CHARMING BULGARIA

8-day / 7-night guided tour through Bulgaria’s historical and cultural landmarks.

Route

Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Kazanlak – Koprivshtitsa – Plovdiv – Borovets – Sofia

Price

860 € per person (based on 2 adults sharing one room)

Program

• Day 1: Meeting with your guide at your hotel in Sofia. Dinner and overnight stay in Sofia.
• Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Sofia: Kliment Ohridski College and National Library, Alexander Nevski Cathedral, National Assembly, St. Nicholas Russian Church, St. Sophia Church, National Art Gallery, Rotunda of St. George. Free time to explore the city. Dinner and overnight stay in Sofia.
• Day 3: Travel to Veliko Tarnovo (220 km), capital of the second Bulgarian Kingdom. Tour of the town and its hills with panoramic views over the Yantra River. Walk through the old town (Samovodska Charshia), visit local craft stores and the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Optional visit to the Tsarevets fortress. Continue to Arbanassi; visit the monastery of Saints Peter and Paul. Dinner and overnight stay in Veliko Tarnovo.
• Day 4: Drive to Gabrovo (craft center), visit the Etara open-air museum. Continue to Kazanlak, the Valley of Roses and Thracian kings. Visit the UNESCO-listed Thracian tomb and the House of Roses; rose-product tasting. Travel to Koprivshtitsa, a picturesque Renaissance town. Dinner and overnight stay in Koprivshtitsa.
• Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Koprivshtitsa and visit to a typical house. Travel to Plovdiv (90 km), one of Europe’s oldest cities and former European Capital of Culture (2019). Visit the Roman stadium, ancient theater (UNESCO), Lamartine’s house, and 18th–19th century alleys. Free time to explore. Dinner and overnight stay in Plovdiv.
• Day 6: Travel to Samokov; visit a historic iron-processing plant and the 18th-century Samokov Monastery. Continue to Borovets, a year-round mountain resort. Optional visit to Rila Monastery. Dinner and overnight stay in Borovets.
• Day 7: Return to Sofia (70 km) for free time. Dinner and overnight stay in Sofia.
• Day 8: Breakfast and hotel check-out.

Included

• Sightseeing tours in Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi, Kazanlak, Koprivshtitsa, Plovdiv, Samokov, and Borovets
• Visits to the Rose Valley and Thracian tomb of Kazanlak (UNESCO)
• Guided visits: Monastery of St. Peter and Paul (Arbanassi), Etara open-air museum, a typical Koprivshtitsa house, Samokov’s old metallurgical plant, and Samokov Monastery
• Rose-product tasting
• Comfortable transportation throughout the trip
• French-speaking tour guide
• Accommodation: 2 nights in Sofia (3-star hotel), 1 night in Veliko Tarnovo (4-star hotel), 1 night in Koprivshtitsa (family hotel), 1 night in Plovdiv (4-star hotel), 1 night in Borovets (4-star hotel), all with breakfast
• 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners
• Local taxes

Not Included

• Return transfer to/from your hotel in Sofia
• Lunch, drinks, and personal expenses
• Services not listed in the program
• Travel insurance
• Optional sightseeing and excursions

Optional Excursions

• Entrance to Tsarevets Fortress: 6 € per adult
• Visit to Rila Monastery: 5 €