Discover Bulgaria

Day 1. Sofia
Arrival at Sofia Airport and transfer to hotel in the city center. We’ll go for a short sightseeing of the capital city, which might feel as a real time travel. You’ll have the chance to explorer ancient roman remains and neo-classical architecture from 19th and 20th century. Here and there you’ll spot minarets or the golden domes of the Orthodox churches. You will visit Alexander Nevski Cathedral, The National Theatre, The Basilica of St. Sofia and Sofia’s oldest building - the 4th century St. George Rotunda. Overnight in Sofia -/-/-

Day 2. Sofia - Rila Monastery - 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. 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. Close to Melnik lies the picturesque Rozhen Monastery dating from the 13th c. - the only Bulgarian monastery that remained unharmed during the Ottoman yoke. Overnight in Melnik B/-/-

Day 3. Melnik - Devin
Today 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 spend the night in the town of Devin, right in the heart of the Rodopi Mountains. The town is famous with its hot thermal springs and is a popular SPA retreat both for locals and tourists. Overnight in Devin B/-/-

Day 4. Devin - Plovdiv
Today we continue our picturesque drive through the Rhodopi Mountains in order to reach Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria. On the way we will stop for a visit and a culinary workshop at the pretty mountain town of Yakuruda which keeps fascinating secrets. This culinary workshop is dedicated to "Gargale", in plural number "gargaleta"- a specific local sweet that is made only in Yakoruda. Recently, it is increasingly present at the festive tables for both Kurban Bayram and Gergovden (St. George Day), which is why people in the town increasingly attach importance to it as a unifying traditional specialty for the communities. In Yakoruda, you can also try some of the traditional dishes like trahana with homemade sazdarma, syrupy chisnala (sour) pie with yeast and vinegar, cream pie with ammonia soda crust and homemade cream with milk, eggs and butter, Trasenik pie with rice, cabbage and meat. By the late afternoon we will reach Plovdiv, where will enjoy a sightseeing tour. 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 the capital of Ancient Thrace and a large trading centre during the Middle Ages. 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. Overnight in Plovdiv B/-/-

Day 5. Plovdiv - Etara - Gabrovo
After breakfast we will depart for Etara. On our way we will visit several interesting places. We’ll head towards the town of Shipka, where we’ll visit the memorial “Birth of Christ” and the spectacular Russian church. The mountain serves as a dramatic background for the shining, pointy domes and the multi-colored decoration of the church façade and attracts people’s attention from long distance. The next stop on our itinerary is the Shipka Monument, which is rising right on top of a mountain peak. Those of you who are feeling enthusiastic can challenge themselves with the 894 steps reaching up to the monument. The rest will take a short ride by car and still make it to the top to admire the scenery. Shipka is a Monument dedicated to those who lost their life for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Battles of Shipka Pass in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. The final 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 Gabrovo B/-/-

Day 6. Gabrovo - Veliko Tarnovo
We will start the day with a short walk through the center of Gabrovo which is the geographical center of Bulgaria. After a short transfer we will arrive to Dryanovo monastery which played major role in the preservation of the Bulgarian Christianity and cultural during the time of the Ottoman Dominion. In the afternoon we will arrive in Veliko Tarnovo. Sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo – the Medieval Capital of Bulgaria, where thye sence of the the rich and glorious past of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom 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. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo B/-/-

Day 7. Veliko Tarnovo - Koprivshtitsa - Sofia
In the morning we head to Koprivshtitsa, which is a small town situated in a picturesque valley among the mountains in the central part of Bulgaria. Walking around Koprivshtitcsa, with its charming colorful houses you’ll enjoy some last glimpses of the unique beauty of the Revival Period in Bulgaria and will further enrich your knowledge for the Bulgarian Revolutionary history. In the afternoon we will arrive back in the capital – Sofia, for an overnight. Free time to explorer the city at your own pace. Overnight in Sofia B/-/-

Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
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