This Classical Tour is the best choice to take a glance at beautiful Bulgaria.

Duration
(13NIGHTS / 14 DAYS PROGRAM)

Itinerary
Day 1 SOFIA
Arrival in Sofia from………... by………….. at…………. Guide meets the group at Sofia airport, transfer to the hotel. Dinner & overnight.

Day 2 SOFIA
Breakfast. Full day sightseeing tour of Sofia with visits of The Crypt/an icon museum/ 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. Dinner & folklore show at a local restaurant near Sofia. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 SOFIA – KOPRIVSHTITSA – KAZANLAK – TRYAVNA
Breakfast. Departure for the town of Koprivshtitza, famous for its 19century architecture and romantic authentic atmosphere. The road proceeds via the Valley of Roses. A stopover in Kazanlak with a visit of The Kazanlak Tomb – the best preserved monument of Thracian art from 4th–3rd century B.C. The Tomb is not large, but it inspires the imagination with the beautiful ornaments and murals. The road crosses the Balkans range (Stara Planina mountains) by the historical Shipka pass. Arrival in the town of Tryavna. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4 TRYAVNA – ETURA – VELIKO TURNOVO
Breakfast. Sightseeing of Etura - an open air ethnographic museum. Departure for the town of Veliko Tarnovo – capital of the second Bulgarian Kingdom (1187 – 1396). On the way visit to Sokolski Monastery, the small town of Tryavna - one of the Bulgarian museum towns from the Notational Revival period. The town is famous for its architecture and fascinating talent of the Tryavna masters – painters and woodcarvers. Visit of The Wood-carving museum. Visit of Bojentzi –another masterpiece of the medieval Bulgarian architecture.
Dinner & overnight in Veliko Turnovo.

Day 5 VELIKO TURNOVO - ARBANASSI
Breakfast. Panoramic tour of Veliko Tarnovo – one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria picturesque situated up on several hills on both sides of Yantra river. The houses are perched one above the other on the steep slopes making an incredible panorama. A stroll in the old part between the small shops and narrow streets with visit of Tzarevetz Hill with the remains of the fortress, the ex-royal palace and churches. Departure for Arbanassi village (4 km from Veliko Turnovo) – the ex residence of Bulgarian tzars (kings).In the present time the village is an architectural museum of Arbanassi houses which resemble minor fortresses – a unique phenomenon of Bulgarian tradition.
Sightseeing tour with visit of the oldest and richly decorated Nativity Church (1637-1649) and The Konstantsaliev House presenting 19-th century Arbanassi lifestyle. Dinner. Back to Veliko Turnovo for and overnight.
Optional – Sound & Light Show on the Tzarevets Hill.

Day 6 VELIKO TURNOVO - ROUSSE
Breakfast. Departure for Rousse – the biggest and most beautiful Bulgaria city on Danube river. En route – a visit of Ivanovo Rock Churches and cells, dug into the rock high above the picturesque canyon of the Roussenski Lom river, with 13th and 14th century murals of great artistic interest. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Rousse. Dinner & overnight.

Day 7 ROUSSE - VARNA
Breakfast. Departure for the town of Shumen. En route visit The Sveshtari Thracian-Hellenistic Tomb (3rd century BC). Visit The Madara Horseman – 7th century AD, an impressive bas-relief, carved out of the sheer rock, unique in Europe. The monument presents a horseman killing a lion and it s symbolizes the power of Bulgarians rulers. Drive for Varna – the biggest city on Bulgarian Black sea coast, the capital city of Bulgarian Riviera. Dinner & overnight.

Day 8 VARNA - NESSEBAR
Breakfast. A panoramic tour of Varna. Drive along the sea to The Museum Town of Nessebur picturesque situated on small peninsula. The town preserves the ruins of more than 40 medieval churches with murals and carvings, ceramic ornaments. The town is remarkable with its splendid houses – each of them a masterpiece of the Bulgarian architecture. Dinner & overnight in Bourgas or in Sunny Beach resort – according to the season.

Day 9 NESSEBAR - PLOVDIV
Breakfast. Early in the morning departure for the town of Plovdiv – Bulgaria’s second most important city, famous for the International fair which is held every May and September. Plovdiv is an extraordinary combination of monuments from different époques - from Philip II Macedonian until the present days.
Guided tour of the old part of the town – a reserve of Bulgarian National Revival period (19-th century) visit of the ethnographical museum and the Roman amphitheatre. Dinner & overnight.

Day 10 BACHKOVO MONASTERY
Breakfast. A half day tours to Bachkovo monastery the third largest and one of the most magnificent in Bulgaria. It was built in the 11 century among an old forest in the gorge of Assenitza River in Rhodopi Mountains. It is known for its original collection of old icons, jewelry, coins and church plate.
Back to Plovdiv. Time at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11 PLOVDIV - SANDANSKI
Breakfast. The road proceeds to the town of Sandanski – famous with its spa centre. En route visit Bansko - a cozy medieval town at the foot of Pirin Mountains. The tourists will enjoy the impressive sceneries of Rhodopi, Rila and Pirin mountains. The town of Sandanski is the birth place of Spartacus as the legend goes. Its climate and thermal mineral water are one of the best in Europe for treatment of bronchial asthma. The town is a high class spa centre with excellent conditions for treatment and relax. Dinner and overnight .

Day 12 SANDANSKI – MELNIK -SANDANSKI
Breakfast. Time at leisure to enjoy the spa facilities of the hotel. In the afternoon departure for the picturesque Rozhen Monastery, magnificent for its woodcarvings. Departure for Melnik – the smallest town in Bulgaria located amidst a natural fortress of majestic sandstone pyramid formations, famous for its delicious Melnik red wines. Sightseeing and dinner (home made meal and wine tasting). Back to Sandanski for overnight.

Day 13 SANDANSKI – RILA MONASTERY - SOFIA
Breakfast. Departure for The Rila Monastery picturesque located in the heart of Rila Mountains. It is the most famous monument of Bulgarian culture, spiritual centre of Bulgarians for more than 10 centuries. The icons, iconostasis and murals are samples of the outstanding Bulgarian renaissance art schools from the National Revival period. The interior is a beautiful interlace of colonnades arches, wooden staircases and verandas. The museum keeps a rich collection of books, manuscripts and icons.
Transfer to Sofia. Farewell dinner. Overnight.

Day 14 Breakfast. Transfer to Sofia airport for the departure flight home.