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 as you pass by St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Saint Nikolas Russian Church, Monument to the Deity All-Holy Sofia, Statue of Tsar Alexander II, Amphitheatre of Serdica, Banya Bashi Mosque (the only functioning mosque in Sofia) & the “Roman Wall” – an open-air prayer site from 15^th century. 

Then savor a 4 course hearty Bulgarian buffet dinner as you enjoy a folklore show with songs, dance, music & traditional costumes.

Come back to the hotel by 10.30 pm.

Overnight.  D

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 Alexander Nevski 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 red-brick Roman St. George Church & Rotonda hidden away in a courtyard of the Presidency & the dainty Sheraton Hotel, amid remains of the ancient town of Serdica,

The early 4^th century Christian Church is the oldest Eastern European Orthodox Church as well as the 2^nd oldest preserved structure which still serves its original purpose in the Sofia city. It has a really dramatic history.  First 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).

Overnight.   B D 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 07.00 am & depart for Sandanski, with a couple of stops in between.

On the scenic drive, listen to the Tour-guide providing information about Bulgarian history & culture, its modern economy & its educational & civic achievements.

Stop at the spectacular 10^th century UNESCO World Heritage listed Rila Monastery, one of the most iconic symbol of Bulgaria & one of Europe’s oldest, situated within the scenic Rila Mountain range at 1147 meter above mean sea level. 

Rila holy cloister was founded in the first half of the 10^th century. Its history is directly related to St. Ivan of Rila, the first Bulgarian hermit, who settled in the region & devoted his life to fasting & prayers. The Monastery was initially situated near the cave where the saint dwelled. After he passed away in 946, the hermit 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. Throughout the centuries Rila Monastery has always been the spiritual, educational & cultural centre of Bulgaria.

During the Bulgarian Revival Period (18^th - 19^th centuries) Rila Monastery set up approximately 50 metochions in the large Bulgarian towns & villages where some of the most well-educated Rila monks performed their religious rites, established schools & brought pilgrims to the Monastery.

In 1961, the Monastery was designated a National Museum. In 1991, the state restored the monastic status of the cloister & closed Rila Monastery National Museum institution. Rila Monastry, Hrelyo’s Tower & the other buildings were declared a group architectural, artistic & historical complex of national importance.

Rila holy cloister got its present appearance in the 19^th century & only the new part of the eastern wing of the Monastery dates from the 20^th century. Hrelyo’s Tower, the oldest building in the holy cloister was built in the 14^th century. It was the fortress & also the place where monks dwelled in times of trouble. The Chapel of the Transfiguration of God is on the 5^th & last floor of the 24 meter high tower & some of the 14^th century wall-paintings can be seen through the window niches of the Chapel.

The total area which the holy cloister takes, together with the church, the residential & the farming buildings, is 8800 sq meter. The Monastery courtyard, the Birth of the Virgin Mary Temple, Hrelyo’s Tower, the Museum, the residential & the farming buildings are surrounded by 22 meter high stone walls. There are around 300 rooms, 100 of which are monastic cells.

The Birth of the Virgin Mary main church of the Monastery was built in the place of an old temple in 1834 - 1837. It is a 5 domed, cross-in-square building with 2 side chapels & 3 altar niches. The wood-carved iconostases & the wall-paintings by masters from Samokov & Bansko are impressive. Many artists & wood-carvers worked in the temple but only Zahari Zograf left his signature.

The Church preserves the coffin with the relics of the founder of the Monastery St. Ivan of Rila, the 12^th century Virgin Hodegetria wonderworking icon, the 17^th century St. Ivan of Rila wonderworking icon & many other iconostasis & icons for believers to kiss.

A Museum that exhibits items providing information about the history of the Monastery throughout the centuries was established in Rila holy cloister at the end of the 19^th century.

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 & over 600 miniature figures.

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

The old kitchen located on the ground floor of the northern wing has a 22 meter tall cone-shaped smokestack & large cauldrons 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 & various vessels donated by different towns & visitors are displayed at the Ethnographic Museum (extra Admission Fee to be paid directly) & in the guestrooms from the Revival Period in the northern wing of the Monastery.

Upon arrival at the still functioning 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, before visiting the Historical Museum & seeing its memorable collection.

The entrance to the cave of St. Ivan of Rila, lies after a narrow passage between the rock & the Church of the Assumption of St. Ivan of Rila approximately 4 km away from 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. Icons, albums, cards, souvenirs & traditional Bulgarian crafted items are sold at the monastery bookstore, the shops at Hrelyo’s Tower & in the vicinity.

Partake lunch in a restaurant near the Monastery (not included, direct payment).  

Hop on the vehicle & continue to the next experience..

Stop at Melnik, - declared a historical & national cultural reserve & Museum-town.

In the sunniest side of the Pirin Mountain, among the exquisite draperies of bizarre sandstone pyramids sheltered lies Melnik - the smallest town not only in Bulgaria, but in the whole world, with only 280 inhabitants, near the Bulgaria - Greece border.

Melnik has changed hands numerous times as war swept Europe over the centuries, at different times belonging to the Bulgarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, Russia & then Bulgaria once more. In the Middle-Ages it was a big city between Bulgarian & Byzantine empire, on the main road to Thessaloniki. It was a place where the Byzantine emperors used to send in exile some aristocrats they were not happy with. This is why Melnik developed mostly in Byzantine style. Even now you can see ruins of Byzantine buildings around the town. Only a century ago more than 10 000 people lived here. Well, in 1912 the town was inhabited mostly by Greeks & there were over 1000 houses. However, after it was included into Bulgaria’s territory, most of them moved to Greece.

Situated at the foot of a unique nature phenomena - the beautiful steep sandstone Pyramids forming bizarre shapes. These natural rock formations, formed over the centuries as a result of wind, rain & the constant erosion of the limestone cliffs, some 100 meter in height, resemble wizard hats & mushrooms, are located on a 17 square km area around the town and they gave the village its name (the old Slavonic word mel means ‘sandy chalk’)

But it is a 600-year-old wine culture that has made Melnik famous & the village's wonderfully restored National Revival architecture looks all the better after a glass or two of the town's signature 'Melnik 55' red in one of the many special wine cellars where one can learn the history of the magic drink.

It is no wonder then, that Melnik has developed a robust & celebrated winemaking tradition, that most ancient of crafts & one which is perfectly suited for its agrarian surroundings famous for its specific sort of grape.. Of course, that wine is the main cash crop of the sleepy town & delight the locals as well as visitors. Sir Winston Churchill reportedly ordered 500 liters of Bulgaria’s Melnik wine every year leading up to & through World War II.

In the year 1215, Melnik emerged as a capital of an independent feudal principality, ruled by Despot Alexis Slav. The ruins of his fortress near the town are preserved till the present days.

The ruins around the town tell the most of the history of this town. The town is an architectural park & nearly 100 of its buildings are designated historic landmarks. All newly built houses must comply with the Bulgarian Revival architecture stipulations.

The 18^th - 19^th century houses date from the National Revival period, with their interesting & unique architecture. The town is an architectural reserve & 96 of its buildings are cultural monuments, built in the typical Melnik, style, arranged in tiers because the steep terrain.

Upon entrance in the town, you will notice beautiful houses with architecture typical for the Ottoman period. In the centre of the town is still standing the Turkish Konak (built in 1821). Here were the headquarters of the Ottoman ruler. After 1912 it became a government building & later a school & school boarding house. The building very well recalls the Ottoman period of the town.

One of the most famous landmark is the Kordopulov House, now transformed into a beautiful private Museum now. Built in 1754, it is the largest typical Melnik building on of the Balkan Peninsula. It was purchased by the wine, tobacco & silk merchant - Manolis Kordopulos (the richest man in Melnik) & there is a legend that the house rests on a curse because all the men in the House lived less than 40 years.

The most impressive feature in the House is the wine cellar - the largest in Melnik, dug in the limestone rock. It occupies 200 square meters & you can see the old barrels, of which the largest gathered 40, 000 litre of wine. Inside the cellar, thousands of coins from around the world have been placed by visitors in the soft wall for good luck & shine like stars in the dim light. One of the secrets of a good matured wine lies in the constant temperature maintained in the cellar all year - 10-12 degrees. Beneath the House, are the ruins of the family’s St. Barbara Church.

Perched one above the other, the houses with tall white chimneys & cupolas peek behind dozens of ancient Churches. Once over 70 churches in town, only 3 are still functioning. One of the most important ones is the Church St. Antony, the only one dedicated to this saint in Bulgaria. In the center of the Church is placed a metal plate with a double-headed eagle, a sign of the Patriarchate in Constantinople. The location of the plate shows extremely strong energy fields. It is believed that mentally ill patients can cure themselves by spending several nights under the Church’s roof. Unlike most Bulgarian orthodox Churches, the walls in this one are covered not in biblical scenes, but in more tranquil paintings of flowers & plants.

Near the Kordopulov House is situated probably the most famous wine cellar in Melnik - Shestaka’s cellar where you can taste & buy different types of wine & enjoy the amazing view of the sand pyramids from the nearby hills. There are also many souvenir shops, where you can find delicious homemade forest berries jam & more.

Depending on available time, you may also visit the medieval Rozhen Monastery, one of the few well-preserved Bulgarian Monasteries with a unique architecture.

Continue driving for Sandanski, your final destination.

Arrive by late afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

Sandanski is a town & recreation centre in south-western Bulgaria. Renamed after revolutionary Yane Sandanski,in 1947,  it is situated in a valley at the foot of Pirin Mountains, along the banks of Sandanska Bistritsa River. The healing mineral water is the main reason for the region to be inhabited since ancient times.

Sandanski is a popular balneological & spa center. There are 80 springs in the area, the temperature of which ranges from 42 to 81 degrees (Celsius). The low salinity water has a rich chemical composition & is successfully used for treatment & prevention of many diseases of the respiratory tract, artro-rheumatism, diseases of the loco-motor system, the nervous system etc.

The settlement came into being in the 2^nd millennium BC. According to the legends, the Thracian Spartacus, who led the largest slave uprising against the Roman Empire, was born here. In the 6^th century & the town was one of the first Christian Episcopal centers in these lands but was later destroyed by Barbarian tribes.

Remains of 4 Episcopal Basilicas with their unique Mosaics dating back to 5^th - 6^th century AD were found here. The Archaeological Museum of the town was built on the foundations of the Basilica of Bishop Yoan.

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

Overnight.   B D 

Morning, at 07.00 am, depart for Plovdiv, enroute stopping at interesting places.

First stop will be at the village of Dobarsko.

The most popular tourist landmark in the village is the 16^th century Church of “St. Teodor Tiron & St. Teodor Stratilat”. Declared a national monument of culture & is one of the 100 national tourist sites of Bulgaria.

The Church attracts the attention with its exceptionally valuable wall-paintings & icons, which are distinguished by great mastery over the use of untraditional motifs. The unusual approaches, used by the icon painters, are the reason that some people see an image of Jesus Christ in a space ship in some of the painted walls.

A proof of the high value of the wall paintings & the icons is the fact that the 2 altar icons of Jesus Christ & the patrons of the Church have traveled all over the world as a part of the exhibition “Bulgarian Medieval Cultural Inheritance”. A typical peculiarity is the presence of the greatest number of female images in comparison to the other Bulgarian churches, as well as the predominating inscriptions in Bulgarian language. The church was renovated in 1975, and the depositions on the walls were removed without using paints. There is a holy spring in the church yard. Its water is curable according to the legends.

After spending an hour there, continue on to Bansko.

Buzzing Bansko is Bulgaria’s premier ski resort and the most snow-sure in the country. Without a doubt, Bansko is famous basically as a skiing & a snowboarding destination with the total length of the ski tracks of 75 km & the longest of them being 16 km long.

Bansko isn’t a faceless resort, though. The cobblestoned old town is speckled with 19^th century National Revival mansions & worthy Museums. These stone & timber houses were buttressed by fortress-style walls, once holding hidden escape routes, protecting their inhabitants from the Turks.

The Bansko region is famous for its mineral waters, which turns the resort town into an attractive Spa destination which offers a large number of wellness procedures.

The basic tourist landmarks in Bansko are situated next to one another, which facilitates their visiting.

There are multiple Museums & landmarks in the town. 130 architectural & historical monuments of culture are registered, seven of which are of national significance.

The Museum House of Nikola Vaptsarov was established in 1952 & it laid the beginning of the Museum activity in the town. The life of the poet Nikola Vaptsarov (1909 - 1942) is presented in the Museum, from his childhood to his death. An Art Center functions in it, where permanent & temporary exhibitions are organized, as well as scientific forums, meetings with cultural figures, etc. A permanent ethnographic exposition & bazaar is exhibited on the second floor & offers authentic handmade materials, art souvenirs & works of art. The architecture of the typical houses in Bansko from the period of Revival (18^th - 19^th century) can be seen in the rest of the Museum complex on the territory of the town.

The 18^th century Velyanova House declared a national monument of culture, is one of the best models of the Revival architecture & a model of the architectural type of reinforced house. The unique wall paintings & fretworks on the ceilings are made by the artist Velyan Ognev.

The Benina House, in which the Museum House of Neofit Rilski is housed, is also impressive with its architecture.

An exhibition of icons of the Bansko icon-painting school was set up in 1986 in the old convent, situated opposite to the monument of Paisiy Hilendarski. A special place is provided for the school founder - Toma Vishanov, his son Dimitar & his grandson Simeon, and other icon-painters from Bansko.

Very typical for Bansko are the traditional taverns, in which dishes from the region of Bansko are served. Among the town specialties are: Kapama, Chomlek, Bansko Kebap, Sache, Banski Starets, etc.

After spending a couple of hours here, continue on to your final destination.

Arrive at the hotel in Plovdiv by early 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).

Overnight. B D 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed for a 4 hour walking tour of the city.

Plovdiv fell under Ottoman rule in the 14^th century & 2 centuries later, became one of the major economic centers in the Balkans, along with Istanbul (Constantinople), Edirne, Thessaloniki & Sofia. The richer citizens constructed beautiful houses, many of which can still be seen in the architectural reserve of Old Plovdiv. From the early 15^th century till the end of 17^th century, the city was predominantly inhabited by Muslims

Stroll in the compact Old Town built on 3 hills, which is full of art, free of cars & very enjoyable with its unique atmosphere of cobbled streets lined with 150-year-old beautifully painted residences. Ulitsa Saborna is by far the most popular street, carving its way through the Old Town from Ploshtad Dzhumaya right up to Nebet Tepe. Many of the museum houses are on this street as are a plentiful supply of antique shops.

Visit the Ethnographic Museum located in the 1847 house of the merchant, Argir Kuyumdzhioglu, in the Old Town. The museum features six exhibitions, each occupying a separate room and has a collection of over 40,000 exhibits distributed among the agriculture, crafts, fabrics and clothing, furniture & interior, musical instruments, religious items & works of art exhibits. In addition, the museum boasts a scholarly archive, a library & a photo archive.

Then, walk to the 2^nd AD Roman Amphitheatre, one of the world's best-preserved ancient theatres built by Emperor Trajan, which can seat 30,000. It is one of the largest in the Balkan Peninsula, 240 meters long & 50 meters wide, semicircular structure, with 28 concentric rows enclosing a rectangular stage.  It was the seat of the General Assembly of Thrace & a venue for gladiatorial and hunting games.

Damaged during an invasion by Attila the Hun & covered by centuries of buildings. Hard to believe that it remained lost & was only rediscovered & excavated later. Most of the stadium is under the Knyaz Alexander I Street. In 1923, the northern curved part was discovered & reconstructed piece by piece. It includes a vaulted passage under the seats that was linking the Stadium with an outside road.

Approaching it from one of the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town, what strikes you first as you step onto TaksimTepe (hill) is the uninterrupted view of the city below you & the Rhodope mountain in the distance.

See the stunningly intact Theatre falling away in front of you, its rows of seats staggering down the hillside & pieces of the far wall broken off, as if the columns had just fallen backwards off the hill. The silence is astounding, giving you every opportunity to dwell on what this place must have meant to the ancient peoples who came to watch theatrical performances here. Visitors are allowed to go inside & walk around the new steps & carefully work their way down to the stage - now wooden - which hosts concerts & opera performances in the summer months. You might be even lucky enough to catch an opera performance if one is happening during your stay.

The 1^st century AD Roman Forum of Philippopolis used to be the administrative, commercial, public & religious center of the ancient city as the city needed a place for public debates, meetings & official events. The Odeon, the Treasury, the Library of Philippopolis, and other administrative buildings surround a rectangular plaza & remained active until the 5^th century when it was lost. Fortunately for us, when the city was building the new post office, they rediscovered the structure in 1972.

Apparently, Plovdiv remained important through Christianity. In the 1980s, archaeologists discovered two important structures from an early Christian period: the Great & the Small Basilica of Philippopolis, both built in the 5^th century. Sadly, Slavic tribes invaded the city in the 6^th century & partially destroyed both buildings but remaining mosaic decorations inside will surprise you.

Next stop will be the oldest & one of the most beloved church here - Church of Sveti Konstantin & Elena. Dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great & his mother Helena, it was built on the spot where 2 Christian martyrs were beheaded in the year 304. Admire the marvellous frescoes & a colourful carved ceiling in the exterior colonnade, and a baroque-style Viennese iconostasis & religious art spanning the 15^th - 18^th centuries inside.

After the establishment of the Bulgarian State in 681, Plovdiv bordered the Byzantine Empire. Hence, the city had to strengthen its ancient city walls. Especially interesting is the Hisar Kapia city gate, built in the 11^th century, a typical example of military architecture of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

The Ottomans conquered Plovdiv in the late 14^th century & renamed it Filibe. Thus, the city became the center of the vilayet (province) & the Sultan’s personal possession.  Few cities managed to flourish during the long period of Ottoman rule. In fact, most settlements were basically poor neglected towns. However, that was not the case of Plovdiv, Berat in Albania & Ohrid in Macedonia. The Ottomans built several mosques, baths, markets, & inns. In fact, they built some Mosques on top of old Churches & Monasteries.

Dzhumaya or Friday Mosque in the town centre is Plovdiv’s main functioning mosque, built in the late 14^th century over the ruins of the Sveta Petka Tarnovska Cathedral Church. It is one of the largest & oldest Ottoman buildings in the Balkans. The structure that stands today replaced the original one in the 15^th century using Byzantine & Old Bulgarian building techniques, such as 2 layers of bricks & 1 layer of stone, as can be seen in its façade. Unlike most Mosques in the Balkans, Dzhumaya has 9 domes.

In the cafe next to the Mosque, people sit for hours & sip cups of Turkish coffee. Even the cats in the cobbled streets of the old town seem more languid than elsewhere. They stretch & purr, then they roll over & go back to sleep.

Shahabuddin Pasha, son of the Rumelian governor, built Shahabuddin Imarethane Mosque in the 15^th century. Its highlight is the minaret with red bricks in a meandering pattern. The Pasha is buried in a tomb  next to the mosque. Within the complex, there was a Madrassa, a Hammam, an inn & an Imaret (a public kitchen). The Mosque was shut for a very long time until it reopened in 1992.

In the 19^th century, the city was at the center of the Bulgarian National Revival. Gorgeous colorful houses were built all around the Old Town in the later Ottoman period. Particularly interesting are the decorative elements, such as the wooden frames on every corner & the floral motives in these 2 or 3 story buildings with an expanded upper floor resting on wooden buttresses.

If you only have time for just one house, visit Kuyumdzhioglu House, the prettiest of them all. Built in 1847 for a Greek merchant on a slope overlooking a garden, the house has 4 floors. Notice the floral decorations on the façade. Through its history, the building was a boarding house, a factory & a warehouse. At one point one its owners wanted to demolish it but fortunately for us, the Municipality of Plovdiv bought it in 1938 to preserve.

There are many more things to see & do in Plovdiv.

Nebet Tepe hill will fascinate archaeology lovers. The remains of the 5^th century BC city wall are as impressive as the views from the hill. At the foot of the hill, you will find the Chifte, an oriental bathhouse from the 16^th century. The Ottoman Clock Tower was built from the 16^th century but the clock was brought from Vienna in the late 19^th century. Finally, Plovdiv Synagogue may be small & secluded but is one of the best examples of Ottoman style Synagogues in the Balkans.

The tour finishes & you will enjoy a traditional lunch at Puldin restaurant in the complex built above Roman fortification ruins, which was a Dervish centre in the period of the Ottoman Empire. 

Return to the hotel to Check-out & depart for Burgas enroute stopping at 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 11^th 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 & Zograf’s self-portrait (no beard) in the upper-left corner. A small Museum of Icons also opens when there is sufficient demand.

Continue on to the Black Sea coast at the town of Burgas - the 2^nd largest Black Sea port of Bulgaria.

Arrive in Burgas by afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

Shortly after, proceed for a ‘walking’ sightseeing tour of the city.

Tourism is not particularly developed in Burgas but the city is a transit stop for the picturesque century old trade centers of Nesebar & Sozopol.

You will find a lively, well-kept city with a neat, pedestrianised centre, a long, uncrowded beach, a gorgeous seafront park & some interesting Museums. Nature lovers come to Burgas for the 4 lakes just outside the city, which are havens for abundant bird life.

There are historical evidences that the lands that Burgas occupies today, were inhabited since ancient times by small fishing villages & fortifications. The ancient settlement of Aquae Calidae near Burgas mineral baths with its Aquae Calidae Thermopolis was one of the most distinguished spa centers in ancient times.

The first Baths here were built by the Roman conquerors in the middle of the 1^st century. Later, the Thracians turned the mineral spring into the most honored sanctuary of the Three Nymphs, which had been attracting lots of pilgrims for centuries.

The town went on to develop rapidly with the Byzantines as well. Emperor Justinian 1^st tried to protect it from the Barbarian raids with a fortress wall. The miraculous waters of the ancient baths offered healing to emperors & patricians through the centuries.

Burgas fell under Ottoman dominance in the same year as Constantinople (1453) & was completely destroyed. It was partially rebuilt later in 1562 when Sultan Suleiman II arrived here & the city developed as educational & cultural center. 

In mid 16^th century, Suleiman the Magnificent ordered that the roman baths of Aqua Calidae were transformed into a Turkish hammam & the port was also re-established.

Burgas was liberated from the Ottoman dominion in 1878. The city developed more actively in the beginning of 20^th century & today it is a large industrial & trade center. Burgas port had already turned into the largest port south of the Balkan Mountain & Burgas Bay turned out to be very favorable for the Navy & the Port of Burgas developed. Along Burgas Bay is the Sea Garden, with broad promenades & a viewing platform at the end of its pier, with summer performances.

Burgas is the cultural center of the region, which is evident by the active work of the Burgas Opera, Dramatic Theater “Adriana Budevska”, & the State Puppet Theater of Burgas. There are also multiple Galleries in the city. The Summer Theater of the city is also situated here. The city is a host of multiple literature, musical, folklore festivals & concerts & performances traditionally during the summer season.

The night life, especially in the summer season, also offers a lot of opportunities - discotheques, bars, casinos. Besides the ones on the central streets of Burgas, catering establishments & bars are also located along the sea shore & the Marine Park.

Visit the reconstructed impressive Hammam of Suleiman, which was completely restored to its authentic vision, lined with marble & oriental ceramics along the walls & the pool, decorated with frescoes in typical flamboyant Ottoman style from the 15^th - 17^th century. A transparent roof covers the ruins of the ancient baths & the Eastern chic of the bathroom is complemented by natural & artistic lighting.

Nearby, the Ethnographic Museum explores Bulgarian folk culture, with colorful costumes & everyday items. There is also the Church of Saint Cyril & Methodius is known for striking stained-glass windows over its main entrance.  Visitors can also bird-watch, kayak or take an impromptu plunge into a salt pool.

Visitors can learn more about the city & other interesting facts in the Regional Historical Museum, which is spread over a few buildings. Pictures & documents related to the most contemporary history of Burgas - after 1878 to the 1970s & during the first & Second Bulgarian Empire and the falling of the town under Ottoman dominion, are presented in the Historical Exposition. The history of ship building on the Black Sea since the middle of the 2^nd century BC is presented by a special collection of articles.

The tour concludes & you return to the hotel.

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

Overnight.   B L D

Morning, around 08.00 am, depart for Varna, enroute stopping at the magnificent town of Nessebar.

The ancient UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Nessebar is situated on a romantic rocky peninsula on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway.

Nessebar was originally a Thracian settlement (Menebria). At the beginning of the 6^th century BC, the city became a Greek colony. The city’s remains, which date mostly from the Hellenistic period, include the acropolis, a temple of Apollo, an agora & a wall from the Thracian fortifications. Among other monuments, the Stara Mitropolia Basilica & the fortress date from the Middle Ages, when this was one of the most important Byzantine towns on the west coast of the Black Sea. Wooden houses built in the 19^th century are typical of the Black Sea architecture of the period.

It is the cultural treasury of Bulgaria & in 1956 it was declared “a Museum-town, an archaeological & architectural reserve”. Because of its unique historic colour, it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Monument in 1983.

The town has preserved architectural monuments from all periods in its thousand year old existence. There are the remains of the Roman & Medieval walls, the Byzantine & Bulgarian churches & the old houses from 18^th - 19^th century.

The town is proud of its churches. The Church of St. Sofia, known as the Old Metropolitan church & the Church of Virgin Eleusa, situated on the northern shore, are three-isled basilicas dating back to the early Byzantine period from 5^th - 6^th centuries. The 11^th century Church of St. John the Baptist is distinguished for its cylinder dome & St. Stephen’s Church is remarkable for its frescoes.

Today the old part of Nessebar with a splendid antique atmosphere & is an attractive place for romantic walks along the narrow cobbled streets, among the small shops selling handmade souvenirs, knitting crochets & jewellery.

Visit St Stefan Church, one of the most important monuments of Bulgarian cultural heritage because of its architectural style, iconostasis & remarkable mural paintings.

The Church of St. Stephen, known as The New Bishopric, was built between 11^th - 13^th centuries & was expanded during 16^th - 18^th century.

In the beginning the Church was dedicated to the Holy Mother. That why the wall paintings represent scenes from the Holy Mother’s life. The date of the church’s painting is marked on a donator’s inscription, situated above the southern door of the naos.

There are 258 mural paintings & more than 1000 figures. Scenes from the Miracles of Christ, according to the Gospel legends are given in all range. The style shows that three painters have worked on it. Also, an original painted iconostasis, dating back to 16^th century and wood-carved throne and a pulpit from 18^th century are preserved in the church. Later, in the 18^th century, the scenes of the Last Judgement’s Day were painted on the eastern part of the nartex in traditional iconographic style for the time.

Continue driving to Varna.

Arrive at the hotel in Verna by early afternoon & Check-in.

Shortly after, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a 3 hour sightseeing of the city.

Bulgaria’s 3^rd largest city, Varna is a cosmopolitan town on the Black Sea coast. A perfect resort city that simply has it all. In the city centre, there is Bulgaria’s largest Roman baths complex & its finest Archaeological Museum & a lively cultural scene. Beautiful long beaches, crystal clear waters, lively atmosphere & countless restaurants along a bar-lined waterfront promenade.

The city was founded as Odessus by Milesian Greeks in the 6^th century BC; later it was Thracian, Macedonian & Roman. In 681, it became part of the First Bulgarian empire (679 - 1018) & was named Varna. During the reign of Ivan Asen II, it became a thriving centre of trade with Genoa, Venice & Dubrovnik.

Today, Varna is an important centre for business, transportation, education, tourism, entertainment & healthcare. The city is referred to as the maritime capital of Bulgaria & hosts the headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy & merchant marine.

It is famous for the "Gold of Varna," 6,000-year-old Thracian jewelry discovered in a necropolis, which is displayed inside the Archaeological Museum, along with Greek, Roman & Ottoman antiquities.

The city also makes an ideal base for day trips to nearby beach resorts such as Sveti, Konstantin, Golden Sands & the charming town of Balchik.

Visit the Archaeological Museum that has constantly carried out archaeological investigations & excavations on various sites all over Northeast Bulgaria.

Exhibits at this vast Museum, the best of its kind in Bulgaria, include the celebrated Gold of Varna - 6000-year-old bangles, necklaces & earrings - arguably, the oldest gold treasure in the world, excavated in 1972 & dating to 4600 - 4200 BCE, which occupies 3 separate exhibition halls. More than 100 000 objects - monuments of past epochs from Varna & Northeast Bulgaria.

You will also find Roman surgical implements, Hellenistic tombstones & touching oddments including a marble plaque listing, in Greek, the names of the city’s school graduates for AD 221. There is a large Collection of Icons on the 2^nd floor.

All of the exhibits are helpfully signposted in English, with excellent explanatory text. The Museum also manages 2 open-air archaeological sites, the large Roman baths in the city centre & the medieval grotto of Aladzha Monastery at Golden Sands Nature Park.

Move on to St Michael the Archangel Church. The Church was founded in 1865 & is historically significant as the first place where religious services were given in Bulgarian. The building also contained Varna’s first school. The Church is small & badly lit, but there are some fine wooden icons. There is also a notable art Gallery displaying rotating exhibitions of mainly visual arts, usually of high quality.

Return to the hotel.

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

Overnight.   B D 

Morning, around 08.00 am, depart for Veliko Tarnovo - the medieval Bulgarian capital, enroute stopping at Shumen.

Stop at the Madara village.

Madara was a vital location during the Middle-Ages - as the site of important historical gatherings connected with the founding of the Bulgarian State during the 7^th century & because of its proximity to the first capitals, Pliska & Preslav. In medieval times, the village was a Bulgarian fortress named Matora, mentioned in Ottoman registers of 1481(as Matara). Towering cliffs, beautiful natural surroundings & plentiful water drew people here from the dawn of history & it was an important town for the horse-riding, nomadic Thracians around 7000 years ago & later for the Romans.

The modern village was founded by settlers from nearby Kyulevcha close to Kaspichan after the Liberation of Bulgaria; in the 1940s & 1950s, settlers from the Pirin & Sofia regions arrived.

The first studies of Madara’s ancient history were completed in the 1930s, when 2 burial mounds were excavated on the plateau & an inventory of the gravesites yielded information about trade relations between the resident Thracians & Greek colonies situated in Asia Minor & along the neighboring Black Sea coast.

In 14^th century, one of the largest cliff Monasteries in Bulgaria was founded here. The Thracians had long used Caves as dwellings & like their predecessors - the first inhabitants of the region - they enlarged them & made them more comfortable. More than 150 natural Caves on the rock face were used as Churches, Chapels, Monastic Retreats & Gravesites.

Madara village is famous today for the Madara National Historical & Archaeological Reserve.

The Reserve includes even some Neolithic & Thracian settlements, some Roman ruins, a 4^th century fortress on top of the table mountain from the First Bulgarian Empire, a medieval Bulgarian palace, Pagan sanctuaries, Christian Churches & a 12^th - 14^th century Monastery with cells for monks hewn into the cliff. One of the largest caves was used as a Church & it continues to function to this day as the cliff-side chapel “Saint Panteleymon”.

After Bulgaria fell to the Turks, Madara lost its identity as a unique cultural, cultic & administrative center of national importance. By 16^th century, the brilliant palaces & monuments from antiquity and the Middle-Ages were razed to their foundations.

The only monument to survive was the striking UNESCO World Heritage listed Madara Horseman, one of its kind in Europe, early medieval stone relief carved on the rocks at Madara Plateau which has secured the quiet village’s place in history. In 2008 it was chosen as the National Symbol of Bulgaria & is reproduced on all of its stotinki coins.  

Carved by the Bulgars on a massive cliff, it is representative of early medieval 8^th century pagan Bulgarian artistry. The relief most likely dating to the reign of Tervel of Bulgaria, depicts a majestic life-size form of a Horseman 25 meters up an almost vertical 100 metre high cliff. The rider is attacking a lion caught beneath the crushing hooves of the horse, with his spear. A dog trails after the horseman. Inscriptions in Medieval Greek on either side describe the early history of the Bulgarian state, referring to the Bulgarian rulers of the 8^th & 9^th centuries.  What is amazing is, how did the artists reach such a height above ground 1400 years ago?

One legend has it that a Roman emperor was hunting on the plateau when he fell off the cliff & died. His relatives memorialized him by engaging a master to carve his image on the cliff.

At the Madara Reserve, there is also an Archeological Museum, opened in 1935, that presents the history of the site during epochs of human habitation there.  The Exposition includes more than 350 original finds from the region.

After spending an hour, continue on to the village of Arbanassi located on a high plateau near the city of Veliko Tarnovo..

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 Arbanasi 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.

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. To the east the Church adjoins the Saint John the Baptist Chapel.

The narthex that can still be viewed today at first stood alone as a church, and 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.

The glory that was Arbanasi is still evident in the many houses & cultic buildings, the traditions & customs, associated with its former residents. Characteristic of the houses in Arbanasi is that because of the way they were built, it was possible to remain inside for long periods without going out, except to the well in the courtyard for water.

One of the most interesting museum in Arbanasi is the Konstantsaliev House. This 17^th century house is 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. After that it was again purchased & 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 churches & the wine.

See the St. Peter & Pavel Monastery. You will also enjoy wine tasting in the Lyaskovets wine cellar, known for its good sparkling wines.

Drive on to Veliko Tarnovo, one of the oldest towns in the country, its history dating back to more than five thousand years ago which is proven by archaeological excavations

Arrive at the hotel by afternoon & Check-in.

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, as well as a cultural & intellectual center of Bulgaria.

The most significant monument of culture in Veliko Tarnovo is the medieval fortress Tsarevets, situated on the homonymous peak, surrounded on three sides by the river Yantra. There is also another historical hill near Tsarevets - Trapezitsa. Its historical richness is great & has not been fully discovered yet. The archaeological excavations on the hill continue and new interesting finds constantly appear on the surface.

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

Nowadays there is a show which recreate the history. The "Sound and Light" audio-visual show is an unique attraction in Europe. There are less than three similar spectacles all over the World. A dramatic music & flashing lights, lasers, heavy church bells combined together tell the glorious & tragic story of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1393).

Balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps, you might want to go for the Sound & Light Show (direct payment).

Overnight.   B D  

Morning, around 08.00 am, depart for Kazanlak, enroute stopping at Etara.

But first, visit the sights in Veliko Tarnovo.

Visit Tsarevets Holy Hill. The Hill was the main fortress of the medieval Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo.

During the period (1185 - 1395) of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom Bulgaria was the largest & the most powerful state in Southeastern Europe.

The hill itself was inhabited as early as the 2^nd millennium B.C. The ancient settlement existed even during the Iron Age but was abandoned in the first centuries of the Roman rule. In the 4^th century, it was populated again & at the end of the 5^th century it had already became a strongly fortified early Byzantine town. The medieval fortress had been raised during the 12^th century on top of the foundations of the early Byzantine one.

The reservation site lends an impressive aspect with the ancient unassailable fortification system, consisting of strong stonewalls, stupendous gates, towers & embrasures, as well as with its residential & ecclesiastical architecture.

There was a draw bridge at the first of them. The central part - the flattest level of the hill was the place of the fortified King's Palace. It was surrounded by an inner stonewall, behind which there were also the Throne Hall, the Royal Church, and the royal chambers.

And above all these the complex of the Patriarch's Palace was raising its walls high towards the sky. It was restored in 1981 in honour of 1300 years from the creation Bulgaria and it was painted in 1985 in honour of 800 years from the liberation of Vizantia. The interior of the Patriarch's Church has been decorated with modern wall painting, representing miscellaneous moments of the history & culture of medieval Bulgaria.

In those years, well back in time, the slopes of the hill were studded with residential districts & craftsmen's quarters, numerous churches & monasteries. More than 400 residential buildings & 18 medieval churches have been found by archaeologists on the hill of Tsarevets.

Stop over for lunch in the town of Gabrovo.

Later, visit the Etar Architectural & Ethnographic Complex, declared an architectural & ethnographic monument of national significance. The open-air architectural ethnographic Museum established in 1964, is situated on the outskirts of the town of Gabrovo & the restored 18-19^th century houses / workshops display traditional Bulgarian crafts. Its purpose is to present the 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.

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.

On the Crafts Street, the visitors can watch in real time the work of the craftsmen. 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.

Drive 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.

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.

Check-in at the hotel.

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.

After freshening / relaxing for a short time, proceed for sightseeing at the 4^th century BC tomb in the so called ‘Valley of Thracian Kings’, a chain of ancient burial mounds.

The UNESCO World Heritage listed Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak is a vaulted-brickwork "beehive tomb’ near the town.

The Tomb is part of a large Thracian necropolis, 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 & a round 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.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight.   B L D 

Morning, Check-out & depart for Sofia. Enroute, stop at Koprivshtitsa

Reach Koprivshtitsa, one of Balkans’ most beautiful secluded village that has been successfully preserved & turned into an ethno-graphic Museum & an architectural Reserve.

Tucked into the deep valley of the Topolnitsa River, among the forested hills of the Sredna Gora mountain between Sofia & Plovdiv, the incredibly scenic & historical small village of Koprivshtitsa might be the perfect place to experience the authentic Bulgarian spirit of yore. 

People originally settled there in 14^th century & today, there are only around 2500 residents who live here. Once a prosperous town of well-educated merchants, it is remembered all over Bulgaria as the birthplace of dozens of eminent writers & revolutionaries, including some of the leading figures of the Bulgarian Revival. In 1876, it was also the focal point of the epic & tragic April Uprising against Ottoman rule, a historic moment leading up to hard-fought Bulgarian independence. Todor Kableshkov declared an uprising against the Turks on 20 April 1876 from Kalachev Bridge (also called 'First Shot' Bridge). 

With a dazzling mix of splendid traditional architecture, dramatic history & crispy fresh mountain air, hundreds of brightly-coloured Bulgarian Revival houses line the winding cobblestone alleys connected by little arched bridges. Behind colourful house fronts, numerous restored National Revival period mansions & babbling streams broods Koprivshtitsa's revolutionary spirit.

Touring the vibrantly coloured Museum Houses built in the early to mid -19^th century, Baroque-inspired in their decoration with a mixture of Ottoman & a vernacular Bulgarian Revival style architecture, is an unmissable part of any trip to Koprivshtitsa..

Some of the more notable Houses, among many, are the Debelyanov House, a fitting destination for lovers of poetry & broken hearts. It was the home one of Bulgaria’s most lyrical poets, Dimcho Debelyanov, whose life was cut short on the Macedonian front of World War I. This blue-painted wooden house features a monument to Debelyanov’s mother, to whom his perhaps most memorable rhymes were dedicated.

The Lyutov House is another 1850s merchant’s home with extraordinary murals depicting various cities in Europe & beyond that the owner visited on his travels. On the lower floor, you can discover the craft of making plasti, a local hand-made & coloured thick wool fabric.

Delve into the local lore & spend a couple of hours exploring the village before departing for Sofia.

Arrive at the hotel by afternoon & Check-in.

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

Overnight.   B D     

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.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes” – Marcel Proust

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

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