1 DAY
Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Half day walking tour of Sofia. Visit of the Alexander Nevski Cathedral – one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction; the Rotunda “St. George”, the Church “St Sophia”, built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, the National Theatre “Ivan Vazov”, the former Royal Palace, the President hall, “St. Nedelya” Church, etc. Free time in the city center and main trade area around Vitosha Boulevard. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.

2 DAY
Breakfast. Departure for the town of Melnik – the smallest one in Bulgaria, famous for producing probably the best wine in the country. On the way visit of the Rila Monastery – the largest and the most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, built in the 10th century. Free time for lunch. Drive to the spa town of Sandanski. Walk in the city center. Visit of the Damyanitza wine cellar. Drive to the Rozhen Monastery /13th century/ – one of the biggest monasteries in the Pirin mountain, well preserved until today. The monastery reached its peak in the 19th century, when it became a regional center of Orthodox Cristianity. Walking tour of Melnik. Dinner and wine tasting in the Kordopoulova House Museum. Overnight in Sandanski/Melnik.

3 DAY
Breakfast. Departure for Plovdiv – the second biggest city in Bulgaria. On the way visit to Borovets Resort. Arrival in Plovdiv, accommodation and short rest. In the afternoon sightseeing tour of the Old town with a visit of the Ancient Roman Theatre – built in the 2nd century AD under the rule of the Roman Emperor Trajan, nowadays it is considered to be the largest surviving Roman construction in Bulgaria; visit of the Ethnographic Museum, the Roman Stadium, “St. Konstantin and Helena” Church, etc. Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.

4 DAY
Breakfast. Departure for the village of Brestovitsa. Wine tasting in the “Boutique Todoroff” wine cellar in Brestovitsa. Drive to the town of Assenovgrad for a walk in the town centre. On the way stop for a photo break at the medieval Assenova Fortress. Drive to the village of Bachkovo. Visit of the Bachkovo Monastery – dating back to the 11th century, it is considered to be one of the most important and well preserved in Bulgaria. Nowadays it is well known and appreciated for the unique combination of Bysantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. Visit of the monastery church of the Virgin Mary /dating from 1604/, which treasures the wonder-working icon of the Virgin Mary Eleusa from 1310. Drive back to Plovdiv, dinner and overnight.

5 DAY
Breakfast. Departure for Veliko Tarnovo. On the way visit of the Ethnographic Complex in Kazanlak. Visit of The Thracian Tomb. Cross the mountain via Shipka Pass. Stop for a visit to the Etar Open-Air Museum. The museum-park features typical Bulgarian Revival houses. Here you will see how locals use original old instruments in crafts such as wood carving, pottery, coppersmith, needlework, etc. Drive to Veliko Tarnovo. Accommodation. Sightseeing of the historical Tsarevets Hill in Veliko Tarnovo – administrative and religious center of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Walk along the Samovodska Charshiya (an old market place). Visit of the Lyaskovets Wine Cellar. Dinner and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

6 DAY
Breakfast. Visit of the village of Arbanassi, famous for its houses and old churches dating back to the National Revival period. Departure for Pleven. Sightseeing of the Panorama Monument “Pleven Epopee” and other places of interest, related to the Russian – Turkish War (1877-78). Visit of the Institute for viticulture and wine production in Pleven and the “Gamza 1922″ wine cellar. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Pleven.

7 DAY
Breakfast. Drive to the town of Lovech. Visit of the old quarter Varosha and the “Covered bridge”. Visit of the Troyan Wine Cellar and tasting of plum brandy in Troyan. Walk through the permanent Exhibition – Market of the Folk Arts and Crafts in the village of Oreshak. Visit of the Troyan Monastery where the miraculous icon “Three-handed Virgin” is kept. Drive to Sofia. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Sofia.

8 DAY
Breakfast. Free time. Transfer to the airport and departure.

SUPPLEMENTS:
Single room supplement – 84 EUR.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Arrival and departure transfers;
7 nights accommodation at hotels in Sofia 3*, Melnik 3*, Plovdiv 3*, Veliko Tarnovo 3*, Pleven 3*;
Meals on HB basis included – breakfast and dinner;
Air-conditioned motor-coach throughout the route;
All excursions;
Professional tour-guiding;
Special lectures on bus during long rides;
All entry taxes and service charges.

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:Personal expenses and entry taxes for museums visited individually.

DISCOUNTS:
Children up to 12 years – 45 EUR;
3rd person in a DBL room – 16 EUR.

SPECIAL RESERVATION CONDITIONS:
The hotel reservations are guaranteed as a rule, when they are made more than 21 days prior to arrival; For requests made less than 21 days prior to arrival, additional confirmation of hotel reservations is needed; Additional confirmation of hotel reservations is needed at National Holidays/Events and Official Orthodox Holidays, such as Christmas, New Year, Easter, Rose Festival /1st week of June/, 6th May, 6th September, 22nd September, etc; For early group reservations /min. 6 rooms/, a 4-star hotel can be provided in Sofia and Plovdiv at the same rate.

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