Sofia Airport transfer / 20 km and 20 minutes driving time
Welcome to Sofia Airport. We will meet you at the airport and if your flight hasn’t arrived too late we’ll do a welcome walk in Sofia. We love Sofia and will show you its charm and most amazing spots with the best views and places in the city.
You’ll feel the spirit of the city about which Constantine the Great was saying often – “Serdika is my Rome” and was wondering if he should turn it into a capital of his empire. Visit the remains of the ancient fortress Serdika, Aleksandăr Nevski Carthedral, Rotunda of St. George (II century), considered the oldest building in Sofia.
There also the Sofia Synagogue – the largest synagogue in Southeastern Europe, one of two functioning in Bulgaria and the third-largest in Europe. Visit Banya Bashi mosque, built in 16th century is the only surviving mosque from Ottoman Empire standing in the centre of Sofia.
Overnight in Sofia. Best Western Premier Collection City Hotel 4* or similar.
Sofia – Boyana church – Rila Monastery – Sofia / 240 km and 3.5 hours driving time
Breakfast.
We have ahead of us a day full of history, fresh air, wonderful breathtaking views, and delicious Bulgarian food!
High, high in the Rila mountain where the forest touches the sky and the prayers to God are most powerful is situated the Rila Monastery. This is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria and one of the country’s most visited sites. It is also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We’ll take a look at that holy Bulgarian architectural treasure. Pictures are a must! Prayers are optional 🙂
On our way to Rila Monastery, we will visit The Boyana Church and marvel at the wonderful frescoes which helped the church to become one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Our next stop is the Rila Monastery which is 2 hours drive from Sofia. There you’ll enjoy guided visit of the Monastery and afterward try some traditional cuisine in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Sofia. Best Western Premier Collection City Hotel 4* or similar.
Sofia – Plovdiv – Bachkovo Monastery – Assen fortress – Plovdiv / 210 km and 3 hours drive
Breakfast.
Depart for Plovdiv. During our half-day tour in Plovdiv we’ll learn the most interesting stories and visit the most spectacular places in Europe’s oldest living city which is also a European capital of culture for 2019. There we’ll enjoy the old town with its beautiful houses, Thracian fortress remains 7000 years old, as well as some Roman times buildings.
Our afternoon is going to be dedicated to the Bachkovo Monastery with its miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. Next we’ll visit the medieval Asen’s fortress and have some Mavrud wine tasting in the town of Asenovgrad. Back to Plovdiv.
Free time and overnight in Plovdiv. Grand Hotel Plovdiv 4* or similar.
Plovdiv – Damascena – Kazanlak – Etara – Veliko Tarnovo / 220 km and 4 hours driving time.
Early Breakfast.
Today we’ll explore the Valley of Roses and Thracian Kings.
We’ll visit Kazanlak where we’ll explore the Damascena rose oil distillery in the biggest Rose Valley in the world. Rose tour and rose products tasting are a must.
In Kazanlak we’ll also explore the History museum which is keeping the newest golden, silver and bronze Thracian findings in the region. They include the unique golden wreath of Seuthes III.
After the museum we’ll visit Golyama Kosmatka mound – the tomb of the famous Thracian ruler Seuthes III and the unique Kazanlak Thracian Tomb which is one of the most significant monuments of the Thracian culture in the Bulgarian lands, included in the list of the global cultural inheritance of UNESCO in 1979.
The peak of freedom “Shipka” in the heart of the Balkans.
Ethnographic open-air museum “Etara” with working wooden technologies, powered by water.
We drive off for Veliko Tarnovo in late afternoon.
Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo in Park Hotel Arbanasi 4* or similar.
Breakfast
Veliko Tarnovo is one of the richest in historical sites cities in Bulgaria also known as the City of Kings.
We will start our day with tour of Veliko Tarnovo. The medieval Bulgarian capital keeps the glory of Bulgarian kingdom spread out on 3 seas in the 13th and 14th centuries.The city of Kings as it’s well known nowadays is still spiritual, cultural and respectable center of the Bulgarian fighting fame. We will conquest the king’s hill “Tsarevets” – a medieval capital, fortress and palace.
Later on we’ll visit the “Holy Forty Martyrs” church – the most popular Bulgarian medieval monument in the region which is keeping some of the most important Bulgarian epigraphy monuments – the Omurtag, Asenova and border pillar from the times of Han Krum. A message is encoded in the pillar. Discovering what’s that message is a must!
Today we will visit also Arbanasi village which is a village turned into an architectural museum. It is famous for its massive houses that resemble minor fortresses on the outside and boutique mansions from the inside. We’ll also explore the Nativity of Christ church with its beautiful frescoes from 1632 and one of the oldest preserved iconostasis from wood. The mural paintings include the life of St. John the Baptist, patron of the church, and the wheel of life with the 12 zodiac signs.
Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo in Park Hotel Arbanasi 4* or similar.
Breakfast.
Our day will begin with a visit to the second Bulgarian capital – Veliki Preslav and the message of the Round church. Veliki Preslav was a leading administrative, spiritual and art center of the European South-East and was the place for some of the greatest Bulgarian achievements during the medieval ages. We’ll explore the archeological reserve and the fort walls of the old capital.
After a short walk in this archeological reserve we leave for the Shumen Plateu where we’ll see the world-renown Bulgarian symbol – the Madara rider. It is the most significant part of the Madara reserve and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Nearby is situated the first Bulgarian capital – Pliska, established in 681. There we’ll learn about the city building plan which was used by Bulgarian rulers for centuries.
Our day ends with a walk through Varna city center and the sea garden. Part of our tour are the Roman Baths in Varna. They are one of the best preserved architectural remains of antiquity and at the same time are the largest Roman baths on the Balkan Peninsula – about 7000 sq.m. Video HERE
We leave for the hotel. Overnight in Varna hotel Aqua 4* or similar.
Varna – Stone forest – Historical Park – Balchik / 130 km and 2 hours drive
Today will start with the phenomenon “Beaten stones” – a mystery of a million years. The Bulgarian Stone Desert is located about 15-20 miles outside of the city of Varna and is one of the most beautiful and mysterious locations in Bulgaria. A stone forest or an experimental field of time?
We will explore this magical place to find the answer, then continue to our next stop. In the town of Devnya there is an antique building dating from the time of Emperor Constantine I the Great – end of III – beginning of IV century. The building was a townhouse (villa urbana) and occupied the area of an entire neighborhood in the Roman city of Marcianopolis, which was one of the largest Roman cities in this part of the empire. Today it is turned into a museum that we will visit to see the preserved multicolored mosaic floors. Here are some of the finest examples of Roman mosaic art of that time found in Bulgaria.
Just 7 kilometers from Devnya is the Historical Park – a world significant attraction that represents the cultural and historical values of people and civilizations, which inhabited the Balkan Peninsula since the Stone Age up until the late Middle Ages.
Real gold treasures, battles, demonstrations, wine degustations and thracian rituals, predatory birds, horseback riding and archery are some of the experiences here.
We will have the opportunity to relive the history, lifestyle, culture, beliefs and lifestyle of this ancient civilization.
We will admire Thracian art, treasures and food prepared according to authentic Thracian recipes. Here are the only fully restored Thracian palace in the world, as well as the marble Temple of the Mother Goddess – Cybele. Stories and legends will come alive to immerse us in a world of ritual, mysticism and beauty.
Depart to Balchik, also called “The White Town”. Dinner and Overnight in hotel Regina Maria SPA 4* or similar.
Balchik – Constanta – Tulcea, Romania / 260 km and 4 hours driving time
Breakfast.
You will visit the summer residence of the Romanian Queen Maria, called “The quiet nest” and the Botanical garden, with more than 3000 species of plants. There are also about 250 species of cactuses. The Botanical garden is the second largest garden in Europe. Video HERE
Departure for Constanta – the ancient Greek city of Tomis, Romania’s largest Black Sea port. On our walking panoramic walk we’ll visit: The harbor; The old casino which was built between 1904 and 1910; The aquarium; The Genoese lighthouse built in 1860; Ovid Square – The Archaeological Museum and the Mahmoudie Mosque. We’ll also visit the Black Church.
Next, we depart for Tulcea. Accommodation at the Delta Hotel 3*. Overnight.
Tulcea – Bucharest / 300 km and 3.5 hours driving time
Breakfast.
Today we will explore the Danube Delta, which has been declared a world-class biosphere reserve and has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1991. During our 4 hour ship cruise we will enjoy the rich biodiversity and the unique local culture at the best-preserved continental delta and the Biosphere Nature Reserve. We’ll sail among reeds and wild horses, up to the reserve of the Pelicans at the Nebunu Lake. Then we’ll have some fish for lunch on board with drinks.
Video HERE
In the afternoon we depart for Bucharest.
The capital of Romania is one of those cities which has a bit from everything and that’s why everyone can find their place in it! Some parts of the city with wide boulevards and huge buildings will remind you of Paris (it’s not a coincidence that Bucharest is called the Little Paris). Other parts of the city are filled with the typical communist style architecture. There are also cobblestone roads with old-age houses as well as interesting shops and delicious food.
Gentle walking tour of Bucharest historical city center.
Overnight in Bucharest Rin Grand Hotel 4* or similar.
Bucharest – Sinaia – Bran – Brasov / 220 km and 4 hours driving time.
Breakfast
We depart for the region of Transylvania.
First will visit Sinaia and Peles and Pelisor castles, which are ranked as the most beautiful in Romania.
Then we continue with the castles by visiting Bran Castle or more famously known as the Count Dracula’s castle. This is one of the most famous historical attractions in Romania and the top visited castle in the country.
The afternoon will be dedicated to walking tour of downtown Brasov’s sights and visit to the narrowest Romanian street.
Overnight in Brasov Golden Time Hotel 4* or similar.
Brasov – Bucharest / 190 km and 3 hours drive
Breakfast
This day is dedicated to Bucharest downtown main sights. You will enter the building of the Parliament (second largest building in the world, after the Pentagon). There is an option to visit and enjoy the biggest aqua and SPA center in Europe – Bucharest Therme or visit the Village Museum.
Free time for shopping and relaxation.
Overnight in Bucharest Rin Grand Hotel 4* or similar.
Breakfast
Free time available and transfer to the airport.
End of the program.
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