Experience Bulgaria for a week
Experience Bulgaria for a week – Sofia and Bansko
8 days/7 nights
Highlights:
Day 1 – Sofia
Arrival in Sofia airport and be greeted by your tour guide. Transfer to your hotel in Sofia where we will spend the next 2 days.
Accommodation in a good 3* or 4* hotel in Sofia
Day 2 – Sofia
This day is free to dive in the magnetic life of the capital city.
Option: Day trip to Plovdiv – one of the oldest still living cities in Europe, founded in IV century Before Christ by Filip of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great.
Walking tour along the Old Plovdiv where the ancient ruins are coexisting with the Revival architecture and modern artistic life. See on the tour the Ethnographical museum, Ancient Theatre, Roman Stadium and much more. You can enjoy a cup of coffee in the bohemian Mouse Trap and feel the vibe of the city.
Get back to Sofia in the afternoon.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3 – Rila monastery – Bansko
After breakfast we will travel east to stay for 4 nights in Bansko – the most dynamically developing mountain resort in Bulgaria and Southeast of Europe.
On the way up to the mountains – visit Rila monastery – the biggest spiritual center in Bulgaria, founded back in the 10th century. It is part of UNESCO Would Heritage List, with unique wall-paintings and icons.
Upon arrival accommodation in a pleasant 3* or 4* hotel in Bansko.
Overnight in Bansko.
Day 4 – Bansko
This day is free for resh mountain air.
Option: Day trip Leshten and Melnik – unique places nestled in the mountains
We will first visit beautiful village of Leshten – it is an architectural reserve with authentic look and beautiful architecture from the Revival period. Walking through those small cobbled streets around the village it is very easy to get back and feel the spirit of the past. Lunch in the local tavern /krachma/ will bring you closer to those times.
On our way back to Bansko we will circle around the mountain to stop in the smallest town in Bulgaria – Melnik. Also known as “The ciity of the sand pyramids” it was inhabited by many civilizations – Thracian, Romans, Ottomans, Bulgarians and also we will get to know the history of wine producing as the area has its own unique wine sorts. Wine tasting of a local wine.
Get back in Bansko in the late afternoon.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 5 – Bansko
Free day at leasure.
Option: Day trip Thessaloniki – second largest city in Greece.
Passing through the Greek border we will enjoy on our day trip the colorful history of Thessaloniki / Solun/ where upon arrival you can feel the salty air of the Aegean Sea in front. We can enjoy the diversity of Byzantine churches, Roman architecture, modern constructions – all in one city, part of UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the late afternoon – get back to Bansko
Overnight in Bansko.
Day 6 – Bansko
Free day in Bansko.
Option: Day trip Kostandovo, Dorkovo and Velingrad. Train journey in Rhodopes mountain
Departure to Dorkovo village. The territory around this village is has one of the largest concentration of paleontological discoveries in all Europe. Visit of the local paleontological museum, where you will see a replica of a 4-metters high mastodon. Its fossils are dating to the Early Pliocene, more than 4 million years ago.
Next is visit the unique carpet factory, producing giant carpets of more than 100 m2. The clients of this small family run factory are world celebrities as Queen Elizabeth II, Mick Jagger, along with castles and huge properties’ owners from North America and Europe.
Departure to Velingrad – the SPA capital of Bulgaria. Visit the local museum, where you will become familiar with the local tradition of painting eggs.
An attractive one hour train trip in the mountain follows. The train is moving on narrow (70 cm) railway lines. You will pass through places, offering unique views of the Rhodopes Mountains.
In the afternoon – get back to Bansko
Overnight in Bansko.
Day 7 – Bansko – Sofia
After breakfast – departure to Sofia. Enjoy the Bulgarian capital with a city tour around the historical center. On this panoramic tour the most fascinating places of interested will be seen: the Alexander Nevski cathedral, the St. Sofia church which had given the name of the city, the antique Roman Forum dated III-IV-th century (the time of the Emperor Constantine the Great), the quadrangle of tolerance with the temples of the major religions in Bulgaria: the Christian Orthodox, the Catholic, the Muslim and the Jewish, the square with the Royal palace, the boulevard to King Liberator, the Parliament, the National Theatre, and the historical and cultural center of the capital.
The afternoon is free to explore further on your own.
Option: Sofia outskirts tour – visit of the Boyana church – a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church situated in the Boyana district. The monument is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most completely 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.
Next is National Museum of History with its unique collection of Gold Treasures, representing the rich history of Bulgaria.
Overnight
Overnight in a nice 3* or 4* hotel in Sofia.
Day 8 – Sofia
According to the flight schedule, departure to Sofia airport for flight back home.
Group tour prices starting from 269 EUR per person in DBL for a group of min 20 PAX.
Tour prices include:
Prices are net and includes all local taxes.
Supplement for HB: 70 EUR per person (7 dinners in the hotels)
Option tours:
Sofia outskirts tour:
- 20 PAX – 21 EUR per person
- 25 PAX – 19 EUR per person
- 30 PAX – 17 EUR per person
- 35 PAX – 16 EUR per person
- 40 PAX – 15 EUR per person
- 45 PAX – 14 EUR per person
What included? professional English speaking guide; transportation by A/C van/ minibus/bus with driver/ entrance
One day tour to Plovdiv:
- 20 PAX – 40 EUR per person
- 25 PAX – 34 EUR per person
- 30 PAX – 31 EUR per person
- 35 PAX – 28 EUR per person
- 40 PAX – 26 EUR per person
- 45 PAX – 24 EUR per person
What included? professional English speaking guide; transportation by A/C van/ minibus/bus with driver/ entrance fees
