UNESCO GRAND TOUR “THE BEST OF BULGARIA”

Arrival to Sofia. Transfer from the airport and accommodation in 4* hotel in the centre city (Best Western City or similar). Welcome dinner and overnight in the hotel. B, D.

Panoramic walking tour around the Bulgarian capital – a 8500 old city called “My Rome” by Emperor Constantine The Great. Visit to the most fascinating places of interest: the forum of Ancient Serdica (the old name of the city) with the newest archeological discoveries from Roman time which are exhibited next to the Bulgarian presidency. Next is the St. Nedelya sqare, where 4 temples from different religions are located next to each other: The Catholic church, The Ortodox church, The Synagogue and The Mosque are forming quadrangle, which symbolize the peace between different religions in Bulgaria. Our tour continues with the Alexander I square where the Royal Palace and the National Theatre are located, “Tzar Osvoboditel” boulevard, the Parliament, the Church of ”St. Sofia” (the name means wisdom), which had given the name of the city, the Sofia University and the “Alexander Nevski” cathedral (the biggest Orthodox temple on the Balkan peninsula). Free time to walk along walk along through the recently reconstructed predestain zone Vitosha Art Boulevard. This is the place in Sofia, where you can feel the spirit and live of the city. There are a lot of boutiques, shops, cozy cafes and restaurants. Overnight in the hotel. B.

After breakfast – departure to Veliko Tarnovo – the capital of the Second Bulgarian kingdom. Sightseeing of the historical hill Tsarevets with the Fortress, the Patriarchal church, the Royal Palace and the Emperor Bolduin's tower. Panoramic tour of the town, stroll along the old Trade Street - "Samovodska charshia". Departure to the village of Arbanassi. The village is famous for its ancient, richly decorated churches and magnificent architecture. It used to be a residence of the Bulgarian kings. Lunch at a restaurant with typical for the region cuisine. Return back to Veliko Tarnovo. Accommodation and overnight in hotel Gurko 3* (or similar) Optional: Live Orthodox songs concert in the St. Michael and Gavrail Archangels Church. For the beer lovers we offer possibility to visit the local brewery "Bolyarka" with tasting of Bulgarian beer. B, L.

After breakfast - departure to the Rusenski Lom river valley. Visit to the Rock Churches of Ivanovo – an UNESCO object, famous for its unique frescoes from XII-XIV century. Set off to Ruse - the first Bulgarian city with European appearance, also called "the little Vienna". The city is also the main Bulgarian port, located on the bank of Danube river. Panoramic tour around the city: the Monument of Liberty, the Pantheon of National Revival Heroes, Dohodno Zdanie Building, the National Museum of Railway Transport and others. Accommodation and overnight hotel Cosmos 3* (or similar). B.

After breakfast - departure for the region of Shumen town. Visit of the architecture reserve with a stone 25 m high bas-relief of Madara Horseman, which is under the protection of UNESCO. This mystical place is one of the strongest energy zones in Bulgaria with healthy and psychology effects over the people who have been there. Departure for the first capital of Bulgaria – Pliska (VII-IX century). Visit of the Archeological reserve complex and the Great Basilica – is real masterpiece of mediaeval architecture. It was the biggest Christian orthodox temple in Southeast Europe in IX century. Departure for the sea capital, the sea beauty Varna. Late in the afternoon, departure for the nature phenomenon "The Stone Forest" - a magical place with many stone figures, dating tens of thousands years back in time. Accommodation and overnight in Interhotel Cherno More 3* hotel (or similar) in the region of Varna. B.

Panoramic tour around the sea capital of Bulgaria – Varna, with visit to the Archeological museum, where the oldest processed gold in the world is stored. Optional tours and activities: -A half day trip to the town with ancient history - Balchik, also called "The White Town". You will visit the summer residence of the Romanian Queen Maria, called "The quiet nest" and the Botanical garden, with more than 3000 species of plants. There are also about 250 species of cactuses. The Botanical garden is the second largest garden in Europe. -Dinner at a restaurant in the typical Bulgarian folk style. Excellent cuisine, wines and folklore programme with dance on glowing embers. B.

Panoramic tour around the sea capital of Bulgaria – Varna, with visit to the Archeological museum, where the oldest processed gold in the world is stored. Optional tours and activities: -A half day trip to the town with ancient history - Balchik, also called "The White Town". You will visit the summer residence of the Romanian Queen Maria, called "The quiet nest" and the Botanical garden, with more than 3000 species of plants. There are also about 250 species of cactuses. The Botanical garden is the second largest garden in Europe. -Dinner at a restaurant in the typical Bulgarian folk style. Excellent cuisine, wines and folklore programme with dance on glowing embers. B.

Breakfast. Departure for the South Black seaside. Visit of the Ancient town of Nessebar. The town is listed in the UNESCO world heritage. There are more than 40 churches, dated from different eras, visit of some of them. The atmosphere is very pleasant with the old architecture of the houses, the romantic narrow streets. In the afternoon - departure for the Ropotamo Reserve - one of the most exotic places at the Black sea coast of Bulgaria. Row with a boat down the Ropotamo River to it's mouth at the sea - possibility to meet wild animals, unique rock figures, rare plants. This short voyage is a real treasure for the photo-hunters. Dinner in a fish restaurant. Accommodation and overnight in St. Stefan 3* hotel (or similar) in Nessebar and Sunny Beach area. B, D.

After breakfast the tour continues with visit of the town of Kazanlak – the capital of the Rose valley and Thracian kings. Visit to the historical museum, which houses the unique gold and bronze treasures – as the golden mask of king Teres, recently discovered in the Valley of the Thracian Kings. Then follows the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, dating back to the 4th C. BC (listed in the world natural and historical heritage of UNESCO), as well as the ethnographic complex of Damastsena, where the technology of production of rose oil is introduced. In the afternoon - departure for Plovdiv. Accommodation in hotel Expo 3* (or similar). Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight. B, D.

After breakfast - visit of the Old Plovdiv, built in IV century before Christ from the King Philip of Macedonia. Visit to the old part of the town with the Ethnographical museum, the St. Constantine and Elena Church, the Antique Theatre and the Roman Stadium. Next is visit of Bachkovo Monastery. Founded in 11-th century by two Georgian brothers, this is the second largest Bulgarian Monastery after the Rila Monastery. There are extremely valuable frescos of biblical subjects from 16-th century in the monastery. The Icon of Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the monastery, is considered as miraculous. Return to Plovdiv. Overnight. Optional: Wine tasting in "Todoroff" boutique wine-cellar, located not far from Plovdiv. This cellar produces small consignments of high quality wine, made from the typical Bulgarian grape sort "Mavrud". There is a small SPA hotel next to the cellar, which offers various wine therapies. B.

Take off to the Rila Monastery, founded in 10th c. The biggest Bulgarian medieval spiritual centre with rich collection of icons, wall-paintings, old-printed books - some 15 000 volumes. Guided tour round the monastery. It is in the UNESCO list of world heritage. Lunch and departure to Sofia. Accommodation and overnight in Best Western City 4* hotel (or similar). B, L.

After breakfast – transfer to the airport and flight back home. B.