Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Day 1
Arrival at Sofia airport. Transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing tour of Sofia – Bulgaria’s capital and its largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, today the city continues to develop as the country’s cultural and economic center. Sofia is located in the western part of the country, on The Sofia Plain and on the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha. On a strategic crossroads on the route from Western Europe to Istanbul, The Near East and The Middle East, lying between The Danube River and The White Sea on the one hand, and between The Black Sea and The Adriatic on the other.
Walking tour – The Presidency, The Round Church “St. George” – the oldest preserved building in the city, built at a time when Sofia was the residence of the emperors Galerius and Constantine the Great, Church “St. Nedelya” – is a medieval church that has suffered destruction through the ages and has been reconstructed many times. The Ancient Serdica archaeological complex, largely below street level and covering an area of about 9000 sq m, includes eight streets, an early Christian basilica – believed to have been built in two stages in the fourth to late fifth centuries. A major attraction within the complex is the Decumanus Maximus, which would have been the main street in Roman times of the city that later would become Sofia .
The Russian Church, officially known as the Church of “St.Nicholas” is a Russian Orthodox church, one of the most remarkable buildings in Sofia. It was built in the period between 1907 and 1914. The grave of Archbishop Seraphim Sobolev is laid in the temple crypt. The archbishop was considered a miracle maker by many orthodox Christians.
The Cathedral temple “St. Alexander Nevski” is considered a symbol of the Bulgarian capital. The temple interior is unique – it impresses with its magnificent marble decorations, with its mural paintings and 82 icons, made by Bulgarian, Russian and Czech artists. The marble iconostasis, the royal and patriarchal thrones and the pulpit are of greatest interest for the visitors of the temple. Another valuable item is the mosaic mural of Tsar Ferdinand (ruled 1887 – 1918) and Queen Eleanor.
The church “St. Sofia” is situated in the center of Bulgaria’s capital, in close proximity to the Monumental Temple “Alexander Nevski”. It is one of the oldest churches in Sofia and its history is closely related to the history of the city. Nowadays the temple is considered one of the symbols of Sofia. The church was built in the 6th century during the time of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (reigned 527 – 565) on the foundations of 4 older Christian temples from the 4th century. The church “St. Sofia” was built on the place of the necropolis of the city of Serdika (the old name of Sofia) and other older churches from the 4th century and dozens of masonry tombs. Fragments of the mosaic of one of the older temples were found during archaeological excavations. It is considered that the building can house up to 5 thousand people. During the period of the 11th – 14th century it was a metropolitan church and its glory was so great that in the 14th century it gave its name to the city.
Visit to the National Historical Museum. The National History Museum is one of the largest and richest history museums on the Balkan Peninsula. The main museum exhibition is presented in five halls: Prehistory, Ancient Thrace, and the Middle Ages – First (7th-11th century) and Second Bulgarian Empire (12th – 14th century), the Bulgarian lands in the 15th – 19th century and the Third Bulgarian Empire (1878 to the present day). Another hall of the museum presents the unique treasures from Thracian times. The museum also preserves the worldwide famous Panagursko, Rogozensko and Letnishko treasures along with the treasure, discovered near the village of Duvanlii. The many burial gifts, discovered during mound explorations across the country, can also be seen in the museum.
Visit to The Boyana Church, in the eponymous Sofia suburb at the foot of Mt. Vitosha, is one of the few complete and perfectly preserved mediaeval monuments testifying to the significant contribution of Bulgarian monumental painting to European culture in the Middle Ages. The church is one of the 100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria and was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979. Dinner.Overnight stay in Sofia.
Day 2
Breakfast. Departure to Pernik. The town of Pernik is located near Sofia and it is the largest town in Southwestern Bulgaria. Pernik became part of Danubian Bulgaria in the 9 th century and soon after that was turned into strategic fortress. In 1929 Pernik was declared town.
Visit to the International Festival of the Masquerade Games “Surva” held in the town of Pernik is the biggest event of this type not only in Bulgaria but on the Balkan Peninsula as well. It promotes variations of ancient Bulgarian customs that are still alive today. These are an important part of the Bulgarian folklore tradition and are meant to be performed by single men and women. With its competitive nature, the festival is not only a venue but also a contest for the living vessels of this tradition, namely the Kukeri and Survakari.
For two whole days groups from the country and abroad will show you their unique traditions, masks and costumes in the town square and the streets of Pernik. Visiting groups from Europe and the rest of the world will present a colorful multitude of customs, songs and dances. The participants and the audience can interact freely along the parade routes and on the improvised stages arranged throughout the town. Interesting outdoor exhibitions will be arranged at various places in Pernik. Departure to Sofia. Dinner. Overnight stay in Sofia.
Day 3
Breakfast. Departure to Plovdiv, the oldest inhabited city in Europe – the beginning of its history dates back to 4,000 years BC. The town in its present appearance was built around seven hills – the hills of Plovdiv (Plovdiv Tepes) which are an inseparable part of the city’s history. The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and a cultural and economic center of southern Bulgaria. In 2019 Plovdiv will be The European Capital of Culture. Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv. Visit to the Small Basilica. During the construction of an apartment block in Plovdiv in 1988, the ruins of an early Christian church from the middle of the 5th-the end of the 6th centuries were accidentally discovered. The floor of the church was covered with geometrical mosaics. A cross-shaped baptismal pool made of marble and decorated with fine mosaics depicting a stag and doves was discovered in the baptistery. The fine mosaics of the Small Basilica were subject to emergency conservation soon thereafter. In 1993-1994, a National Monuments of Culture Institute team removed and put in storage about half of the mosaics, leaving and conserving the rest in situ. In 1995, the Small Basilica and the adjacent section of the fortification wall were declared a monument of culture of national significance.
Visit to the Archeological Underpass “Trackart”. It is a floor decoration of an aristocratic home from the end of the 3 century. It is known as “Eirene” House because there has been found an image of a woman signed with that name. Having a peristyle plan, the residential building was a typical representative of the rich city house in Philipopolis. The mosaics of the residential building combine pictorial elements from the east and west Roman provinces. They testify to the existence of a local mosaic work shop.
Visit to the Church “St. Nedelya”, built in the early 17 century, with small dimensions and unassuming architecture but with richly decorated iconostasis. In 1829 the old building of Saint Nedelya was demolished and a temporary chapel was built, dedicated to St. Athanasius at first and later to the holy Blessed Virgin. The iconostasis of the old church was mounted in it. The new St. Nedelya church was intended as one of the largest and most spacious Renaissance churches on Bulgarian lands.
The Bulgarian Revival Exhibition is displayed in one of the most impressive houses from the Bulgarian Revival Period – Dimitar Georgiadi’s house. The exhibition is dedicated to the period since the conquering of Bulgaria by the Ottomans (end of the 14 century) to the Liberation (1878). Special focus is placed on the Bulgarian Revival Period (18 – 19 centuries). Visit to a pottery workshop. Demonstration.
The Regional Museum of Ethnography is the second largest museum of its kind in Bulgaria. It was founded in 1917, and in 1938 it relocated to the Kuyumdzhiev, declared a cultural landmark in 1995. Kuyumdzhiev`s House is one of the most remarkable Revival houses which is preserved in our lands it is the home of the Plovdiv merchant. It was built in 1847. It reflects the taste of the rich Plovdiver.
The Balabanov House is a representative for the development of the symmetrical Plovdiv house and is one of the most lavish examples of a house whose spatial composition is characterized by the equal role of two perpendicular axes, the one of the ground floor and the one of the 1st floor. It is also characterized by the exclusively rich elaboration of the architectural detail, of plastic and flat ornamentation. This pattern transcends the pure residential function and is similar to the features of a public building. The house was built in the early 19th century and had three owners. Today the house bears the name of its last owner, the tradesman Luka Balabanov. The houses’s dimensions are impressive, it has 546 m² of built area.
Visit to the Antique theatre, one of the main public works of the Old Philipopolis. Except being a cultural venue, it played an important role for the social and political life of the town and the Roman province of Thrace. It was built in the time of the Emperor Trajan at the beginning of the 2 century. It is one of the best – preserved antique theatres in the world and the only antique theatre building on the Bulgarian lands. The theatre is adapted to Plovdiv’s present-day cultural life and it hosts a wide range of various performances for about 5000 viewers. Dinner. Overnight stay in Plovdiv.
Day 5
Breakfast. Departure to the Rila Monastery – the richest historical and architectural monument of the Orthodox enclave, founded in 10th century and transformed to the most important spiritual and cultural center of Bulgaria. The Rila Monastery is located in 1147 meters altitude in the middle of the fragrant coniferous forests of Rila Mountain. It is a complex of cultural, dwelling and farming buildings which take about 8800 square meters. The Rila Monastery has an unique architecture and is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world heritage list. Departure to Bansko. Bansko is one of the largest winter resorts of Bulgaria is situated on 925 meters above the sea level at the foot of the Pirin mountain – at a distance of 150 km from Sofia. Over the years, Bansko gradually established itself as one of the leading winter ski resorts in the country and the region, which attracts many Bulgarian and foreign tourists. Without a doubt, Bansko is famous among tourists basically as a skiing and a snowboarding destination. Free time. Dinner. Overnight stay in Bansko.
Day 6
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Bansko. Visit to the Holy Trinity Church. The Holy Trinity Church and especially its tall belfry have become a symbol of Bansko. The Church dedicated to the Holy Trinity was built in the period of the Bulgarian National Revival. Its inauguration was made in 1835. The church presents a masterpiece of beautiful synthesis between architectural volumes and spaces, woodcarving, frescos and icons.
Visit to the Neofit Rilski House Museum was opened to the public in May 1981 to mark the centennial of Neofit Rilski’s death. The house has been managed by relatives of Neofit Rilski until it became a permanent museum exhibit.
Visit to the Velyan’s House. Velyan’s House in Bansko is located near the Holy Trinity Church and the central square of the town. The house is an example of the architectural style – fortified house of the Bulgarian Revival Period. Velyan’s House was built in the 18th century and was opened to visitors in 1977. Free time for practice Winter sports or SPA and Wellness programs. Dinner. Overnight stay in Bansko.
Day 7
Breakfast. Departure to Melnik – the smallest town of Bulgaria, architectural reserve and ethnographic monument, the capital of wine production. Enjoy the marvelous architecture at the foothills of sandstone pyramids.
Visit the biggest and the most beautiful house of Kordopulov built in 1754 and its wine cellar cut below the ground. The Kordopulov house and its history through centuries interesting and magica valuable and with eternal architecture, it is one of the most significant constructions in Melnik and has a rich interior. It is the biggest house from the Revival period in the history of Bulgaria and was built by the rich family Kordopul.
Visit to the Wine Museum in Melnik. Wine testing. The red wine of Melnik has rich taste and odor.
Visit to the Villa Melnik Family Winery. Tour of the winery and the vineyards. The new, modern winery opened doors in 2013. It boasts state-of-the art wine-making equipment and a dedicated highly-qualified staff. From day one, the winery welcome wine enthusiasts for tours and tastings, so that they may experience the winemaking process for themselves. On 2nd and 14th of February, Bulgarians celebrate the holiday of vine-growers and wine-makers, known as St. Trifon Zarezan (Trifon the Pruner) – the Bulgarian patron saint of vineyards. Trifon Zarezan is the traditional Bulgarian wine celebration that marks the time of year when vine-growers trim back their vines. The holiday marks the dividing line between the outgoing winter and the onset of spring – the transition between the dead winter season and the invigorating powers of the following seasons. There are many rituals performed to ensure vitality and fruitfulness. The first pruning of the vines for the season is the main ritual performed on February 14, when people gather in the vineyards outside the villages. Departure to Sandanski – a popular balneological and spa center. There are 80 springs in the area, the temperature of which ranges from 42 to 81 degrees (Celsius). The salinity of the water is low; it has a rich chemical composition. It is successfully used for treatment and prevention of many diseases of the respiratory tract, artro-rheumatism, diseases of the loco-motor system, the nervous system etc.
Free time for SPA and Wellness programs. Dinner. Overnight stay in Sandanski. Dinner. Overnight stay in Sandanski.
Day 8
Breakfast. Departure to Sofia. Transfer to the airport. Departure.
