Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

There simply is no way to tour Europe & not be awestruck by its natural beauty, epic history, dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. From soaring mountains to golden sands, Central | Eastern Europe reveals a tapestry of quaint & contemporary cultures – always with enough rough edges to keep you intrigued.

Welcome to mesmerizing Bulgaria where soul-stirring mountains rival golden beaches, while cities hum with nightlife & art. Located at the crossroads between Europe & Asia, the land of Bulgaria, has been inhabited since ancient times & it is no coincidence that the first European civilization was born here. Within Bulgaria’s beguiling blend of nature & history, unforgettable adventures are guaranteed.   

Arrive in the ‘eternal’ city of Sofia, Bulgaria’s pleasingly laid-back capital & its largest city today.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Sofia International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the morning / afternoon is at leisure to relax or independent exploration or optional activities (we shall be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements). 

Sofia is no grand metropolis, but it is a largely modern, youthful city, with a scattering of onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques & stubborn Red Army monuments that lend an eclectic, exotic feel. Recent excavation work carried out during construction of the city’s metro unveiled a treasure trove of Roman ruins from nearly 2000 years ago, when the city was called 'Serdica'.

Ancient History| Churches & Religious Art |Cultural Treasures | Beaches

Founded thousands of years ago, Sofia is often overlooked by visitors heading straight to the coast or the ski resorts, but they are missing something special.

The city is located at a strategic crossroads as the route from Western Europe to Istanbul passes through Sofia via Beograd & Skopje, then through Plovdiv to Turkey. Sofia also connects The Near East & the Middle East, lying between the banks of The Danube & the shores of The White Sea on the one hand, and between the Black Sea & Adriatic on the other.

Away from the buildings & boulevards, vast parks & manicured gardens offer a welcome respite, and the ski slopes & hiking trails of mighty Mt Vitosha are just a short bus ride from the centre. Home to many of Bulgaria's finest museums, galleries, restaurants & clubs, Sofia may persuade you to stick around & explore further.

Sofia preserves many valuable monuments to its long & storied past. Visitors exploring the city’s streets can see remnants of the Eastern Gate from the days when Sofia was Serdika & Sredets, dating from the 2^nd – 4^th centuries CE. These remains are exhibited in the underpass connecting the Presidential Palace & the Ministerial Council, surrounded by shops selling traditional Bulgarian souvenirs & rosewater. 

Evening at 07.00 pm, you will be picked up & transferred to enjoy Dinner & a folklore show at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant. If you love folk culture, you will adore this evening outing - Sofia is at its most beautiful by night.

Discover the beauty of Sofia as you soak up the illuminated sights on the scenic drive, passing by St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the largest in Bulgaria & the 2^nd biggest in the Balkans, Monument to the Deity All-Holy Sofia, Amphitheatre of Serdica, Banya Bashi Mosque (the only functioning mosque in Sofia) & the “Roman Wall” – an open-air prayer site from 15^th century. 

Continue to the main Square of Narodno Sabranie to see the Parliament building & magnificent statue of Bulgaria’s King Liberator, Tsar Osvoboditel Alexander II,

Marvel at the onion domes of the Saint Nikolas Russian Church & pass the ornate façade of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. See the serious buildings of the Presidency & Council of Ministers, National Palace of Culture & National Stadium of Vasil Levski, located in the expansive Borisova Garden near Lake Ariana.

Reach Veselo Selo restaurant, situated in the beautiful forest of Borisova Garden.  

Savor a 4 course hearty Bulgarian buffet dinner menu of typical Bulgarian dishes as you enjoy a fantastic folklore show with traditional songs, dance, music & costumes.

Come back to the hotel by 10.30 pm.

Bulgaria's largest city is one of Europe's most compact and walkable capitals - offering guests a real cosmopolitan east-meets-west vibe. Uncover the cultural charms of Sofia on this guided walking tour. Discover the city's fascinating historic centre, pass impressive sights like the National Theatre and the King's Palace.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed for a 3 hour sightseeing ‘walking’ tour of Sofia.

Enjoy lunch in a nearby restaurant & then return to the hotel to Check-out.

Drive on to Veliko Tarnovo, one of the oldest towns in the country with fortified walls & cobbled lanes, its history dating back to more than 5,000 years ago which is proven by archaeological excavations

Arrive at the hotel by afternoon & Check-in.

Medieval history emanates from Veliko Tarnovo’s, dating back to more than 5,000 years ago, which is proven by archaeological excavations.

The upsurge of Veliko Tarnovo is related to the period of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185 - 1393). In 1185, the town was declared a capital of the restored Bulgarian State by the brothers Asen & Petar, who declared the end of the Byzantine dominion, which continued for 167 years.

After its selection to be a capital, the town developed fast, as within the period 12^th - 14^th century, it was the most unconquerable Bulgarian fortress.

During the Age of Revival (18^th - 19^th century) Veliko Tarnovo was an attractive place for the Bulgarian intellectuals & was also a center of the First Revolutionary Region during the April Uprising of 1876 against the Ottoman dominion.

It is not accidental that the town with its magnificent houses, perched along the river banks & a rich history of landmarks, was declared a Balkan capital of cultural tourism, and a few times it was awarded the prize The Most Beautiful Town in Bulgaria, as a result of annual research conducted by the media.  It has Bulgaria’s 2^nd largest university & is home to a multicultural expat scene. The town really is magnificent with its beautiful houses, perching amphitheatrically along the river banks.

Historic Tarnovo is tucked into the dramatic bends of the Yantra River on 3 sides, clasped by an amphitheatre of forested hills & its location at a crossroad between Bucharest & Istanbul & crossing point of multiple roads & commercial connections had helped in its economical & cultural development from antiquity to the present day.

The most significant monument of culture in Veliko Tarnovo is the medieval fortress Tsarevets, situated on the homonymous peak. There is also another historical hill near Fort - Trapezitsa. The archaeological excavations on this Hill continue & new interesting finds constantly appear on the surface.

Some of the most popular Monasteries - Patriarsheski, Preobrazhenski, Arbanashki, Plakovski, Kapinovski, Kilifarevski, etc., are situated in the vicinity of the town.

Balance of the day is at leisure or for optional activities (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Later in the evening, around 9.00 pm, venture out & walk (on your own) to Tsar Asen Square to enjoy a dramatic audio visual spectacle of music & flashing lights, lasers, heavy church bells combined together tell the glorious & turbulent historic events of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1393) around Tsarevets Fort & the city

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of this ancient city & vicinity.

In architectural terms, the appearance of the old part of the town takes the visitors in the past. Bulgaria’s 19^th century Revival splendour is easy to relive as you walk along historic lanes such as ul Gurko or at the handicraft market Samovodska Charshiya (the crafts street) which retains much the same atmosphere it had 2 centuries ago. The market street is a kind of an ethnographic complex with Crafts workshops, souvenir shops & Galleries. See houses built over 200 years ago, as well as sense a completely different atmosphere.

The larger portion of the local Museums are situated in the old part. Some of the most interesting of them include the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Revival & Constituent Assembly, Museum of Contemporary History, the Sarafkina House, the Museum House of P. R. Slaveykov, the Stambolov Inn, the Inn of Hadzhi Nikoli, etc.

Spend time here & then proceed to the most significant monument of culture in Veliko Tarnovo, the restored magnificent medieval Fortress of Tsarevets - a citadel of the Second Bulgarian Empire, situated on the homonymous peak, surrounded on 3 sides by the river Yantra. 

Excavations show that, although Tsarevets is surrounded by a fortified wall, it was not a closed Fortress, but a real medieval town, in the center of which there was a Palace, the Church “St. Petka”, multiple residential & economic buildings, water reservoirs & battle towers. The Patriarch’s residence was on the highest part of Tsarevets & the Patriarch’s Church “The Ascension of Christ” was also in close proximity.

There is also another historical hill near Tsarevets - Trapezitsa, where archaeological excavations continue & new interesting finds constantly appear on the surface.

Besides its historical hills, Veliko Tarnovo is also famous for its multiple orthodox Temples. One of the most emblematic medieval churches is the temple “St. Forty Holy Martyrs”, constructed in honor of the triumph of Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218 – 1241) over the Epir Despot Teodor Komnin (1180 –1273). The Bulgarian Tsars Kaloyan (1168 – 1207), Ivan Asen II were buried here, as well as many other members of the royal families & the Bulgarian aristocracy. The Temple stores some of the most valuable old Bulgarian epigraph monuments – the Omurtag, the Asen & the Border columns of the Rodosto fortress from the time of Khan Krum (755 – 814).

After lunch, continue on to the museum village of Arbanasi. located on a high plateau just outside the city.

The first written confirmation of the village’s existence, however, is in a decree by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538. The main activities practiced by the residents of Arbanasi during the Ottoman rule were animal husbandry & trade. Some inhabitants bred silkworms. According to legend, the Tsar of Tarnovo minted coins here.

During the 17^th century, Arbanasi rose to prominence as a trading center. Traders from the Village were renowned & traded throughout the Turkish Empire. The houses of wealthy traders from this period resembled small fortresses & they appeared severe & forbidding from the outside, without balconies or terraces, with bars on the windows & sturdy armored entrances. Within, however, they were richly appointed & most impressive. The entire interior was decorated with doors, windows, closets, floors with exceptionally ornate woodworking & plaster elements, all of which demonstrates the highly developed artistic skills of the builders. An interesting characteristic of the houses because of the way they were built, is it was possible to remain inside for long periods without going out, except to the well in the courtyard for water.

The ancient glory of the village is still evident in the many houses & cultic buildings, the traditions & customs, associated with its former residents.

The Birth of Christ Church is among the oldest churches in Arbanasi. It is divided into a men’s section (the narthex) a woman’s section (the vestibule), & galleries that enclose these areas on the north & west. There is an adjoining Saint John the Baptist Chapel.

The narthex that can still be viewed today at first stood alone as a Church & the murals on its walls - The Last Judgment & The Birth of Christ - were executed in 1597. The murals in the women’s section are on the walls & entrance. The theme of the murals in the Chapel are dedicated to their patron saint, John the Baptist. The Church was declared an architectural & artistic-cultural monument.

One of the most interesting Museum here is the 17^th century Konstantsaliev House, among the largest of the richly decorated houses that have been preserved. At a later date, Atanas Konstantsaliev purchased & restored the house, and it is known by his name to the present day. In 1913, it was leveled by an earthquake. But it was reconstructed & converted into a Museum. From 1958, an exhibit of artifacts from the 19^th century has been held in the house.

Another stop will be at Lyaskovets, famous for its beautiful Church & the Wine. The name Lyaskovets comes from the word leska (`hazel`) or leshnik (`hazelnut`), because the tree was abundant in the area.

The region has been inhabited since the 4^th millennium BC, but grew as an important Bulgarian settlement in the Middle Ages, during the Second Bulgarian Empire, because of its proximity to the capital fortress of Veliko Tarnovo.

The town boasts a unique Museum of Gardening in a beautiful old house from the era of the Bulgarian Renaissance, dedicated to gardening & vegetable production. Established in 1976, it is the only Museum of its kind in Bulgaria. In the 18^th century, the local inhabitants on the periphery of the Ottoman Empire decided to produce & market their vegetables on a large scale – potatoes, tomatoes, okra, squash, peas, eggplant, carrots & peppers.

Despite the skepticism of their friends & neighbors, the enterprising farmers soon found outlets for their produce in Europe, thus leading the way for the Bulgarian agricultural industry. Thanks to their pioneering initiative, many Gardeners from Lyaskovets later found work in other countries.

The Exposition covers some 500 square meters & includes 2 halls & a covered open-air pavilion with an authentic wooden water wheel. The outdoor exhibition includes a rich collection of original documentary material, banners from Gardening Societies in Lyaskovets & surrounding villages, imported gardening clothing & tools, teskereta (written permits for traveling abroad) & banknotes from countries where the town residents worked, photographs of the Gardeners at work, & written contributions by local authors on the subject. There is a Conference Hall for seminars, meetings & exhibitions and a Tasting Center.

A highlight of the exhibition of more than 600 items, is a plaster model of a “bahcha” (vegetable garden) that clearly illustrates the garden’s optimal organizational plan, tools, work habits & distribution of labor.

You will also see the St. Peter & Pavel Monastery perched over the high & inaccessible rocks of the Arbanasi plateau. One of the 14 Monasteries built near the old capital of Bulgaria during the Second Bulgarian State (12-14^th century), it is one of the best-preserved from that time, mainly because of its hard-to-reach location.

The Monastery helped the development as Lyaskovets evolved as a religious centre after the merging of 5 neighbourhoods named for their respective Churches - St Athanasius, St Basil, St George, St Demetrius & St Nicholas, established at different time by settlers.

Lyaskovets is also known for its Vineyards & good sparkling wines.

Driving back, you will stop at one of the Wineries & enjoy a Tasting in a spectacular setting in a perfectly appointed room that also acts as a dining room for visitors looking for a dining experience. The Tasting includes between 3-5 red, white & sparkling wines of your choice, accompanied by locally produced homemade foods & delicacies. The 1 hour experience also allows the opportunity to tour the Winery / Cellar & observe the production.

Time to go back to your hotel.

Veliko Tarnovo offers rich possibilities for entertainment & night life - discotheques, bars, restaurants, etc. The main street has a large variety of shops, entertainment & catering establishments, famous for their delicious cuisine. Here you can taste popular Bulgarian dishes & ones that are typical for the region.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent explorations or perhaps, enjoy one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Early morning, depart for Plovdiv with a couple of breaks enroute.

Stop at Etara where traditional Bulgarian crafts are on display in restored 18^th - 19^th century houses & workshops spread over 17 acres.

Declared an architectural & ethnographic monument of national significance, the Etara Architectural & Ethnographic Complex established in 1964, is an open air Museum situated on the outskirts of the town of Gabrovo.

First of its kind in Bulgaria, its purpose is to present the characteristic architecture & the style of life in Gabrovo and the region during the second half of the 18^th century & the beginning of the 19^th century.

It is a display of the architecture, ethnography, lifestyle, customs, culture, folklore, handicrafts, interior decoration, design & the traditional costumes of the Bulgarian Renaissance period. Even the architectural style of the revival houses seems to be adopted to suit the growing popularity of craftsmanship.

You will be able to see architecture from the Bulgarian Revival period, crafts & products from the time when Gabrovo was referred to as 'the Bulgarian Manchester' (live customs & rites & rituals if you visit at a time of festival or celebration).

The Museum contains a total of 50 sites - houses with craft workshops, water installations & other buildings. The only collection in Bulgaria of technical installations driven by water - filling mills, water mills, grindstones, etc., are situated there. 16 houses can be seen on the Crafts Bazaar (the central commercial street) in the Etar, which are exact copies of buildings existing in the past in Gabrovo & the region. Most of the houses face the street so that masters could have direct contact with their clients. Of course, the friendly chit chat with the masters is always a must.

The inviting lively ambience of the site evokes your curiosity as you walk through the main cobbled Craft street, intently observing the process of production of variety of goods typical of the  Gabrovo as the craftsmen work real time with  ancient technologies. Multiple crafts are presented - bell-making (manufacturing of wrought bells for animals), pottery-making, sugar-making (manufacturing of sugar articles), furriery, manufacturing of copper vessels, etc. Besides observing the authentic technology which the Craftsmen are using, the visitors can purchase the articles made before their eyes. Your tour is usually accompanied by the smell of freshly baked bread & the murmur of the exhibited original mill-stream water-driven machinery.

Etara also offers an extensive list of interactive programs such as hobby & training courses, weekend programs & the annual International Crafts Fair in September.

Spend an hour before driving on.

Stop again at the Russian Church in Shipka, also known as the Shipka Memorial Church, one of the most beautiful churches in Bulgaria. The church itself is a part of a bigger religious complex known as the Shipka Monastery.

Spend an hour before driving on. Stop again at Shipka,, a town in Central Bulgaria,  known for being located near the historic Shipka Pass, the location of several key battles where the Russian army & Bulgarian volunteers decisively thwarted an Ottoman counter-attack in the 1877 Russo-Turkish War.

The 31.5 metre tall Shipka Liberty Memorial built with donations from the Bulgarian people, to commemorate those who died for the Liberation of Bulgaria, is among the largest monuments in the National Park Museum located on top of Shipka Peak. The Park encompasses 26 monuments - the reconstructed battle positions, artillery batteries & dugouts of the defenders.

Visible from dozens of kilometres, the Memorial’s outline resembles a medieval Bulgarian fortress. There are 890 steps leading up to it & the powerful bronze lion - the symbol of the Bulgarian state - guards the entrance to the Memorial. The 3 walls of the Monument bear the names Shipka, Sheinovo & Stara Zagora – the battlefields in defense of the Pass.

On the ground floor under a marble Sarcophagus, rest the remains of Shipka’s defenders. The Sarcophagus stands on 4 prone stone lions & above it as honour guards stand the statues of a Bulgarian Opalchenets (a member of the voluntary Bulgarian army units) & a Russian soldier. The other 7 floors of the Museum display personal effects of the soldiers & volunteers, medals, photos, weapons & documents related to the battles. One of the exhibits is a copy of the Samara Flag - the first battle flag of the Bulgarian Opalchentsi.

The town has stirring monuments that span the breadth of Bulgarian history, boasting a seam of Tombs, dating back to the 4^th century BC. The countryside around Shipka has been dubbed 'Valley of the Thracian Kings', thanks to hundreds of grass-topped burial mounds & archaeological sites

You will see the magnificent Shipka Memorial Church (also called Russian Church) one of the most beautiful Churches in Bulgaria, hidden within a thick grove of trees in the remote & isolated mountain setting. The Church is part of a bigger religious complex known as the Shipka Monastery.

The shimmering golden onion domes & Russian Orthodox crosses are tell-tale giveaways of the Church’s Russian architecture. Now Bulgarian Orthodox, it was built between 1885 & 1902 in the 17^th century Muscovite style, complete with friezes, arcs & pediments and is dedicated to those soldiers - Russian, Ukrainian & Bulgarian - who lost their lives fighting to free Bulgaria.

The Church officially opened on the 25^th anniversary of these battles, with the names of fallen soldiers inscribed on walls within & their remains held in stone sarcophagi in the Church’s crypt. The exterior is stunning with a 174 feet bell tower with bells weighing up to 12 tons, cast from cartridges. The interior is decorated with gilded ornamentation & intricate paintings.

After spending an hour there, continue on to Kazanlak, driving through Bulgaria’s Valley of the Roses, nestled at the foot of the Stara Planina mountains, which produces almost two-thirds of the world’s rose oil. 

Reach Kazanlak, the dusty town at the core of this fragrant industry. Roses are Kazanlak’s main lure, but Thracian history has also left a powerful mark.

Modern Kazanlak has a working mosque and a sizeable Turkish & Pomak Muslim populations, making it one of Bulgaria’s more multicultural cities. The town itself doesn’t compete with the loveliness of its surrounding valleys, with a jumble of Soviet-style buildings & shabby marketplaces flowing from the well-groomed main square. But it has pockets of great beauty, especially in the 19^th century buildings along its riverbank.

Visit the 4^th century BC tomb in the so called ‘Valley of Thracian Kings’, a chain of ancient burial mounds.

The UNESCO listed Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak is a vaulted-brickwork "beehive tomb’ just outside the town.

The Tomb is part of a large Thracian necropolis. It is situated near the ancient Thracian capital of Seuthopolis in a region where more than a thousand tombs of kings & members of the Thracian aristocracy can be found.

It comprises a narrow corridor & around burial chamber, both decorated with murals representing a Thracian couple at a ritual funeral feast. The murals are memorable for the splendid horses & for a gesture of farewell, in which the seated couple grasp each other's wrists in a moment of tenderness & equality.  The paintings are Bulgaria's best-preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period. The seated woman of the murals is depicted on the reverse of the Bulgarian 50 stotinki coin issued in 2005.To preserve the sensitive paintings, the tomb is not open to the public; a full-size replica was built nearby.

Continue on to Plovdiv.

Arrive at the hotel in Plovdiv by evening & Check-in.

Bulgaria’s 2^nd city of Plovdiv is proud of its reputation for doing things its own way. With an easy grace, Plovdiv mingles invigorating nightlife among millennia-old ruins. Plovdiv has it all: architecture, a wild river, 7 green hills, delicious food & hip street art.

An amiable waystation between Bulgaria & Greece or Turkey, straddling 7 hills & known as the “City of the Seven Hills”, it is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, older than Athens, Rome & Constantinople.

Based on the earliest written sources dating back to 6000 BC, found on the Balkan Peninsula, the first inhabitants of the city were supposedly Thracian tribes - the bessi & odrisi. During this period, Plovdiv was an important administrative center & soon afterwards, it was proclaimed a metropolitan city of the province Thracia. After the death of the Thracian king Remetalk in 46 AD, it was was officially proclaimed a Roman province.  

In 342 BC Philip II of Macedon conquered the city & gave it the name Philippopolis. In 12 AD, the Romans started conquering the Thracian provinces on the territory which is now Bulgaria.  The city was called Trimontium (a city on 3 hills) but soon it regained its previous name of Philippopolis.

The Thracians had a great culture, which incorporated with other different cultures. It flourished in the heyday of the Roman & Byzantine empires, was preserved to some extent over the years of the Ottoman Empire & reached its rise during the Renaissance.

During the Hellenic period the Agora, the Stadium, the Theater & several Temples were built. Later, the Romans fortunately either preserved or built over Hellenic structures. Under the Romans, Plovdiv became the capital of Thrace and grew to an astonishing 100 000 citizens. Consequently, the city saw the erection of its monumental structures: the Forum, the Odeon, Library, Aqueduct, City walls & Gates.

Bulgaria’s cosmopolitan 2^nd city famous with its historical & cultural heritage, has always been hot on the heels of Sofia & a stint as European Capital of Culture 2019 seems sure to give Plovdiv the edge.

As soon as you step into the city, coming from the capital of Sofia, you can feel the change in pace of life. People walk more slowly. They seem to have more time on their hands. The traffic is less hectic. As you walk to the city centre through the park, where old men gather to play chess & people lounge & chat in the shade of the old trees, Plovdiv immediately feels different. There is a kind of insouciance to the city, something that is both immediately apparent & hard to put your finger on.

It is best loved for its romantic old town, packed with colourful & creaky 19^th century Mansions that house the city’s several Museums - historical, archaeological, ethno-graphic & natural science Museum, as well as an Art Gallery & a Drama Theatre. One of the most famous landmarks is the architectural complex of the Ancient Plovdiv, where many beautiful houses from the times of the Bulgarian Revival had been preserved & restored. Many of them are inhabited to the present day.

But cobblestoned lanes & National Revival - era nostalgia are only part of the story. Music & art festivals draw increasing crowds.

Five centuries ago, Kapana District (The Trap in Bulgarian) was craftsmen’s central. Even today the streets bare names such as Leather Street, Gold Street or Iron Street.

Apparently, the whole area was kind of neglected until very recently but the recent multi-sector renovation project changed the downtown area a couple of years ago. Streets were paved & buildings refurbished. The pedestrian area in the artistic quarter & Tsar Simeon Gardens have given the city new confidence with Galleries, art shops, restaurants, bars & cafes. Under brightly painted graffiti / murals on the walls, groups of young people hang out, flirt & check their phones. In fact, the district was part of the artistic agenda of European Capital of Culture - Plovdiv 2019.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions).

Enjoying the sunset from all the different hills is a must. Walk all the way to the top, pick something to drink & stay there for the sunset. Go down to enjoy the nightlife once it’s dark. On the Mladeshki, there is a miniature train that can be ridden up & down.

Morning, around 08.00 am, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a full day 8 hour sightseeing of the city & vicinity.

First stop will be the Plovdiv Regional Museum of Ethnography founded in 1917, located in Kuyumdzhiev House in Plovdiv’s Old Town, is the second largest museum of its kind in Bulgaria.

The exhibits represent the traditional culture of Thrace, the Rhodopes & the Central Balkan Mountains during the 18^th century Bulgarian Awakening. The permanent exhibit of agriculture & animal husbandry demonstrate the foundational importance of these activities for the region’s population. Some of the period’s most characteristic traditional crafts on display here are the production of woolen clothing & multi-colored woolen embroidery, pottery, copper work & wrought ironwork.

The Museum also displays a representative range of the goldsmith’s art with displays of decorative plates & church salvers, traditional folk costumes, fabrics, rugs, musical instruments & ritual objects. To convey a sense of the region’s habits & customs, there are over 100 valuable paintings, icons, figurines, panels, carvings & works of metal. Among the artists represented are Simeon Velkov (1885 -1966); Kosta Forev; Georgi Bozhilov - Slona (1935 - 2001); Dimitar Kirov (1935 - 2008); and Kolyu Vitkovski (1925 - 1999).

With an inventory of over 2000 photographs, the museum’s photography exhibit offers a substantial introduction to the research & visual records of life in Plovdiv & the surrounding regions - portraits, clothing, architecture, daily life, festivals & other subjects. Most of the photographs are in black & white on cardboard & date from the beginning of the 20^th century, and were taken by the most accomplished photographers of their day.

The museum also includes The Plovdiv Fair, a unique tapestry completed in 1888 by Ivan Markvichka (1856 - 1938) - one of the first works depicting everyday life in a Bulgarian city after the country’s liberation in 1878.

Next, you will see the Church of St Constantine & Helena - considered to be among the oldest churches in the city, built in 337 at the sight of an ancient pagan temple in the acropolis on one of the fortified hills

Time to break for lunch.

Later, proceed to see the magnificent Bachkovo Monastery.

The Monastery was founded in 1083 by Georgian brothers Gregory & Abasius Bakuriani, aristocrats in Byzantine military service. It flourished during the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185 - 1396) but was ransacked by Turks in the 15^th & 16^th centuries. Major reconstructions began in the mid 17^th century onwards, with the Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa (1604) as its colourful centrepiece.

Inside the Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa, note the cupola featuring a beautiful mural of Christ, the 17^th century iconostasis & the icon of the Virgin. Believers claim that this miracle-working icon was painted by St Luke, though art historians date it to the 11^th - 12^th centuries. Pilgrims regularly pray before the silver- & gold-encased Madonna; if you see queues, it is likely to be a line to place items before the icon to be blessed.

The church is decorated with 1850s frescoes by renowned artist Zahari Zograf & houses a much-cherished icon of the Virgin Mary. More beautiful murals can be found in the former refectory.

Around 50m from the monastery entrance, the restored 11th century ossuary features wonderful medieval murals. This is well worth visiting for the extraordinary frescoes (1643) relating the monastery’s history. A gate beside the refectory leads to a (rarely open) courtyard; this leads to the Church of Sveti Nikolai (1836). During the 1840s, Zograf painted the superb Last Judgment inside the chapel; note the condemned, nervous-looking Turks on the right and Zograf’s self-portrait (no beard) in the upper-left corner. A small museum of icons also opens when there is sufficient demand.

The tour ends & you are transferred back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent explorations (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.  B L D

Early morning, around 07.00 am, depart for Sophia, enroute stopping at the 10^th century UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rila Monastery, the biggest & most spectacular in Bulgaria & one of Europe’s oldest.

You will also stop at Borovets, a resort town in the mountains.

On the scenic journey to the Monastery situated within the scenic Rila Mountains, listen as your guide provides information about Bulgarian history & culture, its modern economy and its educational & civic achievements.

Upon arrival at the Monastery, enter the complex through the breathtaking Dupnitsa Gate & snap some photos of the balconies surrounding the inner courtyard. Learn about the life of the intriguing hermit, St. Ivan of Rila, who gave his name to the monastery, before visiting the Historical Museum & seeing its memorable collection.

Throughout the centuries Rila Monastery, functional even today, has always been the spiritual, educational & cultural centre of Bulgaria. During the Bulgarian Revival Period (18^th - 19^th centuries) the well-educated Rila monks performed their religious rites, established schools in large Bulgarian towns & villages and brought pilgrims to the monastery.

Its history is directly related to St. Ivan of Rila, the first Bulgarian hermit, who settled in the region and devoted his life to fasting & prayers. The monastery was initially situated near the cave where the saint dwelled. After he passed away in 946, St. Ivan of Rila was buried in the cave in which he found solitude. Tsar Peter (who reigned in the period 927 - 969) brought the relics of the wonderworker from Rila to Sredets (Sofia). It was probably then when he was canonized as a saint. The relics were returned to Rila holy cloister in 1469.

A 19^th century Museum exhibits items providing information about the history of the monastery throughout the centuries. The exhibition comprises valuable examples of Bulgarian & foreign art from the 14^th - 19^th centuries. The most valuable exhibit is the wooden cross decorated with exquisite miniature wood-carvings by Father Rafail. The master wood-carver used the finest chisels & tools and worked for many years until he finally finished his masterpiece in 1802, when he lost his sight as a result of the hard toil. It depicts 36 biblical scenes - 18 on each side, and over 600 miniature figures.

The Exhibition of the farming equipment of the monastery is displayed near Samokov Gate & includes the water-mill, the old monastery furnace, items related to the farming activities of the monastery – forestry, livestock breeding, agriculture, etc.

The old Monastery kitchen is located on the ground floor of the northern wing of the monastery. It is a 22 m-tall cone-shaped smokestack where the large cauldrons are kept in which the monk-cooks used to make boiled mutton (soup) for the guests of the monastery on big holidays.

Weaved national costumes from different ethnographic regions and various vessels donated by different towns & visitors of the monastery are displayed at the Ethnographic Museum and in the guestrooms from the Revival Period in the northern wing of the monastery..

Later, feast your eyes on the elaborately decorated Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary. Then feel free to take a complimentary guided short trek through the surrounding Nature Park.

Then partake lunch in a restaurant near the Monastery & spend more time exploring.

In time, continue on the drive to Sophia.

Check-in on arrival.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent explorations (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed for a 6 hour a ‘walking’ sightseeing tour of the city.

Bulgaria's largest city is one of Europe's most compact & walkable capitals - offering guests a real cosmopolitan east-meets-west vibe. Uncover the cultural charms of Sofia on this guided walking tour. Discover the city's fascinating historic centre, pass impressive sights like the Parliament Square, National Theatre & the King's Palace.

See the Neo-Byzantine style gold domed Alexander Nevski Cathedral - built to honour the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria's independence in 1878. Visit the Crypt - a precious museum of Orthodox Art located here. During the construction of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, they planned the ground floor be a tomb for the Bulgarian kings. But none of the kings were buried there. Therefore in 1965, the space under the Church was converted into a branch of National Gallery for Orthodox Art.

The Museum of Icons inside the Cathedral crypt houses what is claimed to be the largest collection of Orthodox icons in Europe. The collection of works covered a long period - the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire in the 4^th century to the Bulgarian National Revival (18^th - 19^th centuries) and the exhibition includes over 200 icons from the 13^th - 19^th centuries, 3 fragments of wall paintings, engravings & other antique religious artifacts.

A big impressive exposition of icons from all parts of Bulgaria is exquisitely exhibited in the crypt. Artisans & artists have worked for 30 years in order to establish the cathedral crypt where you will admire at 300 frescoes & decorative elements of marble, onyx, alabaster & gold. Actually, Bulgarian icons have always fascinated people, evoking profound respect & admiration.

Next stop will be the famous UNESCO World Heritage listed early 4^th century red-brick Christian St. George Church & Rotunda.

The still active 2^nd oldest preserved Eastern European Orthodox structure has a really dramatic history. It was destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt as a Church, then turned into a Mosque by the Ottomans. The Roman Rotunda has been recently restored & it is worth seeing due to its simple, but still exquisite architecture, remarkable remnants of frescoes & the entire complex of ruins behind the altar.

Visit the Church of St Petka of the Saddlers (a.k.a. St. Petka Samardzhiyska) - a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox Church located in a small one-naved building partially dug into the ground, in the very centre of the city. It was built under the Ottoman occupation with donations from the region’s master saddlers. At that time, the building of Churches was tolerated if their height does not exceed that of a soldier on horseback. This explains why it was half buried under the ground level. The still operational Church was first mentioned in the 16^th century & today, is a monument of culture known for its mural paintings from the 14^th - 19^th centuries depicting biblical scenes.

Drive to UNESCO World Heritage listed Boyana Church, in the eponymous Sofia suburb at the foot of Mt. Vitosha. It is one of the few complete & perfectly preserved medieval monuments with especially fine wall paintings, testifying to the significant contribution of Bulgarian monumental painting to European culture in the Middle Ages. This Church owes its world fame mainly to its frescoes from 1259. They form a 2^nd layer over the paintings from earlier centuries & represent one of the most complete & well-preserved monuments of Eastern European mediaeval art. A total of 89 scenes with 240 human images are depicted on the walls of the church. The name of the painter was recently discovered during restoration. The inscription reads: “Zograph Vassilii from the village Subonosha, Sersko & his apprentice Dimitar”.

There are several layers of wall paintings in the interior from the 11^th - 19^th centuries which testify to the high level of wall painting during the different periods. The paintings with the most outstanding artistic value are those from 13^th century. Whilst they interpret the Byzantine canon, the images have a special spiritual expressiveness and vitality and are painted in harmonious proportions.

Last stop will be the National Museum of History situated in the former residence of the Communist governor in Bulgaria, at the foothills of Vitosha mountain. The building itself has a historical significance for  Bulgaria, as it is here that the beginning of the transition period started back on 10^th of November 1989 after the resignation of the communist leader Todor Zhivkov. The interior is a cubic structure with a lot of woodcarvings, big windows & open space for receptions. In an area of 6000 square meters, there are over 10, 000 artefacts that represent the history of Bulgaria (from the 9^th millennium B.C. until the mid 20^th century).

Founded in 1973, it is one of the largest history Museums on the Balkans with 650.000 items and the largest archaeological & historical archive. The aim of the Museum is to provide a comprehensive view on Bulgarian history from the prehistory to present, in a broad European context. In one of the Museum`s sections, you can follow the history when Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman Empire (1396 – 1878).

The Tour concludes & you return to the hotel (if you want to continue exploring, you will return to the hotel on your own). 

Later, meet the Journeys Rep & embark on a ‘wellness’ experience directly connected to Bulgaria’s ancient history.

Proceed to a Turkish Hammam. (traditional Turkish bath)  & pamper yourself in true Middle Eastern style with a 2 hour ‘hammam’ experience.

A public Turkish hammam is a steam room where people go to clean themselves, similar to a Scandinavian sauna or a Roman bath. It is based on the same principles as the steam bath but the focus is on water rather than steam. Either the Turkish bath has 2 sections, one for each sex, or it admits men & women at separate times of the day.

The beneficial properties of a Turkish bath can also help people suffering from localised aches & pains since better blood circulation carries more oxygen to damaged areas and inevitably brings about an immediate reduction in pain & more rapid healing.

The average temperature in a Hammam is 107 degrees F, while saunas & steam baths usually exceed this temperature. The treatments use hot steam to encourage a deep & invigorating cleanse. Many treatments also use vitamin-E rich, olive-based soap known for its skin-nourishing & exfoliating properties.

A traditional package includes 45 minutes of washing; traditional body scrubbing with handwoven wash cloth known as a kese (exfoliating mitt), a foam wash & a massage. Treatments vary by different Hammams but the general process is first soaking in a pool or sitting in a steam room, then enjoying an invigorating body scrub, being rinsed, exfoliated & gently massaged - a time honored procedure dating back to the Ottoman Empire that was central to Middle Eastern culture.

Head inside, and be shown to a locker room to don your nahn (wooden clogs) & pestemal (traditional, towel-like robe). Then, enter the steam room; a tiled, dimly lit room filled with hot, moist air. Take a seat & relax into the steam, waiting as you build up a light sweat & the humidity teases toxins & impurities out of your skin.

After a maximum of 15 minutes here, relax on a warmed stone or in the rest areas & pour soothing warm water over your body from the copper bowls. Then, stretch out & enjoy an invigorating body scrub performed by one of the skilled attendants. Bask in the long, sweeping movements designed to cleanse your pores, stimulate circulation & remove any dead skin.

Next, relax into a soapy scrub as the attendant smothers you in clouds of soft suds & enjoy a wonderful 15 minute massage, perhaps with rose water & oils.

After the 2 hour experience, you will come away feeling totally rejuvenated & renewed.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent explorations or perhaps, try one of the many optional activities available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Alas, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye to the warm Balkan hospitality & heritage & go home.

Check-out of the hotel by 11: 00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

Still Europe’s secret, a hidden treasure on the touristic map with beautiful clean cities. It is where East meets West, North meets South - literally & lyrically. It is where you can see influences of different cultures intertwine. From soaring mountains to golden sands, the Balkans reveal a tapestry of quaint & contemporary cultures - always with enough rough edges to keep you intrigued.

Whispers of history emanate from Bulgaria’s fortresses & ruins, all have a fascinating story to tell. Caves secreted in Bulgaria’s river-sculpted wilds hold traces of Neolithic settlements. The mysterious Thracians left behind dazzling hauls of gold & silver, and tombs that can be explored to this day. A visit to the Balkans will give you a more profound understanding of the history of Eastern Europe. Not to forget the UNESCO World Heritage Sites & historical remnants.

The well-preserved nature & picturesque landscapes, the tasty food, friendly Bulgars and 1000 years of history, we are sure, may entice you to come back.

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” - Ibn Battuta

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Sofia International Airport, for your onward journey.  B

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