Duration
9 days / 8 nights

Model Program
Day 01 SOFIA
Arrival in Sofia - the capital of Bulgaria. Accommodation and overnight in Sofia.

Day 02 SOFIA - RILA MONASTERY - SOFIA
Departure to the Rila Monastery/10th c/, UNESCO World Heritage site, the largest and the most impressive Bulgarian monastery. Tour of the monastery complex, church and museum with its lavish collection of precious old manuscripts, icons, jewelery, masterpieces of woodcarving, ethnographic exhibition of fabrics and carpets. Back to Sofia. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 03 SOFIA – PLOVDIV
Sightseeing tour of Sofia – a city with 7000 years long history, concentrating numerous cultural and historic monuments from different periods. Visits of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the St. George Rotunda from the 4th century, the St.Sofia Basilica, the Ruins of the ancient city Serdica. Continue to Plovdiv – the second largest Bulgarian city. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 04 PLOVDIV AND BACHKOVO MONASTERY
Plovdiv is one of the most ancient cities in Europe and in the world. Sightseeing of the Old town of Plovdiv with National Revival architecture and excavations from Roman times. Visit of the ancient Roman theatre with impressive marble statues, decorative columns and arcades. Excursion to the Bachkovo Monastery /11 c./ - one of the richest galleries of traditional Bulgarian religious art with exquisite murals and medieval icons. Back to Plovdiv. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 05 PLOVDIV - KAZANLAK – TRYAVNA - VELIKO TARNOVO
Departure for Kazanlak, the capital of the famous Valley of Roses. Visit the Kazanlak Historical Museum to see the Thracian golden treasures. Continue with one of the UNESCO’s sites – the Thracian Tomb dating back from the 4 c. BC. Visit the replica of the Thracian Tomb. Departure to the town of Tryavna. Walking tour of Tryavna, where vaulted stone bridges, houses, churches and the square with a clock tower preserve the spirit and talent of the artists from Tryavna School of Art from the 17 century. Visit the Woodcarving Museum of Tryavna. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 06 VELIKO TARNOVO - ARBANASSI
Sightseeing of Veliko Tarnovo, including a walk on Samovodska Charshiya – traditional arts and crafts street, and visit to Tsarevets hill - an impressive sight with medieval fortifications and dramatic architecture. Departure to the museum town of Arbanassi boasting a genuine gallery of religious art in its Church of Nativity. Visit Konstantsalieva house – a fine example of 17 century house of a wealthy merchant. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 07 VELIKO TARNOVO - MADARA - SVESHTARI - RUSSE
Departure to Madara. Visit the Madara Rider – included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage. It is an unique relief carved into a 100m high cliff and represents a figure of a knight over a lion. Tour continues to Sveshtari to visit the Sveshtari Thracian Tomb, an UNESCO monument as well. The unique architectural décor of the tomb includes 10 female figures carved in the walls and painted murals, a remarkable example of the culture of the Thracian people. Arrival in Russe and walking tour in the city center. Overnight in Russe.

Day 08 RUSSE - IVANOVO - SOFIA
Departure to Ivanovo. The Ivanovo medieval rock churches are unique monuments, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. They consist of churches, chapels and monastic cells, hewn into the craggy gorge of the Russenski Lom River. Visit of the main church. Back to Russe. Time at leisure. In the afternoon departure to Sofia. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 09 SOFIA
Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
End of our services.

Price per person:
- Sharing a double room : 990 Euro
- Single room supplement: 180 Euro

The above price includes:
• Accommodation 8 nights as per the above program at 3-star hotels;
• Full board meals /breakfast, lunch, dinner/ throughout the program, dinner on the day of arrival is subject to flight schedule;
• Private car (for 2-3 pax) or air-conditioned van, minibus or coach for all the above itinerary and program;
• English speaking or bilingual guide throughout (for parties of 2-3 pax the guide will also drive);
• All entrance fees to museums, monasteries and sites included in the program;
• All Bulgarian taxes.

The above price does not include:
• Hotel extras /telephone, mini bar, etc./;
• Drinks;
• Photographing or filming fees at the visited sites;
• Tips;
• Air tickets;
• Porterage;
• Travel insurance;
• Personal Expenses;
• Visa procurement /if needed/

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES for minimum 2 participants at the following dates:

Classical Bulgaria 2019

04 May 2019
08 June 2019
13 July 2019
03 August 2019
24 August 2019
07 September 2019

Possibility of daily departures. Please ask for rate.
Group prices available upon request.