DAY 1 |
Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Walking tour of the city center with professional guide, including 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; St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by emperor Justinian in the 6th century, National Theatre, former Royal Palace, housing the National Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, Presidency, etc. Free time in the city center and main shopping area around Vitosha Boulevard. Upon request - dinner at a traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight in Sofia.
DAY 2 |
Breakfast. Free time in Sofia for shopping and visiting museums or, optional one day tour to Rila Monastery. Rila Monastery is the most exquisite example of monastery art and architecture in Bulgaria. Visit of the Nativity of the Virgin Church with its miraculous icon of the Virgin and splendid gilded iconostasis, the Monastery kitchen, the museum, keeping the long and heroic history of the monastery and the wonderful wood-carved cross made for a period of twelve years by a monk called Rafael, Hrelyu's Tower. Return to Sofia. Tour duration – approx. 8 hours. Overnight in Sofia.
DAY 3 |
Breakfast. A free day in Sofia for shopping and visiting museums or, optional one day tour to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi. Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, is superbly situated on four hills. The houses are at the foot of the hills, perched one above other, crowning the steep streets with their gables. Here are preserved the remains of the old fortress built around the banks of Yantra River. Several mediaeval churches connected with Bulgarian history can be seen as well. The houses in the village of Arbanassi resemble fortresses on the outside and are artistically fashioned and beautifully decorated inside. A former residence of the communist leader Todor Zhivkov is also situated here. Return to Sofia. Tour duration - approx. 11 hours. Overnight in Sofia.
DAY 4 |
Breakfast. A free day in Sofia or, optional visit of Boyana Church and the National History Museum. Visit to Boyana Church (in the List of World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO), located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain in the suburb of Boyana. Visit to the National History Museum. Most interesting among its exhibits are the collections of Thracian and Old Bulgarian gold and silver treasures, rich collection of icons, church plates and cloths, numismatics, manuscripts and early printed books, ethnographic exhibits. Tour duration - approx. 4 hours. Overnight in Sofia.
DAY 5 |
Breakfast. A free day in Sofia or, optional one day tour to Plovdiv - European Capital of Culture 2019. Sightseeing tour the Old Town, including a visit to the Roman Ancient Theatre, which was build in the 2nd century AD under the rule of the Roman Emperor Trajan and is nowadays considered to be the largest surviving Roman construction in Bulgaria, visit to the Ethnographic Museum, Roman Stadium, St. Constantine and Helena Church, etc. Free time. Drive back to Sofia. Tour duration - approx. 8 hours. Overnight in Sofia.
DAY 6 |
Breakfast. Free time. Transfer to the airport and departure.