Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Day 1
Arrived at Sofia Airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Dinner.
Day 7
Breakfast. Departure to Sofia. A visit to the Presidency courtyard and the Rotunda St. George, which is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Sofia and the only one building in the city preserved up to the roof dated back to the Roman Empire.
The tour passes along the Cathedral “St. Nedelya” – one of the spiritual beauties of the capital and a bearer of a centuries-old tradition.
The newly discovered Ancient complex “Serdika” is going to be visited afterwards. The greatest attraction is the main street of ancient town Serdika – named Dekumanus Maksimus, which authentic pavement is almost entirely preserved. Three underground levels form an outdoor underground museum that shows three separate neighborhoods. Under the glass dome, an art space is created for concerts and productions.
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, considered as the symbol of the Bulgarian capital is going to be visited next. The Cathedral was built in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, whose army in 1878 liberates Bulgaria from the five centuries of Ottoman domination. Its construction began in 1904 and ended eight years later. The temple’s interior is unique and impresses with magnificent marble decoration and frescoes.
A visit to the National Museum of History. Emphasis is given to Hall 2, where the peak achievements of the Thracian culture during the 6th century BC are presented. – 4th century BC. The centerpiece of the shop is the showcase of the famous Panagyurishte gold treasure, a magnificent work of goldsmiths from the early Hellenistic epoch. Special attention is paid to Hall 3, dedicated to the history and culture of Bulgarian lands during the Middle Ages. Accomodation.
Day 3
Breakfast. Departure to Melnik. A walk around the city’s main attractions. Visit to the Kordopulova House, the biggest Bulgarian Revival House in the history of Bulgaria. It was built in 1754 with unique interior and exterior, with exquisite taste, preserving the best traditions of production and storage of Bulgarian red wine. It consists of four floors, two of which are made of stone, and a wine cellar. The 150-meter underground wine storage tunnel is carved into the rock and can hold up to 300 tons of wine, with special channels and ventilation systems for the proper storage of wine. A visit to the Museum of Wine, located in the center of Melnik. It features an authentic collection of tools, vessels, equipment and technology for wine and brandy production, as well as a collection of ancient photographs and mosaics. Wines are produced in an authentic Melnik recipe and technology.
Visit to Rozhen Monastery, one of the most interesting and important religious and cultural centers on the territory of Bulgaria. There are no precise data on the founding of the monastery. It is believed that it existed already in the 13th century. The main church of the Holy Virgin is distinguished by a rare unity and harmony of its interior decoration. It is one of the few original ensembles preserved to date, in which each ingredient is thoughtfully combined with the rest. Of particular importance in the church interior and the organization of the temple space is the iconostasis. The Villa Melnik winery, which is located 4 km away from Melnik, is on the way to the village of Harsovo. It is a family company with vineyards and wine traditions of more than two centuries of documented history. In the spring of 2013. A new, modern winery with a capacity of about 250 tons of grapes was put into operation as a wine tourism destination. Understanding the technological process of wine production as well as a short tasting. Then a visit to Rupite complex is a protected area, which is located about 10 km. From Petrich and 2 km from the village of Rupite, at the eastern foot of the extinct volcano Kojuh Mountain. The area is known primarily as a place associated with the prophet Vanga and its curative thermal springs at a temperature of 74 degrees, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists. In the area is located the monument „St. Petka Bulgarska „, built in 1994 and despite the fact that the temple was not built according to the rules of the Orthodox Church, it attracted thousands of pilgrims and tourists because of its connection with grandmother Vanga. Departure to Sandanski. Accommodation. Overnight.
Day 4
Breakfast. Departure to Velingrad. Arriving around noon. Visit to the Kleptuza karst spring, a symbol of the city. In 1966 it was declared a natural landmark. The spring is captured and its waters are brought to the surface of the earth. There is a flow rate of 270-1020 dm³/s, which is highly variable. The water is clear and cold with a temperature of 8.1 ° C, relatively solid. It is suitable for drinking and part of it is captured and used for water supply in Velingrad. Accommodation. Free time for spa treatments. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 5
Breakfast. Departure to Ustina village. A visit to the wine cellar „Vila Justina“ is situated in a region rich in wine history. It was established at the end of 2006 with the idea of building a small boutique winery, processing 300 tons of grapes from its own masses and aging quality wines in oak barrels. Tour and acquaintance with wine production technology. Visit of the Brestovitsa winery in the village of the same name. It was built in the late 1930s. It is a classic model of a French „above-ground cellar“ built on the project of French engineers. The cellar handles deliciously hand-picked grapes, which ferments the classic technology for high-quality wines. Tour and acquaintance with wine production technology. Visiting the wine cellar „Todorof“, the first of its kind in Bulgaria wine cellar, offering unique wines for amateurs and collectors, created the basis for the new wine style changes and the development of the wine culture in Bulgaria since 2001. The present owner undertakes major reconstruction and modernization, combining the most modern production technologies with the Bulgarian Revival architecture, turning it into a neat and modernly equipped complex. Departure to Plovdiv. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 6
Breakfast. Walking tour of the Old Town, familiarization with the main attractions. Visiting the church „St. Nedelya“, known as a monument of construction and art from the time of the Bulgarian Revival. Built at the beginning of the 18th century, at the time of the greatest constraints of the Ottoman authorities over the religion of Christians Most icons in the temple were painted by Zachary Zograf, Dimitar Hristov Zograf and his son Zafir, better known as Stanislav Dospevski. The iconostasis is a perfect work of Renaissance church carving with predominant plant ornaments. Viewing the house of Dimitar Georgiadis, where is housed the Bulgarian Renaissance Exposition at the Plovdiv Regional History Museum, built in 1848. In the popular architectural style of the Plovdiv symmetrical house for the 19th century, the building is a monument of culture of national importance. Examination of the building of the Regional Ethnographic Museum, which is housed in the Kuyumdzhiev house, built in 1847. By master Hadji Georgi. She is a typical representative of the Plovdiv symmetrical Revival house. The specialists define it as the peak of Baroque architecture in Bulgaria. Its owner is Argir Kuyumdjioglu – wealthy Plovdiv trader. The eastern façade of the house has „set foot“ on the old fortress wall and is an integral part of the ensemble of Hisar Kapiya.
Visit Ancient Theater – the symbol of ancient Philippopolis. Apart from being a cultural center, it has played an important role in the social and political life of the city and the Roman province of Thrace. Built during the reign of Emperor Trajan in the beginning of the 2 nd century. Revealed in archaeological excavations from 1968 to 1979. From the Archaeological Museum of Plovdiv. It is one of the best preserved ancient theaters in the world and the only antique theatrical building on the Bulgarian lands. There are inscriptions and exquisite statues now included in the building’s architecture. Nowadays it is adapted to the contemporary cultural life of Plovdiv and it hosts various performances of about 5 000 spectators. Visit to the Regional Archaeological Museum of Plovdiv. His collections are housed in the center of the city, and the renovated and fully refurbished building was opened in October 2010. In its seven halls there are exhibits from the prehistoric to the Middle Ages. From the period 5th – 4th centuries BC. Is a rich collection of works of ancient Greek art – silverware, golden female ornaments for body and clothes. Among the interesting exhibits of the museum are numerous antique sculptures, votive plates and more. The walking tour ends with a visit to Trakart Cultural Center, where ancient floor mosaics from 3 to 4 century BC are exhibited. Three permanent expositions are presented – „The Glass in the Ancient Art“, 5 – 3 Prototrachian Portraits Thousand BC And Miniature Roman portrait from 1 century BC – 1 c. The Trakart Cultural Center-Museum has a chamber hall and is a good example of reconciling its museum character with various cultural events – exhibitions, chamber concerts, theater productions, seminars, conferences. Departure to Sofia. Send off the group. Transfer to the airport.
