Enchantments
= SEE DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES, SEASON 2009 =
11 days / 10 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), Sveta 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 – Troyan Monastery – Etara – Tryavna – Veliko Tarnovo
Breakfast and departure to Veliko Tarnovo - the medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. On the way, visit of the Troyan Monastery (the most important monastery in the region, where you can see one of the Miraculous Icons of the Virgin). Then we shall continue to Etara – an unique open air museum of authentic traditional crafts, 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 at a local tavern. Next stop will be the town of Tryavna, famous for its wood-carving school. Evening arrival in Veliko Tarnovo, dinner and overnight at Grand Hotel Yantra, 4****.
Day 4. Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi
Breakfast. A walking tour of Veliko Tarnovo, visit of the 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. Return to Veliko Tarnovo, free time for leisure or shopping. Dinner and overnight at Veliko Tarnovo’s Grand Hotel Yantra, 4****.
Day 5. Veliko Tarnovo – Shumen – Madara – Varna
After breakfast – departure to Varna, the maritime capital of Bulgaria. On our way we shall visit the city of Shumen (The Mosque of Tomboul – the biggest one in the peninsula and The 1300 years Bulgaria Monument ). Lunch, then we continue to Madara (UNESCO site) – the first European rock relief. Evening arrival at Varna, accommodation at Aqua Varna Hotel 3***. Dinner and overnight in Varna.
Day 6. Varna – Nessebar - Burgas
Breakfast and a walk around Varna to visit the Cathedral, the Roman Terms, the Archeological Museum (probably, the best in the country). Departure to the town of Nessebar, the most beautiful and picturesque Bulgarian seatown, with its historic Old part situated on a small island. A walking tour of the Old Town of Nessebar, visiting the Medieval Churches. Lunch and out trip continues to Burgas. Accommodation at Aqua Burgas Hotel, 3***. Dinner and overnight in Burgas
Day 7. Burgas – Perperikon – Tatul - Plovdiv
After beakfast, departure to the Rodope Mountains, the most magical and charming place of Bulgaria, where we will visit two of the ancient Thracian temples – Perperikon, well-known as The Oracle of Dionysus) and Tatul (The Orfeus tomb). Lunch on the way and continue to Plovdiv. Evening arrival, dinner and overnight at Dedeman Trimontium Hotel 4****.
Day 8. 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 Trimontium. A visit to 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 9. Plovdiv – Pamporovo – Dospat Lake - Bansko
In the morning, after breakfast, departure to the South of Bulgaria, also known as the Bulgarian Macedonia. Pass through the Rodope Mountains with unforgettable lanscapes. On our way we’ll top at Pamporovo, a famous Bulgarian ski station, and we’ll have lunch. Evening arrival at Bansko, dinner and overnight at White Fir Valley Hotel 4****.
Day 10. Bansko – Rila Monastery – Sofia
Breakfast and a walking tour around the Old Town of Bansko. Then we’ll continue to the Rila Monastery – the diamond of the whole trip and the country's largest ecclesiatic 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 our trip continues to Sofia. Evening arrival at the capital, accommodation at Sofia Dedeman Princess Hotel 4****. Farewell dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Day 11. Departure from Sofia
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.
= SEE DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES, SEASON 2009 =
