Two Countries Separated by Culture United by Traditions
This tour offers visits of some of the largest and most beautiful cities in Bulgaria and Turkey – Europe’s most ancient civilizations! We will visit three of the most popular cities in Bulgaria – Plovdiv, Haskovo and the capital city of Sofia. We will also visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church on our way to one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the world – Istanbul.
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Sofia and meeting with your guide. Walking tour in the historical centre of the Bulgarian capital, including a visit to the medieval church of St Sofia, St Alexander Nevsky’s Cathedral and its cript housing the richest museum of icons in the country. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Day 2
In the morning you’ll continue the sightseeing of Sofia – you’ll see the Rotunda of Saint George (4C), the Roman ruins, the Russian church of St Nicolas and many other monuments. Visit to the Boyana Church which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage with its mural paintings from the 13th century. Lunch. Visit to the National History Museum, whose extensive collection covers the past 7000 years, from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Morning departure to the Rila Monastery – the largest and the most beautiful monestary in the country and also a UNESCO site since 1983. The monastery was founded in the 10th century by the hermit Ivan Rilski who later became patron saint of Bulgaria. On the outside it has a fortress-like appearance, but as soon as the visitor goes inside he’s captured by the stunning beauty of its interior decoration. Arcades and colonnades, mural paintings and icons form one harmonious whole. The monastery museums a remarkable collection of cult objects and manuscripts. You’ll visit the church and the museum, and have lunch next to the monastery afterwards. Return to Sofia (optional concert of the Mystery of The Bulgarian Voices)
Day 4
Morning departure to the city of Haskovo. Lunch. Visit of the Thracian tomb in Alexandria which is known for its murals from the 4th and 5th centuries. It gives us an idea for the Thracian tribes which lived 200 years BC. Diner and overnight in Haskovo.
Day 5
Early morning departure to Istanbul through Edirne. The route passes through the east Thracian territory which is one of the most fertile lands in Turkey. Late arrival in Istanbul, dinner and overnight.
Day 6
Tour around one of the most beautiful city in the world. The marvels of the architecture and Muslim art are present everywhere around Istanbul. You will be amazed from the Bizentine era monuments which remains are exceptional /optional tour with a boat to the Bosphorus. Diner and overnight in Istanbul
Day 7
Departure from Istanbul to Plovdiv, the second largest city in the country. Late arrival with diner and overnight.
Day 8
Walking tour in the old town of Plovdiv with visits to the Ethnographical Museum, the church of St. Constantine and St Helena and the Ancient Theatre. Lunch in a typical restaurant. An afternoon visit to the Bachkovo Monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria lying at the foot of the Rodopi Mountains. Return to Plovdiv, dinner and overnight.
Day 9
Departure from Plovdiv to Sofia Airport.
This tour offers visits of some of the largest and most beautiful cities in Bulgaria and Turkey – Europe’s most ancient civilizations! We will visit three of the most popular cities in Bulgaria – Plovdiv, Haskovo and the capital city of Sofia. We will also visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church on our way to one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the world – Istanbul.
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Sofia and meeting with your guide. Walking tour in the historical centre of the Bulgarian capital, including a visit to the medieval church of St Sofia, St Alexander Nevsky’s Cathedral and its cript housing the richest museum of icons in the country. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Day 2
In the morning you’ll continue the sightseeing of Sofia – you’ll see the Rotunda of Saint George (4C), the Roman ruins, the Russian church of St Nicolas and many other monuments. Visit to the Boyana Church which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage with its mural paintings from the 13th century. Lunch. Visit to the National History Museum, whose extensive collection covers the past 7000 years, from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Morning departure to the Rila Monastery – the largest and the most beautiful monestary in the country and also a UNESCO site since 1983. The monastery was founded in the 10th century by the hermit Ivan Rilski who later became patron saint of Bulgaria. On the outside it has a fortress-like appearance, but as soon as the visitor goes inside he’s captured by the stunning beauty of its interior decoration. Arcades and colonnades, mural paintings and icons form one harmonious whole. The monastery museums a remarkable collection of cult objects and manuscripts. You’ll visit the church and the museum, and have lunch next to the monastery afterwards. Return to Sofia (optional concert of the Mystery of The Bulgarian Voices)
Day 4
Morning departure to the city of Haskovo. Lunch. Visit of the Thracian tomb in Alexandria which is known for its murals from the 4th and 5th centuries. It gives us an idea for the Thracian tribes which lived 200 years BC. Diner and overnight in Haskovo.
Day 5
Early morning departure to Istanbul through Edirne. The route passes through the east Thracian territory which is one of the most fertile lands in Turkey. Late arrival in Istanbul, dinner and overnight.
Day 6
Tour around one of the most beautiful city in the world. The marvels of the architecture and Muslim art are present everywhere around Istanbul. You will be amazed from the Bizentine era monuments which remains are exceptional /optional tour with a boat to the Bosphorus. Diner and overnight in Istanbul
Day 7
Departure from Istanbul to Plovdiv, the second largest city in the country. Late arrival with diner and overnight.
Day 8
Walking tour in the old town of Plovdiv with visits to the Ethnographical Museum, the church of St. Constantine and St Helena and the Ancient Theatre. Lunch in a typical restaurant. An afternoon visit to the Bachkovo Monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria lying at the foot of the Rodopi Mountains. Return to Plovdiv, dinner and overnight.
Day 9
Departure from Plovdiv to Sofia Airport.
