10 DAYS TREASURES OF BULGARIA

Arriving into Sofia, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy an afternoon Sofia orientation tour, visiting the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (one of the world’s largest Eastern Orthodox Cathedrals), St. George Rotunda (built in early Christian style), the National Theatre, the Presidency, the Parliament Square and the Bulgarian Archaeological Museum (one of the best displays of Thracian treasures).

Today’s excursion takes 3 hours per way, but will reward us with the impressive Belogradchik Fortress. Enjoy a walk along the surreal sandstone formations of the imposing Belogradchik Rocks.

Start the morning admiring the medieval frescoes of Boyana Church (UNESCO) and learn about the country’s communist heritage at National History Museum.

Set off to Rila Monastery (UNESCO) at the foot of Rila Mountains before continuing to Melnik, the town of Bulgarian winemakers. Stroll up to a panoramic viewpoint for sunset with a glass of wine overlooking the Melnik Earth Pyramids.

As the new day beckons, head to the family-owned Villa Melnik Winery to tour the cellars and vineyards, sampling 4 different wine types. Our journey continues through the Rhodope Mountains, visiting the quaint villages of Kovachevitsa, Leshten and Dolen with its 19th century stone-and-timber houses. Enjoy authentic lunch at a local’s house to experience warm Bulgarian hospitality and regional specialties famed for the Slow Food technique.

Set off to the traditional houses of Shiroka Laka for a private folklore performance with unique bagpipe melodies typical of this area.

Get your comfortable hiking shoes ready as we will hike into Chudnite Mostove for the natural bridges carved through erosion.

Next, head to the picturesque Bachkovo Monastery. After visiting the 12th century Church of the Archangels with its 19th century paintings, we will also visit the old monastery refectory and ossuary, unique masterpieces not usually included in standard tour itineraries.

Our last item of the day will be Asen’s Fortress, built in the Thracians period and offers gorgeous views of the surrounding scenery. Finally, we transfer to Plovdiv to rest.

We devote the entire day to explore Plovdiv, inscribed as the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Visit the Roman Theatre and Regional Ethnographic Museum before a walk through the Old Town with its well-preserved traditional residences. Admire the Klianti House, the Basilica and head off to Nebet Hill for a panoramic view.

Our journey continues through Kazanlak to admire the full-sized replica of the UNESCO-listed Thracian Tombs of Kazanlak (there is strict ban from entering the original tombs). Thereafter, visit a rose production distillery to learn about the region’s essential oils industry.

Continue through the scenic Shipka Pass with an exterior photo stop at Buzludha Monument, an abandoned curio from the communist regime in a beguiling UFO shape.

Arriving into Veliko Tarnovo, enjoy an afternoon walk along the ruins of Tsarevert Fortress.

Today, we drive out to the UNESCO-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Isanovo at Rusenski Lom Nature Park where we will learn about the well-adorned medieval murals.

On your return journey, we will visit Transfiguration Monastery with its beautiful paintings and stroll the Samovodska Charshiya street where people still practice their traditional crafts.

Today, we drive to the ancient seaside town-museum of Nessebar (UNESCO). Visit the Archaeological Museum, St. Stephen’s Church and stroll through its cobblestone alleys of brightly painted timber houses. Thereafter, we drive to St. Constantine & Helena to rest.

Depending on your flight time, if time permits enjoy a morning tour of Varna, visiting the Assumption of the Mother of God Cathedral, Museum of Archaeology and Roman Thermal Bath.