01 Day

Arrival in Sofia. Airport-hotel transfer. Check – in. Panoramic city tour  including National Archaeological Museum, National Theatre, Russian Church St. Nikola, Parliament Square, Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral with the most valuable collection of Bulgarian Icons (13-19^th c), St. Sofia Church (6^th c), St. George Rotunda (4^th c), National Palace of Culture. Overnight in Sofia.

Sightseeing during the day:

Sofia - roads from all parts of the world have been meeting here nearly 7 000 years. Peoples have come and gone, civilizations have advanced and declined, but the city has remained. More than 250 historic, archaeological and architectural landmarks in the city which the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great once called “My Rome”.

02 Day

Breakfast. Visit to Boyana church. Included in UNESCO list of World Heritage and considered herald of European Renaissance. Time at leisure. Overnight in Sofia.

Sightseeing during the day:

Boyana Church is included in UNESCO list of World Heritage and is considered herald of European Renaissance. Most interesting are the frescoes (1259) which art experts today rate them as a peak of realistic art of those times. These genuine masterpieces of 13th century painting, created 200 years before the European Renaissance mark a remarkable peak in Eastern Christian Art. The portraits of the founder of the church - patron Kaloian and his wife Desislava and of prince Konstantin and his wife Irina are the supreme peak of the skill of the artist. The church is built in three stages – 11^th, 13^th and 19^th centuries. This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.

03 Day

Breakfast. Departure towards Pleven to contemplate the spectacular Panorama Monument. Continue to Ivanovo Rock Monasteries ( UNESCO ). This is where the first hermits had dug out their cells and churches during the 12th century. The 14th-century murals testify to the exceptional skill of the artists. Departure towards Ruse - the greatest and the most important Bulgarian town on the Danube river, known also as “Little Vienna” because of its ancient architecture. Overnight in Ruse.

Sightseeing during the day:

Ivanovo Rock Monasteries - In the valley of the Roussenski Lom river, in north-east Bulgaria, a complex of rock-hewn churches, chapels, monasteries and cells developed in the vicinity of the village of Ivanovo. This is where the first hermits had dug out their cells and churches during the 12th century. The 14th-century murals testify to the exceptional skill of the artists belonging to the Tarnovo school of painting. In the Late Medieval Period (12 ? 14 century) lots of monks came to live there in the hollows of the rocks. In the whole valley of Lomovete the number of medieval monks' cells and churches is over 250. On the territory of the park the rock monastery complexes are over 40.

Russe - The greatest and the most important Bulgarian town on the Danube river, known also as "Little Vienna" because of its ancient architecture.The town has a long history - from the 5000-year-old prehistoric settlement, the Roman town of Sexaginta Prista, or the Port of the Sixty Ships, and the important Ottoman harbour and fortress, to the present economic and cultural centre where Art Nouveau-inspired ornamentation drips from delicate turn-of the-century houses. About 200 buildings in Russe are listed in the architectural and historical heritage of Bulgaria, the most outstanding of which are: the 1908 LiberationMonument, the Drama Theatre and High School of Music, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Dohodnoto Zdanie, the Kaliopa house and many others. The ancient places of interest include Leventabia Fortress, the Kyuntukapu Gate, the 1632 HolyTrinityChurch, the Mahmoud Column. Russe makes a good base for exploring the nearby RusenskiLomNational Park, home to the dramatic Rock Monastery of Ivanovo and the ruined town of Cherven.

04 Day

Breakfast. The tour continues to Sveshtari Thracian Tombs Complex renowned for its exclusive decoration. Departure towards Varna with visits to Pliska – the first capital of Bulgaria and Madara Horseman National Preserve (UNESCO) en route. Overnight in Varna.

Sightseeing during the day:

The Thracian Tomb near the village of Sveshtari (6 km north-west of Isperih) has an exclusive decoration. It was declared a cultural monument of world significance and is under protection of UNESCO. Discovered in 1982 near the village of Sveshtari, this 3rd- century B.C. Thracian tomb reflects the fundamental structural principles of Thracian cult buildings. The tomb has a unique architectural decor,with polychrome half-human, half-plant caryatids and painted murals. The 10 female figures carved in high relief on the walls of the central chamber and the decoration of the lunette in its vault are the only examples of this type found so far in the Thracian lands. It is a remarkable reminder of the culture of the Getes, a Thracian people who were in contact with the Hellenistic and Hyperborean worlds, according to ancient geographer.

Pliska - The town was the first capital of Danubian Bulgaria. Two km away from the present day town are the remains of the imposing construction of Pliska. The town consisted of 3 concentric fortifications - Exterior city, Interior Fortress, Interior city. It is in Pliska that one can trace back the development of Bulgarian Arquitecture from the ancient Bulgaria epoch to the period of adoption of European features.

Madara Horseman - The Madara National Preserve is situated 17 km from the town of Shoumen. A range of cliffs show signs of human presence dating back to the III century B.C. The most famous sight here is a mysterious bas-relief known as the "Madara Horseman". Interesting about the relief is the fact that it is carved into the rockface at a height of 25m above the ground. The details are apparent by sunlight because the monument is so eroded. The carving is said to represent a horseman who is trampling a lion. He holds a pike in one hand and a wine cup in the other. There is a god behind the rider. There are inscriptions around the image of the Rider, which are written in old Greek language and telling about some Bulgarian rulers. The oldest inscription mentions the name of the Bulgarian Khan Tervel - probably the relief was carved in VIII c. There are different oppinions what the relief represents. The Rider of Madara is a unique example of the Bulgarian mediaeval art. It is included in the UNESCO list of cultural monuments with world significance.

05 Day

Breakfat. City tour of Varna - an inhabited place even before the Greeks established the colony of Odessos there about 580 B.C. Of particular interest are the National Revival Museum, the Ethnographic and City Historical Museum, the Art Gallery, the Navy Museum and the Aquarium, the Natural History Museum, the Zoo and the Dolphinarium, the Sea Gardens,17th century Cathedral of the Holy Mother, the 2 century Roman thermae. Time at leisure. Overnight in Varna.

Sightseeing during the day:

Varna is Bulgaria's third largest city. It was an inhabited place even before the Greeks established the colony of Odessos there about 580 B.C. Later, under the Romans and their successors, the Slavs, Varna became a major port trading with Constantinople, Venice and Dubrovnik. In 1393 it was captured by the Turks, who made it an important military centre. Nowadays it is the main port for both naval and commercial shipping and, adjacent as it is to the coastal resorts of Golden Sands, St. Constantine (Drouzhba) and Albena, it has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Of particular interest are the NationalRevivalMuseum, the Ethnographic and CityHistoricalMuseum, the ArtGallery, the NavyMuseum and the Aquarium, the Natural History Museum, the Zoo and the Dolphinarium, the SeaGardens,17th century Cathedral of the Holy Mother, the 2 century Roman thermae, the natural reserve at Kamchiya, etc.

06 Day

Breakfast. Departure towards Nessebur. Tour in the old part of Nessebar (UNESCO) - one of the oldest towns in Europe, well known for its impressing monuments from the Antiquity, its fascinating architecture of the Middle Ages and the National Revival period. Continue to Burgas. Overnight in Burgas.

Sightseeing during the day:

Nessebur. The town is ituated on a small peninsula and on the land jutted out into the sea. Its beach is considered to be the best along the Black SeaCoast. The big sandy strip is covered with extremely fine and abundant clean golden sand. There are marvellous dunes next to the coast. The churches of Nessebur are 41. Not all of them have preserved their full brilliance but even their present condition strongly impresses tourists. One of the oldest sights is the Basilica situated on the sea-shore, built most probably at the beginning of 5th century. The Old Bishop`s Residence located in the centre of the town, is propably the most imposing one of all churches in Nessebur. more than 25 m long and 22 m wide.

07 Day

Breakfast. Departure towards Veliko Tarnovo – the medieval capital of Bulgaria. Tour of Veliko Tarnovo town with visit of the medieval fortress of Tsarevets, the old Marketplace Samovodska Tcharshia and other exciting landmarks. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Sightseeing during the day:

Veliko Tarnovo - One of the most picturesque Bulgarian towns. Known under the name of Tsarevgrad Turnov (i.e. King's Town) and Turnovgrad. In the town and its outskirts traces have been uncovered of life dating back to the late Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, the Bronze and the Iron Ages. After the foundation of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1186), the town becomes its capital. In 1393 the town is conquered by the Turks and burned down. During the years of Ottoman rule it is a fortress of the Bulgarian national spirit and one of the centres of the struggle for liberation. In 1879 the Constituent National Assembly has its first session here and adopts the Constitution of Turnovo - the first constitution of the Bulgarian state liberated in 1878.

08 Day

Breakfast. Departure towards the Valley of roses. En route – stop to feel the unique atmosphere in the Etara open air museum of authentic traditional crafts,  created to preserve for the coming generations the appearance and the spirit of the old time Bulgarian mountain villages and the manufacturing traditions of the region. Continue through Shipka mountain pass which provides admirable mountain views. Visit the Memorial Church of Shipka town, erected after Bulgaria’s Liberation from Turkish rule as a gesture of gratitude to both Russian and Bulgarian soldiers that died in the fierce battles here. Visit of the Museum of Roses and the ancient Thracian tomb (UNESCO) in Kazanlak. Overnight in Kazanlak.

Sightseeing during the day:

The open air ethnographic museum "Etar" - was built in the middle of 20th century in the vicinity of the town of Gabrovo, an old industrial centre of Bulgaria. It was created to preserve for the coming generations the appearance and the spirit of the old time Bulgarian mountain villages and the manufacturing traditions of the region. The museum was built on the two sides of a small river and all the buildings and sites have their authentic appearance, the same as they had during the 19th century. The buildings are differentiated into three groups:

1. Workshops using simple machines moved by the running water of the river, most of them are unique and unknown in Europe.

2. The second group of buildings forms the trade and manufacture street (charshia). There are 15 examples of houses, where manufacturing workshops and small shops are situated on the first floor and the museum items are situated on the second floor.

3. The third group of buildings has public functions: a clock tower, bridges, stone water fountain and gravestones.

Shipka Church - In the surroundings of the town of Shipka, on the southern slopes of the Balkan, Bulgarians have built the Birth of Christ Memorial Church in honor to the to the heroes of the Russian-Turkish war of Liberation of 1977 ? 1878 ? Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers.Its gold plated domes and beautifully ornamented faзade stand out against the mountain and attract the attention of all heading for the Shipka pass.

Kazanlak - The town is located in the centre of the valley bearing the same name, whose eastern part is known beyond the boundaries of Bulgaria as the Valley of the Roses. In the Eneolith and Bronze Age was found the Thracian state of Odrissi. From those days are more than 12 burial tombs already found, the most inportant of which is, by no doubt, the Kazanlak tomb, offreing a unique insight into the life of the ancient Thracians. It is one of the 9 cultural, historic and natural sites in Bulgaria included in the UNESCO list of monuments of global importnace. By the end of the 19th century Kazanluk had become well-known for its production of rose oil.

09 Day

Breakfast. Departure towards Plovdiv. Tour of the Old Town of the city -  imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. Visit the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre), Ethnographic museum and other interesting sites. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Sightseeing during the day:

Plovdiv - The Ancient Theatre, the most impressive edifice of Roman time, was excavated during reinforcement works at the southern fortress wall. It offered almost 7 000 seats once. Nowadays it is used for staging opera and theatre festivals, concerts, municipal celebrations, etc. The present-day downtown section of Plovdiv lies on the ruins of an enormous Roman Stadium, which had a length of 180 m and was intended for 30 000 spectators. The contests held here were similar to the Greek Olympic Games and dated back to the rule of Emperor Septimus Severus (193 - 211 AD). An Ancient Forum was found next to today's Trimontium Hotel. Clearly visible here is the difference in the building structure of the Thracian agora made of sandstone and the Roman marble ruins.

The beautiful houses in Old Plovdiv are dated back to the period of the Bulgarian National Revival. Many of them have been proclaimed for cultural monuments revealing the genius of the Bulgarian builders.

10 Day

Breakfast. Departure towards Rila Monastery - the most famous and fascinating monastery in Bulgaria, under UNESCO protection. Tour of the monastery and visit to the Monastery church, museum and kitchen "Magernitsa". Arrival in Sofia. Overnight.

Sightseeing during the day:

Rila Monastery. It can briefly described as a combination nonumental architecture an rich history. It was founded in the X century by Ivan Rilski and used to be the primary spiritual and cultural center of Bulgaria and the whole ortodox enclave. The library contains 16000 volumes including 134 manuscripts from l5th to 19th century, numerous incunabula and documents. The monastery's unquestionable authority influenced the Turkish sultants who confirmed the rights granted by the Bulgarian kings by special firmans. Retaining the names of the donors and the exact date of donation, they represent an original chronicle of the national consciousness, of those pure patriotic feelings and hopes which were inspired throughout centuries in every Bulgarian by the Rila Monastery - the country's largest spiritual and cultural temple.

11 Day

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.