Iconic Landmarks of Bulgaria

Visit the most important historical sites from ancient to modern times, explore the country's natural beauty - from the Rila National Park to the sandy beaches on the Black Sea coast, and discover Bulgaria's cultural traditions and folklore. An iconic journey through one of the oldest countries in Europe.

Day 1: Sofia
Meet and greet with your tour guide at the hotel in Sofia. Overnight stay in Sofia.

Day 2: Sofia - Rila Monastery - Bansko (220 km)
City tour in Sofia. Visit to the Boyana Church – one of the most complete and best preserved monuments of Eastern European medieval art (11th - 19th century). Drive to the majestic Rila Monastery (10th century) in the mountains – symbol of Slavic cultural identity and center of a strong spiritual and artistic experience in the Eastern Orthodox world during the Middle Ages (11th-14th century). Continue to Bansko – a well-known ski resort. Sightseeing of old Bansko along the Temple of the Holy Trinity, the Velyan House and the Nikola Vaptsarov Museum. Overnight stay in Bansko.

Day 3: Bansko - Plovdiv (150 km)
Drive to Plovdiv, the former European Capital of culture (2019). Built on seven hills, this city embodies cultural and architectural features from antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Bulgarian Revival period. It is also on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tour of the old town of Plovdiv and visitto the Roman Theater (UNESCO). It was built during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD) and is today one of the best-preserved ancient theaters still in operation. Visit the Ethnographic Museum to familiarize yourself with the traditional crafts, culture and way of life of the region. Wine tasting in the city center. Overnight stay in Plovdiv.

Day 4: Plovdiv - Nessebar (290 km)
Drive to Nessebar (UNESCO)– - the city of 40 churches. The city was founded 3000 years ago on a picturesque peninsula on the Black Sea coast as a Thracian settlement, and since then numerous civilizations have left untouchable traces that blend harmoniously with nature. The city structure reflects the stages of development of the architectural style in the Balkans and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. Night in the Nessebar region.

Day 5: Nessebar – Varna - Madara - Russe (310 km)
Departure to Varna and visit of the seaside town, along the Roman thermal baths, the sea garden and the cathedral of Varna. Continue to the Horseman of Madara (UNESCO), a large rock relief depicting pagan Bulgarian art from the year 710. Drive to Ruse on the Danube. Overnight stay in Ruse.

Day 6: Ruse - Ivanovo - Veliko Tarnovo - Kazanlak (220 km)
Ruse is known as the “Little Vienna” - the city on the Danube played an important role in Bulgarian history. Nowadays it is an important connection point with Romania and an industrial center. Just a few kilometers from the city are the rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo. The frescoes are a remarkable achievement of Christian art in south-eastern Europe in the 14th century. The journey continues to Veliko Tarnovo – the capital of the second Bulgarian kingdom. From the 12th to the 14th century, it was the impregnable Bulgarian fortress, the cultural and intellectual center of Bulgaria. Walk through the cobbled streets of the old town. One of the most beautiful is Samovodska Street with its craft stores and galleries. Drive through the Balkan Mountains towards the Valley of Roses and Kazanlak. Overnight stay in Kazanlak.

Day 7: Kazanlak - Sofia (240 km)
Visit to the Museum of Roses and the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (4th century BC) (UNESCO). The latter is considered a masterpiece of Thracian creativity and is located near the capital of the Thracian king Seutes III and is part of a large Thracian necropolis. Departure to Sofia. Overnight stay in Sofia.

Day 8: Sofia
Check-out at the hotel and departure.

Groups of 8 to 16 adults

Included in the price:
> Visit to the Boyana Church (UNESCO), the Rila Monastery (UNESCO) and its museum, the Roman Theatre (UNESCO) and the Ethnographic Museum in Plovdiv, the Madara Horseman in Varna, the rock churches of Ivanovo (UNESCO), the Thracian Tomb and the Rose Museum in Kazanlak
> Guided city tour of Sofia, Plovdiv, Nessebar, Varna, Ruse and Kazanlak
> Wine tasting
> Convenient transportation during the tour
> English-speaking tour guide accompanying the group during the tour
> 2 nights in Sofia, hotel 4*, including breakfast
> 1 night in Bansko, hotel 4*, including breakfast
> 1 night in Plovdiv, hotel 4*, including breakfast
> 1 night in Ruse, hotel 4*, including breakfast
> 1 night in Kazanlak, hotel 4*, including breakfast
> Local taxes

Not included in the price:
> Round trip transfer to/from your hotel in Sofia
> Meals, drinks and other personal expenses
> Personal travel insurance
> Services not mentioned in the offer