During the 8-day itinerary you will visit the most famous Bulgarian Christian ortodox monasteries: Sokolski . You will enjoy unforgettable time in the most beautiful Bulgarian tourist centres and cities - the capital city of Sofia, The Old Town of Plovdiv and the romantic museum villages and Etura open air etnographical complex
Duration
8 days
Itinerary
BULGARIAN MONASTERIES
7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS ITINERARY)
Day 1 SOFIA
Arrival in Sofia from………... by………….. at…………. Guide meets the group at Sofia airport, transfer to the hotel. Half day sightseeing tour of Sofia with visits of The Crypt of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National museum of history and Boyana Church, dated 1259, known for its 13th century murals, famous for their exceptional realism. The church is one of the seven Bulgarian sites under UNESCO protection. Overnight.
Day 2 SOFIA – KOPRIVSHTITSA - TROYAN
After breakfast departure for the museum town of Koprivshtitza – one of the unique Bulgarian towns, presenting the original architectural heritage from the Bulgarian Revival period. Drive to the beautiful little town of Troyan crossing the Balkan Mountains by the magnificent Troyan pass. En route - visit The Troyan monastery – the third largest in Bulgaria, famous with its icons, iconostasis and murals – samples of the outstanding Bulgarian renaissance art schools. Accommodation and overnight in the town of Troyan.
Day 3 TROYAN – VELIKO TURNOVO
Breakfast. Drive for Veliko Tarnovo - the ex-capital city of The Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 – 1396). Sightseeing tour of the most outstanding landmarks of the town: the medieval fortress of Tsarevets - the ramparts, the Baldwin Tower, the royal Palace and Patriarchate.
Veliko Turnovo is one of the best preserved towns from the National revival period. The houses here seem to grow out of the steep slopes of the river making an incredible panorama. Some of the finest architectural examples from this period can be found during the romantic stroll in the old town.
Accommodation and overnight.
Day 4 VELIKO TURNOVO - ARBANASSI
Breakfast. Visit to Preobrajenski and Kilifarevski Monasteries. Visit the museum village of Arbanassi – the royal residence during The Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Sightseeing tour with visit of the oldest and richly decorated Nativity Church (1637-1649) and The Konstantsaliev House presenting 19th century Arbanassi lifestyle. Back to Veliko Turnovo. Sound & light show. Overnight.
Day 5 TRYAVNA- ETURA - KAZANLAK
Breakfast. Drive to Etura – an open air ethnographic museum presenting the typical Bulgarian handicrafts during the Revival period. On the way visit the picturesque Drianovski and Sokolski monasteries and the town of Tryavna famous with its architecture and fascinating talent of the Tryavna masters – painters and woodcarvers. Visit of The Wood-carving museum. The road proceeds though the Balkan Mountains (by Shipka pass) to the town of Kazanlak where The Rose Festival takes place every year during the first weekend of June. Visit to the famous Kazanlak Thracian tomb (included in the UNESCO world heritage list). Overnight in Kazanlak.
Day 6 KAZANLAK - PLOVDIV
Breakfast. Drive to the second largest city in Bulgaria – the city of Plovdiv. Arrival in Plovdiv - one of the most romantic places in Europe. Guided tour of the Old town – a reserve of Bulgarian National Revival architecture (19-th century) with visit to The Ethnographical museum and Roman amphitheatre. Overnight.
Day 7 PLOVDIV – BACHKOVO MONASTERY
Breakfast. Half day tour to Bachkovo monastery – the second largest in Bulgaria – a masterpiece of architecture, murals and icons. It is located
in a green cool river valley in Rhodopi mountains. Back to Plovdiv.
In the afternoon – free at leisure.
Day 8 PLOVDIV – RILA MONASTERY - SOFIA
Breakfast. Departure for Rila Monastery (UNESCO listed monument), picturesque located in the heart of Rila Mountains. It is the most famous monument of Bulgarian culture from the National Revival period, the most visited tourist place in our country. Visit of the monastery complex and the museum.
Transfer to Sofia AP.