Monastery Tour - 9 days/ 8 nights
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN SOFIA, SOFIA CITY TOUR
Arrival in Sofia. A transfer and accommodation at hotel, centrally located. A panoramic
city tour of Sofia with visit of Boyana Church, dated 1259, known for its 13th century
murals, famous for their exceptional realism. Back to the hotel. Dinner with folklore show
at local restaurant. Overnight.
Day 2
SOFIA - ZEMEN MONASTERY – RILA MONASTERY - PLOVDIV
Breakfast. Drive to Zemen Monastery founded during the 14th century. A solid
stone building the Zemen church is an absolute exception to the whole of Bulgaria's
mediaeval architecture. The decoration by two rows of blind arches - is unique in the
entire Balkan Peninsula.The road continues to – The Rila Monastery, picturesque
located in the heart of Rila Mountains. It is the most famous monument of Bulgarian
culture, spiritual centre of Bulgarians for more than 10 centuries. The icons, iconostasis
and murals are samples of the outstanding Bulgarian renaissance art schools from the
National Revival period. The interior is a beautiful interlace of colonnades arches, wooden
staircases and verandas. The museum keeps a rich collection of books, manuscripts and
icons. Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer to the city of Plovdiv - Bulgaria’s second most
important city. Plovdiv is an extraordinary combination of monuments from different
époques - from Philip II Macedonian until the present days.Accommodation at the hotel,
centrally located. Dinner & overnight.
Day 3
PLOVDIV - BACHKOVO MONASTERY - PLOVDIV
Breakfast. City tour of the Old Town a reserve of Bulgarian National Revival
period (19-th century) – visits of the Ethnographic museum and the Roman
Amphitheater. Lunch at a typical, Plovdiv style, local restaurant in the old town. In the
afternoon visit to Bachkovo Monastery. The second biggest Bulgarian monastery
(founded in 1083) is chiefly known for its original architecture, rich collections of old
icons, jewelry, coins and church plate. The Holy Trinity and St. Nicholas church (1840)
contain some of the first murals painted by the celebrated National Revival artist Zahari
Zograph. On the way back to Plovdiv visit to Assenova Krepost – Assen’s Fortress
(12-14century) and the Saint Petka Petrichka Church. It preserves small bits of wall
paintings dated from the 14-19 centuries. It is one of the most valuable representations
of sacral architecture in Bulgaria. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
PLOVDIV – KAZANLAK - NESSEBAR
Breakfast. Departure for Nessebar via the Rose valley. A stopover in Kazanlak for
a visit of The Thracian Tomb - the best preserved monument of Thracian art in Bulgaria
dated 4th–3rd century B.C. The Tomb is not large, but it inspires the imagination with the
beautiful ornaments and murals. Lunch in Kazanlak. The road proceeds to The Museum
Town of Nessebar picturesque situated on small peninsula. It preserves the ruins of
more than 40 medieval churches with murals and carvings, ceramic ornaments. The town
is remarkable with its splendid houses – each of them a masterpiece of the Bulgarian
architecture. The unique atmosphere of Nessebar is an unforgettable experience.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel in Nessebar.
Day 5 NESSEBAR – VARNA – MADARA – VELIKO TURNOVO
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the town of Nessebar with a visit of Hristos
Pantocrator Church and St. Stefan church. Drive along the sea to the “summer
capital city” of Bulgaria – the city of Varna. Panoramic tour of Varna and visit of the
Archeological museum. Lunch at a local restaurant. On the way to Veliko Turnovo – a
visit of The Madara Horseman - 7th century AD, an impressive bas-relief, carved out
of the sheer rock, unique in Europe. Arrival in Veliko Turnovo – the ex-capital of the
Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12-14century), one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria
picturesque situated up on several hills on both sides of Yantra river. The houses are
perched one above the other on the steep slopes making an incredible panorama.
Accommodation at the hotel, centrally located. Dinner & overnight.
Day 6
VELIKO TURNOVO – IVANOVO – VELIKO TURNOVO
Breakfast. A stroll in the old part between the small shops and narrow streets
with visit of Tzarevetz Hill with the remains of the fortress, the ex-royal palace and
Patriarch church. Departure for Rousse – the biggest and most beautiful Bulgarian city
on Danube river. Lunch at at the local restaurant. A visit of Ivanovo Rock Churches
and cells, dug into the rock high above the picturesque canyon of the Roussenski Lom
river, with 13th and 14th century murals of great artistic interest. On the way back to
Veliko Turnovo a visit to Kilifarevo monastery. Back to the hotel. Dinner at a local
restaurant in Veliko Turnovo. Overnight
Day 7
VELIKO TURNOVO – TROYAN MONASTERY – KOPRIVSHTITZA – SOFIA
Breakfast. Departure for Sofia. En route a visit of Troyan monastery– the
second largest in Bulgaria, famous with it’s icons, iconostasis and murals – samples of
the outstanding Bulgarian renaissance art schools. Lunch in a local restaurant near the
monastery. Crossing the Balkan mountains by the magnificent Troyan pass on the way
for the museum town of Koprivshtitza – one of the unique Bulgarian towns having
presented the original architectural heritage from the Bulgarian Revival period. A transfer
for Sofia. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel. Overnight.
Day 8 SOFIA
Breakfast. City tour of Sofia. Visit to the churches of St. Sophia, St. Petka and
the St. George Rotunda (4th c.), The Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevski. Lunch at
local restaurant. A Visit to The National Museum of History with its genuine treasures
of ancient arts. Back to Sofia. Free at leisure. . Overnight.
Day 9
SOFIA – DEPARTURE
Breakfast. Free at leisure. Transfer to Sofia Airport for the flight home.
GROUP – minimum 10 PAX
Price per person in double room: 605.00 EUR
Price include:
* Accommodation in a 4* hotels during the whole stay on HB
* Transport with A/C luxury car, minibus or bus
* Dinners and lunches at the mentioned restaurants according to the program
* Professional guide during the whole program
* Entrance fees to the museums and sights
* Transfers: airport – hotel - airport