JOIN-IN GROUP TOUR WITH GUARANTEED DEPARTURES

The program includes 7 nights FB basis – 3 nights in Sofia, 2 nights in Veliko Tarnovo, 1 night in Kazanlak, 1 night in Koprivshtitsa; transfer in an air-conditioned bus; English speaking guide throughout the entire trip.

PROGRAM

DAY 1: Arrival at the Sofia airport. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Sofia.

DAY 2: Breakfast. Departure for Veliko Tarnovo. On the way a visit to the Troyan Monastery - the third biggest monastery in Bulgaria, founded in the 17th century. In 1847 the monks requested that the famous Bulgarian artist Zahari Zograf work on the decoration of the monastery. Lunch in a nearby restaurant. Late afternoon – arrival in Veliko Tarnovo – the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1187-1396). Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner. Possibility to attend the “Sound and Light” show on Tsarevets hill (additional payment). Overnight stay in Veliko Tarnovo.

DAY 3: Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo – Tsarevets hill, Samovodska Charshia. Lunch. A visit to the historical village of Arbanasi - the Konstantsaliev’s House – one of the biggest and most lavishly decorated houses of the Bulgarian National Revival and to the Church of the Nativity of Christ, the oldest church in Arbanasi, unique with its frescoes. Return to Veliko Tarnovo. Dinner. Overnight stay in Veliko Tarnovo.

DAY 4: Breakfast. Departure for Kazanlak. A visit to Dryanovo Monastery, established in the 13th century and situated in the picturesque gorge of Dryanovo River. Visit to Bozhentsi, a pretty village at the foot of the mountain, where there are a number of preserved houses from the Bulgarian National Revival. The village has been declared an architectural reserve. This will be followed by a visit to the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex, which portrays the way of life, traditions, customs and economic background of the Bulgarians during the Revival. Lunch. Afterwards a visit to the peak Shipka - where in August 1877 one of the most crucial battles in the Russo-Turkish war took place. It was part of a series of battles that brought freedom to Bulgarians after five centuries of enslavement. Visit to the Shipka Memorial Church - a Russian church built in honor of the perished Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers in the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). Late arrival in Kazanlak. Dinner. Overnight in Kazanlak.

DAY 5: Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Kazanlak – the city of artists, roses and Thracian kings. A visit to the Rose Museum, which has unique exhibits relevant to the production of rose oil from the year 1660 until today; Iskra Museum of History (the most recently discovered gold, silver and bronze findings from the Thracian mounds are on display in the new treasury) and the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak. The tomb is part of a great Thracian necropolis and dates back to the 4th century BC. It has been part of the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage since 1979. Lunch in Kazanlak. Departure for Koprivshtitsa – pretty little town at the heart of Sredna Gora. Tour of Oslekov’s House, Todor Kableshkov’s Memorial House, Dimcho Debelianov’s House and the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Dinner. Overnight stay in Koprivshtitsa.

DAY 6: Breakfast. Departure for Sofia. Arrival in Sofia. Lunch. Afternoon - a visit to the National Art Gallery – a museum of art and sculpture, which holds pieces of Bulgaria’s most famous artists from the 19th and 20th century. Free time in Sofia. Dinner. Overnight stay in Sofia.

DAY 7: Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Sofia – St. Nedelya Cathedral, St. George Rotunda, Russian Church of St. Nicolas, St. Sophia Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Ivan Vazov National Theater. Lunch, followed by a visit to the National Museum of History and the Boyana Church, included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage and has preserved frescoes of an unknown artist, which date back to the year 1259. The frescoes impress with the spirituality and expressiveness of their images, created 7 years before the birth of Giotto di Bondone, considered the first Renaissance artist. Dinner at a typical Bulgarian Resaturant with a folklore program. Overnight stay in Sofia.

DAY 8: Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

Price per person in double room on FB basis - 579 EUR

Single supplement – 110 EUR


Price includes:

• 7 nights (3 nights in Sofia, 2 nights in Veliko Tarnovo, 1 night in Kazanlak, 1 night in Koprivshtitsa) on FB basis in 3 and 4 star hotels, including the dinner at a typical Bulgarian Resaturant with a folklore program).

• All entrance fees for museums, listed in the program (Troyan Monastery; Tsarevets hill in Veliko Tarnovo; Konstantsaliev’s House and the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Arbanasi; Dryanovo Monastery; Bozhentsi; Etara; Rose Museum, Iskra Museum of History and the Thracian Tomb in Kazanlak; Oslekov's House, Kableshkov Memorial House, Dimcho Debelianov’s house and Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos; National Art Gallery, National Museum of History and Boyana Church in Sofia). “Sound and Light” show is not included in the price and will require additional payment.

• All transfers and transport in a luxurious coach or mini-bus (air-conditioning, video, mini-bar).

• English speaking guide throughout the entire trip.

The price is valid for a join-in group tour of 10 participants. On the above mentioned dates you can join an existing group and take advantage of prices and services of group travel.

Rual Travel can provide prices on request for groups of more or less than 10 persons. For any inquiries please contact us on the following e-mail - rual@incomingbulgaria.com