The Treasures of Bulgaria is a fully escorted tour with professional guide. The tour is a mixture of the beautiful countryside and historical heritage. From the ancient Thracian sites to charming Orthodox monasteries, beautiful mountain ranges, and medieval ruins that are testaments of Medieval grandeur. Small group tours with guaranteed departures with minimum two people to several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
8 Days to visit: Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Kazanlak, Plovdiv, Leshten, Melnik, Sandanski, Rila Monastery, Sofia
Highlights :
- Sofia – one of the oldest cities in Europe
- Boyana church – its magnificent mural paintings had initiated the beginning of the European Renaissance
- Tsarevets Hill with the royal castle in the old Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo
- UNESCO listed Thracian Tomb replicas
- Plovdiv – 19th century houses and Roman ruins, including a Roman amphitheater in use today.
- Rila monastery – the biggest Bulgarian spiritual centre
Day 1 Sofia
Arrival in Sofia, an 8500 years old town. Accommodation at the hotel and Overnight.
Day 2 Sofia Boyana Church (B,D)
Morning
After breakfast panoramic tour around the Bulgarian capital, an 8500 old city called “My Rome” by Emperor Constantine The Great. Visit to the most fascinating places of interest: The forum of Ancient Serdica (old name of the city) with the newest archeological discoveries from Roman time which are exhibited next to the Bulgarian presidency.
Next is the St. Nedelya square, where 4 temples from different religions are located next to each other: The Catholic church, The Orthodox church, The Synagogue and The Mosque are forming quadrangle, which symbolize the peace between different religions in Bulgaria. Our tour continues with the Alexander I square where the Royal Palace and the National Theatre are located, the Tzar Osvoboditel boulevard, the Parliament, the Church of St. Sofia (the name means wisdom), which had given the name of the city, the Sofia University and the Alexander Nevsky cathedral (the biggest Orthodox temple on the Balkan peninsula).
Afternoon
In the afternoon we will visit the most important site in the vicinity of Sofia, the Boyana Church at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. Boyana Church is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church situated in the Boyana district, near Sofia and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The church is one of the most completely and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art. The frescoes in the church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings and initiating the beginning of the European Renaissance. In the afternoon free time to explore Sofia on your own. Walk along through the recently reconstructed pedestrian zone Vitosha Art Boulevard. This is the place in Sofia, where you can feel the spirit and live of the city. There are a lot of boutiques, shops, cozy cafes and restaurants. Overnight in the hotel.
Optional: Dinner at a typical Bulgarian folk style restaurant. Excellent cuisine, great selection of wines and folklore show.
Day 3 Sofia – Arbanasi- Veliko Turnovo (B, L)
After breakfast we depart to Arbanassi, the former residence of the Bulgarian kings is a historic village with richly decorated buildings and churches where we will have a chance to have a home made lunch in a local rural house. Continue to the old capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Visit to the ruins of the historical hill Tsarevets with the Fortress, the Patriarchal church and the Emperor Baldwin’s Tower. We will walk along the old Trade Street where you can browse around the souvenir shops and galleries. Overnight In Veliko Turnovo.
Day 4. Veliko Turnovo- Kazanlak, Rose Valley- Plovdiv (B,D)
This morning departure to Etara, a unique open air museum, reproducing the way of life and the business of the Bulgarians in the 19th c. where you can view historic “washing machines”. Continue to Kazanlak – the capital of the Rose valley and Thracian Kings. The road to Kazanlak passes by Shipka peak, with a monument to the liberators of Bulgaria during the Turkish -Russian wars for 1877-78. From the monument’s top, over 1100 m above sea level, there is a wonderful view to North and South Bulgaria. You will learn about the crucial battles that changed the course of the Russian-Turkish wars.
In Kazanlak we will visit the Historical Museum, which houses collection of bronze and gold treasures, as well the replica of Thracian Kazanlak Tomb, dating back to the 4th C. B.C. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Departure to Tarnichen village where we will visit the a family run rose oil distillery from more than 110 years. The hosts will show how the famous Bulgarian rose oil (used in the perfumery) is produced. In the late afternoon we will reach Plovdiv, the city of the seven hills founded by Philip of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 – Plovdiv – Kostandovo – Rhodopes Mountain- Leshten (B,D)
After breakfast we visit to the Old Plovdiv, with the some of the museum houses, the oldest church “St. Constantine and Elena”, the Antique Theatre and the Roman Stadium and the Muslim Temple. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the only one carpet factory, producing giant carpets of more than 100 m2. The clients of this small family run factory are world celebrities as Queen Elizabeth II, also castles and huge properties owners from North America and Europe.
An attractive train trip in the mountain follows. The train is moving on narrow (70 cm) railway lines. You will pass through points, offering unique views of the Rhodopes Mountains. Arrival at the “Bulgarian Hollywood” – a real “Eldorado” for the fans of photo safari. These villages of Kovachevitsa and Leshten were filmed in several historical movies. The houses in Leshten are fully furnished with authentic furnishing inside. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in the unique atmosphere of the ancient houses of Leshten village, an architectural treasures with old houses from the beginning of the 19th century carefully preserved.
Day 6 – Leshten village – Harsovo wine tasting – Melnik – Sandanski (B,L)
Breakfast. You can enjoy your morning coffee in the serene calm atmosphere of Leshten village. Today we travel through the picturesque southern parts of Pirin Mountain to reach the most famous wine growing regions in Bulgaria, the region of Struma River valley. Wine tasting in a family run winery in Harsovo village.
Then we descend to Melnik, the town of the sand pyramids and the smallest one in Bulgaria (once there lived some 18 000 people, and nowadays there are no more than 700-800 inhabitants). This is a unique unforgettable place. Visit of Kordopulova museum-house built in the style of the Bulgarian national revival and formerly owned by a wealth local merchant.
Lunch in Melnik. Arrival in Sandanski, one of the biggest SPA resorts in the country famous for its fresh mountain air and mineral waters in the second highest mountain in Bulgaria. The mountain has about 100 peaks at an altitude more than 2000 m and is an UNESCO-protected site! Sandanski is also the birthplace of the legendary Roman slave Spartacus. Accommodation and overnight in Sandanski. Free time to enjoy the Spa facilities in the hotel or walk along the city’s park and pedestrian street. Overnight.
Day 7 –Sandanski – Rila Monastery – Sofia (B, L)
Breakfast. Take off to the Rila monastery, founded in the 10-th c., the biggest Bulgarian medieval spiritual center. The monastery has a rich collection of icons, wall-paintings, old-printed books – about 15 000 volumes. It is included in the UNESCO list of world heritage. Visit the monastery and enjoy lunch in a nearby restaurant that is famous for its mountain trout. In the afternoon we return to Sofia for overnight.
Day 8 – Sofia (B)
After breakfast – free time and transfer to the airport.
The Treasures of Bulgaria Includes:
- Accommodation for 7 nights in best available 4 star hotels and rural houses in the village of Leshten
- 13 meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners and 3 lunches. With economy tour only breakfasts are included.
- A/C vehicle with driver during the whole trip
- Parking fees and road taxes
- All entrance fees for the museums, sites and churches
- Train journey in the Rhodopes mountains
- Wine tasting in Melnik
- Professional English speaking guide
- Detailed map of Bulgaria
- Porterage in the hotels on 4 star tour, no portage with economy tour.
The Treasures of Bulgaria Excludes:
- Meals other than mentioned
- Beverages
Optional: Dinner with folklore show in Sofia: 45 EUR per person
4 Star Hotels:
- Sofia – Rosslyn Thracia
- Veliko Turnovo: -Grand hotel Yantra
- Plovdiv – Ramada Trimontium
- Leshten – Rural House
- Sandanski – Interhotel
2021 Prices In Euro Per Person:
- The US$ rate is based on the exchange rate of the day
2021 Prices with Private Guides:
- Depart any date
- Minimum of two per tour
- Tours can be organized on any other day, prices vary depending on the number of people in your party. Please inquire!
Book This Tour with Blue Danube Holidays