Best of Bulgaria Roundtrip

Situated on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is still one of the least explored countries in Europe. With a rich history dating back to thousands of years ago, travelling through the country is like a tour back in time. During this tour we will learn more about the culture of the Thracians who lived here in ancient times. We will visit the tomb of one of their most prominent kings and explore the mountain, known to be the birthplace of the legendary Thracian singer Orpheus.

The city of Plovdiv is a unique place when it comes to history and culture. Here you can walk between ancient Roman theaters on one side and the colourful houses of the Bulgarian Revival period on the other. Continuing to Etara and Koprivshtitsa, we will learn more about the traditional crafts and lifestyle of the people during that period. In the Rila mountains, we will admire the extraordinary frescoes of Rila Monastery - the biggest monastery in Bulgaria. In the town of Melnik we will be testing the local red wine, while enjoying the views of the sandstone pyramids surrounding the town.

Highlights:
- Plovdiv - the second Bulgarian city in population and size after the capital, Plovdiv is famous for the Old Town with charming houses decorated with colourful ornaments.
- Veliko Turnovo - a city of great historical significance and the old Bulgarian capital.
- Rila Monastery - the biggest monastery in Bulgaria, listed as a UNESCO Heritage site.
- Melnik - the smallest town in Bulgaria, known for its wine and sandpyramids.
- Ribnovo - unique old weding ritual, intangible cultural heritage. (only for groups)
- The highest gauge railway on the Balkans

Itinerary: 

Day 1. Sofia
Arrival at Sofia Airport and transfer to the hotel, located in the city center. After a short break, we will start our sightseeing tour of Sofia. We will visit the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and the Crypt, The National Theatre, St. Sofia Church and St. George Rotonda, dating back ot the 4th century. Overnight in Sofia. -/-/-

Day 2. Sofia - Rila Monastery – Rupite - Melnik
We will start the day with a transfer from Sofia to Rila Monastery - the largest monastery in Bulgaria, which is also considered the most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox church. The Monastery was founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in 13th and 14th centuries. It is one of Europe’s oldest and it’s included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1983. Behind its 20 meters high walls lies an impressive monastery buildings, a church and a chapel with valuable murals.
Our next stop is a very special place - Rupite. For most Bulgarians, and not only, it is known as "Vanga's place". Vanga is a Bulgarian prophetess from the 20th century, whom many ordinary people venerated as a saint during her lifetime. As a child, she was blown into the air by an unusual storm and lost her eyes. But she gained inner vision, with which she helped tens of thousands of people (including heads of state) who patiently waited in line outside her cottage at the foot of a frozen volcano for advice. Today, a church, a museum and a beautiful park have been built around her home. Right next to it are hot mineral springs, in whose pools, dug directly into the ground, you can bath.
The route continues to Melnik - Bulgaria's smallest town famous for its unique red wine and the natural sandstone pyramids. We’ll have a walk through the narrow cobblestone streets, admiring the charming architecture of the town and have a glass or two of the ruby red, wine produced only in this region of Europe. B/-/-

Day 3. Melnik - Ribnovo - Dobrinishte
The day will begin with a visit to the Kordopul House - an impressive monument of Bulgarian Revival architecture, whose owner was a merchant of local wine, with which he won world exhibitions in France and America at the beginning of the 20th century. Under the house, directly in the rocks of the mountain, a large cave was dug, in which they stored the barrels. After that we drive through the picturesque Pirin and Rhodopi Mountains, believed to be the birthplace of the legendary heroes and the territories where the ancient Thracian tribes celebrated their religious cults. The highlight of the day is our visit to Ribnovo village - the large, lively village perched on the edge of the Rhodopes and taking in all of Pirin in its window. In Ribnovo a small closed society lives by its own rules and observing centuries-old traditions. We invite you on an extraordinary journey into the unknown Bulgarian culture, way of life and customs, which will provoke your consciousness and senses. Immerse yourself in the magic of the wedding custom in Ribnovo - a centuries-old pagan tradition, considered unique in the world, the intangible cultural heritage for which local residents seek recognition from UNESCO as well. In the small village community you will have the chance to try their food, witness the dressing ceremony of the bride "Gelina" like the locals do, walk past their homes, sit next to them, and try the authentic tradition preserved from centuries. We shall drive to Dobrinishte and spend the night in a local hotel. The village of Dobrinishte is renowned for its hot mineral pools and bath, which we will visit if time allows. B/-/-

Day 4. Dobrinishte - The Rhodope narrow gauge railway to Varvara – Plovdiv
This day offers you a different kind of adventure – a narrow gauge train journey through the mountains. It is the highest railway in the Balkans. For many people in the isolated villages around the narrow gauge railway, it is the main way of connecting with the world outside the mountains. You'll be traveling alongside colorfully dressed women in traditional clothing (and maybe some small farm animals). The driver will be waiting for you in the village of Varvara, and by the late afternoon we will reach Plovdiv. B/-/-

Day 5. Plovdiv
The city is the oldest still inhabited city in Europe dating back from the same period as Troy and Mikena. It has existed as a settlement for more than 8 000 years. It has been a capital of Ancient Thrace and the favorite city of Philip the Great – the father of Alexander. For centuries its name has been Philipopolis – the city of Philip. The data show that this is the city “Philipi” whose citizens called Apostol Paul to teach them about Crist. During its millennial existence as a large cultural, religious and trading center many people have left their traces in Plovdiv. In the so-called “Old town” you will see beautifully decorated houses, ancient fortress walls, Roman Theater and an arena neighboring some magnificent churches such as St. Konstantine and Helena Church. Don’t miss “The Old Basilica” – an early Christian church which was among the biggest Ancient churches (now an interactive museum). Overnight in Plovdiv B/-/-

Day 6. Plovdiv - Kazanluk - Buzludzha - Etura - V. Tarnovo
A long, varied day awaits, full of stunning sights and stories. Early in the morning we leave in the direction of the Valley of the Roses and the Thracian Kings. We will visit a mound where the ancient initiates of the Orphic teachings performed rituals to immortalize the Ruler. 
From there we climb to the top of the mountain - Buzludzha. There is the extremely impressive building-monument and symbol of socialist Bulgaria, which many liken to a spaceship. Unfortunately, the building is abandoned and you cannot enter inside, but the view is breathtaking: this is the center of Bulgaria and on a clear day you can see a huge part of the country. It's like being in an airplane, but without walls. 
If the meteorological conditions permit, we will continue driving along the ridge of the mountain, we will pass by another memorable peak for Bulgarian history - Shipka. Shipka is the Bulgarian “Monument of Freedom”, dedicated to those who lost their life for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the most dramatic battles in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.
The next destination in our daily itinerary is the “Etara” – an open air Ethnographic museum showing the everyday life of local people through the centuries. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo B/-/-

Day 7. Veliko Tarnovo - Tsarevets - Free time in Veliko TarnovoVeliko Tarnovo is the Medieval Capital of Bulgaria, where the sense of the rich and glorious past of the Second Kingdom of Danube Bulgaria still can be felt. Visit to the Tsarevets Hill which has been towered by the Patriarch church “Holy Ascending of God” and the St. Peter and Paul church. Veliko Tarnovo has been voted many times as the most charming city of Bulgaria and you will have the afternoon to explore it by yourself. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo. B/-/-

Day. 8. Transfer Veliko Tarnovo - Sofia.
End of services upon arrival in Sofia in the early afternoon.

Good to know:
- Please note that the program on Day 1 and Day 8 is subject to change in connection with flight times (it is for example possible to have your sightseeing trip in Sofia on Day 8, instead of on Day 1, if you have purchased tickets with late arrival/ late departure times).
- Please note that warm clothes are a must during the the cave visit.
- The accommodation of the tour is in middle-sized hotels, providing all the necessary sanitary conditions and comfort for a day and multi-day stay. Be warned that some of the hotel do not have elevators, and consider the size of your luggage accordingly
- Visit of the weding ritual Gelina is guaranteed only for groups

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