Summary
This trip is the best way to discover Bulgaria’s many different faces: its picturesque monasteries, traditional villages, cultural landmarks, pristine nature, and hotels offering a warm Bulgarian welcome. You also visit UNESCO sites and other significant places, enjoy dinners in authentic restaurants and get to meet the locals.
The trip starts in the capital Sofia. Visits to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery – two of the undisputed highlights of Bulgaria – are planned for the 2nd day. Over the following days we drive through 3 mountain ranges – Rila, Pirin and Rhodope. Along the way we visit Bansko, Dobarsko and Bachkovo Monastery. In Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city, we explore the Old Town, which is a melting pot of cultures and historical monuments.
We continue on through Rose Valley and the Valley of the Thracian Kings and cross the Balkan Mountains at the historic Shipka Pass. In Triavna, Etara, Bojentsi and Arbanasi, we learn more about Bulgaria’s Revival Period (18-19th century) – its architecture, art, and traditions.
In the medieval capital Veliko Tarnovo we feel the spirit of former Bulgarian glories (12-14th C). On the last days of this trip we visit Troyan Monastery and take a classical sightseeing walk around Sofia.
This trip offers several optional walks & hikes, which will also give you the opportunity to discover plenty of Bulgaria’s pristine nature. A great time is guaranteed on this tour as you’ll be with one of our best English-speaking guides.
Tour highlights
Tour information
Price per person: 1170 € (valid for a group of 6 people)
Price for private tour: The tour could be organized for just 2 people – ask us for this option.
Duration: 9 days/8 nights
Best period: all year round
Type : guided cultural tour
Level: easy
Guided: yes
Transport: transfers by private bus/car
Other dates:
14 – 22 August 2022;
11 – 19 September 2022;
Other dates available upon request.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Bulgaria
Itinerary: Arrive in Sofia and meet your guide. From the airport we make a transfer to the hotel, which is in downtown Sofia. Your hotel gives you the chances to explore the city on foot. If your arrival allows and if you wish we can make a stroll in the central part of Sofia. Welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Night stop: Sofia
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Included Meals: dinner
Day 2: 3 Monasteries in 1 Day
Itinerary: A morning visit of Dragalevtzi Monastery situated on the foot of Vitosha Mountains Nature Park. We offer an optional two-hour hike in the surrounding area. Our next site is the famous Boyana church, included in the UNESCO heritage list, which preserves valuable frescos from the year 1259. After lunch we drive to the biggest Orthodox sanctuary of Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery. We visit the biggest monastery in the country and one with over 1000 years of history, also listed in the UNSECO heritage. Worth visiting is the main church with exceptional murals, the history museum, the medieval tower, etc. Afternoon transfer to Bansko.
Night stop: Bansko
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Mountain Views & Dobarsko village
Itinerary: After breakfast we walk in the Old Town where traditional houses can be seen. The symbol of Bansko is the medieval church, which we will also visit. In the afternoon we make a short transfer to Dobarsko set on the foot of Rila Mountains. There we visit a fascinating church from the 17th century. The village offers options for short walks in the surrounding areas.
Afternoon transfer to Plovdiv.
Night stop: Plovdiv
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Bachkovo Monastery & Old Town of Plovdiv
Itinerary: After breakfast we drive through the vast Rodopi Mountains and head to the second largest Bulgarian monastery – Bachkovo Monastery. It was founded in the 11th century and is very renown because of its miraculous icon in the main church, which attracts hundreds of pilgrims each year. We offer an optional short hike above the monastery. We walk to the sacred spring called “Aiazmo” and the rock hewn chapel above it. In the afternoon we drive to Plovdiv. It is the second largest Bulgarian city but it is the most beautiful one – no doubt! In Plovdiv we will explore the Old Town with numerous cultural monuments from different historical periods. Among them are the Roman Theatre, the Roman stadium, the Ethnographical Museum, the East Gate from the 4th century, mansions from the 19th century and more. The modern town is doted with shops and bars – a pedestrian street crosses from one end to the other. Our hotel in located in downtown. This evening your guide will show you around and suggest places for dinner.
Night stop: Plovdiv
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Discover the Valley of the Thracian Kings and Rose Valley
Itinerary: Transfer to the north of Plovdiv. We drive through the so-called Rose Valley, which is where millions of roses blossom from mid May to mid June. We visit a private rose garden of Encho Bonchev which will reveal the secrets of the Rosa Damascena.
The region is also known as the valley of the Thracian Kings and therefore is dotted with many Thracian tombs. We visit the most spectacular one – the Kazanlak tomb, included in the UNESCO heritage list.
In the afternoon we drive further north and cross the Balkan Mountains at the historical Shipka Pass. It is the place where the final battle against the Ottomans took place (1877-8). It is the place where Bulgarian Liberation was won. After a break on the top of the hill with the monument we continue and soon reach the pretty little town Triavna set on the foot of the Balkan Mountains.
Night stop: Triavna
Accommodation: Family-run hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 6: Explore Rural Bulgaria & the Charms of the Revival Period
Itinerary: We begin the day with a walk through the Old Town of Triavna. It is a town where traditions are kept alive and we can benefit from this! The local woodcarving museum is a real treasure. Towards lunchtime we drive to Etara. It is the only Bulgarian open-air museum, which shows traditional life, architecture and crafts from the Revival Period – 18-19th century. After a visit there we drive to Sokolski Monastery, a nunnery peacefully set in hills above Etara and overlooks the valley. The monastery church is a good example of local architecture from the 19th century. Afternoon transfer to Veliko Tarnovo.
Night stop: Veliko Tarnovo
Accommodation: Family-run hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Visit to Arbanassi Village & Veliko Tarnovo
Itinerary: Short drive to Arbanassi village. We walk in the village, which preserves several mansions and churches with traditional architecture. A visit to the tiny but very impressive church “Nativity of Jesus” is a must. This colourfully painted church is has also a valuable iconostasis. The nearby house-museum Konstanzalieva Kashta shows traditional crafts and lifestyle in Arbanasi from the 18th century. In the afternoon we drive to Veliko Tarnovo. The town was the medieval capital of Bulgaria (12-14th century).
Places of interest in Veliko Tarnovo are the Tsarevets fortress (where the kings ruled and royal family lived), the church of 40 martyrs, the old market street Samovodska Charshia, and the beautiful Gurko street in the Old Town.
Night stop: Veliko Tarnovo
Accommodation: Family-run hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 8: Troyan Monastery & back to Sofia
Itinerary: Transfer to Troyan Monastery set on the foot of the Balkan Mountains. This is the third largest monastery in the country. After the visit we can make an optional walk in the vicinity. In the afternoon transfer to Sofia.
Night stop: Sofia
Accommodation: Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 9: Sofia City Tour
Itinerary: We will do a sightseeing walk in Sofia to see all major cultural monuments. Among them are Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Saint Sofia Basilica, the Roman ruins, the mineral springs, the markets, etc. Transfer to Sofia Airport. Tour ends here.
Included Meals: breakfast
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