| Duration: | 9 Day(s) - 8 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Heritage Tours |
Balkan Peninsula (ancient Greece and nowadays Bulgarian lands) is the cradle of European civilization. Thracians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Bulgarians inhabited these lands long ago. Lot of remains – archaeological, architectural, and others one can be found in Bulgaria these days.
In the UNESCO world heritage list, Bulgaria is listed with 9 objects – 2 of them are natural and 7 are historical. This tour will reveal parts of the history of these lands and you can explore some unique examples of ancient history. Tombs, churches, monasteries, frescoes are evidence for the bustling live and talented people who live here.
Remark: The package price is valid for a group of a minimum of 6 pax
Preliminary Program:
Day 1: Sofia – Arrival
Meet upon arrival at the Sofia Airport. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Sofia has a 7000-year-old history. Walking sightseeing tour of Sofia, including National Assembly Square, Sofia University, St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. Sophia Church, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, Russian Church of St. Nicholas, the former Royal Palace (now Ethnographic Museum and National Art Gallery), National Theater, St. George Rotunda Church, the Presidency, ruins of the Roman city of Serdica, Banya Bashi Mosque, and the Synagogue. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 2: Sofia – National History Museum – Boyana Church
After breakfast, the guests will be transferred to the National Historical Museum and to Boyana Church (UNESCO world heritage list). Boyana Church contains important collections of medieval paintings dating back to the year 1259.
The National Museum of HistoryinSofia is the nation's largest museum, with more than 650 000 items dating from prehistoric times to modern history, including a splendid and rich collection of Thracian gold. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 3: Sofia – Kazanlak
After breakfast is the departure to Kazanlak. Today you will explore the Valley of the Thracians kings. The guests will be accommodated in the hotel. Visit of the replica of the Thracian tomb of Kazanlak (UNESCO world heritage list); the regional history museum (with a collection of golden treasures), the city gallery, the Thracian tomb “GoliamaKosmatka“, Shipka Memorial Church.Dinner. Overnight.
Day 4: Kazanlak – Ruse
After breakfast, the guests will continue to the Rock HewnChurches of Ivanovo (UNESCO world heritage list), located near the city of Ruse. En route, the guests will visit the open-air ethnographic museum “Etara”. Continue to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo - a complex of churches, chapels, monasteries, and cells developed at the vicinity of the village of Ivanovo in the 12thcentury. Accommodation in the hotel in Ruse. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 5: Ruse – Sveshtari – Madara– Varna
Early breakfast and the guests will be transferred to the next point of the journey – The Thracian tomb of Sveshtari (UNESCO world heritage list). Continue to Madara Horseman (UNESCO world heritage list), carved into a rock at the height of 25 meters above the ground. Departure to Varna.Dinner.Overnight in a hotel in Varna or in the resort Golden sands.
Day 6: Varna – Nesebar
After breakfast, the guests will be transferred to Nesebar (UNESCO world heritage list). Accommodation in the hotel.Sightseeing tour of Nesebar. It is founded about 3000 years ago and is a splendid example of Byzantine religious architecture. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 7: Nesebar – Plovdiv
After breakfast departure to Plovdiv - the second largest Bulgarian city. The city has more than 200 archaeological sites, 30 of which are of national importance. Sightseeing walking tour and visit of the Old town of Plovdiv, the Roman amphitheater (Ancient theater), the Ethnographic museum, and other historical and archaeological sites. Hotel accommodation. Time for refreshing and dinner. Overnight.
Day 8: Plovdiv – Rila Monastery – Sofia
Breakfast. Departure to Rila Monastery (UNESCO world heritage list)–that is the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The guests will visit the monastery complex. Lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to Sofia.Accommodation in the hotel.Dinner in a traditional restaurant with a live folklore show. Overnight.
Day 9: Sofia – Departure
Breakfast. Free time and transfer to the airport according to your flight details.
The package price includes:
All transfers as per the itinerary by 1st class A/C coach(minibus);
Professional guide throughout the itinerary /English, French, German, Italian/;
8 nights in 3* and 4* hotels;
8 breakfasts;
6 dinners in hotels and local restaurants;
1 dinner in a traditional restaurant with a live folklore show;
1 lunch in the area of Rila Monastery;
Visit 7 UNESCO Heritage List sites (Boyana Church, the Thracian tomb in Kazanlak, Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, the Thracian tomb in Sveshtari, Madara horseman, Town of Nessebar, Rila Monastery;
4 sightseeing tours - Sofia, Kazanlak, Plovdiv and Nesebar;
Entrance fees as per program;
All taxes and VAT.
The price does not include:
Air tickets to/from Sofia;
Food and beverages not mentioned in the program;
Personal expenses, tips for the driver and the guide.
Travel Dates: Upon Request
Best Travel Period: May - October
