Bulgaria

Exclusive group (min 10 pax): Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Explore all 7 of the 7 cultural UNESCO sites in Bulgaria in 7 days! Land in the Sea Capital - Varna on the romantic Black Sea Coast and visit the old aged town of Nessebar. Spend several days traveling through the countryside, learning more about the culture and traditions of rural Bulgaria. Meet the hospitality of the locals in the Rila Mountain and visit the famous Rila Monastery. Then head to the capital of Bulgaria, a modern and buzzing city which keeps impressive history from Antiquity to nowadays. The travel will pass by the Rose Valley, where you can admire the paintings of the Kazanlak Tomb. Head to the North of Bulgaria to find the next three UNESCO World Heritage sites. Discover the beauty and the history of this unknown country and have a lot to share with your friends!  TOUR HIGHLIGHTSVarna: the Bulgarian Black sea capital is a must see. Enjoy the picturesque views from one of the numerous beach restaurants, relax in the Sea Garden or discover the oldest processed gold in the world in the Archaeological museum in the town. Nessebar: the “Pearl” of the Black Sea Coast. The Old town of Nessebar will fascinate you with the numerous churches from the 13th century and the breathtaking sea views. The Rose Valey: breathe the aroma of the famous Bulgarian Rose and understand why it is called “Liquid gold”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. Veliko Tarnovo:  the former Bulgarian capital will fascinate you with its magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill, the cobbled street of Samovodska charshia and the mastership of the local craftsmen. Rousse: called the Little Vienna will impress you with its lovely promenades and scent of Baroque and Rococo.   Read more

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Varna: the Bulgarian Black sea capital is a must see. Enjoy the picturesque views from one of the numerous beach restaurants, relax in the Sea Garden or discover the oldest processed gold in the world in the Archaeological museum in the town.

Nessebar: the “Pearl” of the Black Sea Coast. The Old town of Nessebar will fascinate you with the numerous churches from the 13th century and the breathtaking sea views.

The Rose Valey: breathe the aroma of the famous Bulgarian Rose and understand why it is called “Liquid gold”

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.

Veliko Tarnovo: the former Bulgarian capital will fascinate you with its magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill, the cobbled street of Samovodska charshia and the mastership of the local craftsmen.

Rousse: called the Little Vienna will impress you with its lovely promenades and scent of Baroque and Rococo.

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Duration
8 Days
Starting From
$1,458
/person
Twin sharing
Travel Operator
Destination Services
Flights
Not Included
Flight booking assistance will be provided.

Itinerary

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DAY 1

ARRIVAL VARNA (10km – 30min)

Upon arrival at Varna Airport transfer to your hotel. Check-in and meet your professional guide, who will escort you through the roundtrip. Have the rest of the day at your disposal. Enjoy a walk at your own pace in the pedestrian centre to find out more about the town and its most significant sites. Beautiful promenades crowded with enthusiastic tourists, romantic Sea garden with lots of idyllic places to hide from the crowd, interesting museums housing the history and traditions from the ancient times to nowadays. Or just take your swimsuit and relax at one of the numerous beaches of the town and its surroundings. This arrival day is at your disposal. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner in your hotel.

Overnight in Varna

Hotel: None

DAY 2

VARNA – NESSEBAR – PLOVDIV (400km – 5 hrs)

Depart early today, after your rich breakfast, as you have a very intriguing program ahead. Have a picturesque drive to the South to reach the “Pearl” of the Black Sea Coast and your first UNESCO site for today - the Old town of Nessebar. Follow your guide through the romantic cobbled streets, explore the numerous churches from the 13th century and feel the time turning back to the days of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. Visit the church St. Stephen, unique with its iconostasis and remarkable mural paintings. Absorb the local ambience during your free time and get lost in the labyrinth of tiny streets and wooden houses. Continue to Plovdiv, the European City of Culture for 2019 and part of the UNESCO tentative list. Heir of great civilizations Plovdiv has a lot to offer – from ancient sites to bohemian quarters with great artistic cafes and ateliers. Wander in the Old town and emerge in the unique atmosphere of this ancient town. Explore the Roman Amphitheatre, built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD during the ruling of Emperor Trayan. It is one of the best preserved antique theatres in the world. Afterwards, visit Hindlyan House – owned by a rich merchant and landowner, with incredible decorations for its time. We welcome you to celebrate this lovely day in a local restaurant with typical Bulgarian dishes.

Overnight in Plovdiv

Hotel: None

DAY 3

PLOVDIV – PANAGYURISHTE – SOFIA (160km – 3 hrs)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before heading to the little renaissance town of Panagyurishte. This beautiful town is situated in a picturesque valley of the Sredna Gora. The town region has been populated since antiquity, which is evident by more than 300 monuments found here – necropolises, settlements, fortresses, military camps and road construction installations. The best evidence for this you will find in the History Museum in Panaguirishte. Although there are a lot of interesting findings exposed there, the most interesting hall is the one dedicated to the world-famous golden treasure of Panagyurishte, which was part of the temporary exhibition in the Louvre museum. You will see a replica of the treasure. In the afternoon dive into the buzzing heart of Sofia. The Bulgarian capital awaits you – enjoy a panoramic walking tour in the city center and discover the town’s landmarks – The Parliament, The Russian church, The Presidency, The Rotunda St. George and many more. Do not lose your guide from your sight when entering the biggest Cathedral on the Balkan Peninsula – Alexander Nevski and hear more about its architecture and interesting story. Have your dinner in the hotel or book our optional dinner in a folklore restaurant (not included).

Dinner with Folklore and Nestinari Dances: Book our optional dinner and be 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. 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.

Overnight in Sofia

Hotel: None

DAY 4

SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY – SOFIA (250km – 3.5 hrs)

Enjoy a delightful breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a day full of emotions. Start with a visit to the National History Museum – housing one of the largest collections in the Balkans with more than 650 000 finings. The next impressive visit will be the Boyana church - one of the most remarkable medieval monuments in the world with especially fine wall paintings in the interior, going back to the 11th century - a deserved UNESCO designated monument. Continue with a picturesque drive to Rila Monastery, also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Hidden deep in the mountain, the monastery and its premises keep stories and legends tightly connected with Bulgarian history and the Revival period. Imposing, the monastery creates a great impression on the visitors with its renaissance architecture and frescoes. Drive back to the Bulgarian capital for a delicious dinner in a typical Bulgarian restaurant, designed in a modern style. Finish this interesting day with an evening panoramic bus drive to gaze at the city’s lights.

Overnight in Sofia

Hotel: None

DAY 5

SOFIA – KAZANLAK – SHIPKA – VELIKO TARNOVO (350km – 5 hrs)

After your desired breakfast, enjoy a drive to the Rose Valey. While you are in this region, it is a must to witness the unique rose production and experience the spirit and fragrance of the Bulgarian Rose in Rose Oil Distillery in a small village. Your trip continues with a drive to the town of Kazanlak where you will visit the UNESCO designated Thracian Tomb. Dating back to 310 – 290 BC, the monument will impress you with its most well preserved artworks from the Hellenistic world (you will visit a replica of the Tomb). Crossing the Balkan mountain via the scenic Shipka Pass, you will approach a magnificent and glittering church tucked into a tiny Bulgarian mountain town of Shipka, a memorial to those soldiers who lost their lives fighting to free Bulgaria in the Russo-Turkish War from 1877-78. Admire the bell tower, which rises 174 feet and has bells weighing up to 12 tons. The mountain, the spirit, the calmness and the history of this place are memorable. Continue your drive through the Balkan Mountain to reach the final destination for today - Veliko Tarnovo, the former Bulgarian Capital. We will welcome you to a dinner in a typical Bulgarian restaurant in the nearby village Arbanassi.

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo

Hotel: None

DAY 6

VELIKO TARNOVO – ARBANASSI – IVANOVO – ROUSSE (120km – 2 hrs)

Start your day with a nice breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a walk through the town. The former Bulgarian capital will fascinate you with its magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill. Stroll down to the cobbled street of Samovodska charshia to find out the mastership of the local craftsmen. Spend your free time taking a rest at some of the numerous restaurants and cafes to enjoy the panoramic view over the river and the town. Then, continue to the small village of Arbanassi where you will find a modest from the outside, but with impressive murals and frescoes inside, “Nativity” church. Let your guide give you detailed information about the depicted scenes before you continue through the tiny streets of the village to the Konstansaliev’s house. Find out how wealthy merchants lived in the Bulgarian Medieval ages. A drive to the Ivanovo rock-hewn churches (UNESCO designated sight) will follow. The frescoes there reveal exceptional artistry which makes them an important achievement in the Christian art of South-Eastern Europe. Arrive in Rousse, also known as the “Little Vienna”. Take a short evening walking tour in the beautiful city centre and enjoy its Baroque architecture under the lights of the street lamps. Have your dinner in the hotel.

Overnight in Rousse

Hotel: None

DAY 7

ROUSSE – SVESTARI – MADARA – VARNA (260km – 4h)

After your leisure breakfast, check out from your hotel and dedicate this day to a picturesque drive through the country to reach the sandy beaches of the Black Sea coast. Your first stop in the travel back in time will be your next UNESCO site – the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, a UNESCO heritage from 3rd century BC. This historical site is an extremely rare and very well preserved monument. It is unique in its architectural décor and polychrome half-human, half-plant caryatids and painted murals. After exploring it, you deserve a short break in the small village of Kuilevcha. Here a Bulgarian Granny will welcome you according to the country’s tradition with bread and salt. Explore the house and the craft tools which have been used in the past by our predecessor. You will have a small treat to get acquainted with the home-cooked Bulgarian cuisine. Continue your trip to Madara Rider which is a unique relief with no parallel in Europe, UNESCO heritage. This exceptional work of art was created during the first years of the formation of the Bulgarian State, at the beginning of the 8th century. Your last stop in today’s busy schedule will be Varna. Celebrate the last day of this intriguing roundtrip with a tasty dinner in one of the fanciest restaurants in the town.

Overnight in Varna

Hotel: None

DAY 8

DEPARTURE VARNA (10km – 30min)

Enjoy a tasty breakfast before you check out from the hotel and catch your return flight home.

Hotel: None

Inclusions

TOUR GUIDE:

Operated with English/ French/ German-speaking tour guide throughout the tour (Day 2-7),

(other languages at additional cost)

ACCOMMODATION:

7 nights’ accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1, 7 Varna

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Cherno more or similar 4*

Day 2 Plovdiv

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Grand Hotel Plovdiv or similar 4*

Day 3, 4 Sofia

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*

Day 5 Veliko Tarnovo

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Panorama or similar 4*

Day 6 Rousse

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Danube Plaza or similar 3*

MEALS:

7 Breakfasts

7 Dinners

TRANSPORT:

Arrival private transfer in an air-conditioning vehicle from Varna Airport (Day 1)

Departure private transfer in an air-conditioning vehicle to Varna Airport (Day 8)

Private transportation in an air-conditioning vehicle throughout the tour

ENTRANCE FEES & ACTIVITES:

All activities and entrance fees mentioned as included: St. Stefan church in Nessebar, Amphitheatre and Hindliyan House in Plovdiv (Day 2), Museum in Panagyurishte (Day 3), National Historical Museum and Boyana church, Rila Monastery (Day 4), Rose Oil Complex, including Rose oil degustation (by smelling), Kazanlak tomb (replica) (Day 5), Tsarevets Hill in Veliko Tarnovo, Nativity church and Konstantaliev’s House in Arbanassi, Ivanovo Rock Churches (Day 6), Svestari Thracian Tomb, Madara Rider and treat at a village house in Kjulevtcha (Day 7)

OTHER:

Hotel city tax

Meet & Greet at the hotel on arrival

Not Included

Any entrance or tour fees, not included in the itinerary

Domestic/International flights

Meals other than the mentioned in the inclusions.

Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)

Optional tours

Porterage and gratuities

Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program

Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)

Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

Additional 5% GST

International Flights and VISA fees

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Mixed Groups | Age range: 18-99

Bulgaria

Exclusive group (min 10 pax): Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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8 Days

$1,458

Destination Services

Not Included

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