Bulgarian monasteries
Duration:
8 Days / 7 Nights
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Description
Bulgarian Monasteries tour is an amazing journey through a remarkable mixture of religion, rich history and unique art. The tour highlights the most remarkable historical and archeological sites, some of which are included in the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. In addition, we will visit some of the most famed Bulgarian monasteries and travel through the stunning Bulgarian nature
Day-to-day Itinerary
Sofia – Veliko Turnovo – Kazanluk – Plovdiv – Sandanski
Day 1 – Sofia
Meet and greet your guide at Sofia airport, transfer to the hotel. PM – half-day sightseeing tour of Sofia including the gold domed Alexander Nevskiky Cathedral, the Crypt – a precious museum of Orthodox Art, 4th c. AD St. Sophia Church, 4th c. AD St. George Rotanda, 11th c. AD church of St. Petka of the Saddlers. Overnight in Sofia (D)
Day 2 – Sofia – Veliko Turnovo – 280 km
Departure for Veliko Turnovo – Bulgaria’s medieval capital. On the way, stopping at Troyan Monastery (16 c. AD), one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria. Sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo: Tsarevets Holy Hill, 9th c. AD church of St. 40 Martyrs, church of St. Peter and Pavel. ‘Sound and Light’ performance at night. Overnight in Veliko Turnovo (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Arbanassi – Shipka – Kazanluk –100km
Visit the museum village of Arbanassi with the Church of Nativity (16-17th c. AD) and Konstanzaliev’s House. Visit 14th c. AD Preobrazhenski Monastery. Departure for Kazanluk. On the way, see Etura open-air architectural-ethnographic museum, the picturesque Dryanovo (14th c. AD) and Sokolski (19th c. AD) Monasteries, the spectacular Shipka Pass and Russian Memorial Cathedral of Shipka. Overnight in Kazanluk (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Kazanluk – Hissar – Starosel – Plovdiv 150 km
See the famous 4th century BC Thracian Tomb included in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List; Goliamata Kosmatka Tomb dating back to 5-4th century BC belonging to the Thracian king Seuthes III; visit Kazanluk History Museum where some of the unique golden treasures discovered in the region are on display. PM visit of Hissar : see some of the best-preserved Roman remains and fortifications. Proceed to Starosel: see the recently discovered Thracian sanctuaries dating back to 5th c. BC. Overnight in Plovdiv (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Plovdiv – Sandanski – 280 km
Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, Bulgarian second largest city. Visit the Old Quarter with its Ethnographic museum, 2nd c. AD Roman Amphitheatre and 4th century AD St. St. Konstantine and Helena church, Lamartine’s house and Jumaya Mosque. Lunch in the famous Alafrangite restaurant. Afternoon visit of the 11th century Bachkovo Monastery with original architecture and spectacular 17th c. AD frescoes. Visit Assen’s Fortress, see the 13th century church of St Mary of Petrich – one of the best examples of Medieval architecture in Bulgaria. Overnight in Sandanski (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Sandanski – Melnik – Sofia 190 km
Depart to Melnik – the smallest town in Bulgaria with remarkable wooden houses. Visit Rozhen Monastery, 9th c. AD. After lunch visit the 10th century AD Rila Monastery, the biggest and most spectacular in Bulgaria, one of Europe’s oldest and included in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List. Overnight in Sofia (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Sofia
Morning visit of the National Museum of History and the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage listed Boyana Church with astonishing 13th century AD frescoes. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at a traditional folk style restaurant. Overnight in Sofia (B,L,D)
Day 8
After breakfast transfer to Sofia Airport
Day-to-day Itinerary
Sofia – Veliko Turnovo – Kazanluk – Plovdiv – Sandanski
Day 1 – Sofia
Meet and greet your guide at Sofia airport, transfer to the hotel. PM – half-day sightseeing tour of Sofia including the gold domed Alexander Nevskiky Cathedral, the Crypt – a precious museum of Orthodox Art, 4th c. AD St. Sophia Church, 4th c. AD St. George Rotanda, 11th c. AD church of St. Petka of the Saddlers. Overnight in Sofia (D)
Day 2 – Sofia – Veliko Turnovo – 280 km
Departure for Veliko Turnovo – Bulgaria’s medieval capital. On the way, stopping at Troyan Monastery (16 c. AD), one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria. Sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo: Tsarevets Holy Hill, 9th c. AD church of St. 40 Martyrs, church of St. Peter and Pavel. ‘Sound and Light’ performance at night. Overnight in Veliko Turnovo (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Arbanassi – Shipka – Kazanluk –100km
Visit the museum village of Arbanassi with the Church of Nativity (16-17th c. AD) and Konstanzaliev’s House. Visit 14th c. AD Preobrazhenski Monastery. Departure for Kazanluk. On the way, see Etura open-air architectural-ethnographic museum, the picturesque Dryanovo (14th c. AD) and Sokolski (19th c. AD) Monasteries, the spectacular Shipka Pass and Russian Memorial Cathedral of Shipka. Overnight in Kazanluk (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Kazanluk – Hissar – Starosel – Plovdiv 150 km
See the famous 4th century BC Thracian Tomb included in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List; Goliamata Kosmatka Tomb dating back to 5-4th century BC belonging to the Thracian king Seuthes III; visit Kazanluk History Museum where some of the unique golden treasures discovered in the region are on display. PM visit of Hissar : see some of the best-preserved Roman remains and fortifications. Proceed to Starosel: see the recently discovered Thracian sanctuaries dating back to 5th c. BC. Overnight in Plovdiv (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Plovdiv – Sandanski – 280 km
Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, Bulgarian second largest city. Visit the Old Quarter with its Ethnographic museum, 2nd c. AD Roman Amphitheatre and 4th century AD St. St. Konstantine and Helena church, Lamartine’s house and Jumaya Mosque. Lunch in the famous Alafrangite restaurant. Afternoon visit of the 11th century Bachkovo Monastery with original architecture and spectacular 17th c. AD frescoes. Visit Assen’s Fortress, see the 13th century church of St Mary of Petrich – one of the best examples of Medieval architecture in Bulgaria. Overnight in Sandanski (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Sandanski – Melnik – Sofia 190 km
Depart to Melnik – the smallest town in Bulgaria with remarkable wooden houses. Visit Rozhen Monastery, 9th c. AD. After lunch visit the 10th century AD Rila Monastery, the biggest and most spectacular in Bulgaria, one of Europe’s oldest and included in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List. Overnight in Sofia (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Sofia
Morning visit of the National Museum of History and the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage listed Boyana Church with astonishing 13th century AD frescoes. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at a traditional folk style restaurant. Overnight in Sofia (B,L,D)
Day 8
After breakfast transfer to Sofia Airport
