Bulgaria is an amazing, quirky, and enchanting country. The warmth and friendliness of the Bulgarian people will delight you. Their tenacity will inspire you. Their history will intrigue you. Our guide will be the incomparable Bobby from Sofia. Bobby's positive spirit and passion for his native country makes him the best travel companion and guide.
This tour has a little something for everyone. You will be pampered at two hotel spas. You will time to relax on the beautiful Black Sea coast, long a favorite of European royalty and then Communist leaders. You will also have plenty of time for hiking, walking, and sightseeing – we will visit museums, galleries, wineries, monasteries and churches (not too many, just enough). You will explore Roman ruins and climb castle stairs.
And you will get to see first hand how the former Communist dictator lived and how the Bulgarian people lived under Communism. More importantly, you will see how the people live now and how they are handling democracy. Plus, shopper’s will find time to splurge on Bulgarian rose oil, fine lace, silver and gold jewelry, and browse the local art.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1&2: In the Capital, Sofia. We will start out in Sofia, where we will stay at the luxurious Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan for 2 nights. Situated downtown, the Sheraton is a prestigious former government-owned hotel, which was used only for VIP dignitaries during the Communist era (1946 to 1989).
Sofia is a lively city with bars, sidewalk cafes and interesting restaurants. Colorful stalls line the streets and parks, where vendors sell everything from fruit to local crafts. This city’s heart beats long into the night, and whether you’re looking for a classical concert, opera, or a dancing till dawn you will find in it Sofia.
Excursions in Sofia will include: The National History Museum – the oldest collection of hand-crafted golden treasure found on the planet plus astounding ancient artifacts. This intriguing museum will give you an overview of Bulgaria to kick off the tour. We will also visit the Alexander Nevsiky Cathedral, the largest church in the Balkans, and the Boyana church with frescos dating from 1259, and the charming Boyana - Church, a UNESCO site.
Day 3&4: In Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi. Leaving Sofia we will drive through northern Bulgaria to the Troyan Monastery on our way to the old Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo and the village of Arbanassi. Here we will stay at the Arbanassi Palace Hotel, once a residence of the former Communist dictator, Todor Zhivkov, and his daughter. This five-star hotel has sweeping views of the village below and features a tennis court, two helicopter and small aircraft landing sites, plus sports facilities.
Arbanassi is a picturesque village with traditional houses from the 17th and 18th century and several well-preserved churches, plus many historical ruins. House seem to hang off the hillside in Veliko Tarnovo and the Yantra River meanders through the center of town. Excursions include: a walk along the old streets with a visit to the local bazaar, a visit to the Royal Hill Tsarevets. and the former secret police headquarters.
Day 5: On the Black Sea Coast. The first inhabitants of Bulgaria were the mysterious Thracians, a civilization that dates back over 3,000 years. They believed that the spirit is a prisoner of the flesh so they celebrated funerals and mourned births. They left behind thousands of intricate, treasure-filled tombs – many are still being discovered today. Much of what we know about them comes from the tombs; they left no written history.
As we make our way to the coast, the essence of these first Buglarian inhabitants can be felt across the plains. We will stop at The Sveshtari Tomb which is located in a an archaeological reserve, near the town of Razgrad: 2,300 years ago master stonemasons built this tomb for a popular Thracian king, now a UNESCO site.
The Black Sea is like the French Riviera without the crowds and high prices. We will stay at Riviera Hotel near Varna. Visitors to this area rave about the fabulous seafood, the soft sand, and the sultry sea air. Here you can have a relaxing beach day, attend the local carnival, or tour the city of Varna with Bobby.
Bobby says Varna has been an important port and trading centre since ancient times. Today, apart from being a beach resort, Varna rivals the great Bulgarian cities of Sofia and Plovdiv in its offering of cultural attractions, historical buildings, museums and art galleries. Many visitor’s find Varna’s colorful city center a delightful place to sit and people watch.
Day 6: In Balchik. Garden lovers take note: We will visit the Botanical garden at Queen Marie’s summer palace in Balchik, a picturesque coastal town about two hours from the Romanian border. A granddaughter of the Romanian Queen Victoria, Queen Marie had this lovely summer palace with its sweeping sea views, built in the early 1900s.
The botanical gardens are home to more than six hundred varieties of trees, shrubs and cacti. A water powered mill, rose garden, Roman bath and small chapel enhance the romantic atmosphere of the site. At lunch we will enjoy local seafood at one of the fun beach restaurants. On the way back you will have the opportunity to buy fine Bulgarian lace from the friendly street vendors.
Day 7: In Nessebar and Kmetovci. We drive along the coast to the ancient city of Nessebar. Situated on a rocky peninsula on the Black Sea, Nessebar was originally a Thracian settlement (Messambria) and dates back over 3,000 years. At the beginning of the 6th century B.C., the city became a Greek colony. The city's remains, which date mostly from the Hellenistic period, include the acropolis, a temple of Apollo, an agora, and a wall from the original Thracian fortifications.
During the Middle Ages the town was a Bishop’s centre and was known as “the town of forty churches”. Some of them are still standing. Nessebar, now an UNESCO World Heritage site, is a great place to shop for souvenirs and art, and although it can be a bit touristy, is worth seeing. We will stay that evening in the Fenerite Hotel located in the village of Kmetovci out in the Bulgarian countryside. We will have dinner with some interesting locals, including a local herbalist.
Day 8&9&10: In the Spa in Hissar. Next we are off to Hissar, one of the great “watering holes” of antiquity. The Romans founded the spas – building marble baths, aqueducts, temples and a great stone fortification to protect this town that they called Augusta. It is said that Roman soldiers used to sit in the hot mineral water to heal their battle wounds. In the Communist times the area was developed as a health resort for government workers. They could stay at these spas for pennies.
Hissar may not be as beautiful at is once was, but its still an interesting place to get serious spa treatments and visit the nearby sights. We will stay at the Augusta Spa Hotel which has mineral water piped into the rooms. You will get two spa treatments per day (included in the cost). Note: The Bulgarian spas are more utilitarian than spas in the US. The facilities are very basic but the treatments are of high quality.
Excursions on the way to Hissar include: Shipka Pass and the Shipka Memorial Church; the town of Kazanlak famous for the Rose Festival and an important Thracian burial tomb.
Day 11&12: In Sandanski and Melnik. On the way to Sandanski, we will visit the town of Plovdiv with its beautiful Roman theatre, and make a quick trip to the Bachkovo monastery. Later in the afternoon, after crossing the Rhodope mountains and the beautiful pass between Rila and Pirin mountains, we will arrive in Sandanski for three days of spa pampering and sightseeing.
Sandanski is not far from the Greek border and the air has that sensuous Mediterranean feel to it. The exclusive St. Vrach Hotel is located about 4 km away from the town of Sandanski, on the top of a little hill. The hotel is a former presidential country residence, transformed into a modern hotel and balneological centre (curative spa treatments). The hotel is surrounded by 178 acres of lush greenery; with a small lake, water cascades, tennis courts and botanical gardens with many rare plants.
Plan to relax at St Vrach, with two spa treatments per day, included in the cost, plus invigorating walks in beautiful Sandanski park. The healing effects of the spas of Sandanski have also been appreciated since Roman times. Sandanski is also said to be the likely birthplace of Spartacus, who led the great slave revolt against the Roman Empire in 1stc entury BC.
We will also take excursions into Melnik and visit the mud baths near the town of Petrich, where, if you are so inclined, you can plop down in the mud with the locals – some the natural hot springs and mud baths are out in an open field.
Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria, is perched on the slopes of Pirin Mountain and is surrounded with steep sandy rocks, modeled in strange forms. From the 11th – 14th century it was an important Bulgarian fortress. Melnik is now known as the wine capital of Bulgaria for its robust red wines, produced from the unique local variety of Melnik grapes. And wait until you taste the figs! You many not want to leave the Sandanski area. It is restorative to the body and soul.
Day 13: Drive back to Sofia for the departure flight. On the way we will visit the famous Rila Monastery. You will depart for home feeling healthy, relaxed, pampered, educated, enlightened...and blessed. You will have seen the best of Bulgaria.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The price includes:
- 12 nights lodging
- Sheraton Hotel Sofia (2 nights), “Arbanassi Palace”, Veliko Tarnovo (2 nights), “Riviera”, Varna (2 nights), “Fenerite”, Kmetovtsi (1 night), “Augusta”, Hissar (2 nights), “St. Vrach”, Sandanski (3 nights)
- Breakfast and dinners each day (excluding alcoholic beverages)
- Spa treatments (2 per day) in Hissar and Sandanski
- Transportation and transfers as per programme
- All entrance fees and taxes as per programme
The price does not include:
- Air fare to and from Bulgaria
- Photo & video taxes and permission (may be required at certain sites)
- Lunches
- Any other meals and drinks not included in the programme
- Personal expense items such as telephone, laundry, mini bar, etc.
- Tips
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