THE BEST OF BULGARIA

After breakfast – a panoramic tour around the Bulgarian capital – an 8500-years old city called “My Rome” by the emperor Constantine The Great. Visit the most fascinating places of interest: the forum of Ancient Serdica (the old name of the city) with the newest archaeological discoveries from Roman times, which are exhibited next to the Bulgarian presidency.
Next is the St. Nedelya square, where 4 worship buildings of the main religions in Bulgaria are located next to each other. These are the Orthodox Church St. Nedelya, the Catholic church, the Synagogue and the Mosque. They form a quadrangle, symbolizing the peace between different religions in Bulgaria.
Our tour continues with the “Alexander I” square where the Royal Palace and the National Theatre are located, “Tzar Osvoboditel” boulevard, the Parliament, the Church of ”St. Sofia” (the name means wisdom), which gave the name of the city, the Sofia University and the “Alexander Nevski” Cathedral (the biggest Orthodox church on the Balkan peninsula).
Next, we will visit the most remarkable object on the outskirts of Sofia, at the foothills of Vitosha Mountain. The Boyana Church – a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church situated in the Boyana district, near Sofia. The monument is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The church is one of the most completely and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art. The frescoes in the church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings that initiated the beginning of the European Renaissance.
In the afternoon – free time to explore Sofia on your own. Walk along the pedestrian Vitosha Art Boulevard. This is the place in Sofia, where you can feel the spirit and life of the city. There are a lot of boutiques, shops, cosy cafes and restaurants.
Optional: Dinner at a typical Bulgarian folk-style restaurant: excellent cuisine, great selection of wines and folklore show.
Overnight in Sofia.

Departure to the village of Arbanassi. The village is famous for its ancient, richly decorated churches and magnificent architecture. It used to be a residence of the Bulgarian kings.
Departure to the old capital of Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo. Visit to the historical hill Tsarevets with the Fortress, the Patriarchal church and the Emperor Baldwin’s Tower. You will walk along the old Trade Street – “Samovodska charshia”.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

After breakfast - departure for the region of Shumen town. Visit the architecture reserve with a stone, 25 m high bas-relief of Madara Horseman, which is under the protection of UNESCO. This mystical place is one of the strongest energy zones in Bulgaria with positive health effects on the people who have been there.
Departure for the first capital of Bulgaria – Pliska (VII-IX century). Visit the Archaeological reserve complex and the Great Basilica – a real masterpiece of mediaeval architecture. It was the biggest Christian orthodox temple in Southeast Europe in the IX century.
Set off to Varna - the sea capital of Bulgaria and the biggest port on the Bulgarian Black sea coast. On the way – visit the natural phenomenon " Stone Forest" - a magical place with many stone figures, dated tens of thousands of years back in time.
Arrival in Varna in the afternoon. Accommodation and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast – a panoramic tour around the sea capital of Bulgaria – Varna, with a visit to the Archaeological museum, where the oldest processed gold in the world is exhibited.
Departure to Balchik also called “The White Town”. Visit the summer residence of the Romanian Queen Maria, a palace, located on the seashore.
Overnight in Varna.

After breakfast - departure for Nessebar, an ancient town, located on a small peninsula. With its churches – more than 40, dated from different eras, and some of them considered the most conserved buildings from the Middle Ages in the Balkans, Nessebar is listed in the UNESCO world heritage list. We will enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the old architecture of the houses, the romantic narrow streets with painters, etc. Lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the sea.
We will proceed to the ancient town of Sozopol, founded by Greek colonists.
The relics of St. John the Baptist were recently found here.
Boat trip along Ropotamo river.
Set off to Burgas – the biggest city on the Southern Black sea coast.
Accommodation and overnight in Burgas.

Breakfast. Set off to Kazanlak - the capital of the Rose valley and Thracian Kings.
Visit the Historical Museum, which houses a collection of bronze and gold treasures, as well as the replica of the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, dating back to the 4th C. B.C. It is listed in the world natural and historical heritage of UNESCO.
Next is a visit to an authentic rose oil distillery – a producer of Bulgarian Rose oil since 1909.
In the late afternoon, we will reach Plovdiv, the “City of the seven hills’’. Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe, still existing today. It was called Philippopolis in the IV century B.C. in honour of King Philip II of Macedonia. Today Plovdiv is a cultural centre and is selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2019.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.

After breakfast – a walking tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv, impressive with the houses-museums of the Revival period like the Ethnographical museum; the Ancient Theater, the Fortress walls, the oldest church in the city – “St. Constantine and St. Helena”, etc. We will see the Muslim temple Dzhoumaya Mosque and the Roman Stadium on the main street of Plovdiv.
Next is a visit to Bachkovo Monastery. Founded in the XI century by two Georgian brothers, this is the second-largest Bulgarian Monastery after the Rila Monastery. There are extremely valuable frescos of biblical subjects from the XVI century in the old monastic dining room. The Icon of the Virgin Mary, the patron Saint of the monastery, is considered miraculous.
Return to Plovdiv in the afternoon. Free time at leisure. Overnight.
Optional: Wine tasting at a local cellar, where red wine of high quality is produced.

Breakfast. Departure to Rila Monastery (X c.)- the biggest Bulgarian spiritual centre since the Middle Ages till nowadays, included in UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s located in a picturesque mountain area. The Monastery has a rich collection of icons and wall paintings. Its museum keeps a real treasure: a wooden cross just 81 cm in length, carved with 104 religious scenes and 650 figures.
Visit the monastery and have lunch at the nearby restaurant, famous for its dishes from mountain trout.
Return to Sofia. Accommodation and overnight.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport according to the flight details and flight back home.