Tour of Bulgaria 8 days / 7 nights
May 27-Sun: SOFIA Radisson SAS Grand Hotel*****
Upon arrival at Sofia airport you will be met and assisted by your tour-guide, then transferred to your hotel. En route you’ll have a brief overview city tour, along with useful hints regarding shopping, money-exchange, optional visits. Hotel check in. Dinner at a local restaurant, overnight (D).
May 28-Mon: SOFIA, the capital city - PLOVDIV Trimontium Princess****
In the morning - walking tour of Sofia, starting with the square around Alexander Nevski Cathedral – the city’s greatest sight. Along with the cathedral’s visit you’ll see: 5th century St Sofia Basilica (which has inspired the city’s coat of arms), the National Parliament and Sofia University buildings, the monument to Tzar Alexander II – Liberator. Half hour break (at country’s largest flea market), before continuing with city tour’s second part - following the famous yellow-brick tourist path from the Parliament House west to the Cynagogue – the largest of its kind (Sephardic) in Europe. En route see the impressive buildings of the ex-Royal Palace, the Military Club, the National Theater, the National Bank, the exquisite gold-domed St Nikolay Church, reach the Presidency where you just plunge into the ruins of Roman Serdica – a large archaeological complex, dominated by St George’s Rotunda (the oldest fully preserved structure from the 4th century).
Early afternoon hotel check out followed by a tour of Greater Sofia on wheels, ending with a visit to the National Museum of History where you'll see some of world's oldest gold & silver treasures. From the prestigious Boyana District at the foot of Vitosha mountain -continue to Plovdiv (1 3/4 hrs on the highway). Late afternoon arrival at your hotel. Dinner, overnight (B,D)
May 29-Tue: PLOVDIV, the artistsic capital of Bulgaria & BACHKOVO MON. Trimontium Princess****
In the morning - 3 hour trip to 11th century Bachkovo Monastery. Marvel the exquisite murals and medieval icons in this sacred place for the Bulgarian history. Return to your hotel for optional lunch and relax.
In the afternoon - walking sightseeing tour of the Old Town (cobbles, steep streets!): see masterpieces of 18-19th centuries Bulgarian city architecture, orthodox churches, muslim mosques , a catholic cathedral (visited by the Pope in May 2002); see the 2nd century Roman Theater and visit the rich Ethnographic Museum. Tour will end at a traditional restaurant for a stylish dinner. Second overnight in Plovdiv (B,D).
May 30-Wed: PLOVDIV – ROSE VALLEY – SHIPKA - ETARA – V.TURNOVO Htl Gurko***+ /htl Alegro***+
9:00 Depart for Veliko Turnovo (3 1/2 hours net drive time)
10:00 Stop in the Valley of Roses for a visit to the oldest (1902) rose oil refinery in the country (maybe in the world!)
11:00 Stop at Shipka Memorial Church. Continue uphill the scenic Shipka mountain pass.
12:00 Short stop on the top – at the foot of Stoletov Peak, decorated with a huge granite monument, commemorating the Liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish domination (1878). Drive downhill – about 40 minutes to Etara Village Museum.
13:00 During the hour-long tour of this open-air museum you'll get familiar with the authentic housing and craft traditions of the past 3 centuries. Another hour on your own in this picturesque place–for optional lunch, souvenir buys.etc…
15:30 Short stop in the city of Gabrovo (sister city of Scotland’s Aberdeen – famous for its yearly festival of humour.
17:00 Arrive at your hotel in Veliko Turnovo. Dinner, overnight. (B,D)
May 31-Thu: VELIKO TURNOVO & ARBANASSI VILLAGE Htl Gurko***+/ Alegro***+
9:00-12:00 An extensive sightseeing tour of Bulgaria’s medieval capital will show you the remains of its past glory – fortress walls, palaces, and churches perched on the steep cliffs of the meandering Yantra river gorge, then spend an hour at the charming Samovodene Street, lined-up with authentically preserved craft- and art-shops. Free time in the early afternoon
16:30 Drive (10 minutes) uphill to Arbanassi village – known as the summer residence of the Bulgarian royalty in the Middle Ages - for one-hour walking tour letting you get dipped into the traditional atmosphere of this very special place. Its highlight is the visit to the Church of Nativity – hiding layers of unique 16-17th century frescoes. Dinner at a local restaurant with character. Evening return to V.Turnovo – for your second overnight in the royal city. (B,D)
* An option for either of the 2 evenings in V.Tarnovo: the great Sound & Light Show featuring the Tsarevets Royal Hill (20 min,$14.00)
June 1-Fri: V. TURNOVO – TROYAN MONASTERY - KOPRIVSHTITSA Htl Bashtina Kashta***
9:00 After breakfast - leave V.Turnovo .
10:30 Visit 15th century Troyan Monastery, the third largest in the country. See its exquisite walnut iconostasis and the unique icon of the three-handed Virgin.
11:00 Time for shopping in the Crafts Center of nearby Oreshaka Village Continue to Koprivshtitsa.
12:30 Stop on the top of Beklemeto mountain pass – to take in fabulous vistas to the North (the Danubian Plain) and to the South (The Thracian Plain).
13:30 Arrive in Koprivshtitsa – museum town displaying the best preserved authentic architecture of the National Revival period (18-19th cent.). Check in at your hotel
14:30 Your walking tour (1 1/2 hours - cobbles and steep streets again!) of the town includes visits to 1 of the best museum houses as well as the town’s main church of Virgin Mary (1817).
After the sightseeing - use your chance for a healthy relax before the pretty busy day in the Valley of Roses. Bulgarian specialties dinner will be served at local tavern. (B,D)
Jun 2 - Sat: FULL DAY AT THE ROSE FESTIVAL Radisson SAS Grand Hotel*****
8:00 After early breakfast - 1 hour drive east to the Valley of Roses
The Festival’s program starts in the rose fields near the town of Karlovo:
- 9:00. mix up with the local girls in traditional costumes picking the rose petals. Folk tunes, horse carts, ritual dancing
- 9:45 Attend the Queen of Roses beauty contest
- 10:30 Join the spectacular Rose parade on Karlovo's central square..
- 13:00 Withdraw to a picnic place for a sumptuous BBQ lunch with a lot of wine. More music, dances and rose flavours
15:30 Leave for Sofia (2 hours drive)
17:30 Arrive at Radisson SAS - for your last overnight on this unforgettable tour. (B,L)
June 3-Sun: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Sofia airport or railway station (B)
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TOUR FEATURES:
* 7 overnights at hotels as specified (or similar ones)
* Meals on half board basis: breakfast and one other meal (as specified B/D or B/L) daily, including 1 BBQ picnic lunch (Jun3) with live folk entertainment and wine.
* Air conditioned car/ van/ mini bus throughout itinerary
* Professional English-speaking guide throughout itinerary
* Sightseeing tours including all museum admissions – as specified in the itinerary
* Rose Festival participation fee
* All taxes and service charges (porterage at hotels not included)
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TOUR RATES (USD ) – per person in Twin/Dbl: Pre tour (May 27) and Post tour(June 4) nights at Radisson
$1,187.00 In TWIN or DBL: $108.00 per person
In SINGLE room: $153.00 per person
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* SGL Supplement: $255.00
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Note: Those arriving a day earlier or leaving a day later can book a day trip to Rila Monastery from Sofia - rates as per our 2007 Tariff.
