Across Bulgaria’s beautiful landscapes, monasteries, monuments, and museums mark thousands of years of historic heritage. From the Rila Mountains to river valleys and Black Sea shores, this beguiling tour visits stately cities, intriguing towns, and tiny villages
Sofia - 1 night
Bansko - 1 night
Plovdiv - 2 nights
Burgas - 2 nights
Veliko Tarnovo - 1 night
Sofia - 1 night
An enthralling journey through Bulgaria’s history and haunting landscapes, the tour is bookended by its capital, Sofia, where parks, boulevards, and romantic river bridges complement onion-domed churches and the Ottoman mosque. From here, a circling of the country visits the secluded mountain monastery of Rila; Byzantine Bansko, amid the lakes and pine woods of Pirin National Park; and a medieval church in the village of Dobarsko; and includes a scenic, ‘slow-mo’ journey on the old-world carriages of the Rhodope Railway. One of the oldest cities on earth, Plovdiv has its roots in Neolithic times, its focus on Roman ruins, and its spirit firmly in the present; while nearby Bachkovo Monastery is big and beautiful, architecturally and artistically; and Stara Zagora, in ancient Thrace, exhibits 9,000 years of history in its streets and museums. On the Black Sea shore, Burgas is a smart city and busy fishing port, in contrast to UNESCO listed Nessebar, its cobbled streets cloaking the coastal peninsula. Turning inland, we tour the Rose Valley, visit Thracian tombs, and travel the Shipka mountain pass to the ‘living museum’ of Etara; the country’s 13th century capital, Veliko Tarnovo; and the picturesque, plateau hamlet of Arbanassi.
Cultural & Countryside Tour
Jules Verne Sightseeing
5 UNESCO Heritage Sites
Local Expert Guide
Enjoy a short private performance at the Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Arbanassi. Singers in cassocks perform church psalms in old Slavonic language. The church is the largest in Arbanassi, built in the 17th century, modest from the outside but impressive with it’s splendid internal wall-paintings.
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Sofia and transfer to the 4-star Crystal Palace Hotel for overnight. An afternoon tour of Sofia includes the red-brick St. George’s Rotunda; the multi-domed confection of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; St. Sophia Church and the Roman ruins of the 4th-6th century in the heart of the city.
Day 2 A morning visit to the National History Museum; and the UNESCO listed Boyana Church. Travel south to Rila Monastery, built over the tomb of a 10th-century hermit. Continue to Bansko for overnight at the 5-star Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena. (B)
Day 3 Visit the ancient village of Dobarsko. Continue to neighbouring Gorno Draglishte for lunch at a local family home; and enjoy a trip on the narrow-gauge Rhodope Railway. Continue to Plovdiv for two nights at the 4-star Landmark Hotel. (B, L)
Day 4 Bulgaria’s second-largest city, Plovdiv is known for its six hills, captivating Old Quarter, medieval towers, and Ottoman mosques. A morning walking tour includes a visit to the Roman Theatre; and to the Ethnographic Museum. This afternoon, visit the Bachkovo Monastery, founded a thousand years ago. (B, D)
Day 5 Travel to Stara Zagora to view ancient relics displayed in the very contemporary Regional History Museum, which features on its lowest floor; the Neolithic Dwellings Museum, with the remains of a two-storey house from the 7th-millennium BC; and the fine mosaics of the Roman Villa. Continue to the coast at Burgas for two nights at the 5-star Grand Hotel Primoretz. (B)
Day 6 Travel to Nessebar, spread across a scenic Black Sea promontory, where historic ruins include Byzantine fortifications, the 5th-century church of St. Sofia, and 11th-century church of St. Stephen, visit the archaeological museum and enjoy a walking tour of the old town. (B)
Day 7 Drive through the Rose Valley, famed for the Damask rose. Visit a rose-oil distillery enroute to Kazanlak to view the UNESCO listed, Thracian Tombs. Journey over the Shipka mountain pass to Etara. An open-air museum of centuries of the country’s customs, culture and lifestyle crafts. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo for overnight at the 4-star Yantra Hotel or Bolyarski Hotel. (B)
Day 8 Veliko Tarnovo is crowned by the medieval citadel/fortress atop Tsaravets Hill, which we visit on a walking tour. A very short drive takes you to Arbanassi. We visit the Church of the Nativity adorned with 3,600 frescoes. Return to Sofia for overnight at the 4-star Crystal Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 9 Transfer to Sofia airport for the return flight to London Heathrow. (B)
Notes
This is a busy itinerary with many visits on foot including some uneven surfaces and inclines.
A contemporary and stylish 4-star boutique hotel offering fine views to Mount Vitosha, ten minutes' walk from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Restaurant, bar, gym, sauna and WiFi (free). 63 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
Luxurious 5-star hotel situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, close to the gondola station. Restaurants, bar, gym, pools, sauna, spa and WiFi (free). 157 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
A stylish 4-star hotel in the park of the Rowing Channel in Plovdiv. Restaurant, bar, gym, pool, sauna and WiFi (free). 52 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
A contemporary, charming 5-star hotel, two minutes' walk from the beach. Restaurants, bar, gym, pools, spa, sauna and WiFi (free). 109 air-conditoned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
A modern 4-star hotel in the heart of the old town of Veliko Tarnovo, with panoramic views of Tsaravets Hill. Restaurant, bar, café, gym, pool, sauna, spa and WiFi (free). 71 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar and satellite TV.
A central 4-star hotel on Samovodska Charshia Square in the historic part of Veliko Tarnovo. Restaurants, bars, gym, pool, sauna, spa and WiFi (free). 69 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
2023
Saturdays
per person in a twin/double room
Bulgaria Air from Heathrow / British Airways to Heathrow
2024
Saturdays
per person in a twin/double room
Bulgaria Air from Heathrow / British Airways to Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £325
Flight Options
British Airways Business Class - On request
Extension Options
Extra nights – Sofia
Crystal Palace Hotel
(per night) £85
Single supplement £60
Tour Only
Save £200
Arrival or departure transfer add £35
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 8 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 1 dinner, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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