Breathe the aromas of the colourful bouquet, called Bulgaria, only for 4 days. Take part in this city break, centred in Sofia and learn more about its culture and traditions. Explore the capital of Bulgaria, a modern and buzzing city which keeps impressive history from Antiquity to nowadays. Take a drive to the imposing Rila Monastery and learn more about the medieval Boyana Church, both part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Have your free time to reveal the secrets of unknown Bulgaria.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Sofia: the capital and largest city of Bulgaria will offer you a great variety of attractions: from ancient remains, rich museums and typical architecture to a pedestrian zone with numerous cafes, restaurants and fashion boutiques.
Rila Monastery: hidden deep in the mountain, the monastery and its premises keep stories and legends tightly connected with Bulgarian history and the Revival period.
Boyana Church: one of the most remarkable medieval monuments in the world with especially fine wall paintings in the interior - from the 11th, 13th, 15-17th and 19th centuries.
Day 1: ARRIVAL SOFIA (10km – 30min)
Welcome to Bulgaria! After arrival at Sofia International Airport, our representative will meet and greet you before guiding you to the transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure enjoying the highlights of Sofia. You may stroll around the city centre and visit the biggest Orthodox Cathedral in Bulgaria - St.Alexander Nevski, impressing by its gold-plated cupola and rich interior. Your walk may continue with the most significant sights in the centre – St. George Rotonda, the Russian church St. Nikolay, and the National Theatre Ivan Vazov. Do not miss having a cup of coffee on the pedestrian street Vitoshka and feel the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Alternatively, you can choose to end the day with the following Optional Tour (not included):
Dinner with Folklore and Nestinari Dances (shared basis):
Celebrate the start of the trip by being part of a typical Bulgarian night with a delicious welcome dinner and folklore program. Songs, dances… what a magical night full of unforgettable moments. The Nestinari dances, a barefoot dance on smouldering embers, part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage will leave you speechless. This ritual will lead you back to the mystery of the Eastern Orthodox beliefs together with the older pagan traditions from the Strandza Mountains.
Notes: Included: Dinner in a typical restaurant four-course menu, including a glass of wine; folklore program, and Nestinari Dance* (*performed only if the weather conditions allow). Dinner starts at 20:00h and ends at 23:00h. Not included: guide, transfers.
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 2: RILA MONASTERY AND BOYANA CHURCH EXCURSION (260km – 4hrs)
Start your day with a nice breakfast at the hotel and head to the meeting point for your “Rila Monastery& Boyana Church” sightseeing tour (included). Starts at 09:00h from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Please be sure to organize your travel to the meeting point and be there at least 15 minutes in advance. Rila Monastery is definitely a must-see sight if you are in Bulgaria. The arcaded balconies, the unique frescoes – a work of one of the most famous Bulgarian Revival Period painters, the gilded iconostasis, the fabulous mountain views… and the unique combination of them all, makes the visit to the monastery extraordinary and memorable one. You will have around an hour of free time at the Rila Monastery to explore the most visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria, enter the main church and the narthex’s gallery, admire the exhibits in the History Museum of the Monastery, try the tasty "mekitsi" (Bulgarian doughnuts) with delicious buffalo’s yoghurt (a local speciality) or even have a short walk in the area. Then, drive back to Sofia, where the next UNESCO Monument is awaiting you. The Boyana Church's frescoes bring epochal change in the mural painting and are considered predecessors of the European Renaissance. The majority of more than 240 figures depicted there have individuality, vitality, and psychological depth.
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 3: SOFIA
After your delightful breakfast at the hotel, you can continue exploring the capital of Bulgaria at your own pace. Sofia offers a great variety of museums that could meet almost every taste. We recommend you to visit the National History Museum, the largest one in Bulgaria that hosts more than 650,000 artefacts. Other important museums, worth visiting, are the National Museum of the Bulgarian Fine Art and the National Ethnographic Museum, both found in the building of the former Royal Palace on Alexander I Square, the National Museum of Natural History, the Earth and Man National Museum with its collection of precious stones and minerals, and many more. If you wish to travel within the country, you can book our shared Optional trip to the European City of Culture for 2019, Plovdiv (not included)
Plovdiv tour:
Take this tour and explore the cultural capital of Bulgaria. Plovdiv is the second biggest city in the country and the oldest European continuously inhabited town with a history that goes back for more than 6 000 years. Have a walk on the cobbled-stone streets of the Old town and stop by the awe-inspiring Roman Theater, the old-style houses, the Nebet Tepe fortifications, the Ancient Stadium, street art, galleries, old churches, ornamented mosques, exotic cafés, and chic bars. Enjoy and really get to know the city with our expert guide on your side. On this unforgettable tour, you will learn a lot of intriguing stories, funny urban legends, and striking historical facts.
Notes: Included: English speaking guide, modern A/C equipped vehicle and all transportation costs along the way. Not include any entrance fees, personal expenses, food, beverages, and gratuities.
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 4: DEPARTURE SOFIA (10km – 30min)
Enjoy a tasty breakfast before you check out from the hotel. A private transfer will lead you to the airport to catch your return flight home.
Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes (including also swimsuit, hat) for the beach stay. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
