Sofia – Melnik – Velingrad – Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Veliko Tarnovo – Pleven – Sofia
Day 1: Arrival in Sofia, transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Day 2: Breakfast. Tour to the main sights of Sofia – St. George, Presidency, administrative center, the National Theatre Ivan Vazov, the former Royal Palace, the Russian Church, Parliament, St. Sofia church-monument, St. Alexander Nevski with a visit to the crypt, where are keped some of the most valuable Bulgarian icons and frescoes. Departure for the Rila Monastery, built in X century. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Europe and is included in the List of World Cultural and historical heritage. Lunch at local restaurant. Departure for Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria, declared a historical and cultural reserve, as well as town museum, draws Kordopulova house with stunning architecture and a unique selection of wine. Accommodation and dinner.
Day 3: Breakfast in Melnik and visit the Rozhen Monastery of 9th century. Sightseeing and departure to Bansko museum town in the Pirin Mountains, popular for its unique cuisine and architecture. Visit the Holy Trinity church. Departure to Leshten where can be seen architecture considered, especially for the area and the clay house. Lunch at Leshten. Viewing Kovachevitsa and departure to Velingrad, water resources in the region of Velingrad – rivers, karst and springs – has in abundance. Dinner and overnight in Velingrad.
Day 4: Breakfast at hotel, departure for Batak and Tsigov chark, known for its incredible scenery, opportunity for pictures, then visit the Snow Cave with a constant annual temperature of 9 degrees. It is formed by Novomahlenskata River in the Age of the Levant and refined during the Quaternary. It is rich in stalagmites, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, sinter lakes. Departure to Bachkovo monastery from the 11th century, the second largest in Bulgaria with original architecture and magnificent frescoes from the 17th century. Lunch in Bachnovo. Then visit Asenova fortress and left for Plovdiv. Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 5: Breakfast at hotel and consideration of the Old Town of Plovdiv, known for its outstanding examples of houses from the Renaissance period – Ethnographic Museum / Museum preserves more than 40,000 cultural values associated primarily with the tradition of the population of Plovdiv and its cultural and economic hinterland / Lamartine’s house, the Roman amphitheater, church of St. Constantine and Elena mosque. Lunch in the old town, from where can be seen magnificent views of Plvodiv and Maritsa river. In the afternoon departure to Kazanlak, the center of Rose Valley and attractive tourist destination. In the city is the largest and best preserved Thracian tomb in the country. Due to the high artistic value of the paintings it is in the List of World Heritage UNESCO. Dinner and overnight in Kazanlak.
Day 6: Breakfast. Departure to Shipka village existed from 11-6 century BC, when the Bulgarian lands were inhabited by Thracians. The walk continues with a visit to the Memorial Church “Christmas”, built in the style of church architecture from Yaroslavl XVII-century. Climbing Mount Shipka and consideration of the Freedom Monument, located at the site of one of the toughest battles in the Russo-Turkish War of 1878 From the top reveals breathtaking views of the beautiful Bulgarian lands. From there visit oh the Architectural-Ethnographic Complex Ether, where is the restoration of Bulgarian life, culture and crafts during the Renaissance. Lunch at Arbanasi located 7 km. from Veliko Turnovo /the old capital/. Visit the church “Nativity”, where can be seen the impressive mural “Circle of Life.” Afternoon – visit to a winery Lyaskovets with selected Bulgarian wines. Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo, dinner and overnight. Optionally, you may visit the audio-visual program “Sound and Light.”
Day 7: Breakfast in Veliko Tarnovo and visit the hill Tsarevets holding pethilyadoletna history and Samovodska bazaar – ethnographic complex that preserved the authentic atmosphere of the city from the XIX-th century. Lunch. Departure Krushuna waterfalls, the largest in the country travertine water cascade with many thresholds, swimming pools, rich plant and animal species. Departure for Pleven. Even today, Pleven has kept its cultural and historical heritage. Particularly interesting are the regional history museum, Pleven Panorama and many others. Evening city tour, dinner and accommodation.
Day 8: Breakfast at hotel in Pleven. Examination of the Pleven Panorama, which represents 6 month battles during the War of Liberation (1877-1878). Departure for Sofia. Arriving in Sofia and at Boyana lunch. Then visit the Boyana church – one of the cultural symbols of Bulgaria listed in 1979 as a cultural monument in the List of World Heritage by UNESCO. Accommodation in Sofia and organized folklore evening.
Day 9: Breakfast and transfer to the airport.