Recommended  Departure Days - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday

SOFIA, RILA MONASTERY, BOROVETS, PLOVDIV, ROSE VALLEY, SHIPKA PASS, TRYAVNA, VELIKO TARNOVO, TROYAN 
 

Day 1 - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday    SOFIA

Start your day being introduced to a city with a 7000-year long history. Your Sofia highlights include the National History Museum where the gold and silver Thracian treasures are on display; and the Boyana Church, one of Bulgaria's most significant historical treasures dating back to the 13^th century and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Other points of interest to take in are the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, The Rotunda of St. George, The St Nicholas Russian Church, The Banya Bashi Mosque, and The National Archeological Museum. Dinner at the hotel will conclude your day.

B D Accommodation in the Sofia Princess Hotel****

Day 2 - SOFIA - rILA MONASTERY - BOROVETS - PLOVDIV

After breakfast, we’ll ride to Rila Monastery, the center of Bulgarian culture and religion for centuries! As you tour the largest monastery in the Balkans and observe its unrivalled architecture and beautiful murals, you’ll come to understand why Rila is on the List of World Cultural Heritage! In the afternoon, you’ll proceed to Plovdiv via Borovets Mountain Resort. Enjoy your dinner in a local restaurant outside the hotel.

B D Accommodation in a 4star hotel in Plovdiv

Day 3 - PLOVDIV

You’ll spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, not only Bulgaria’s second largest city, but also among the oldest in all of Europe. This mainly walking tour takes you through the Old City, with stops at the Ethnographic Museum and the Roman Amphitheatre. You’ll take an afternoon ride to a local winery in the vicinity of Plovdiv for a wine-tasting session.  After experiencing some of the local culture, you’ll arrive back at your hotel in Plovdiv for dinner and overnight accommodations.

B D Accommodation in a 4star hotel in Plovdiv

Day 4 – PLOVDIV - ROSE VALLEY - SHIPKA PASS - Tryavna - Veliko Tarnovo

After breakfast, you’ll take a scenic ride through the Valley of Roses and Shipka Pass en route to Tryavna. This charming small town preserves the spirit and talent of its 17^th century artists in the field of wood-carving and icon-painting. Your walking sightseeing tour of Tryavna includes a visit to the Daskalov’s House (1804): Museum of Woodcarving. Following a break for lunch, we’ll proceed to Etura. Like a step back in time, the 18^th – 19^th century crafts and lifestyle will come to life as you visit the famous open air Ethnographic Museum. Your next stop is Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former Capital City. Picturesquely situated above and encircled by The Yantra River, Veliko Tarnovo offers an excellent example of typical 19^th century architecture with its houses perched one above the other along its three sloping hills!

B D Accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Veliko Tarnovo

Day 5 – Veliko Tarnovo – Troyan - Sofia

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, because you’ll be on foot for a portion of today’s sightseeing. Your tour of Veliko Tarnovo includes stops at the historical Tsarevets Hill to view the remains of the Royal Palace, The Patriarchate and the fortress gates. During your stroll through the Samovodene Market Place, you’re sure to be taken in, as pastry cooks, master goldsmiths, potters, and carvers pursue their crafts as they did in centuries past. A ride to Troyan, famous for it traditional ceramics brings you to The Museum of Traditional Crafts and Applied Arts and also to a local master’s workshop. After your ride back to Sofia your farewell dinner offers yet another chance to savor the Bulgarian cuisine during the traditional folklore show!

B D Accommodation at the Sofia Princess Hotel****

Day 6 - SOFIA

After breakfast, enjoy a last minute shopping opportunity in Sofia before your transfer to the airport.

B Airport Transfer

  Price is based on exchange rate €uro vs. USD of 1.35; should exchange rate modify more than  4%, price adjustments will be made on the final day of payment

* Minimum 2 people per booking

DEPARTURES:  2011

25 April, 14 May, 8 June, 22 June,  20 July, 12 August, 12 September, 30 September, 12 October

Price includes:

• 5 nights accommodation in centrally located hotels, all rooms with private facilities, as per itinerary

• Meals as per itinerary

• Land transportation with modern air conditioned vehicles

• Professional Guide English Speaking and driver

• Basic entrance fees included to all mentioned sites

• Arrival and departure transfers

* Itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice

* Prices not available during Plovdiv’s International Fair - 6 - 13 May and 23 - 30 September.

A supplement of TBD per person will be automatically applied for Plovdiv accommodation during the fair periods.

* Upgrades available for 4stars hotels throughout the itinerary

* Why not extend your stay in Sofia?

Sofia Packages

  * Itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice