Bulgaria
8 nights 3 Departures Available
View All Dates & BookAcross Bulgaria’s beautiful landscapes, monasteries, monuments, and museums mark thousands of years of historic heritage. From the Rila Mountains to river valleys and Black Sea shores, this beguiling tour visits stately cities, intriguing towns, and tiny villages
An enthralling journey through Bulgaria’s history and haunting landscapes, the tour is bookended by its capital, Sofia, where parks, boulevards, and romantic river bridges complement onion-domed churches and the Ottoman mosque. From here, a circling of the country visits the secluded mountain monastery of Rila; Byzantine Bansko, amid the lakes and pine woods of Pirin National Park; and a medieval church in the village of Dobarsko; and includes a scenic, ‘slow-mo’ journey on the old-world carriages of the Rhodope Railway. One of the oldest cities on earth, Plovdiv has its roots in Neolithic times, its focus on Roman ruins, and its spirit firmly in the present; while nearby Bachkovo Monastery is big and beautiful, architecturally and artistically; and Stara Zagora, in ancient Thrace, exhibits 9,000 years of history in its streets and museums. On the Black Sea shore, Burgas is a smart city and busy fishing port, in contrast to UNESCO listed Nessebar, its cobbled streets cloaking the coastal peninsula. Turning inland, we tour the Rose Valley, visit Thracian tombs, and travel the Shipka mountain pass to the ‘living museum’ of Etara; the country’s 13th century capital, Veliko Tarnovo; and the picturesque, plateau hamlet of Arbanassi.
Fly from London Heathrow to Sofia and transfer to the 4-star Crystal Palace Hotel for overnight. An afternoon tour of Sofia includes the red-brick St. George’s Rotunda, the city’s oldest monument, built as Roman baths before becoming a Byzantine church; the multi-domed confection of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; St. Sophia Church, for which the capital is named, one of the oldest in Europe still in use; and the Roman ruins of the 4th-6th century in the heart of the city.
A morning visit to the National History Museum, one of the largest in the Balkans, with 650,000 exhibits charting Bulgaria from pre-history to present day; and the UNESCO listed Boyana Church, built in the 10th-11th centuries, known as ‘the Old Church’, and celebrated for the detail and multitude of colours in its 13th century frescoes. Travel south to Rila Monastery, built over the tomb of a 10th century hermit. A centre of artistic and spiritual influence in medieval times, the 19th century Renaissance building boasts a frescoed dome and magnificent, gilded iconostasis. Continue to Bansko, a hub of outdoor activities, with character in its cobbled Old Town area. Overnight at the 5-star Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena.
(B)
Visit the ancient village of Dobarsko, with fabulous frescoes in its medieval church, and a ‘holy spring’ believed to have healing properties. Continue to neighbouring Gorno Draglishte for lunch at a local family home; and enjoy a trip on the narrow-gauge Rhodope Railway, tracking through terrific scenery via tunnels and viaducts. Continue to Plovdiv, hemming the Maritsa River and backed by the Sredna Gora peaks, for two nights at the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton Plovdiv Center.
(B,L)
Bulgaria’s second-largest city, Plovdiv is known for its six hills, captivating Old Quarter, medieval towers, and Ottoman mosques. A morning walking tour includes a visit to the superbly preserved Roman Theatre, still hosting concerts and cultural events; and to the Ethnographic Museum, the delightfully designed building housing 60,000 artefacts of local traditions and culture, from copper and weaponry to costumes and woodcarvings. This afternoon, visit the Bachkovo Monastery, founded a thousand years ago. After centuries of restorations and additions, the huge complex has two cloisters, four churches, 18 chapels, a frescoed refectory, and a 14th century ‘miraculous’ icon of the Virgin Mary.
(B)
Travel to Stara Zagora to view ancient relics displayed in the very contemporary Regional History Museum, built over a Roman street which features on its lowest floor; the Neolithic Dwellings Museum, with the remains of a two-storey house from the 7thmillennium BC; and the fine mosaics of the Roman Villa. Continue to the coast at Burgas, with a handsome cathedral, fountain square, pier, promenades, and plenty of eateries. Two nights at the 5-star Grand Hotel Primoretz.
(B)
Travel to Nessebar, spread across a scenic Black Sea promontory, where historic ruins include Byzantine fortifications, the 5thcentury church of St Sofia, and 11thcentury church of St Stephen, its hundreds of murals complementing a huge altarpiece. Visit the archaeological museum and enjoy a walking tour of the old town.
(B)
Drive through the Rose Valley, famed for the Damask rose, a national symbol. Visit a rose-oil distillery enroute to Kazanlak, the home of Thracian Kings, to view the UNESCO listed, Thracian Tombs. Journey over the Shipka mountain pass to Etara. An open-air museum of centuries of the country’s customs, culture and lifestyle crafts, the enchanting ethnographic complex nestles in mountain scenery and covers 17 acres with exhibits including houses, workshops, and Bulgarian Revival architecture. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, its atmospheric Old Town dubbed ‘Bulgaria’s Most Beautiful’, for overnight at the 4-star Yantra Hotel.
(B)
Brimming with character and sprinkled with orthodox churches, Veliko Tarnovo is crowned by the medieval citadel/fortress atop Tsaravets Hill, which we visit on a walking tour, enjoying its breath-taking views. A very short drive takes you to Arbanassi. A craft and trade hub in its 17th century heyday, the hamlet is now an open-air ‘museum reserve’ of architectural and cultural heritage, its Church of the Nativity adorned with 3,600 frescoes. Return to Sofia for overnight at the 4-star Crystal Palace Hotel.
(B)
Transfer to Sofia airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.
(B)
Fly from London Heathrow to Sofia and transfer to the 4-star Crystal Palace Hotel for overnight.
A morning tour of Sofia includes the red-brick St. George’s Rotunda, the city’s oldest monument, built as Roman baths before becoming a Byzantine church; the multi-domed confection of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; St. Sophia Church, for which the capital is named, one of the oldest in Europe still in use; and the Roman ruins of the 4th-6th century in the heart of the city. Travel south to Rila Monastery, built over the tomb of a 10th century hermit. A centre of artistic and spiritual influence in medieval times, the 19th century Renaissance building boasts a frescoed dome and magnificent, gilded iconostasis. Continue to Bansko, a hub of outdoor activities, with character in its cobbled Old Town area. Overnight at the 5-star Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena.
(B)
Visit the ancient village of Dobarsko, with fabulous frescoes in its medieval church, and a ‘holy spring’ believed to have healing properties. Continue to neighbouring Gorno Draglishte for lunch at a local family home; and enjoy a trip on the narrow-gauge Rhodope Railway, tracking through terrific scenery via tunnels and viaducts. Continue to Plovdiv, hemming the Maritsa River and backed by the Sredna Gora peaks, for two nights at the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton Plovdiv Center.
(B,L)
Bulgaria’s second-largest city, Plovdiv is known for its six hills, captivating Old Quarter, medieval towers, and Ottoman mosques. A morning walking tour includes a visit to the superbly preserved Roman Theatre, still hosting concerts and cultural events; and to the Ethnographic Museum, the delightfully designed building housing 60,000 artefacts of local traditions and culture, from copper and weaponry to costumes and woodcarvings. This afternoon, visit the Bachkovo Monastery, founded a thousand years ago. After centuries of restorations and additions, the huge complex has two cloisters, four churches, 18 chapels, a frescoed refectory, and a 14th century ‘miraculous’ icon of the Virgin Mary.
(B)
Travel to Stara Zagora to view ancient relics displayed in the very contemporary Regional History Museum, built over a Roman street which features on its lowest floor; the Neolithic Dwellings Museum, with the remains of a two-storey house from the 7thmillennium BC; and the fine mosaics of the Roman Villa. Continue to the coast at Burgas, with a handsome cathedral, fountain square, pier, promenades, and plenty of eateries. Two nights at the 5-star Grand Hotel Primoretz.
(B)
Travel to Nessebar, spread across a scenic Black Sea promontory, where historic ruins include Byzantine fortifications, the 5thcentury church of St Sofia, and 11thcentury church of St Stephen, its hundreds of murals complementing a huge altarpiece. Visit the archaeological museum and enjoy a walking tour of the old town.
(B)
Drive through the Rose Valley, famed for the Damask rose, a national symbol. Visit a rose-oil distillery enroute to Kazanlak, the home of Thracian Kings, to view the UNESCO listed, Thracian Tombs. Journey over the Shipka mountain pass to Etara. An open-air museum of centuries of the country’s customs, culture and lifestyle crafts, the enchanting ethnographic complex nestles in mountain scenery and covers 17 acres with exhibits including houses, workshops, and Bulgarian Revival architecture. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, its atmospheric Old Town dubbed ‘Bulgaria’s Most Beautiful’, for overnight at the 4-star Hotel Bolyarski.
(B)
Brimming with character and sprinkled with orthodox churches, Veliko Tarnovo is crowned by the medieval citadel/fortress atop Tsaravets Hill, which we visit on a walking tour, enjoying its breath-taking views. A very short drive takes you to Arbanassi. A craft and trade hub in its 17th century heyday, the hamlet is now an open-air ‘museum reserve’ of architectural and cultural heritage, its Church of the Nativity adorned with 3,600 frescoes. Return to Sofia for overnight at the 4-star Crystal Palace Hotel.
(B)
A morning visit to the National History Museum, one of the largest in the Balkans, with 650,000 exhibits charting Bulgaria from pre-history to present day. Transfer to Sofia airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.
(B)
This is a busy itinerary with many visits on foot including some uneven surfaces and inclines.
Enjoy a short private performance at the Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Arbanassi. Singers in cassocks perform church psalms in old Slavonic language. The church is the largest in Arbanassi, built in the 17th century, modest from the outside but impressive with it’s splendid internal wall-paintings.
Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.
A contemporary and stylish 4-star boutique hotel offering fine views to Mount Vitosha, ten minutes' walk from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Restaurant, bar, gym, sauna and WiFi (free). 63 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
Luxurious 5-star hotel situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, close to the gondola station. Restaurants, bar, gym, pools, sauna, spa and WiFi (free). 157 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
This modern 4-star hotel is on the Mosaic Path in the heart of Plovdiv and 800 metres from the Roman Theatre. Restaurant, bar, gym and WiFi (free). 162 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
A contemporary, charming 5-star hotel, two minutes' walk from the beach. Restaurants, bar, gym, pools, spa, sauna and WiFi (free). 109 air-conditoned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
A central 4-star hotel on Samovodska Charshia Square in the historic part of Veliko Tarnovo. Restaurants, bars, gym, pool, sauna, spa and WiFi (free). 69 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.
You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.
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incl FlightWe need to check availability for this departure date. Please proceed with the reservation, and we will get in touch within 72 hours to confirm and take payment.
The below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 8 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 1 lunch, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
The following extensions are available to book with this tour. Please click through to the booking process to check your preferred departure date and to make a reservation.
Extra nights are priced per person, per night.
Please contact us to check availability and book alongside your tour.
Extra nights are on request, please call to discuss your requirements
Crystal Palace Hotel
(per night) £80
Single supplement £58