TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
FOCUS: culture, cuisine, history, sightseeing
DURATION: 9 days, 8 nights
PERIOD: May – October
TYPE: self – guided and self – driven tour
TRANSPORT: rent – a – car
Day by day itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome in Bulgaria
Arrival in Sofia.
Pedestrian city tour of the historic center: the Parliament and the National theater (exterior), Russian church Saint Nicholas, Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. Sophia church (6th century).
Dinner is at your expense.
Night stop: Sofia city
Accommodation: 3* hotel with central location
Included meals: none
Day 2: Sofia / Rila Monastery / Melnik
Breakfast. Meeting and briefing with an English speaking tour leader.
Departure in south direction towards Rila.
Visit to the monastery dedicated to St. Ivan of Rila (14th), located in a deep valley in the Rila massif (UNESCO site) and walk to the hermitage of St. Ivan of Rila (1h15- 1h30) in a beautiful deciduous forest.
You can have lunch at a restaurant next to the monastery.
Continue to the town of MELNIK / or the village of ROZHEN. Before arriving you can visit one of the best wine cellars in Bulgaria (Villa Melnik or Orbel) and taste local wines there.
Arrival and accommodation in a small traditional hotel. Dinner at your expense.
Transfers: ~3.00 hours, ~250km
Night stop: Rozhen village
Accommodation: family – run hotel
Included meals: breakfast
Day 3: Melnik / Rozhen / Kovachevitsa
Breakfast.
Visit to the Rozhen monastery.
Descent on foot (2h15 for those who want to undertake this route, the return to the car is done by your host) to Melnik, through the famous sand pyramids – 60-80m high. Visit to the town of Melnik.
In the afternoon drive towards the Rhodope Mountains – the village of KOVACHEVITSA.
Accommodation in a charming guesthouse (WC and shower in each room).
Dinner at your expense at the guesthouse or at local restaurant.
Transfer time: ~2.00 hours, ~100km
Hiking time: ~2,00 hours;
Night stop: Kovachevitsa village
Accommodation: guest – house
Included meals: breakfast
Day 4: Kovachevitsa / Plovdiv
Breakfast.
The village of art and history Kovachevitsa (founded in 17th century) was choosen for the shooting of more than 20 historical movies. The village is a architectural reserve full of beautiful half-timbered houses with lauze stone roofs. If you want to discover the genius of the self-taught architects of the Balkans this is the right place to visit. You can spend all morning photographing while walking on the streets.
In the late afternoon arrival in Plovdiv.
Accommodation in a small hotel in the city center. Dinner at your expense.
Transfer time: ~3,00 hours, ~230km
Night stop: Plovdiv city
Accommodation: 3* hotel with central location
Included meals: breakfast
Day 5: Plovdiv / The rose valley / Sozopol
Plovdiv, Cultural Capital of Europe in 2019, is one of the oldest cities in Europe with rich heritage. Worth a visit: the Ancient theater (2nd century),the Mosque and the Old Town (architectural ensemble from the Ottoman Baroque, with houses with painted facades dating from 18-19th century which back then belonged to rich merchants). For history lovers, you may pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum with its impressive collection (more than 6000 years in continuity!). The Etnographic Museum is also an emblem of the city both as a facade and as a collection. Plovdiv is also the most artistic Bulgarian city and the ideal place to buy souvenirs and works of art (classical or modern: painting, ceramics, wall art, etc.).
In the afternoon, on your way to the Black Sea coast you may stop in the Rose Valley (town of Kazanlak ). Visit to the copy of the UNESCO listed Thracian tomb.
Continue to the southern coast of the Black Sea and arrival in the evening.
Accommodation for 3 nights in a hotel in Sozopol. Dinner at your expense.
Transfers: ~4.00 hours, ~280km
Night stop: Sozopol town
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Included meals: breakfast
Day 6 – 7: Sozopol and the Black Sea South Coast ( optional visit to Nesebar / UNESCO )
Breakfast.
Possible visit to the town of Nesebar – an ancient Greek colony (UNESCO World Heritage Site) or drive to Sinemorets and coastal walk from the village to the beaches of Listi and Silistar.
Transfers: n / a
Night stop: Sozopol town
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Included meals: breakfast
Day 8: Sozopol / Arbanassi / Veliko Tarnovo
Early breakfast.
In the morning, visit to the town of Veliko Tarnovo, capital of the 2nd Bulgarian Empire (12-14th centuries). Optional stop in the town of Shoumen where is situated the largest mosque in Bulgaria (16th century from the time of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent) and one of the most brilliant examples of monumental totalitarian architecture. Arrival in Veliko Tarnovo. Walking tour of the town – the Tsarevetz citadel, the Old quarters and the Samovodska pedestrian street with its many shops of craftsmen.
Accommodation for one night in a small charming hotel located above the meandres of Yantra river. Dinner at your expense.
Transfers: ~3,00 hours, ~270km
Night stop: Veliko Turnovo city
Accommodation: 3* hotel with central location
Included meals: breakfast
Day 9: Veliko Tarnovo / Sofia
After breakfast drive to Sofia Airport – 3h30. You may visit other sites and monuments on your way to Sofia, but it depends on the time of your flight.
Transfers: ~2.30 hours, ~240km
Night stop: n / a
Accommodation: n / a
Included meals: breakfast
Price:
Low season April, May, October
High season June – September
*All indicated prices are per person accommodated in double room
Single supplement:
Prices Include:
