BULGARIA – CULTURE & WINE TOUR
7 Days / 6 Nights

DAY 1 – SOFIA
Arrival in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria – one of the oldest cities in Europe. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Accommodation. Short walking city tour of Sofia including one of the most significant historical and archaeological sites: the oldest church in the city St. George dating back to the 4th c. - an exquisite early Christian temple, The Roman Ruins of Serdica (ancient Sofia) from the 2nd – 3rd c., comprising an ancient administrative and bath remains from the Roman period. The sightseeing continues along the Batenberg square, the building of the National Theater – an outstanding Neo-classical construction and the Russian church of St. Nicolas. Visit to the church of St. Sophia (5th – 6th c.), the second oldest church in Sofia and next is the most imposing memorial church on the whole Balkan peninsula Alexander Nevski Cathedral with its wonderful exterior and interior decoration of marble, onyx, alabaster and stained glass windows, amazing chandeliers and fine frescoes. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Sofia.

DAY 2 – SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY – BOROVETS - PLOVDIV
In the morning departure to the Rila Monastery (10th c.) – the oldest and the most beautiful monastery in Bulgaria, one of the nine UNESCO sites of the country. Visit to the monastery complex – the history museum, the main church of Holy Virgin and the Old Monastery Kitchen. The monastery is located at an altitude of 1147 m in the heart of the gorgeous Rila mountain (2925 m) – the highest one on the Balkans.
Lunch at a local restaurant near the monastery with fresh Rila trout fish menu. Continue further to Plovdiv – the second biggest city after Sofia, rich in unique cultural and archaeological heritage. On the way short stop in Borovets – a famous winter resort. Coffee break. Arrival in Plovdiv and accommodation at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Plovdiv.

DAY 3 – PLOVDIV- BACHKOVO MONASTERY – BRESTOVITSA - PLOVDIV
Morning city tour of Plovdiv including walk in the Old Quarter with its beautiful houses from the Revival period presenting unique architecture. Visit the Roman Amphitheater (2nd c.), one of the biggest Roman ruins in Bulgaria, the Ethnographic Museum, a gallery of the Bulgarian crafts and folklore traditions. Also visit to the St. Contantine and Helena church, one the fines examples of Christian art. Lunch at a local restaurant. Depart to the Bachkovo Monastery, rating second one in significance – visit the main church and the monastery refectory. Drive then to the village of Brestovitsa, one of the famous red wine production areas in the country. Visit to a local wine cellar – wine tasting of different types red wines.
Drive back to Plovdiv. Dinner. Overnight in Plovdiv.

DAY 4 – PLOVDIV - KAZANLAK – VELIKO TARNOVO
Departure to the town of Kazanlak located in the Rose Valley, the center of the Bulgarian rose oil production. Visit to the Thrcaian Tomb (4th c.B.C.) included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage, a unique remain of the Thracian culture on the Bulgarian lands. Enjoy the marvellous frescoes inside the tomb. Visit also the Rose museum in the city exposing the long tradition of extracting rose oil in the region. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue further to Veliko Tarnovo, one of the most picturesque cities in Bulgaria. On the way short stop at Etara – an amazing open-air ethnographic exposition. Arrival in Veliko Tarnovo. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.

DAY 5 – V. TARNOVO – ARBANASSI –LYASKOVETS – V. TARNOVO
Morning city tour of Veliko Tarnovo, former capital of the country between 12th – 14th c. Visits include the Medieval forticications andtowers of the Tsarevets Hill with its Royal palace remains. Visit also the Old City with its peculiar craftsmen and souvenir shops. Drive to the nearby Arbanassi, a picturesque village declared architectural reserve because of its houses. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit to the Lyaskovets area for an exciting wine tasting experience in the local wine cellar. Dinner. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

DAY 6 – V. TARNOVO – TROYAN MONASTERY – KOPRIVSHTITSA - SOFIA
Morning departure to Sofia through Troyan Monastery (13th – 14thc.), another cultural and spiritual center. Contunue to Koprivshtitsa – a picturesque mountain town in Sredna Gora. Enjoy the fine architecture and the beautiful landscapes around. Lunch at a local restaurant there. Drive back to Sofia. Folklore dinner . Overnight in Sofia.

DAY 7 – SOFIA
Morning visit to the famous Boyana church (11th-13th c.) near Sofia. You will become a witness of the unique vivid early Medieval frescoes inside. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the airport. Departure.