Bulgaria Tour

BULGARIA TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Visit Bulgaria’s colorfully-painted Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Explore the charming Old Town of Plodiv, including a 2nd Century Roman theater, churches and a synagogue
Tour the ruins of 17 medieval churches and a marketplace of exquisite crafts in Veliko Turnovo

We arrive in Sofia, the relaxed capital city, and enjoy an easy walking tour of the fascinating architectual sights in the historic area. The tour continues to small towns and charming mountain villages, through the Valley of the Roses, along the Balkan Range. We visit many UNESCO sites, see amazing 13-14th century monastery murals, sample fine local cuisine and wines, and most importantly, engage with the local people living their traditional ways. Travel to Bulgaria is a trip back in time to a place where the air is fresh, the people are friendly and the ambiance of daily life in the countryside is endearing.

The late May tour includes the Rose Festival. We’ll visit a rose distillery to participate in rose picking and see the rose oil production process. We’ll then attend a procession where we mix with the local crowd and enjoy the spirit of the festival. August, 2015 tour includes the Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival, which occurs once every five years. This international folklore festival brings together over 12,000 performers from all over Bulgaria, one of the biggest festivals in Europe!

Woman in Koprivshtitsa village

ITINERARY- BULGARIA TOUR

Print Bulgaria Tour Detailed Itinerary (PDF)

Day 1-2: Meet in Sofia
An easy walking tour, including the 4th century St. George Rotunda, 6th century St. Sophia Christian Basilica, the Spanish-Moresque style synagogue and Jewish Museum. Mountain Vitosha tour with a visit to the 13th century Boyana Church.

Day 3: Rila and Rozhen Monasteries - Melnick
Enjoy the 10th century colorfully-painted Rila Monastery, where a few monks still reside, and see its rich museum collection, ethnographic exhibition and library containing more than 16,000 books. Next, 12-13th century Rozhen Monastery with its Blessed Virgin Church, decorated with over 150 biblical scenes. Onward to the charming museum town of Melnik. Relish tastings at Manolev's wine cellar, dug into sandstone rocks on top of a hill above town.

Day 4-5: Bansko - Plodiv
In Melnick, visit Kordopulova House, a historical museum built in 1758. A delightful time in Plodiv's famous Old Town, with distinctive revival architecture popular among 18th-19th century merchants.

Day 6-7: Koprivshtitsa - Valley of Roses - Veliko Turnovo We stop first in the village of Koprivshtitsa, known for its international folklore festival which occurs once every five years. Our August 8, 2010 tour includes the festival. We continue through the Valley of the Roses, along the Balkan Range to Banya and Kazanlak. Culminate the tour with a full day of sightseeing in Veliko Turnovo, the capital of the second Bulgarian Kingdom, 12-14th century.

Day 8: Depart or Continue to Romania
Drive to Sofia (3 hrs) for flight home or continue to Romania by car (3.5 hrs) with stops to visit Ivanovo Rock churches near Rouse and lunch.