1 DAY
Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Walking tour: 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; “St George” Rotunda , the Church of “St Sophia”, built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, the National Theatre “Ivan Vazov”, the former Royal Palace, housing the National Revival Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, the President Hall, etc. Free time in the city centre and main trade area around Vitosha Boulevard. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.

2 DAY
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the city, including a visit of the National Natural Science Museum. Drive to the Vitosha Mountain. Free time for hiking. Vitosha Natural Park covers about 90 % of the mountain territory. The characteristic plant and animal communities, the geological phenomena and the impressive landscapes attract visitors to the mountain. This is the first National Park on the Balkan Peninsula, declared in 1934. Visit of the Dragalevtzi Visitors’ Center, the Dendrarium and the National Botanical Garden. Dinner in a folk style restaurant with live music, dances and wine. Overnight in Sofia.

3 DAY
Breakfast. Drive to the Rila Mountain. Visit of the Panichishte Visitors’ Center at the Rila National Park. Visit of the unique natural reserve “Marichini Ezera” (the lakes of Maritza). The nature lovers can admire the relict and rare plants – Geum bulgaricum, Viola orbelica, Primula deorum, etc. Drive to Plovdiv. Accommodation. Dinner and overnight.

4 DAY
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv. Visit of the Plovdiv Botanical Garden to see the unique Astragalus phisocalyx. Drive to the Bachkovo Monastery and the Red Wall natural reserve, protecting the famous Haberlea rhodopaensis. Drive to Kazanlak. Accommodation. Dinner and overnight.

5 DAY
Breakfast. Visit of the Valley of Roses and observation of rose picking. Visit of the Museum of Rose – the only one in the world. Drive to Balchik – a gem of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Accommodation. Dinner and overnight.

6 DAY
Breakfast. Walk around the Romanian Queen Mary’s Palace and its famous gardens of more than 35 ha. The gardens are the “residence” of 3000 or so plant species of which cacti alone over 250 – Europe’s second most important collection. The Palace Park is an imitation of the famous Cretan Labyrinth. Drive to the Kamchiya River and tour by boat. A real jungle can be seen today in an area of 150 ha where over 40 tree species grow. Drive to Varna. Accommodation. Dinner and overnight.

7 DAY
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Varna, including the Marine Gardens which are the largest in the Balkans and unique in the whole Mediterranean Basin for their size (8 km long), arrangement and scenery. Visit to the Euxinograd Palace in a lovely park, surrounded by spectacular vineyards. In the park one can see over 200 plant species from East Asia, the Mediterranean and South America, selected by King Ferdinand himself, who used to be an avid naturalist. Dinner and overnight in Varna.

8 DAY
Breakfast. Transfer to the Sofia Airport and departure.

SUPPLEMENTS:
Single room supplement – 101 EUR.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Arrival and departure transfers;
7 nights accommodation at hotels in Sofia 3*, Plovdiv 3*, Kazanlak 3*, Balchik 3*, Varna 3*;
Meals on HB basis included – breakfast and dinner;
Air-conditioned motor-coach throughout;
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 accommodated in 1 double room with their parents – 106 EUR;
3rd person in a DBL room – 20 EUR.

SPECIAL RESERVATION CONDITIONS: 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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