Bulgaria Esential
= SEE DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES, SEASON 2009 =
7 days / 6 nights
Day 1. Arrival in Sofia
Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to Sofia Dedeman Princess Hotel 4****. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Day 2 Sofia & National Historic Museum & Boyana Church
Breakfast. City tour of Sofia including the Sveta Nedelya Sq.,the 4th century AD St George’s Rotunda, the Presidency, National Theatre, the City Garden, Russian Church St. Nicolas, Parliament Square, Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral with the most valuable collection of Bulgarian Icons (13-19th c), St. Sofia Church (6th c). Lunch and free time for leisure and shopping or optional excursion to the National Historic Museum and Boyana Church (UNESCO site). Dinner and overnight at Sofia Dedeman Princess Hotel, 4****.
Day 3 Sofia – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv
Breakfast. Departue to the Rila Monastery (120km from Sofia) - the country's largest ecclesiastic and cultural temple. This is the most famous and the most fascinating monastery in Bulgaria, under UNESCO protection. Tour of the monastery and visit to the Monastery church, museum and kitchen "Magernitsa". Lunch at a local tavern and continuation of the trip to Plovdiv. Evening arrival in Plovdiv, accommodation at Dedeman Trimontium Hotel 4****. Dinner and overnight at Plovdiv.
Day 4 Plovdiv & Bachkovo Monastery
Breakfast and a walking tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv - imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient town of Trimontium. Visit of the Ancient Stadium, the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre), the Ethnographic museum and other interesting sites. Lunch and free time for leisure or shopping or optional excursion to Bachkovo Monastery - one of the oldest monasteries in the Bulgarian lands and the second biggest in the country. It is mainly known for its original architecture, rich collections of old icons, jewelry, coins and church plate. In the evening – return to Plovdiv, dinner and overnight at Dedeman Trimontium Hotel, 4****.
Day 5 Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Shipka – Estara – Veliko Tarnovo
Breakfast. Departure to Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. First stop will be the town of Kazanlak, in the centre of the Valley of roses. Visit of the Regional Historic Museum and the ancient Thracian tomb. Next stop will be the famous Russian Church - Memorial Church, built in commemoration of the Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers of the Russian-Turkish war of Liberation in 1977 - 1878. Then we continue via the Shipka mountain pass, which provides admirable mountain views. Visit of the unique open air museum of authentic traditional crafts - Etara, created to preserve for the coming generations the appearance and the spirit of the old time Bulgarian mountain villages and the manufacturing traditions of the region. Lunch and we continue to the north. In the evening, arrival at Veliko Tarnovo’s Grand Hotel Yantra, 4****. Dinner and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 6 Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi – Sofia
Breakfast. A walking tour of the town of Veliko Tarnovo and its medieval fortress of Tsarevets, the old Marketplace Samovodska Tcharshia, the Forty Martyrs church and other exciting landmarks. Lunch and departure to Arbanassi, where we will visit the unique Holy Nativity Church. Departure to Sofia and evening arrival at the capital. Dinner and overnight at Sofia Dedeman Princess Hotel 4****.
Day 7 Departure from Sofia
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.
= SEE DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES, SEASON 2009 =
