The Bulgarian lands have rich and most diverse cultural heritage and it’s called also a country of roses and monasteries. Inhabited since prehistoric times, they keep lasting traces from different ages with rich traditions. Their location on a crossroads explains the intertwining, mixing, the mutual influences of the culture and religions of tribes and peoples, having lived and crisscrossed the region. Invaluable is the cultural and historical heritage of ancient Thracians, Greeks, Romans and generations of Bulgarians leaving their achievements and useful information about their lifestyle, traditions and their spiritual enlightenment.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Sofia. After our arrival at the airport in Sofia, we meet our guide and driver and are transferred to hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight Hotel Hill, Sofia (2 nights). Includes: (D).
Day 2: Sofia/Rila Monastery/Sofia. After breakfast we start our sightseeing tour of the city. We visit first the Alexander Nevsky Golden-Domed Cathedral. The crypt of the Church of St.Alexander Nevsky displays paintings and applied arts from the Bulgarian Middle Ages and Revival era. Following stop is the St.Sofia Church, one of the oldest churches in Europe that is still open and operational. Not far from here see the 4th Century Church of St. George – the earliest and best preserved building in inner old Serdica.
Next to the church is the Archaeological Museum – the oldest museum in Bulgaria. If time permitting we’ll see its very rich collection, displaying pieces like the head of Apolon from bronze, the Thracian gold treasure of Valchitran, a Thracian funeral mask in gold and many other unique pieces.
Afternoon we leave Sofia and drive to Rila Monastery, the biggest monastery complex in Bulgaria – tucked away in the Rila Mountain. It was founded in the 10th Century by St. Ivan Rilski and nowadays is one of the sites under the Aegis of UNESCO. Rila Monastery was one of the greatest centers of scholarship and religion in Bulgaria during the National Revival Period and it played a key role in preserving Bulgarian culture and language during the Centuries. We’ll visit the Monastery’s church with its amazing frescos painted by the most famous & finest Bulgarian artists from the 19th C. and the Monastery Museum before returning to Sofia. Later in the evening will have dinner at a nice local restaurant, featuring traditional food and folklor. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 3: Sofia/Veliko Tarnovo (drive). We start our day in Sofia by visiting some valuable museums and churches situated in the beautiful quarter Boyana. Boyana in Sofia is where the medieval Church Boyana strikes with the exceptional refinement and mysticism of its frescos dating from 1259. Evangelical scenes, single figures of saints and others, a total number of 240 figures are to be seen. This church is one of the masterpieces of the Bulgarian & the World’s Heritage. The Church consists of three parts from three different periods. Because its importance and uniqueness has been listed as the UNESCO’s World and Cultural Heritage.
Also here visit the National Historical Museum that includes subjects from different cultures, lived on the territory of the country. Later in the afternoon we drive to Veliko Tarnovo – the medieval Bulgarian capital city, for a short sightseeing and accommodation. Overnight Guesthouse in Arbanassi (1 night). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 4: Veliko Tarnovo/Ivanovo/Russe (drive). After breakfast, we continue with our City tour of Veliko Tarnovo – one of the most ancient cities in Bulgaria, with a history of more than five Millennia. See the ancient part of Veliko Tarnovo, the King’s Palace, from the time when it was the Capital of the country during the time of the second Bulgarian Kingdom (1187-1393).
From here we depart for the next UNESCO’s World heritage object – The Ivanovo Rock Monasteries. Some twenty medieval churches, temples and cells situated in these caves were excavated in the upright slopes of the canyon of the Roussenski Lom River. The Complex it was inhabited from the 10th to 14th Centuries by monks, most of which were grammarians and bookmen. Several unique frescoes could be seen here. We later arrive in Russe for Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Overnight Hotel Anna Palace, Russe (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5: Russe/Sveshtari/Varna (drive). We’ll start our day with a walking tour of the city of Russe – the Bulgarian Danube Capital. Later from here we depart by car to visit the holly place of Sboryanovo, where the Thracian Hellenic Tomb from the first half of the 3rd Century B.C. is situated. The King’s Tomb of Dromithet with ten caryatides holding the vault arches of the funeral hall, stone sculptures, reliefs and wall paintings will fascinate us. The tomb was discovered in 1982 and become part of the Bulgarian & World Heritage. We alter depart for Varna - the Bulgarian Black Sea Capital City. Overnight Hotel Panorama, Varna (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6: Varna/Nessebar (drive). After a leisurely breakfast we go for a sightseeing tour of Varna – an important port town since ancient times. We’ll also visit the Archaeological Museum, which keeps more than 100 000 objects beginning with the Old Stone Age period. The most valuable piece of the Museum is the «Oldest Gold in the World» found near Varna. Once tour completed, we depart to Nessebar. Overnight Hotel Festa Panorama, Nessebar (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: Nessebar. The ancient town of Nessebar, which has been declared a UNESCO recognized reserve, is located on a small, rocky peninsula. It has preserved a lot of ancient monuments including the Thracian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine period. Old Nessebar, it is best «experienced» by walking through the narrow street lanes, see some of the medieval churches and the Archaeological Museum. Nessebar is famous for it’s seafood and we will join the locals for a dinner at one of their famous seafood restaurants. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Nessebar/Kazanlak/Plovdiv (drive). After breakfast we drive to Kazanlak, famous for its «Valley of Roses» and for the Thracian King’s Tombs. Here we visit first the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site – the Thracian Tomb from the end of the 4th Century B.C. It is famous for its unique mural paintings, especially for the characteristic scene of the funeral treat and the symbols accompanying the deceased Thracian ruler, escorted by three galloping chariots. Later we visit the Ethnographic House of the roses with tasting of Rose liqueur, before leaving for Plovdiv. Overnight Hotel Trimontium, Plovdiv (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9: Plovdiv/Bachkovo Monastery/Plovdiv (drive). Plovdiv it is said that is more ancient than Bulgaria itself. Its indelible marks are still to be seen today: the marble-tiled Forum, the Roman Stadium and the Ancient Theatre. Old Plovdiv it is an original heritage park that lives on, an architectural phenomenon combining the splendor of stately homes with the modesty of cobblestone lanes. Every single house here has its own allure and fascination. Our sightseeing tour of Plovdiv will also include the Ethnographic Museum, the Art Gallery, churches and streets filled with folk arts and crafts.
Later in the afternoon we drive to the village of Brestovits, where we will enjoy a lunch with wine tasting in one of best-known Bulgarian Wine Cellars – «Todoroff». After lunch we’ll visit Bachkovo Monastery. Founded nine centuries ago, Bachkovo Monastery is located 28 km south of Plovdiv in the picturesque Chaya River Valley. Its monumental architecture, artistic and cultural significance are comparable only to that of Rila Monastery. Beside the original architecture, this sacred adobe is also famous its murals of the churches and buildings. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Plovdiv/Sofia/Departure (drive). After breakfast and what was a journey to encounter exciting and rich mixture of cultures over the Centuries in the Balkans, leave this country as we are transferred directly to the airport of Sofia to connect with our flight back home, or – why not – better join us for another unique country - tour «Best of Romania». Includes: (B).
Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS):
* Boyana Church (WHS 1979)
* Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo (WHS 1979)
* Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (WHS 1979)
* Ancient City of Nessebar (WHS 1983)
* Rila Monastery (WHS 1983)
* Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari (WHS 1985)
Tour dates for 2008:
Every Saturday between Mar 15 and Oct 11.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Hotels as per itinerary (or similar category)
- All transfers & tours with private transportation
- Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- Entrance fees to all Sites and Museums
- Services of an English Speaking guide
- Road taxes, parking fees, driver’s overnight wages
Price Excludes:
- Personal expenses such as phone, laundry & bar bills, drinks
- International flight tickets and taxes
- Insurance (or visa fee if applicable)
- Tips or other such costs
- Anything else not mentioned as included
Single Supplement USD/CAD: 380.00
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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