Summary
This slow-ride trip is the best way to discover Bulgaria’s many different faces: its painted monasteries, traditional villages, cultural landmarks and small family-run hotels, offering a warm Bulgarian welcome. And all this, independently and car-free, enjoying the dramatic landscapes of the railway roads of Bulgaria. Through the shabby train windows you will immerse in the scenic lands of 3 different mountain ranges: the Balkans, Rhodope and Rila Mountains. During this rail holiday you will visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Rila Monastery (10th century) and Kazanlak Thracian Tomb (4th century BC) and many iconic old towns with cobbled streets and local traditions, such as Veliko Tarnovo, Tryavna, and Plovdiv.
Tour information
Price per person: 820 € (valid for a group of 2 people in a double room)
Duration: 12 days/11 nights
Best period: April – September. Possible to be done any time of the year.
Type : self-guided cultural trip. The tour could be customized and walks / hikes in the nature could be included.
Guided: Self – guided tour following a trip dossier which has detailed day by day information.
Transport: Train as main source of transportation. Private transfers by car are included for some of the days.
Other dates:
Other dates available upon request.
Day by day itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Sofia
Arrival in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Free time for walk and visit of the historical centre: Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Theatre, the Archaeological Museum, St.George Church.
Overnight: Sofia
Accommodation: 3* hotel in the center of the city
Day 2: Iskar gorge / Vratsa Natural Park
From the capital we head North by train through the scenic Iskar River Gorge. At the end of the day we will stop in the heart of Vratsa Nature Park.
Overnight: Vratsa
Accommodation: 2* hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Vratsa Natural park / Veliko Turnovo
Morning free time for walk and 4-hour ride by train in the afternoon to the medieval Capital of Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo, it’s worth it!
Overnight: Veliko Turnovo
Accommodation: family run hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Veliko Turnovo
Free day in Veliko Tarnovo. Sights of interest: Tsarevets Castle, the Craftsmen street, Sarafkina House-museum. Optional visit to Arbanassi village – architecture reserve with beautiful 18th century houses and churches.
Overnight: Veliko Turnovo
Accommodation: family run hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5: Trayvna and the Balkan Mountains
Spend the day exploring more of Veliko Tarnovo before heading to Tryavna town, hidden in the Balkan Mountains and famous for its woodcarving traditions.
Overnight: Tryavna town
Accommodation: family run hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: Crafts and arts of Bulgaria
Free time in the morning. Recommended visit to the Woodcarving Museum, the 19th century Church, the Clock Tower, The Icon-paintings Museum. Combined bus & train ride to Kazanlak town, situated in the Valley of Roses.
Overnight: Kazanlak city
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7: Kazanlak – the town of Roses / Plovdiv city
Free time in the morning. A must visit are Kazanlak Thracian Tomb, dating back to the 4th century BC and Shipka Golden-dome Church in the nearby village Shipka. Afternoon train ride to Plovdiv city – the cultural capital of Bulgaria.
Overnight: Plovdiv city
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8: Plovdiv city – European capital of Culture
Free day to explore Plovdiv. The city is a cultural treasure and melting pot of cultures and historical monuments: Roman Amphitheatre, Old Revival-times houses, churches and mosques, all in a walking distance.
Overnight: Plovdiv city
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9: The Rhodope Mountains and the narrow – gauge train
Early morning train ride to the heart of Bulgaria – Rhodope Mountains. At 8:15 am we board on the emblematic narrow-gauge train (only 760mm wide) which will bring us to Velingrad town, famous for its hot mineral waters and pine-tree surroundings.
Overnight: Velingrad
Accommodation: SPA & Wellness hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: between Rila and Pirin Mountains / Bulgarian hospitality with Deshka
We hop on the narrow-gauge train for a picturesque ride through the mountains. Our final stop is Razlog town, at the footsteps of Pirin National Park. Overnight and home-made dinner in a Green Lodge House in the mountain village Gorno Draglishte.
Overnight: Gorno Draglishte village
Accommodation: guest – house
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Rila Monastery
Today we visit the emblematic Rila Monastery – UNESCO world heritage site. Overnight in the renovated monks’ cells of the holy monastery, prepared for pilgrims and tourists.
Overnight: Rila Mountains
Accommodation: Rila Monastery’s hotel par
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12: Sofia / End of the tour
Free time and transfer by shuttle bus to Sofia.
The price includes:
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