Exploring Bulgaria in 8 Days

After breakfast at the hotel, travellers set off to explore Plovdiv — Bulgaria’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s oldest, with history stretching back to 6,000 BC. They visit the Ancient Forum and Odeon, Roman Stadium, Old Town archaeological complex, Ancient Theatre, Regional Ethnographic Museum, Nebet Tepe site (settlements since 4000 BC), and the vibrant Kapana Craft District. After that, tourists can enjoy a leisurely lunch in a traditional restaurant before discovering Asen’s Fortress, a medieval stronghold in the Rhodope Mountains famed for its 13th-century frescoes and historic belfry tower. Next, they tour the Bachkovo Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos, where Zahari Zograf’s 19th-century murals bring Bulgarian history to life. Finally, participants transfer back to Plovdiv for dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, tourists head to Haskovo to admire the 31 m (102 ft) Monument of the Holy Mother of God — Guinness-certified as the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus — before exploring the 4th century BC Thracian tomb and art exhibits at the Alexandrovo Tomb and Museum Centre “Thracian Art of Eastern Rhodope.” After a leisurely lunch in a traditional restaurant, enjoy local specialties and atmosphere, then transfer to Shumen for hotel check-in. In the evening, relax over dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Shumen to visit the Monument to 1,300 Years of Bulgaria — a plateau-top memorial built in 1981 to honor the First Bulgarian Empire. Next, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, sampling local specialties. Then discover the Madara Rider, which is an early medieval rock relief on the Madara Plateau dating to the late 7th / early 8th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterward, transfer to Veliko Tarnovo for hotel check-in. In the evening, relax over dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, travelers get to Veliko Tarnovo to explore the medieval fortress of Tsarevets, the historic seat of Bulgarian kings, then visit nearby Arbanasi Village to admire 17th- and 18th-century churches and Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Tourists enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant, sampling local specialties and soaking up the atmosphere, before transferring to Kazanlak for hotel check-in and free time. In the evening, you can relax over dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, participants explore Kazanlak, the heart of Bulgaria’s Rose Valley, renowned for its world-class rose oil production. They visit the Kazanlashka Tomb, a Thracian UNESCO World Heritage site in the Valley of the Thracian Kings, and then discover the Tomb of Seuthes III, burial place of the Odrysian king who founded Seuthopolis. After that, enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant with local cuisine and fine wine before wandering the Damascena Complex to see architectural and ethnographic exhibits where Orpheus’s legends come alive and learn fascinating rose oil facts. In the late afternoon, transfer back to Sofia for hotel check-in and dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you journey to the Rila Monastery — Bulgaria’s spiritual and cultural heart nestled in the mountains at 1,147 m and a UNESCO World Heritage site — before enjoying lunch in a traditional restaurant and sampling local specialties. In the afternoon, marvel at the Stob Pyramids, unique rock formations protected as a critically endangered habitat, then transfer back to Sofia for dinner at the hotel and recharge your batteries.

After breakfast at the hotel, tourists check out and transfer to the airport or their pre-arranged drop-off point with our booking team.