Bulgaria's Cultural and Luxurious Treasures
8 days/ 7 nights tour
Our luxury tip: The proposed tour of Bulgaria includes visiting some of the most remarkable sites and getting to know our country through various experiences such as meeting the locals, tasting traditional Bulgarian dishes, traveling by narrow-gauge railway and others. All this is well combined with accommodation in some of the best hotels in the visited cities and a professional throughout guide.
Luxury Highlights of the tour:
- Explore the cities of Bulgaria: Sofia - the capital of Bulgaria, Plovdiv - one of the oldest settlements in Europe and European cultural capital in 2019, Veliko Tarnovo - the medieval capital of the second Bulgarian kingdom, Bansko – one of the largest Ski resorts in Bulgaria.
- Enjoy breathtaking nature: from Rila, Pirin and the Balkan Mountains
- Relax at a SPA hotel
- Visit the famous Bulgarian monastery of Rila (UNESCO)
- Travel with the only narrow-gauge train to the highest station in the Balkans
- Visit an authentic carpet factory, which produces carpets for the British Royal Family
- Taste Bulgarian wines from the "Thracian Plain" wine region
- Meet the locals in some rural villages and taste a variety of traditional pastries
Itinerary
Day 1: Sofia Airport – Sofia cca.20km
Arrival at Sofia International Airport
Meeting with your professional English-speaking throughout guide
Transfer to the hotel
Accommodation and welcome dinner at the hotel
Day 2 Sofia – Arbanassi – Veliko Tarnovo cca.250km
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Arbanassi
Visit the authentic village of Arbanassi. Explore the Church of the Nativity of Christ from the second half of the 15th century and admire the valuable ornamental frescoes of typical biblical scenes. Stroll through the streets of the village to enjoy its architecture.
Optional visit: Private acapella concert in the Church of the Archangel and Gavriil.
Lunch in a local restaurant
Departure to Veliko Tarnovo
Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo and guided visit of the town
Veliko Tarnovo is a city situated on the banks of the Yantra River in the hills formed by the formation of the hills. It has been the capital of the Second Bulgarian state due to its strategic position in the physical environment that defended it from invaders. Visit of the Royal Fortress of Tsarevets and the medieval handicraft market where you can observe different activities as well as authentic workshops.
Overnight and dinner in the panoramic restaurant of the Yantra Hotel, overlooking the Tsarevets Fortress.
Optional: "Tsarevgrad Tarnov Sound and Light Show" of Veliko Tarnovo: an impressive landmark attraction for Tarnovo. A spectacular show of dramatic music, multi-coloured lights, lasers and chiming bells are uniquely synchronised to depict Bulgaria's tumultuous history. The show lasts 19 minutes and is watched from a panoramic platform. The show is shared with other guests.
Day 3 Veliko Tarnovo – Etar - Kazanlak – Skobelevo - Plovdiv cca.220km
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
We continue our journey to the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum - "Etara", where you can observe different activities of the Bulgarian traditions of carving, pottery, gold and silver work, etc.
Transfer to Kazanlak
The valley is famous as the Valley of the Thracian Kings because of the tombs found in this area. We continue with visit of the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (UNESCO). We will also visit the tomb of Golyama Kosmatka.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
The valley is also known as the Valley of Roses. Bulgaria is internationally famous to produce rose products and the very expensive rose oil that can cost more than a kilogram of gold. Roses are still grown in this valley. We will visit a famous distillery, where rose products are produced and have a tasting of rose jam and rose liqueur.
Transfer to Plovdiv
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
Day 4 Plovdiv – Bachkovo – Ustina - Plovdiv cca.110km
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the city. You will visit the well-preserved ancient Roman theatre, the Roman stadium. The old town represents the renaissance period in Bulgaria from the 18th-19th centuries. Visit the ethnographic museum, a magnificent house that was built by a rich merchant. In the Old Town you will also visit the church of St. Constantine and St. Helena, the Great Basilica (with local guide), the beautiful Dzjumaja Mosque - one of the oldest Ottoman buildings in the Balkans. Free time in the newly revived artisan quarter called "the trap", where you will find numerous cafes, galleries, and workshops.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
The journey continues to the Bachkovo monastery. The beautiful 11th century monastery is situated in the Rhodopi Mountains and is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria. It is a still functioning monastery with a unique botanical feature in the courtyard, the more than 300 years old Djindjifir tree. Let yourself be enchanted by the extraordinary frescoes and murals from different periods. Visit the refectory of the monastery and learn more about its important role as a guardian of Bulgarian culture and language.
Dinner at a winery in the village of Ustina near Plovdiv. This is a selected winery on the territory of the Thracian Plain wine region. An interesting tour through the production halls, as well as a tasting of selected types of wine, together with a delicious dinner awaits you.
Optional services at the winery:
Welcome drink with sparkling wine
Special welcome to the sound of the traditional bagpipes
Return to Plovdiv
Day 5 Plovdiv – Kostandovo – Velingrad - Avramovo – Bansko cca.170km
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, we will visit a carpet factory located in the village of Kostandovo. For 40 years, the factory has produced more than 400 handmade carpets, including reproductions of historical carpets for the British royal family. Prince Charles has visited the factory in person. Cate Middleton received especially handmade rug from her husband William on the occasion of their wedding.
Transfer to Velingrad
Lunch in a local restaurant.
You will then travel on Bulgaria's only narrow-gauge train. The train line is known as the "Rhodope Mountain Railway" as it crosses three different mountains. The last carriage will be reserved for you. You will board the train to the highest station on the Balkan Peninsula - Avramovo, situated at an altitude of 1267 metres above sea level. During the journey you will be offered a small bottle of red wine from the "Thracian Plain" region. The train travels very slowly due to the terrain, so you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains as it passes through small villages.
You will continue by bus to Bansko - Bulgaria's most famous winter resort.
Guided tour through the streets of the old town of Bansko.
Accommodation at the SPA hotel in Bansko area and dinner at the hotel.
Day 6 Bansko – Leshten - Kovachevitsa - Bansko cca.140km
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the mountain village of Leshten. It is a charming village situated in the majestic mountains of Bulgaria. With its traditional wooden houses and cobbled streets, this village offers a journey back in time to authenticity and serenity. Visitors can enjoy walks in the countryside, explore ancient churches and delight in the hospitality of the locals.
Guided tour of Kovachevitsa village. Today you will visit the authentic village of Kovachevitsa. We will have a short tour of the village and visit the old school. Then you will be greeted by the locals, who will show you traditional crafts and activities of the region.
A lunch with traditional bakery products, desserts and drinks will be waiting for you.
Return to Bansko, free time to explore the town on your own or relax at the SPA center of the hotel
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7 Bansko – Monasterio de Rila – Sofia cca.250km
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Rila Monastery.
Visit of the Rila Monastery. The Rila Monastery is the largest and most beautiful monastery in Bulgaria, situated on the Rila Mountain at an altitude of 1150 m. It is protected by UNESCO. It is protected by UNESCO. You will visit the monastery courtyard, the main church, and the monastery museum, where valuable objects are exhibited. The highlight of the museum exhibition is the Raphael's Cross, a masterpiece of wood carving.
Lunch in a local restaurant with freshly caught trout as the main course.
Return to Sofia.
City tour of Sofia incl. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - the largest cathedral in Bulgaria, best known for its golden domes; St. George's Rotunda - the oldest church and building in Sofia; the Russian Church; the Military Club building; the Flea Market, where local merchants display their antiques, the former
Royal Palace, the Ivan Vazov Theatre, the President's House, the Ruins of the Roman Serdica City, the Banja Bashi Mosque.
Accommodation and 3-course farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant on the Vitosha Mountain, including glass of wine and folklore programme with traditional dances. The highlight of the programme is the Nestinari fire dances which are included in the UNESCO list of intangible heritage (they can be seen outside the restaurant only, depending on the weather conditions).
Day 8 Sofia – Sofia Airport cca.20km
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Depending on departure time free time or transfer to Sofia airport and farewell to the guide
Flight back home
SERVICES INCLUDED
- Accommodation 7x nights at very good 4* & 5* hotels, centrally located
Full Board:
7x buffet breakfasts at the hotels
4x lunches (3 course) at local restaurants
1x lunch (3 course) in Kovachevitsa with traditional baked goods, desserts and beverages
1x lunch (3 course) in a local restaurant in the Rila region with freshly caught trout as the main course.
* Mineral water and bread served with each lunch
5x dinners (3 course) at the hotels or local restaurants
1x dinner (3 course) at a winery near Plovdiv
1x farewell dinner (3 course) at a traditional restaurant in Sofia with folklore program and glass of wine
* Mineral water and bread served with each dinner
Special visits:
o Visit of the rose products distillery and tasting of rose jam and rose liqueur.
o Visit of a winery in the wine region of the Thracian Plain, incl. tasting of 3 wines.
o Visit of a traditional carpet factory that used to produce carpets for the British royal family
o Travel by Bulgaria's only narrow-gauge railway from Velingrad to the highest railway station on the Balkan peninsula - Avramovo, with wine included on the way
o Meeting with locals in the mountain villages of Kovachevitsa and Leshten
✓ Professional English-speaking guide from-to Sofia International Airport, including transport and accommodation for the guide.
✓ All entrance fees according to the itinerary:
UNESCO sites: Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, Rila Monastery incl. museum.
Others: Arbanassi - the Church of the Nativity, Veliko Tarnovo - Tzarevets Fortress, the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum Etar, Kazanlak - the Golyama Kosmatka Tomb, Plovdiv - the Roman Theatre, the Roman Odeon, the Church of St. Constantine and St. Helen in Plovdiv, Ethnographic Museum of Plovdiv, the Grand Basillica, the Bachkovo Monastery incl. the refectory, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. George's Rotunda
✓ Throughout modern transportation by 49-seater bus
✓ 1x free of charge for the Tour leader in single room on the same board as the group from 10pax
HOTELS
Sofía: 1x Hyatt Regency 5* / Intercontinental 5* or similar
Veliko Tarnovo: 1x Yantra Grand Hotel 4*, Tsarevets view rooms or similar
Plovdiv 2x DoubleTree by Hilton Plovdiv Center 4* or similar
Bansko: 2x SPA Resort St Ivan Rilski 4* or similar
Sofía: 1x Hyatt Regency 5* / Intercontinental 5* or similar
OPTIONAL SERVICES
Private acapella concert at the Church of the Archangel and Gavriil in Arbanassi
Entrance to the Church of the Archangel and Gavriil, where the private concert is held
"Tsarevgrad Tarnov Sound and Light show" Veliko Tarnovo with a duration of 19 minutes. It is watched from a panoramic platform and shared with other guests.
Optional services at the winery near Plovdiv:
- Welcome drink with sparkling wine at the winery
- Special welcome under the specific sounds of bagpipes.
Lufthansa City Center