Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Day 1
Arrived at Sofia Airport. Transfer. Accommodation. Overnight.
Day 2
Breakfast. Departure to Bansko. Walk around and get to know the city’s main attractions. Visit to the Church of St. Trinity in the center of Bansko. It is one of the symbols of the resort town, the most visited landmark and is one of the largest in Bulgaria. Until the construction of the „St. Alexander Nevski“ monument in Sofia „St. Trinity „was the largest church in the country.
Visiting the Veilian House. The building is a model of the architectural type fortified house from the time of the Bulgarian Revival 18-19 century. It is a modern two-storey building built of stone and wood, with a ground floor which includes a cellar and two interconnected hideaways. It impresses mostly with its decoration – frescoes and wood-carved ceilings, which were made by Usta (master) Velyan Ognev – a representative of the Debar Art School. Particularly valuable is the mural decoration of the „Blue Room“, the living room and the living room, the fine woodcarving of the veranda, the geometric and plant motifs on the southeastern facade. Visiting a permanent iconic exhibition „Bansko Art School“, housed in the oldest preserved building in Bansko, Built in 1749. The one-storey building is preserved in its authentic form and has been declared a monument of culture since 1986. „Permanent iconic exhibition of samples from Bansko Iconography School“, one of the most striking manifestations of the Bulgarian culture and in 18-19 century. Here you can see original icons and photocopies of original frescoes, some of them from the Rila Monastery. Accommodation. Free time for practicing winter sports. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 3 – 5
Free time for practicing winter sports. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 6
Breakfast. Departure to Borovetz. Visit to the palace „Tsarska Bistritsa“, a former palace of the rulers of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom. It is located above the Borovets resort in Rila. It was built between 1898 and 1914. It performed the functions of a hunting lodge for Kings Ferdinand I and Boris III. The architectural appearance is influenced by the traditional Bulgarian Renaissance style, but it also shows European architectural influences. In 1898, the first wing of the palace, known as the Old Palace, was built, consisting of several rooms, a study and bedrooms. Hotel accommodation. Free time for practicing winter sports. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 7 – 9
Breakfast. Free time for practicing winter sports. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 10
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. Send off the group. Transfer to the airport. Flight.
