Country Roads & Museum Villages Of Bulgaria

7 Days & 6 Nights

Day 1: Sofia
Arrive at Sofia airport. Guide meets and assists for a transfer to hotel.Check in hotel. Dinner in a local restaurant .Overnight at hotel in Sofia.

Day 2: Sofia, Lovetch, Gabrovo/Kmetovtzi
After breakfast enjoy a city sightseeing of Sofia, a city of boulevards and open spaces and see the city's most important places of worship - Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral and St. George Rotunda. Departure to Gabrovo via Lovetch, stroll through the Varosha architectural and historic reserve in the old part of the town, having preserved the best building traditions typical of the National Revival period. You will see the covered bridge built by the self-taught master builder Kolyo Fitcheto. Lunch in a local restaurant. Departure to Gabrovo and Kmetovtzi, visiting Bozentzi museum village. Check in hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kmetovtzi. 

Day 3: Kmetovtzi-V, Tarnovo, Arbanassi, Etara, Shipka pass, Kazanlak
Full day tour, starting with a visit to the Etara outdoor ethnographic museum village, where 18th-19th century crafts and lifestyle come alive in front of the visitors' eyes. Proceed to Veliko Tarnovo - sightseeing of the Mediaeval capital of Bulgaria picturesquely situated on three hills,circled by the Yantra River. Its houses, perched one above the other on the slopes of the hills, still preserve the typical 19th century architecture. Visit the fortress on Tsarevets Hill and Patriarchal Church. Lunch in a local restaurant. Departure for the museum village of Arbanassi, rich in old churches, monasteries and old Bulgarian houses. Tour proceeds to Kazanlak via Shipka Pass. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kazanlak.

Day 4: Kazanlak, Plovdiv
After breakfast tour of the city of Kazanlak -the centre of the famous Rose Valley and visit the replica of the Thracian Tomb / 4th-3rd c. B.C../, entrance to the Ethnographic reserve in Kazanlak. Lunch in a local restaurant. Departure to Plovdiv - a town dominating the Thracian Plain, a thousand years older than Sofia which has preserved many treasures from its long history. Check in hotel. After a short break for refreshment, sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, including the Old City museum town, visit the Roman Theatre / 2nd c. A.D./ Dinner in a local restaurant in the Old Town. Overnight at hotel in Plovdiv.

Day 5: Plovdiv, Borovets, Rila Monastery, Bansko
After breakfast drive to Rila Monastery - the largest in the Balkans, included in the List of World Cultural Heritage, which will captivate you with its unrivalled architecture and murals. Tour of the monastery. Lunch in a local restaurant. Proceed to Bansko museum town. This quiet small town with 17th c. old architecture is situated at the foot of the Pirin mountain National Park, included in the List of World Natural Heritage. Everything is special in Bansko - traditional costumes, the local folklore singing and adncing, wonderful cuisine, and the people. Walking sightseeing tour of Bansko. Accommodation at hotel. Special dinner in a tavern with folklore music. Overnight at hotel in Bansko.

Day 6: Bansko, Melnik, Sofia
Breakfast. Drive south to the museum town of Melnik. Scenically located at the foothills of sandstone pyramids, this smallest town in Bulgaria is famous with its ancient architecture and red wine. Walking sightseeing tour, visit one of the old houses, masterpiece of early 17th c. local architecture. Lunch in a tavern, taste the famous Melnik red wine. After some time for free walks and taking pictures, depart to Sofia. Check in hotel in Sofia. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Sofia
Breakfast at hotel then a transfer to the airport for departure. End of services.

Package Rates Are Full Board & Include: 
2 nights in Sofia at 4-star Hotel Sofia Princess, or similar; 1 night in Gabrovo/Kmetovtzi at 3-star Hotel Fenerite, 1 night in Kazanlak at 3-star Hotel Palace, 1 night in Plovdiv at 4-star Trimonzium Princess, or similar; 1 night in Bansko at 4-star hotel; buffet breakfast, 4 lunches, 5 dinners, 1 special dinner in Bansko with folklore music, transfers upon arrival and departure, transportation by car, minibus, air-conditioned minibus or coach, according to above program, English speaking guide throughout the tour, entrance fees according to above program.

Rates Do Not Include: air fare, airport tax, additional meals, tips for guide, driver, hotel and restaurant staff, items not specially mentioned above and/or in the itinerary, porterage at airport and hotels, insurance. 

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