery was founded in the 10-th century by Ivan Rilski. It is one of Europe’s oldest monasteries and because of its picturesque architecture and colorful frescoes was included in UNESCO’S list of world cultural heritage in 1983. Behind the 20 meters walls lie impressive monastery buildings, a church and a chapel with valuable murals. The route continues to Melnik - Bulgaria's smallest town famous for its unique red wine and the natural limestone pyramids. Close to Melnik lies the picturesque Rozhen Monastery dating from the 13th century.
Dinner and overnight in  Melnik - 3*hotel

Day 3. Sandanski –Pamporovo
Today you will be taken through the picturesque Rhodope Mountains, believed to be the birthplace of the legendary Orpheus and a territory where the ancient Thracian tribes practiced  their religious cults. The highlight of the day is  Shiroka laka village and  Snejanka peak.
Dinner and overnight in the Pamporovo - a famous ski resort 4* hotel

Day 4. Pamporovo – Plovdiv
This day you drive through the picturesque Rhodopi mountains in order to get to Plovdiv, the second biggest  city in Bulgaria. On your way you will visit the Bachkovo monastery , the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria, founded in the 11th century by the Georgian brothers Bakuriani. Sightseeing   tour of Plovdiv. Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It existed as a settlement about 8 000 years ago. It was a big trading centre in the Middle Ages. In the historic quarter of the city will visit beautifully decorated houses, ancient fortress walls, a Roman forum and a stadium, magnificent churches. The sightseeing tour includes visits to the Roman theatre, Hindlian`s house and St. Constantine and Helena Church.
Optional:  traditional evening in a folk style restaurant with folklore program - 30 EU
Overnight in Plovdiv. 4* hotel

Day 5. Plovdiv – Etara– Veliko Tarnovo 
After breakfast you will depart to Veliko Tarnovo. Several interesting places will be visited on the way. You will head towards the town of Shipka, where you will visit the memorial church “Birth of Christ”. The dramatic background of the mountain makes the gilt of the domes and the multi-colored decoration of the church facade look prominent and attract people’s attention from a long distance. Next stop is at “Etara” open-air ethnographic museum revealing  everyday life of local people as of centuries ago. You will proceed to Veliko Sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo - the Medieval Capital of Bulgaria where one can feel the rich and glorious past of the Second Bulgarian Empire . A visit to Tsarevets Hill dominated  by the Patriarch church “Ascension of the Lord”. A few kilometers from Veliko Turnovo lies the village of Arbanasi, famous for its well-preserved unique architecture.
Overnight in Arbanassi 4* hotel

Day 6. Arbanassi - Trojan monastery - Koprivshtitsa
After breakfast you head to the very heart of the Balkan mountain and visit the third  biggest monastery in Bulgaria - the Trojan monastery, famous for the miraculous icon of the God's mother. Passing the Balkan mountain you reach     Koprivshtitsa which is a small town situated in a picturesque valley among the mountains in the central part of Bulgaria. A town of special spirit, now turned into a museum where you can feel the unique atmosphere of the Revival Period in Bulgaria.
Overnight in Koprivshtitsa  famely hotel

Day 7.  Koprivshtitsa - Sofia
After breakfast when driving to Sofia you'll enjoy the most beautiful scenery  in Bulgaria. You are going to visit in our capital  the Nationa museum and the church of Bojana with its splendid  murals from the XI   and XIII century.
Sightseeing tour of Sofia.
Overnight in Sofia 4* hotel

Day 8.  Departure
Transfer to the airport

PRICE : 780 EU 
Single supplement: 130 EU
Included in the price:
all transport according itinerary
group transfers from/to Sofia airport
English speaking guide and guide assistance throughout
overnights in hotels and guesthouses - all overnights are based on double      (single) rooms with private WC/shower
breakfast (7 days)
7 dinners in the hotel or outside the hotel
all entrance fees 
lift in Pamporovo to the peak Snejanka
insurance for the territory of Bulgaria
Not included:
► meals other than mentoined above
► flight tickets
► Private transfers: Sofia APT - Sofia center: 15 EUR (per vehicle)
►tips
► alcoholic drinks and other personal expenses. 

Good to know:

Please note that the program on Day 1 and Day 8 is subject to change in connection with flight times (for example it is possible to have your sightseeing tour in Sofia on Day 8, instead on Day 1, if you have purchased tickets with late arrival / late departure times).
Please note that warm clothes and comfortable shoes are a must during the trip in the mountain.
Recommended travel period of the year: March  - Oktober 

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