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. 

Early morning, meet the Tour-guide at 07.00 am & proceed for a 4 hour excursion to the spectacular Rila Monastery, one of the most iconic symbol of Bulgaria, situated within the scenic Rila Mountain range at 1147 meter above mean sea level. 

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

The 10^th century UNESCO World Heritage listed Rila Monastery is the biggest in Bulgaria & one of Europe’s oldest.

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 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).  

Return to the city & relax for an hour.

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).

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). 

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.

Morning at 07.00 am, depart for Plovdiv, enroute stopping at Kjustendil.

Nearing Kjustendil, stop for photos at the legendary medieval 100 meter long Kadin Bridge (Bride’s Bridge) with 5 circular vaults, built on Struma river in Nevestino village.

The impressive architecture of the Bridge is a mixture of ancient, Renaissance locally reproduced elements decorated with stalactite ornaments & rosettes and covered with granite slabs some of which have Turkish inscriptions taken from ancient ruins. One of plate says that the Bridge was built on the orders of Vizier Isaac Pasha from Egira in 1470. Considered to be one of the most remarkable monuments of construction in Bulgaria, it was declared as an architectural monument of national significance.

Reach Kjustendil (called Pautalia in ancient times), one of the most famous Bulgarian spa resort towns on the border with Macedonia.

The mineral springs of the region attracted the Thracian tribes who founded a settlement here in the 5^th century B.C. Historically, Kyustendil was initially Roman, then Byzantine, Bulgarian, Serbian & Ottoman. Thus, you can see remnants of all these times in every corner. Romans turned it into an important fortress, trade venue & a renowned spa resort.

The clear colourless mineral waters of the numerous fountains (natural springs & wells) have an almost uniform chemical composition, temperature & sulphide content with a slight smell of hydrogen sulphide.

It was integrated to the Bulgarian State during the time of king Kaloian (1197 – 1207). In the middle of the 15^th century the Turks began to colonize the town. The town was later renamed as Kyustendil by the feudal ruler Konstantin Dragash. During the Renaissance it developed rapidly & its inhabitants took active part in the ecclesiastical & national struggles.

The city boasts an impressive Roman Bath, an early medieval fortress, 2 Ottoman Mosques, 1 medieval Church & several Bulgarian Revival Churches. Likewise, the city is home to numerous Ottoman houses & European neo-classical mansions. Finally, incredible spas with natural thermal waters dot Kyustendil. Not to forget the delicious food & Bulgarian hospitality, amongst the best in the continent.

Mineral waters have been running through Kyustendil for centuries. During Ottoman times, the town had several baths. One of these baths still exists, but is unfortunately closed to the public. 2 other Ottoman baths were rebuilt entirely & are currently open. The Dervish Bath from 1566 is made of broken stone blocks & red bricks. A gable & 2 lovely domes cover it. The main bath is an octagonal room under the bigger dome. It was functioning as a bathhouse until 1992.

In fact, the ruins of a Roman Thermae (the 2^nd largest Thermae Baths in Bulgaria), from the 2^nd or 3^rd centuries AD are the 2^nd largest archaeological remains in Bulgaria. The baths were built using the so-called Opus Mixum technique. That is, a layer of brick follows a layer of mortar with crushed brick. . It is estimated that the original Thermae covered around 3000 m2. Of that space, about 1000 m2 were uncovered & can be seen next to the Ahmed Bey Mosque.

Kyustendil is a predominantly Christian Orthodox city, thus the plethora of wonderful Churches. Up until 1884, the city was the center of its Diocese. Three 19^th century Churches built in the so-called Bulgarian Revival style are a testament to those times. However, the city’s oldest & most important - Saint George, dates back to the late 10^th century.

The monumental red 19^th century City Hall built by Viennese architect Friedrich Grunanger dominates Velbazhd Square. Initially, it was a pedagogical school, then a boy’s high school & later a girl’s high school. In 1931, the first courthouse in Bulgaria was here. From 1959 to 1973, it was the center of the local Communist Party.

Kyustendil was under the Ottoman rule for almost 500 years & was the capital of the so-called Sanjak of Kyustendil. till the rule ended in 1878.  At the height of the Ottoman Empire, in the 17^th century, there were 17 Mosques in the city. Unfortunately, only two have survived until this day, both of them closed to the public.

Built in the middle of the 15^th century, the Ahmed Bay Mosque is the oldest remaining mosque in town,  right next to the ancient Roman Thermae. A typical squared Mosque, with a large dome & an entrance vestibule on the north. Its façade is made of stone blocks & bricks taken from older buildings. In 1904, an earthquake destroyed its minaret.

Fatih Mehmed Mosque is slightly younger. It honors the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, known as Conqueror (Fatih means conqueror in Turkish). The famous local builder & tax collector Haraji Kara Mehmed bin Ali commissioned the Mosque in 1531. This one too, is made of stone & bricks and hexagonal ornaments distinguish its minaret.

It is no surprise that many houses from that period still exist. The houses are made of wood, with walls filled with unbaked brick, & painted in white. Some of them are open to visitors.

Diagonally from the City Hall, across the Square, is the city’s oldest Bulgarian revival building, Prokopieva House. Davidko Yachkov, a janissary from Sofia, commissioned the 2 story building in the 18^th century. But a 3^rd one was added in the 19^th century. For some time, it was an old Hellenic school before being converted into today’s residential building.

The most representative Ottoman house in Kyustendil is the so-called House Museum Ilyo Voyvoda, a 2 story building with a wooden porch & bay windows, built in 1870 on Boulevard Tsar Osvoboditel, one of Kyustendil’s main Avenues. From 1878 to 1898, a famous Bulgarian revolutionary, Ilyo Voyvoda, lived here. Today, it hosts a historical collection from the Regional Historical Museum, one of Bulgaria’s oldest & largest museums.

There is also history related to Bulgarian Jews & how they were saved during the WW2. There is the Museum dedicated to the Jews' saviour Dimitar Peshev, in the house where he was born in 1894. Led by heroic acts during WW2 of people like him, more than 45,000 Bulgarian Jews were saved with the support of the whole Bulgarian nation.

There is also the City Art Gallery which hosts an exhibition of one of Bulgaria’s most talented 20^th century painters, Vladimir Dimitrov. The Master, as he is known, is considered one of the country’s best painters. His art is recognizable due to his expressive portraits & colorful compositions. The Museum hosts 3180 works by relevant Bulgarian artists, including more than 1300 paintings by the Master.

The 16^th century Pirgov Tower is a medieval defense tower next to the Roman Baths. With 4 floors, the ground floor was a warehouse, the 1^st & 2^nd floors were equipped for living & the 3^rd floor was a defense chamber.

The center point of lush green Hissarlaka Hill is the Hissarlaka Fortress dating back to the late 4^th & early 5^th centuries. The Ottomans damaged it severely when they conquered the area in the 15^th century. Spread over 2.12 hectares protected by 14 round, rectangular & triangular towers, it encompasses several public & residential buildings within. Only a small section of the fortress has survived.

Kyustendil & its surrounding areas are well known as the orchard of Bulgaria, where mostly cherries, plums, apples etc. are grown. Every June there is a colorful Cherry Festival.  

Walk around the little streets & enjoy the artistic atmosphere of many Art Galleries & discover the ancient Ottoman heritage before hopping in the vehicle to drive 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, ethnographic & 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).

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 Stara Zagora.

Arrive in the city by late afternoon & immediately, proceed for a short sightseeing tour although there is not much to discover here, in the touristic sense.

Located at the cross-roads of multiple civilizations, Stara Zagora (meaning 'old beyond the mountains') is an important piece in the European cultural routes mosaic with its history dating way back in time. It is filled with ups & downs, creation & demolition. However, the inhabitants of this special place always rebuilt it.

Inhabited by ancient Thracians, Romans, Ottomans & Bulgarians, this unique city bears the historical imprint of those past civilizations along with many of their historical treasures. 

Now, it is a business city with major road & rail connections, best known for Zagorka, a leading Bulgarian beer that has been brewed here since 1902 and the dining scene is superb with pedestrianised streets lined with trendy cafes leading right to Roman ruins.

Humans appreciated the abundant natural resources in the area & the first signs of life date from the Neolithic era 8,000 years ago. Europe's best-preserved Neolithic dwellings can be seen even today, their numerous ritual & everyday objects are enchanting with their aesthetics. Europe's 7,000 year old first metal mines are in close proximity to this contemporary city. According to some theories, the name of the first settlement - Beroe - established in that location by ancient Thracians in 4^th century is related to those mines.

Later in 2^nd century AD, during the Roman period, Emperor Trajan built the city Augusta Traiana which gradually became the thriving 2^nd biggest economic, administrative & cultural center in the Thrace province. The city changed its name several times during the Middle-ages. Between 6^th & 14^th century, it was called Vereia, Irinopolis, Boruy.

The city was occupied by the Ottomans in 1372 & kept its new name Eski Zagra until the mid-19^th century when the teacher Todor Shishkov initiated the name change. The city’s Bulgarian elite decided to rename the city Zheleznik. The new name highlighted the region's iron mining dating back to antiquity. In 1871, during the Council of Constantinople, the city regained its contemporary name Stara Zagora thanks to the newly formed diocese & the perseverance of the local people.

One of most decisive battles of the Russo-Turkish War in the summer of 1877 took place in the vicinity of Stara Zagora. This battle was a form of christening of fire for the Opalchentsi (the Bulgarian voluntary army units) who were defending the Samara flag.

Accompanied by the Tour-guide, visit the Museum of Religions, unique in Bulgaria & perhaps in the world as it is unlikely that such a place exists elsewhere, with such a rare continuity of religious practices of different faiths throughout the centuries.

In this location, situated in the center of the city, different people have worshipped different gods throughout the centuries. The remains of a cult pit from the Early Iron Age (10^th - 9^th century B.C.), a Pagan sanctuary dedicated to the Thracian horseman (2^nd - 3^rd century A.D.), a medieval Christian cemetery Church (end of 10^th - 13^th century A.D.) & a Muslim mosque (15^th - 20^th century A.D.) have been discovered in this precise location.

See Eski Mosque (Eski Dzhamiya) built on the base of a medieval Christian Church. Recent archaeological excavations revealed that before the Church there had been a Thracian sanctuary here.

Also known as Mosque of Hamza Bay, it has the 2^nd largest single-dome among all the Ottoman mosques. One of Bulgaria’s oldest Muslim shrines, the cavernous interior of 15^th century Mosque has splendid rococo floral designs, beautiful mural paintings & several inscriptions inside. In 1856, the Mosque was badly damaged by fire & the Baroque style ornamental mural on its interior walls probably dates to after the fire in 1859 or 1860. In 2008 - 2013, its building was re-restored with a grant from the European Union & it became a part of the 'Museum of Religions'. A few Bulgarian notings only display cases feature religious miscellany, but the real reason to visit is the Mosque's beautiful interior.

There are also a few other monuments here.

Pass by the Monument to Saint George the Conqueror

Legend has it that the young Roman tribune suffered because of his dedication to Christ's teachings when Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire. He has been the guardian saint of all armies & militaries ever since. The Saint prayed for the eternal peace of those who perished for their Town & Homeland. It comes as no surprise that the monument is dedicated to those 2722 warriors from the city who perished in the wars in 1912 -1913, 1915 - 1918 & 1944 - 1945.

It consists of a truncated marble pyramid with a 2 meter base. There is a 1 meter cube on top. On top of the cube, there is a marble column with 0.35 diameter & 2 meter height. On top of the column is the 2 meter tall figure of Saint George the Conqueror riding a horse & piercing a dragon.

The monument was inaugurated on November 5, 2002 by Georgi Parvanov, the Bulgarian President at that time. There are annual celebrations on May 6 with military honors & the consecration of the flag of the 2^nd Tundzha military brigade.

Continue on to the hotel & Check-in.

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

Morning, meet Check-out at 06.00 am & depart for Varna.

Enroute, you will be making a couple of stops to see some interesting places.

Stop at Yambol.

The area surrounding Yambol has been inhabited since the Neolithic Era. The ancient Thracian royal city of Kabile (or Kabyle) dating from the end of the 2^nd millennium BCE, was located 10 km from current-day Yambol. It was one of Thracians' most important cities & contained one of the kings' palaces.  The city was conquered by King Philip II of Macedon in 341 BCE & was re-established as an ancient Greek polis.

After the collapse of Alexander the Great’s empire in the 3^rd century BCE, Kabile was ruled by the Thracians once again.  It was conquered by the Romans in 71 BCE & later incorporated into the Roman province of Thrace.

By 136 CE, Kabile (called Diospolis) was one of the largest Roman military bases in the region housing at least 600 soldiers. A large residence for military officers has recently been excavated in the archaeological park at Kabile which was expanded by Roman Emperor Diocletian in 293 CE.

The name later evolved through Diampolis, Hiambouli, Dinibouli, Dbilin & Diamboli or Jamboli to finally become Yambol. In modern times, since the early 1990s, Yambol has been the center of Yambol Oblast (or Yambol Municipality).

The city’s proximity to the border made it essential for both trade & military purposes and it was expanded during the reign of Khan Omurtag of the First Bulgarian Empire & a new fortress was built. During the reign of Boris I & Tsar Simeon, the first literary centers were established, mostly as part of the Church. Books were imported from Preslav & Ohrid literary schools and were studied in the city's Churches. During the reign of Tsar Kaloyan, the city again increased in importance, mainly due to the ongoing conflict between Bulgaria & the Crusaders.

The Ottomans conquered Yambol in 1373 CE, but a militarized, semi-independent Bulgarian population remained as voyinuks in the southern part of the city which was renamed as "Yanbolu".

During World War I, Yambol hosted a base for Luftstreitkrafte (Imperial German Army Air Service) zeppelins used for missions in Romania, Russia, Sudan & Malta. The city was chosen by the Germans due to its favorable location & weather conditions. During the Balkan Wars, Yambol was the headquarters of the First Bulgarian Army, which played a vital role in the defeat of the Turks in Trace.

The city was affected by the turmoils of the early 20^th century. Bulgarian refugees from East Thrace, attacked by the Turkish Army in a 1913 ethnic cleansing campaign against Thracian Bulgarians, settled in the city. Yambol's Greek population left for Greece during that exchange of refugee populations. Yambol also hosted Bulgarian Macedonian refugees from the failed 1903 Ilinden Uprising

Yambol does not have many attractions. But, it has the first municipal specialized museum in the country.

The "Museum of Battle Glory" located in the 9 acre former pioneer barracks provided by the Ministry of Defense, aims to preserve the memory & pay tribute to all soldiers from the city & the region in the period after Liberation of Bulgaria.

In the open part of the Museum can be seen huge collection of restored German Panzer IV tanks, fighters, helicopters, assault rifles & a unique self-propelled anti-tank gun Jagdpanzer L 48, which is one of the only 6 preserved in the world which got into the Bulgarian army, probably as a trophy during the fighting in Hungary or Austria. In the 2 halls of the Museum are displayed photos & documents for the combat path of 29th Infantry Regiment Yambol. Among the exhibits is a rifle "Mannlicher" - a gift to Museum from the Minister of Defense of Bulgaria - General Anyu Angelov.

But, you do not have time for this Museum or others in town. You will proceed to one of the city’s most historically significant cultural sites, the Yambol Bezistan in the central Square, which has existed for 5 centuries as a closed market, a city mall built during the Ottoman Empire.

A bedesten (variants: bezistan, bezisten, bedestan) which served as economic hubs of the Empire, are a type of covered market (a bazaar with its own streets) .or market hall which was historically found in the cities of the Ottoman Empire.  Bedestens originally began as a place to house fabric & textile sellers but eventually more precious goods were stored here. Typically it was the central building of the commercial district of an Ottoman town or city, where the most important & precious goods (like gold & jewellery) were stored, protected, regulated & sold. Expert merchants here also assisted in commercial disputes & in some cases officials were stationed here to carry out similar regulatory duties. Waqf agreements (inalienable trusts in Islamic law) governed the function & upkeep of the Bedesten & could provide salaries for these employees

In 2015, Yambol Bezisten was transformed to an interactive Museum which promotes the rich cultural heritage of Yambol & the region. The building was developed in the early Ottoman architecture of the 15^th century & has 2 domes on both sides of a central cloister vault roof, all of which are covered with lead.

Spend an hour here before driving towards the Black Sea coast at the town of Burgas - the 2^nd largest Black Sea port of Bulgaria

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 four 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. 

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.

The city developed more actively in the beginning of 20^th century & today it is a large industrial & trade center. The 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.

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.

Drive on to the final destination.

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

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.

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

Morning, get ready for a full day of touring.

Meet the Tour-guide at 07.00 am & proceed for a full day excursion to some interesting sites in the area.

First stop will be Shumen.

Fans of Soviet-era design, rejoice. While Shumen's numerous concrete blocks don't inspire, an extraordinary brutalist monument peers down over the city. Sprinkling variety among this Soviet severity are Shumen's National Revival era mansions, parks interlaced with walking trails & a 3000 year old fortress. Furthermore, the city's name is emblazoned on beer cans across Bulgaria, as the home of popular Shumensko pivo (beer).

You will visit the largest functional mosque in Bulgaria - Tobmul, which has never closed its doors for a single day.

Built by Sherif Halil Pasha in mid 18^th century in a fusion of oriental & French baroque styles, the design of the 1730 sq metres Mosque was influenced by the tulip oriental architectural style which developed at the beginning of the century. Together with the complex of buildings surrounding it, it is the biggest mosque on the Balkan Peninsula, preceded only by Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey. The 40 metre high minaret has 99 stone steps & local belief states that the courtyard fountain gushes sacred water.

Around 200 metre northeast of Shumen's mosque sulk the remains of a late 16^th century Shumen Bezisten (Turkish covered market).

Leaving Shumen for Razgrad, drive by Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument.

Spread over a 30 km radius, this tremendous Soviet-era monument was opened in 1981 to commemorate the First Bulgarian Empire’s 1300^th anniversary. Enormous futurist sculptures depict Bulgaria's medieval rulers, & the complex includes the Balkans' largest outdoor mosaic triptych.

Statues of Bulgarian khans tower 18 metre high around this angular complex, constructed with 50,000 cubic metres of concrete & 2500 tonnes of steel. The inscription beneath Khan Omurtag's mighty statue translates roughly as “Even if a man lives well, he dies & another comes into existence; let the one who comes later, when he sees this inscription, remember the one who made it”. A granite lion atop the monument weighs an estimated 1000 tonnes.

Reach Razgrad, a city in Northeastern Bulgaria in the valley of the Beli Lom river.

During the Second Bulgarian Empire, there was a settlement in the area, variously named as Hrasgrad, Hrazgrad & Hrizgrad', based on the name of the Proto-Bulgarian & Slavic god Hors.

It was built upon the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Abritus, a Thracian settlement of the 4^th - 5^th century BC, on the banks of the Beli Lom river. Several bronze coins of the Thracian king Seuthes III (330 - 300 BC) & pottery were found, as well as artifacts from other rulers and a sacrificial altar of Hercules.

In 251, the town was the site of the Battle of Abrittus, during which the Goths defeated a Roman army under Emperors Trajan Decius & Herennius Etruscus. The battle is notable for being the first occasion of a Roman emperor being killed in a battle with barbarians.

Some of Razgrad's landmarks include the 19^th century Varosha Architectural Complex, the Ethnographic Museum & several other museums, the characteristic Clock Tower in the centre built in 1864, the St Nicholas the Miracle Worker Church from 1860, the Momina Cheshma sculpture, the Mausoleum Ossuary of the Liberators (1879 - 1880).

You will see 2 important sites dating from the 16^th century Ottoman period - the beautiful Ibrahim Pasha Mosque said to be one of the largest in the Balkans, with its cubic structure, ornaments & tower. Entrance is not allowed, so one can only have a glimpse of the building from the outside.

Initiated by order of Ibrahim Pasha - Grand Vizier of Sultan Suleiman I the Magnificent, construction was stopped in 1536 after the death of the Vizier & was completed only in 1616 by Mahmoud Pasha. The horizontal forces from the dome are absorbed by 4 buttress corner towers & the pilasters along the cylindrical vestibule. The minaret is made of cut stone with plaster ornaments under the window. The interior of the mosque bears original frescoes.

Another one that you can see is Sahat Mosque in the centre of the town. The Mosque acquired its name from a clock tower that used to be next to it (in Tukish, Sahat means clock). Inside the Mosque, there is an elegant chandelier surrounded by walls covered with decorative faience tiles.

See the still functional Ahmet Bey Mosque, built in mid 15^th century & located in the central part of town, next to the Roman Baths.

The Mosque constructed with stone blocks & bricks from earlier eras, is an impressive building with a large dome & marble pillars & supports.  Featuring decorative brick decoration characteristic of medieval Bulgarian architecture - cornice "wolf tooth" brick ornamentation, the entrance arcade covered with 3 small domes, is preserved in its original form. The facades are interspersed with sharply pointed arches - niches over window openings. In 1904 a powerful earthquake splits the minaret. The mosque is part of the Museum "Academician Yordan Ivanov" of Kyustendil.

After spending an hour, drive on to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Sboryanovo Archeological Reserve which currently includes more than 140 archaeological & cultural monuments - the remains of ancient settlements, 5 large necropolis with 120 tombs, cultural & religious Thracian, Christian & Muslim complexes.

According to archaeologists, Bulgaria first attracted human settlement as early as the Neolithic Age, about 3000 B.C. The first known civilization in the region was that of the Thracians, whose culture reached a peak in the 6^th century B.C. Because of disunity, in the ensuing centuries, Thracian territory was occupied successively by the Greeks, Persians, Macedonians & Romans. The Thacians had no written language so all that we know about them is inferred from Greek or Roman accounts or the archeological excavations. Pottery from Bulgaria has been dated to 5500 B.C.

You will visit 2 of the most interesting sites - Demir Baba Teke & Sveshtari Thracian Tomb.

One of the places in Bulgaria, which are sacred to both Christians & Muslims is the Tomb of the Alevi saint, sage & healer Demir Baba who lived near Sboryanovo village in the 16^th century.

Alevi, also known as kazilbashi, are mystical religious cult in Islam with mysterious secrets & rituals revealed only to initiates. The Alevi do not attend mosques & believe in personal communion with God, achieved during a trance.

The “Tekke” (tomb of the iron father, in Turkish) in the village, is visited throughout the year by believers who seek healing from illness, implementation of cherished dreams or want to have a child.

Demir Baba Tekke built in the mid 16^th century, is a domed heptagonal building with a fore-chamber with domed ceilings decorated with geometric motifs & inscriptions. The central chamber contains depictions of the bifurcated Zulfikar sword. The grave of the saint in the centre of the main chamber is always covered with gifts.

The Tekke is surrounded by a fence of beautiful carved stones, depicting a mosque, rosettes, sun & moon signs, David's star, etc. pointing to commonalities between the Alevi, Christian & Pagan traditions and the road to the Tomb, surrounding by trees & rocks, is full of colorful rags.

According to the legend, if you tie a garment from your dress where the sick part of your body is you will miraculously recover. And if you are healthy you can ask for a secret wish & it will come true. This is just one of the many rituals that are practiced in the holy place. During the Ottoman period the keepers of the Tekke were often Christian.

You can learn facts from the life of the saint in the house-Museum, which is built just next to the Tekke. They say that the best friend of the saint was a Bulgarian & he preached for harmony between Christians & Muslims living together.

Proceed to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage listed Thracian Tombs of Sveshtari located near the fortified Thracian settlement - its walls can still be seen, even though the settlement itself is not well recovered. 

The perfectly preserved 3 chamber Sveshtari Tombs from about 300 BC are located in an area considered sacred by the Thracians where sacred rituals used to be held. Hence, when a ruler or important person would die, they would build his tomb in this sacred area.

Many burial mounds have been discovered in this area, but most are empty.  There are many Tombs but only 3 can be visited – a big one & 2 smaller ones which mirror each other in terms of positioning reflecting the fundamental structural principles of Thracian cult buildings - located underground, under a 11 metre high burial mound.

The big tomb, rediscovered in 1982, is of course, the most beautiful one, with those exquisite inside decorations that make it so famous among other Thracian tombs. It is over 7 metre long & 4 metre high, has a porch, 2 'rooms' & the actual grave. The high quality of the construction, the fine artwork & reliefs adorning the tomb and the exquisite burial gifts attest to the advanced state of the civilisation. The architectural decor is considered to be unique, with polychrome half-human, half-plant caryatids & painted murals.

Visiting the Tombs is always through a guided tour since the big Tomb is closed in what looks like a solid, automated 2-tier capsule, for preservation purposes. One can only enter the underground complex on a guided tour (30 - 45 minutes) but can only spend 10 minutes in the actual burial room, since carbon dioxide emissions can damage the finest tomb elements. Permitted to reach until the doorway of the grave chamber itself, one can see 2 stone benches, on which the corpses of the king & his wife were found. Around them, sculptures of 10 female figures ‘carry’ the roof of the tomb (photos inside the tomb are not allowed).

After the tour, get ready to drive back to your hotel in Varna.

Balance of the evening is free (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Early morning, Check-out & depart for Constanta & get ready for a full day of touring.

First stop is the village of Obrochishte situated in North-East Bulgaria, spread over the left bank of the Batova river.

Near Obrochishte, archeologists have discovered remains of a well-preserved old Tomb (Tekke) of a Muslim Turkish saint Akiazalu Baba & a Caravanserai (hostel for travellers) dating back to 16^th century when Sulleyman II ruled the Ottoman Empire.

A large part of the Baltata Nature Reserve (also called Batova Gora) encompasses the best preserved longose (tropical) forest in Bulgaria within the boundaries of the village’s adjacent lands.

Proceed to the pretty seaside resort town & fishing port of Balchik (also called White Town) huddled below white-chalk lime rocks cliffs, sprawling scenically along hilly terraces descending from the Dobruja plateau to the Black Sea in northeastern Bulgaria. It is mainly visited by Eastern Europeans on holiday from countries such as Romania, Russia, Moldova & of course, the Bulgarians themselves.

The main attraction here is the Palace, with its lovely Botanical Gardens, a couple of kilometres west along the seafront promenade.

Balchik Palace was favorite summer residence of Queen Marie, the wife of Ferdinand I of Romania, surrounded by a uniquely famous botanical garden especially due to the cactus collection.

The official name of the Palace was the Quiet Nest Palace. It was constructed between 1926 & 1937, during the Romanian control of the region. Marie visited Balchik in 1921 & liked the location, ordering the vineyards, gardens & water mills of local citizens to be bought so a palace could be constructed at their place.

The complex consists of a number of residential villas, a smoking hall, a wine cellar, a power station, a Monastery & a holy spring. Balkan & Ottoman Turkish motifs were used in the construction of the Palace that was carried out by Italian architects Augustino & Americo, while a florist was hired from Switzerland to arrange the Park. The main building's extravagant minaret coexists with a Christian Chapel, perfectly illustrating the queen's Bahaʼí faith beliefs.

Today many of the former royal villas & other buildings of the complex are reorganized inside & converted to hotels. Some of the older Bulgarian water mills have also been preserved &and reconstructed as restaurants or tourist villas.

The well-maintained impressive Botanical Garden in an area of 65,000 square metres, Europe's 2^nd most important collection after the one in Monaco, is the "residence" of 3000 or so varieties of plant species, set among streams, waterfalls & ornamental channels. The Gardens are on a steep hillside & descend in 6 terraces to the sea - supposedly one for each of the Queen's children.

One of the garden's main attractions is the collection of large-sized 250 cactus species arranged outdoors on 1,000 square metres & a rose alley, with 50 species. Other notable species include the Metasequoia, the Para rubber tree & the Ginkgo.

There is also the Temple of Cybele & Church of St. Nicholas, Church of St. George, Church of St. Constantine & Helena.

Visit of the Botanical Garden & the small summer Palace. You may also walk along the beautiful Promenade lined with restaurants, coffee shops & gelatos & enjoy the sea breeze. Bikes can also be rented.

Time to step out of Bulgaria’s border.

Cross the border into Romania,at the crossroads between Europe & Asia, with its rugged stone Churches, dazzling Monasteries & Castles dotting a pristine landscape of rocky mountains & rolling hills amidst a highly productive peasant culture thriving in much of the country.  Within Romania’s beguiling blend of nature & history, unforgettable adventures are guaranteed.

Continue on to Constanta, arrive by early afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

Constanta is Romania’s 3^rd largest & most important port city on the Black Sea; in summer it is also the gateway to the country's seaside resorts in southeastern Romania.

Ancient History| Folk Culture | Castles & Medieval Towns | Nature & Wildlife

Originally called the Tomis Citadel, it was founded by Greek colonists from Miletos in the 6^th century BC.  Tomis was conquered by the Romans in 7^th century BC & renamed Constantiana by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in honor of his sister. The name was shortened to Constanta during the Ottoman era.

Romania's oldest continuously inhabited metropolis traces its history some 2,500 years as documented at the National History & Archaeology Museum. Legend has it that Constanta was visited by Jason & the Argonauts after finding the Golden Fleece.

Constanta, 4^th largest port in Europe, after Rotterdam, Antwerp & Marseille, flourished during the 13^th century, when Genoese merchants dominated the Black Sea but, the city began to decline 2 centuries later, when it fell under Turkish rule.

Constanta is now an important cultural & economic centre. More than just the entry point to the Black Sea coast, it is a place with a long & interesting past worth exploring, attested by its archaeological treasures, many Roman vestiges, historic buildings, facades & mosques that color the Old City Centre.

Fine mansions & hotels were built in the 19^th century when King Carol I decided to revive Constanta as a port and seaside resort. The grand Casino, Museums & shops, open-air restaurants, Nightclubs & Cabarets offer a wide variety of entertainment.

After freshening up, come down to meet the Tour-guide in the lobby & proceed immediately for a sightseeing tour, visiting ‘some’ of the landmarks.

Visit ‘some’ of the notable landmarks.

Pass by Ovidiu Square, Constanta’s best known Square (& meeting place) honoring the first Roman major poet   Publius Ovidius Naso  who was exiled to Tomis by Roman Emperor Augustus in year 8 AD. Ovid's bronze stature, designed by Italian sculptor Ettore Ferrari in 1887 adorns the Square named after him. An exact replica of the statue can be found in the town of Sulmona (Italy), the birth pace of the poet.  

See the House with Lions, the late 19^th century building blending pre-Romantic & Genovese architectural styles, featuring 4 columns adorned with imposing sculptured lions. During the 1930s, its elegant salons here hosted the Constanta Masonic Lodge.

Visit one of the most distinctive Mosques in the area combining Byzantine & Romanian architectural elements – the Great Mahmudiye Mosque referred by Constanța's Islamic community as the King's Mosque, the spiritual home & the seat of the Grand Mufti, the spiritual leader of the 50,000 Muslims (Turks & Tatars by origin) who inhabit the coastal region.

The impressive Mosque built in 1910 by King Carol I & the centerpiece of the interior is a large Persian carpet, a gift from Sultan Abdul Hamid. Woven at the Hereche Handicraft Centre in Turkey, it is one of the largest carpets in Europe, weighing 1,080 pounds. If you want to climb to the top of the towering 164 feet Minaret, the view of the old downtown & harbor is stunning. The Muezzin climbs 140 steps to the top to call the faithful to prayer, 5 times a day.

Adjacent to the Mosque, is the Roman Mosaics, a vast complex on 3 levels displaying tiled floors, dating back to the 4^th century AD that once linked the upper town to the harbor. Developed over the centuries, it was the city's commercial centre until the 7^th century. Archeological vestiges point to the existence of workshops, warehouses & shops in the area. Aqueducts brought water 6 miles to the town. Today, only about a third of the original edifice remains, including more than 9,150 sq feet of colorful mosaics. Remains of the Roman public baths can still be seen nearby.

See the soaring 26 feet Genoese Lighthouse built in 1860 by the Danubius & Black Sea Company to honor Genoese merchants who established a flourishing sea trade community here in the 13^th century,

You may also visit one of City’s  most renowned attraction - the History & Archaeological Museum. There is something here for everyone: the bones of a 2^nd century woman & the mammoth tusks. The stunning exhibits includes vases, jewellery & statuary from the Greek & Roman periods, lasting until about AD 500. There are many 2nd-century Roman statues (discovered under the old train station in 1962) & 4^th century Roman coins. The centerpiece is a fantastic sculpture of the snake god Glykon, which is carved from a single block of marble.

The tour ends & you come back to the hotel.

While in the area, one can relax on the sandy beaches of the Black Sea or visit old villages, wineries, ancient monuments & the Danube Delta for bird watching.

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

Early morning, Check-out at 06.00 am & depart for Tulcea.

Stop at Babadag (formerly known as Babatag) which was first mentioned by Ibn Battuta under the name Baba Saltuk, as the furthermost outpost of the "Turks" located on a small lake formed by the river Taița, in the densely wooded highlands of Northern Dobruja.

The town was conquered by Bayezid I, sultan of the Ottoman Empire, in his 1393 Danubian campaign. The construction of a Fortress was begun here during the reign of Murad IV, but by 1650 only the fortress's foundation walls & towers were standing. In the 17^th century, it occasionally served as the winter headquarters for the Grand Vizier of the Turks during their wars with Russia. The town's location near the Black Sea was bombed by the Russians in 1854 during the Crimean War. Following the 1877 - 1878 war between the Ottoman & Russian empires, Babadag became part of independent Romania. The Romanian Army operates a military training facility here. With a total surface area of 100 sq miles, this is one of the largest & most modern training firing ranges in Europe where the US Army trains.

The town which has large Turkish & Tatar minorities, is connected with a 13^th century dervish Baba Sari Saltik. It became an important urban centre in 16^th century Dobruja & a place of pilgrimage when in 1538, Suleiman the Magnificent visited the Mausoleum of Sari Saltuk Baba. The town however decayed during the frequent wars that ravaged the region during the 17^th century & was eventually burned down, along with the Mausoleum during the Russo-Turkish Wars.

The Mausoleum was rebuilt over the grave of the saint in 1828 & remains of importance even today. It was recently renovated & re-inaugurated in 2007 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

There is also a small Museum of Oriental Art, known as Casa Panaghia, with a fine collection of carpets, embroidery, costumes & vases.

See the Tomb & continue driving to your final destination.

Arrive in Tulcea & enjoy lunch.

Proceed to the hotel & Check-in.

Later, proceed for a short sightseeing tour of the city.

The ancient city of Tulcea, set on 7 hills just like Rome, is located where the Danube makes its last stop before flowing into the Black Sea.

An important harbor, it was founded in the 7^th century BC by a Dacian named Carpyus Aegyssus who named as Aegyssus (first mentioned in the documents of Diodorus of Sicily in 3^rd century BC & later, in the works of the Latin poet, Ovid, who referred to it in Ex Ponto, attesting that the name traces its origin back to its founder).

It was conquered by the Romans who rebuilt it after their plans, their technique & architectural vision. The town was successively under Byzantine (8^th - 9^th century), Genoese (10^th - 13^th century). In 1416, after the invasion of the Ottoman troops, the city was annexed, along with the entire Dobruja region, to the Ottoman Empire & took its current name in 1595 as reported in documents from that time. It was finally being reunited with Romania in 1878. The local Lipovani Russian & Turkish minorities lend the city a multi-ethnic flavor.

Presently, Tulcea is the largest port on the Danube, modern aspect whilst maintaining its characteristic ancient charm. The heart of the city unwinds around the main Square, Piata Republici, which includes the riverfront & the typical pier with ferries that cross the Danube Delta.

Some of the highlights include the beautiful St. Nicholas' Church (1865). Museum of Art housed in the former residence of the Pasha that dates back 1870, features various collections of paintings & illustrations inspired by the region’s particular landscape. Works of prominent Romanian artists Nicolae Tonitza, Theodor Pallady, Nicolae Grigorescu, Frederic Cicogna, Ion Jalea, Oscar Han & Victor Brauner can be viewed here.

Equally interesting is the Danube Delta Natural History Museum which contains a rich naturalist collection & illustrates the characteristics of the delta, the natural reserve of the biosphere, its history, and its flora & fauna. The Museum features an Aquarium containing several species that can be found in the Danube Delta, such as sturgeon, tench, pike, catfish, but also several amphibians that usually live in this habitat.

There are many more interesting Museums for people who have more time.

You will visit Azizyie Mosque, one of the biggest in Romania, built in 1863, during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz, after whom it is named.

A ‘functional’ place of prayer of the local Muslim community, it was constructed with stone, brick, wood & is one of the highest buildings in town due to the height of the Minaret. The Mosque's size & prominence, reflects the community's former power as the area was under Ottoman rule until relatively late in the 19th century.

Come back to the hotel or continue exploring on your own.

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

Morning, Check-out at around 07.00 am & accompanied by the Tour-guide, proceed to the Pier to board an open boat & embark on a full day excursion to discover the wildness of the Danube Delta, beautifully outlined by canals and lakes, the simplicity & naturalness of a village & lastly a short easy hike in the famous sub-tropical forest.

Registered within the UNESCO World Heritage, the Danube Delta is a natural bio-reserve without equivalent. A place with hard climate which leads to the Black Sea… The water of the Danube is thrown into the Black Sea while forming the largest & best preserved European deltas. Its immeasurable lakes shelter more than 300 species of birds and around 45 fish species of fresh water.

The area is dotted with floating islands made up of a tangle of rhizomes, roots from aquatic plants & earth. It is characterised by reeds, woods, pastures & sand dunes covering an area of 2,681 square km, home to different species of wildlife. The aquatic flora is dominated by white & yellow water lilies and various types of reed which are an ideal resting place for different species of birds, native or migrating – cormorants, ducks, geese & herons. The Delta shelters the largest colony of common pelicans from Europe: Rosca Buhaiova, accommodates 4.500 of them. There also exists a group of 400 curly pelicans, extremely rare & which are the last from the continent. Among the different mammals that inhabit the forest are boars, wolves, wild cats, stoats, otters & martens.

The slow boat travels through one of the most beautiful areas of the Danube Delta, Garla Sontea, descend on Canal 36, Garla Sireasa, Garla Sontea, until we reach the Mila23 village, where there is a short coffee or restroom break.

Continue through the lakes: Radacinos, Trei Iezere, Bogdaproste & descend on the Old Danube, the Madgearu Canal to reach Letea village.

Disembark & hop into a waiting car to drive 7 km to the edge of Letea Forest, the northernmost sub-tropical forest in Europe. Get off & begin your 30 minute hike on one of the trail approved by ARBDD (Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve). You will be looking for wild horses, oaks grown on salty sand & other ‘seasonal’ attractions.

Return to the village where you will enjoy a special fish lunch menu in a local household, where the hosts cook simply & traditionally while you interact with the family.

After a leisurely lunch, hop on the boat again, navigating through a different route through lakes & canals towards Tulcea. Arrive at the Pier by evening around 07.00 pm.

You will be welcomed by the Journeys diver (your luggage will be in the waiting vehicle) & depart for Bucharest.

Arrive at your hotel & Check-in.

Bucharest, in southern Romania, is the country's capital & commercial center. Sometimes the city gets a bad rap, but in fact it is dynamic, energetic & fun.

In the early 20^th century, Bucharest ‘cos  of its wide, tree-lined boulevards & a reputation for the high life, came to be known as the “Paris of the east” or Little Paris, thanks to its Art Nouveau architecture & glorious Belle Epoque grand municipal buildings, often French-designed. This faded grandeur is now mixed with utilitarian buildings left behind from decades of communist rule. A booming city with many large infrastructure projects changing the old face of the city, it  has evolved a lot lately & today, has become a very interesting mix of old & new.

Romanian legend has it that the city of Bucharest was founded on the banks of the Dambovita River by a shepherd named Bucur, whose name literarily means "joy." His flute playing reportedly dazzled the people & his hearty wine from nearby vineyards endeared him to the local traders, who gave his name to the place.

Bucharest offers some excellent attractions & has, in recent years, cultivated a sophisticated, trendy & modern sensibility that many have come to expect from a European capital.

But, when in 1965 Nicolae Ceausescu came to power he ordered to demolish the majority of the old town, making the space for his idea of the modern city that Bucharest was supposed to be. And so, the center got its neoclassicist, Soviet-style architecture with boulevards that were meant to surpass Champs-Elysees.

Finding a 300 year old church, a steel & glass office building and Communist-era apartment blocks next to one another is a common sight. Bucharest's public transport system is on of the largest in Europe & the largest in the country.

Overnight.  B L D

Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the lobby at 09.00 am & proceed for a 4 hour ‘walking’ sightseeing tour of the city.

Bucharest has quite a few notable places to explore which require a few days to cover. You will be visiting some of the landmarks (some from outside & some you will explore from inside).

Even the city's most ardent fans don't quite maintain the old saw, the "Paris of the East", that was Bucharest's nickname in the decades before World War II, when the art nouveau palaces & architecture really were reminiscent of Paris. Decades of Communist rule (or misrule) & a tragic earthquake in 1977 brought much of the old city down, but there are places here & there where that former elegance can still be glimpsed.

The Cișmigiu Gardens in the center of the city is a pearl of Park built around a romantic lake & featuring old-growth trees & gracious, wrought-iron signposts & benches. North of the center, broad Avenues like Şoseaua Kiseleff glide past old villas & acres of green to a commanding replica of the Arc de Triomphe - a genuine homage to Paris.

Gawk at one of the world's largest buildings (& the world's biggest Parliamentary building according to the Guinness Book of Records) & explore inside. It has 12 levels on the surface & another 8 underground.

Whether one views the gargantuan 3 million + square feet Palace of Parliament  (there are more than a thousand rooms) & focus on the tons of marble, hardwood & gold as a folly & testament to the megalomania of former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu or a display of Romanian materials & engineering skill (arguably both). It was originally intended to house the Presidential offices & the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party but was never finished.

The streets leading to the Palace of the Parliament are a great example of the neoclassicist 20^th century architecture, kind of intimidating but still incredible.

Bucharest's historic core, the Old City has gotten a much needed makeover & these days, is anything but "old." What was once the stomping ground of the Princely Court in the 15^th century & later the center of traditional trades such as horseshoeing & metalworking has been transformed into the go-to district for bars, clubs & cafes. Here, tiny lanes like Strada Smardan or Strada Covaci heave with partiers moving from meals to drinks to dancing as the night wears on.

Romania is deeply Eastern Orthodox, but the real beauty of Bucharest's ecclesiastical architecture is not found in big Cathedrals. Rather, it is the tiny Churches & Chapels - usually squeezed into impossibly small corners, dating from the 17^th & 18^th centuries & fusing elements of Byzantine, Greek, Ottoman & Renaissance styles.  The Churches share common elements that include impossibly high steeples built over tiny floor plans, elaborate frescoes & signature details such as raised pillars & stone balustrades.

The Church of the Stavropoleos monastery, located in the old city center was completed in 1724 by the Greek monk Loanikie who later became Metropolitan of Stravropola. An example of Brancoveanu style, with its rich wall paintings, finely carved doors, medallions depicting saints decor, floral arabesques painted on the walls & stone laces. Other notable Churches include St. Apostles’ Church, Antim Church & the Doamnei Church.

Walking Bucharest's busy boulevards, it is easy to forget that outside the capital & a handful of large cities, Romania is a largely agrarian country, with a long & rich peasant tradition. For centuries, peasant communities - cut off from the world by impassable mountains or languishing under Turkish, Hungarian, or Austrian rule - were forced to eek out an existence with what they had.

The quirky national Museum of folk arts & traditions - Museum of the Romanian Peasant housed in a historic building in neo-Romanian style, preserves & exhibits numerous collections of objects & monuments of material & spiritual culture. It has one of the richest collections of peasant objects in Romania, almost 90,000 pieces, divided into several Collections. The most important one is the Ceramics, which includes around 18,000 pieces. A second Collection is that of peasant Costumes & Textiles, containing about 20,000 pieces, from 19^th & 20^th centuries, from all the Romanian tribes but the vast majority of the pieces coming from Moldova & Oltenia.

The Collection of wood, traditional furniture, hardware & agricultural tools, musical instruments numbering about 8,000 objects, illustrates elaborate woodworking, pottery-making, egg-painting & weaving skills of the peasantry in a way that is both educational & amusing. Small tongue-in-cheek signs at the entrance to each room poke fun at modern life, bring a chuckle & draw you in.

The Religious Art Collection groups religious objects, such as glass icons, wood icons, church scents & crosses. The Image Archive holds a series of old photographs & other documents about the Communists' efforts to nationalize the peasantry in the 1970s & '80s, with some jarring busts of Lenin. There is a big shop which sells authentic souvenirs.

A pivotal moment in Romania’s historic transition to democracy was when the Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu & his wife, Elena, were toppled following a dramatic, weeklong uprising across the country that cost more than a thousand lives. Some of the bloodiest fighting took place on or near today’s Piața Revoluției (Revolution Square) & some buildings still bear pockmarks from the bullets. At the center of the Square, the spiky Memorial of Rebirth is meant to honor those who died & to symbolize the country’s rebirth. The statues around the Square are elements of the story from the Communist era in Bucharest.  Just across the Square stands the fascinating former Central Committee building of the Romanian Communist Party from where Ceaușescu gave his last address to the nation on December 21, 1989, before fleeing from the roof in a helicopter. The building now is the headquarters of the Order of Architects in Romania.

Romania has exploded onto the contemporary art scene in recent years generated initially by a group of young painters & visual artists from the northern city of Cluj-Napoca, but at least some of the action has shifted to the capital as new Galleries & Design Centers open up. It is hard to pinpoint precisely what constitutes Romanian contemporary art, though critics point to shared elements of wit & dark humor, a somber mood & bits of surrealism in defining a common style.

Some of the best new Galleries for experiencing the excitement include the Zorzini Gallery, the H'art Gallery & Anaid. The Galateca Gallery specializes in cutting-edge design and hosts art events & happenings. Stop by the gallery's shop, Neogalateca, to see some far fetched designs in glassware & home furnishings (including a unique coat rack carved from a tree trunk).

The sightseeing concludes & you return to the hotel. Or continue exploring on your own. So many interesting Museums to discover.

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

Morning, Check-out at 07.00 am, meet the Journeys Driver in the lobby & depart for Bran. Enroute, stop at a couple of interesting places.

First stop will be Sinaia, a town in Bucegi Mountains, surrounded by ski trails, called the “Pearl of the Carpathians’’ to see the Castles.

In 1690 a Wallachian nobleman, Mihail Cantacuzino, built a small Monastery on the upper Prahova river and (inspired by his voyage to Mount Sinai) & named it Sinaia; a village developed around it.

In the 1860's, attracted by the area's wild beauty, Romania's first King, Charles of Hohenzollern (also called Carol I), decided to build a summer residence here, the fabulous German neo-Renaissance Peles Castle, which is today the city's best known landmark.

Soon the place became the favorite resort of the Romanian upper class, who started raising their own luxurious holiday villas in the area. Impressive hotels, casinos, modern restaurants & shops followed, which, by the end of the 19^th century, turned Sinaia from an obscure village into Romania's unofficial summer capital.

The town is a melange of crayon-coloured wooden houses contrast with the 'wedding-cake' style of its grander 19^th century buildings. Set in peaceful forests & mountain meadows, away from the bustle of Sinaia, the gothic revival fantasy Castle pays homage to nearly every architectural style in Europe, as well as including all the mod-cons, such as lifts, central heating, plumbing & electric sky lights.

The Castle is a dream of hidden passages, fairy-tale turrets, vertiginous galleries & classical statues; it is so beguilingly imaginative, it could raise a swoon from the most hardened cynic. It contains a large Armory collection, Klimt frescoes & stained-glass windows, an imperial suite, a hall of mirrors, stone lions & everything a fairy tale Castle 'should' have. It is also a popular wedding venue & during summer, craft stalls line the entrance drive selling local goods.

After enjoying a tour of Peles Castle, proceed to the adjacent Pelișor Castle ordered by Carol 1 for his son future King Ferdinand & his wife, Marie of Scotland. It was designed by Karel Liman, a Czech architect, in an art nouveau style with direct inputs from Queen Marie herself & reflects her personal style.

The smaller Pelisor with a half-timbered façade, has 99 rooms compared to 160 at Peles Castle & the walls of the Reception Room are covered with oak timber. The gilded sculpted wood design of the Golden Room as well as the design of the working cabinet was created by the Queen herself. The thistle which is the floral emblem of Scotland & remainder of her birthplace is also present on the wall of the golden room. The royal offspring spent their childhood in this Castle: the future King Carol, Queen Mary of Yugoslavia, Queen Elizabeth of Greece & Prince Nicolae.

After touring both the Castles in 2 hours, hop on the vehicle again & depart for Brasov.

Arrive in Brasov & immediately embark on a sightseeing tour of this enchanting city.

Brașov is a city in the Transylvania region, with its instantly compelling skyline dominated by Gothic spires, medieval gateways, a few medieval watchtowers, Soviet blocks & a huge Hollywood-style sign sporting ‘Braşov’ in huge white letters in the forested Mt Tampa, ringed by the Carpathian Mountains.

Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site & settled by the Saxons as one of the 7 walled citadels, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance that has been used as backdrop in many recent period films.

The location of the city at the intersection of trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire & western Europe, together with certain tax exemptions, allowed Saxon merchants to obtain considerable wealth & exert a strong political influence in the region. This was reflected in the city's German name, Kronstadt, as well as in its Latin name, Corona, meaning Crown City (hence, the coat of arms of the city which is a crown with oak roots).

The Saxons built massive stone walls & 7 bastions around the city that are still visible today. Fortifications were erected around the city & continually expanded, with several towers maintained by different craft guilds, according to medieval custom.

Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania resplendent with gothic, baroque & renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions.

Located at the heart of cobbled old medieval Brasov and lined with beautiful red-roofed merchant houses & colorful ornately trimmed baroque buildings, the Council Square (Piata Sfatului), known to the Saxon population as the Marktplatz, is one of the finest central Squares in the country, said to be the spot at which the legendary Pied Piper of Hamelin re-emerged & led the children. Indeed, this playful town has many tales as colourful as its pastel-hued streets & locals will eagerly spin a yarn about Vlad the Impaler’s romantic dalliances, a noblewoman revived from her grave & the time a bear waddled into the main Square (at least the last one may be true).

Brasov is home to one of the narrowest streets in Europe, the Rope Street (Strada Sforii), initially used as an access route by firefighters,   approximately four feet wide, connecting Strada Cerbului with Strada Poarta Schei

Stroll around the Square & see Casa Sfatului, the former Town Hall turned into Brasov History Museum. Built in the 13^th century, the house served as meeting place for the town counselors known as centurions. On top of the building sits the Trumpeter's Tower, used during the Middle Ages as a watchtower for warning the citadel inhabitants of approaching danger.

Brasov's most famous landmark & Romania's leading gothic Church, the Black Church, is the largest gothic church between Vienna & Istanbul, towering over the Council Square & the old town. It is one of the largest medieval places of worship from St. Stephen’s dome in Vienna to the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

Built between 1385 & 1477 on the site of an earlier Church (destroyed by Mongol invasions in 1242), the construction of the Marienkirche, as it was known in German, was hampered by extensive damage caused by Turkish raids in 1421.

The Church was given its new name after disaster struck again in 1689, when the Great Fire leveled most of the town, blackening the walls of the Church. Restoration took almost 100 years. Of 2 Towers planned, only one was finished. It boasts the largest church bell in Romania, weighing in at 7 tons.

The original gothic interior got a makeover during restorations & the lofty, light space seen today is mostly baroque. The beautiful interior with balconies, stained glass windows, stone columns & walls adorned with fabulous Turkish carpets.  Visitors can discover countless objects of art: the Critselniţa (1472), the mural painting of St. Mary (1476), the neo gothic Altar (1866) along with many other pieces made of gold & funeral stones of the personalities of Brasov.

The Church windows have recently been fitted out with special UV-filtering glass to protect the 119 Anatolian carpets dating from 15^th - 16^th centuries, the largest collection in Europe. Thankful to have survived their trips into the "barbaric" lands south & east of the Carpathians, German merchants donated the carpets to the Church in 17^th & 18^th centuries. There is an impressive 4,000-pipe organ dating from 1839 which is played during Concerts held here 3 times a week in summer.

Then, see the Black Tower built in 1494, on top of the rock on Starja Hill near the Blacksmiths' Bastion. The Tower got its name from a severe fire in 1559 when it was struck by lightning. Recently renovated & boasting a pyramid-shaped glass roof, the Black Tower houses a small war-related Artifacts Museum. There are 4 floors inside, each reached by a narrow wooden ladder. Climb all the way to the top for a panoramic view of the Black Church.

First attested in 1529, the Blacksmiths' Bastion with its pentagonal shape, located in the north-western corner of the city of Brasov, is built on 3 levels, providing firing and bombing holes. In the summer of 1667 floods destroy the fortification again. Renovated in 2004 – 2005, the Bastion is now home to the Brasov Archives which hosts more than 100,000 old & rare documents, including 80 valuable 14^th – 16^th century letters. Among them is the oldest letter in the Romanian language, written in 1521 by Neacsu, a merchant from the town of Campulung.

The Brasov sightseeing concludes.

Lunch will be at a lovely, traditional restaurant in Brasov & immediately after depart for your final destination.

Reach Bran & Check-in at the hotel.

After freshening up, accompanied by the Tour-guide, proceed to explore the Count Dracula’s Castle.

Bran is a commune in Brașov County & consists of 5 villages: Bran, Poarta, Predeluț, Șimon & Sohodol.

Bran is often associated with 15^th century Transylvanian Count Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler, sometimes known as Vlad Dracul), the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Irish writer Bram Stoker never visited Romania but his depiction of Dracula - as he is perceived today - a fictitious character whose name derives from the appellation given to the real-life, Vlad Tepes, the ruler of Wallachia from 1456-1462 & 1476, and who, for largely political reasons, was depicted by some historians of that time as a blood-thirsty ruthless despot.

Count Dracula, first appeared in the novel “Dracula”, published in England in 1897.

But the name “Dracula”, far from being a frightening term, derives from the Crusader Order of the Dragon with which both Vlad Tepes & his father had been associated. The rest of the Dracula myth derives from the legends & popular beliefs in ghosts & vampires still prevalent throughout Transylvania. While Stoker named his Transylvanian Count “Dracula”, he was careful not to suggest an actual link to the historical character of Vlad Tepes.

Admittedly, Bucharest's & Brasov’s ties to Vlad Țepeș, the bloodthirsty Prince with a castle, now in ruins, located in the Principality of Wallachia, are tenuous. Visitors to the Castle should make the distinction between the historic reality of Bran & the character of the Count in Bram Stoker’s novel. Dracula exists in the imagination only.

After all, Bucharest was just beginning its rise as an important city in the 15^th century, when Vlad III was defending the fledgling principality of Wallachia from Ottoman incursions.

It is difficult to know if the Prince ruled over Bran Castle but it can be asserted that he was taken to the Castle & locked inside for about 2 months.

An isolated island Monastery, just outside & north of Bucharest, in the middle of Lake Snagov houses the prince's purported final resting place. However, as with all Dracula stories, Vlad's death & burial are shrouded in mystery, so no guarantee of authencity.

Today, we have envisaged a special experience that you will remember for along time. Celebrating ‘Halloween’ at the Bran Castle as you pay your respects to Vlad the Impaler.

Halloween is a special occasion in the Gothic fairy-tale Bran Castle. Fearless tourists travel to Transylvania to celebrate Halloween at the Castle with costume parties, story-telling & actors playing out Dracula inspired scenes.

To learn more about the legend of Dracula, you will explore Dracula's country & some of the most important medieval castles in Romania.

Bran Castle is the only castle in all of Transylvania that actually fits Bram Stoker’s description of the fictional Castle and so, it is known throughout the world as Dracula’s Castle.

Rising above the town on a rocky promontory, Bran Castle, located high above a valley perched on a rock with a flowing river below in the Principality of Transylvania, holds visitors in thrall. An entire industry has sprouted around it, though connections to either the historical Vlad Ţepeş or Bram Stoker’s fictional vampire are thin. The liberties taken with Bran’s reputation are quickly forgotten as you climb up its conical towers, admiring views over thick forest & strolling through creaky-floored rooms furnished with bearskin rugs &19^th century antiques.

Noting Bran Pass’ strategic location, Teutonic knights built a Citadel here in the 13^th century. The structure was destroyed in battle, but fears of Turkish invasion led to a new Citadel being built in the same place in 1382, as part of a 14^th century boom in castle-building. Bran Castle languished as an administrative building during the 18^th century. The town of Bran was offered to Queen Maria of Romania in 1920, as a ‘thank you’ for her efforts in uniting the country.

Indeed, you will learn rather more about Queen Maria than Dracula. One room exhibits a half-hearted account of Romanian vampire lore & rather infuriatingly shoehorns together some displays on Vlad Ţepeş - popularly, ‘the Impaler’ - & author Bram Stoker.

Several displays are devoted to Maria, the Castle’s former royal resident, & her belongings are lovingly displayed alongside video footage. One of the finest rooms is her husband King Ferdinand’s former bedroom, with decorated furniture & ceramic fireplaces.

The Castle hosts atmospheric events around Halloween. The Castle is especially illuminated & Costume parties that are held during Halloween often feature outfits like ghosts & vampires like the fabled Dracula - to represent the scary superstitions & beliefs that have spooked many people over time.

Return to the hotel.

Today, you can sleep as late as you want.

In time, Check-out & depart for Bucharest.

Reach Bucharest by afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or optional activities   (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 and 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. Because over 1000 years of history give you over 1000 reasons to come. Because every brick of old Castle walls has a fascinating story to tell. Because of the well-preserved nature & picturesque landscapes. Because of the tasty food & friendly people. Because 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 real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes” – Marcel Proust

Enough reasons, we are sure, that may entice you to come back.

Rugged stone churches & dazzling monasteries dot a pristine landscape of rocky mountain & rolling hills. Romania’s Transylvanian towns have stepped out of time, while vibrant Bucharest is all energy.

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

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