8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Overnight in Sofia. 

Breakfast. Visit to the National History Museum and the mediaeval Boyana Church, included in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. Walking tour in the centre of Sofia with a visit to Alexander Nevski Cathedral - one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction. The most remarkable buildings and locations of the city are focus of this tour - St. George Rotunda, Banya Bashi Mosque, Central Halls (covered market), St. Sophia Basilica, National Theatre. Free time in the city centre and main shopping area around Vitosha Boulevard. Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Drive to Rila Monastery - largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, built in the 10th century. Visit to the monastery Church of the Nativity of the Virgin. Among its greatest treasures are the wood-carved iconostasis, some 14th and 15th century icons, wall paintings, made by the famous artist Zahari Zograph. Drive back to Sofia. Optional dinner at traditional Bulgarian restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight in Sofia.

After breakfast, drive to Veliko Tarnovo. Sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo - visit to the historical Tsarevets Hill, which served as a primary fortress of the capital town during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Drive to the village of Arbanassi, famous for its well preserved 17th and 18th century churches and the typical Revival architecture of its houses. Return to Veliko Tarnovo. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Breakfast. Departure for Plovdiv. On the way visit to the ethnographic open-air museum Etara, representing the Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship. The park features typical Bulgarian Revival houses and tourists are able to see how locals use original old instruments in crafts such as wood carving, pottery, coppersmith, needlework, etc. Walk around the museum complex. Drive to the town of Kazanlak via Shipka Pass. Visit to Kazanlak Thracian Tomb, which dates back to the 4th century BC and is included in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. Its murals and paintings are Bulgaria’s best preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period. Drive to Plovdiv. Accommodation. Overnight in Plovdiv. 

Breakfast. Walking tour in the Old Town, including the Roman Ancient Theatre, which was built in the 1st century AD and is nowadays considered to be the largest surviving Roman construction in Bulgaria, St. Constantine and Helena Church, Roman Stadium. Visit to the Ethnographic Museum. Free time along the main pedestrian zone, Kapana creative district and city garden. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Breakfast. Departure for Hissar and Starosel. Visit to the historic centre of Hissar with the best-preserved Roman fortifications in Bulgaria. Visit to the Thracian tomb complex in the village of Starosel. In the afternoon, drive to Sofia. Accommodation and overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. If time allows - shopping tour in the city centre. Transfer to the airport and departure.