On your arrival at Sofia Airport, our driver will welcome you at the airport and then transfer you to the centrally-located hotel in Sofia. After a break in the hotel, the tour guide will escort you to have a sightseeing walk to the major cultural monuments in downtown Sofia. Strolling around the yellow-cobbled streets, you will see the Roman ruins, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Theatre Ivan Vazov, the Sofia University, the Mosque, the Round church St. George from the 4-th century, etc. Accommodation: Hotel COOP Sofia (4 stars) or similar
Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Sofia Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia
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Day 2: Sofiia - Rila Monastary - Plovdiv
Today we will drive about 2.5 hours from Sofia to a holy place situated in Rila National Park - the Rila Monastery (UNSECO), which is the largest Orthodox monastery in the Balkans. We will visit the exceptional frescoes, the history museum and the medieval tower in central church. You can admire the existing building that is a masterpiece of the Bulgarian Renaissance in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the afternoon, we will continue driving about 3 hours (220 kilometers/137 miles) to Plovdiv, the second largest city of Bulgaria. After checking into the hotel, our guide will show you around the town and recommend you nice restaurants for dinner on your own expense. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Plovdiv Center (4 stars) or similar
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Day 3: Plovdiv Culture Tour
After breakfast, we will drive through the vast Rodopi Mountains to pay a visit to the Bachkovo Monastery, the second-largest Bulgarian monastery. Founded in the 11th century, this monastery is renowned for its miraculous icon. Next, you can enjoy an escorted short hike above the monastery and walk to the sacred spring or further to the rock hewn chapel. Thereafter, transfer back to Plovdiv, en route we will stop for lunch and Bulgarian wine tasting at Dragomir Estate Winery. Afterwards, we will have a culture tour to the old town of Plovdiv with numerous cultural monuments, which mainly include the Ethnographic Museum, the Ancient Roman Amphitheater, the Roman Stadium and the Djumaya Mosque. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Plovdiv Center (4 stars) or similar
Rila National Park Rodopi Mountains
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Day 4: Rose Valley - Kazanlak - Veliko Tarnovo
This morning, we will leave for Kazanlak and enjoy a picturesque drive through the Rose Valley, also known as the valley of the Thracian Kings. On the way, stop at a private rose garden of Encho Bonchev to smell the fragrance and find glory of the Rosa Damascena. Millions of blooming roses are radiant with the glory in this region, which makes Kazanlak an unmissable place to visit, particularly from mid-May to mid-June every year. We will go on with a visit to the Tomb of Seuthes III where the king of the Thracian Odryssae was buried. Next, enter the replica of the Kazanlak Thracian tomb because the original one is closed for visitors. The Thracian tomb, dating back to the 4th - 3th century BC, is the most spectacular one and protected by UNESCO’s world heritage. Later, continue to drive 1.5 hours to Veliko Tarnovo for an overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Meridian Hotel Bolyarski (4 stars) or similar
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Day 5: Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi Village
Built on pretty hills surrounding the Yantra river, Veliko Tarnovo town is once the medieval capital of Bulgaria. Today our guide will accompany you to take a one-hour sightseeing walk to the Tsarevets Royal Hill. After the visit, you can explore the old town at your own pace. In the afternoon, we will drive 9km away from Veliko Tarnovo to the nearby village of Arbanasi to visit the Church of Nativity, which boasts distinctive frescoes at the 16th and 17th centuries. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Meridian Hotel Bolyarski (4 stars) or similar
Tsarevets Fortress Street Scene of Bulgaria
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Day 6: Transfer to Nesebar
After breakfast, we will drive 246 kilometers (152 miles) for over 3 hours to reach Nesebar, which is a prominent seaport and seaside resort along the Black Sea Coast. After settling into the hotel, you are free to explore this charming city on your own. It is advised to enjoy a boat ride on the Black Sea or just relax on the beach, basking in the warm sunshine. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aphrodite Beach Hotel (4 stars) or similar
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Day 7: Treasures of Varna
In the morning, we will take a 2-hour scenic drive to Varna, the sea capital of Bulgaria. The guide will escort you to visit Varna Archaeological Museum, a real highlight which is famed for housing reputedly the oldest gold jewelry ever discovered in the world. This afternoon is yours to enjoy some leisure time on pure sandy beaches. You may experience great moments by trying some water sports here. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Modus Varna (4 stars) or similar
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Day 8: Departure from Varna, Bulgaria
Today your romantic Bulgaria tour package will come to an end. We will transfer you to the Varna Airport on time for your homebound flight. Wish you have enjoyed a wonderful vacation with us! Meals: Breakfast
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