Full Round Trip Itinerary – 16 days/15 overnights on FB

Full Round Trip Itinerary – 16 days/15 overnights on FB
Departure dates:
16 September 2019

Experience Bulgaria
- the only country in Europe, that hasn’t changed its name since it was founded
- leading spot in Europe in natural, bio diversity and mineral water resources
- the country, at the 3rd place in Europe in number of valuable archeological monuments found, including the oldest golden treasure in the World.
- the Valley of the Thracian Kings and numerous UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites
- the oldest city in Europe – Plovdiv, which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2019
And there is a lot more to be seen…

Program details:
1-st day Sofia and Boyana church
Overnight in *** hotel in Sofia
Through this combined (walking and bus) tour you will discover the present day capital Sofia, as well as its ancient history. By bus we will reach Boyana Church, renowned for its 13th-century frescoes and included in the list of UNESCO

2-nd day Rila monastery and Bansko
Overnight in *** hotel in Bansko
In this day you will see the next UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site – Rila monastery, center of learning and church power during the time of Medieval centuries. Then we continue to Bansko – a magnificent combination between a small town and a modern ski resort.

3-th day Pirin mountain
Overnight in *** hotel in Banya, Dobrinishte or Bansko
This day is dedicated to Pirin National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of  its rich flora and fauna.  There will be walking tours, hiking and open air activities.

4-th day Sandanski and Melnik
Overnight in **** SPA hotel in Sandanski
On this day we are going to visit Melnik - the smallest town, natural and architectural reserve renowned for the unique Bulgarian kind of wine “Shiroka melnishka loza”. The day will end in Sandanski - one of the places in Bulgaria famous for its numerous mineral water springs.

5-th day Plovdiv
Overnight in *** hotel in Plovdiv
We continue to the oldest town in Europe – Plovdiv. Walking tour in the old part of the town and visit the most significant Revival houses, which are turned into museums today.

6-th day Bachkovo monastery
Overnight in *** hotel in Plovdiv
It is time to get some rest. After visiting Bachkovo monastery, which is one of the largest and oldest Orthodox monasteries in Europe, the group will have a half-day free time for a walks and shopping in Plovdiv.

7-th day Alexandrovo Thracian Tomb, Perperikon and Tatul
Overnight in *** hotel In Momchilgrad or Kardjali
This day we will see a Thracian burial mound and tomb famous for its well-preserved frescoes. The archaeological complex Perperikon is one of the most ancient monumental megalithic structures, entirely carved into the rocks, which is as well as a rock of worship. Finally we will visit Tatul, the place where Orpheus was buried.

8-th day Armira villa, antique town of Kabile and Sozopol
Overnight in *** hotel in Sozopol
Armira Villa is one of the most interesting monuments from the time of the Roman Empire. Then we continue to the antique town of Kabile with territory of the archaeological reservation more than 600 decares. The day will end with a walking tour in a very romantic town of Sozopol.

9-th day Varna and Aladzha monastery
Overnight in *** hotel in St. Konstantin and Elena, Golden sands or Varna
In this day we will discover present day town Varna with its Archaeological museum,  which houses an extraordinary collection, including 6,000-year-old gold. The last place for visit in this day is Aladzha Monastery - one of the few cave monasteries in Bulgaria.

10-th day Srebarna Lake and Sveshtari Thracian tomb
Overnight in *** hotel in Ruse
The first spot for the day is the Srebarna Nature Reserve, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Then we go to the most famous Thracian tomb in Sveshtari, which is built in the early 3rd century BC and is painted and lined with semi-columns of goddesses with upraised arms.

11-th day Rock Monastery and Churches, Madara rock relief, old capital Preslav
Overnight in *** hotel in Shumen
The tour will start with Basarbovski Rock Monastery “St. Dimitrius Basarbovski” and Ivanovo Rock Churches. Then we will visit the Horseman of Madara, a huge proto-Bulgarian basrelief carved into a cliff. We continue to the Preslav, the capital of First Bulgarian Kingdom.

12-th day, Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi
Overnight in *** hotel in Arbanasi or Veliko Tarnovo
The day is dedicated to the, the capital of Second Bulgarian Kingdom – Tarnovo and the gorgeous town-museum Arbanasi.

13-th day Etar, Buzludzha monument, Shipka, Karanovo and Stara Zagora
Overnight in *** hotel in Pavel bania or Kazanlak
We will start with the lovely architectural and ethnographic complex Etar. Then we will continue to Buzludzha – the most important monument from communist era and Shipka National park-monument. At Stara Zagora we see a group of Neolithic dwellings, in Karanovo - the Thracian chariot tomb and the Karanovo Tell.

14-th day Valley of the Thracian Kings and Koprivshtitsa
Overnight in **** SPA hotel in Hisarya or Pavel Bania
This day we will visit the most significant tombs of Valley of the Thracian Kings. Touring continues with the Thracian Temple Complex at Starosel - the oldest ever found royal Thracian complex with a mausoleum. Then continue to the wonderful architectural and historical reserve Koprivshtitsa town

15-th day Hisarya
Overnight in ****SPA hotel In Hisarya
Relax day in the Late Roman Spa Town – Diocletianpolis, famous for its numerous healing mineral springs

16-day Arrival in Sofia and transfer to the airport for flights home

The tour is dynamic and full of activities. It gives an opportunity all the most significant historical, archaeological places, most UNESCO sites, natural landmarks, present day big cities and small villages, monuments and traces from communist era to be seen and touched. The tourists will enjoy delicious traditional food and wine and discover the best kept secret in Europe - Bulgaria!

Price per person in a double room:
In a small group (3-8 tourists) 2,933 euro / 5,736 BGN
In a middle group (9-20 tourists) 2,358 euro / 4,611 BGN
In a big group (21-55 tourists) 2,478 euro / 4,847 BGN

Supplement for single accommodation 400 euro

Prices include:
Transport according itinerary, transfers from/to Sofia airport, English speaking guide and guide assistance throughout, 11 overnights based on FB (breakfast, lunch and dinner), all entrance fees

Prices not include:
Flight tickets, drinks, tips and personal expences

Booking terms:
500 euro for reservation
The rest of the sum (according to the group size) is payable 20 days before departure date

Departure dates:
16 September 2019

Individual and tailor-made tours are available on request. Please, contact us!
Guide service in other languages is available on request. Please, contact us!