DAY 1

Arrival at Sofia International Airport.

Depending on the arrival time:

City tour of central area or free time.
The city tour usually starts from Alexander Nevski Cathedral, then continue to St. Sophia church,  along the Yellow square and with a view to all emblematic buildings around it, to the Presidency, St. George Rotunda and end with a nice walk along Vitoshka Pedestrian street to the National Palace of Culture.

After this don’t forget to visit on the outskirts of Sofia, to visit the Boyana Church; an UNESCO Heritage

Night spent in Sofia.

DAY 2

We move south to Greece; Thessaloniki

Rila Monastery

Hidden in the deep valley of the river Rilska and between the forests of the surrounding National Park, the Rila Monastery rises majestically in front of you!Founded in the 10th century by the holy hermit Saint Ivan Rilski, it has become the most famous monastery in Bulgaria and as such is considered the Treasure of Bulgaria.

It is considered not only the most famous but also one of the oldest, the largest and still functioning monasteries, in short, the National Bulgarian pride, which according to its inhabitants represents the strength of a nation.

With the preservation of its faith, traditions and Cyrillic writing, it is no wonder that it was recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983.

Melnik

Melnik is in many ways a unique place in Bulgaria.

Surrounded by the already described Melnik Sand Pyramids, it is officially the smallest city in Bulgaria, with, according to the last count, only 325 inhabitants; where more than 10 000 inhabitants used to live here in history.

In the middle of a famous wine region, Melnik is now a popular tourist destination.It used to be a famous trading centre with wealthy merchants who owned hundreds of camels (yes, there used to be camels here!) to cross the nearby and faraway lands.

Here not all roads lead to Rome as the saying goes, but all roads lead to the imposing Kordopulova House – a 250-year-old and large Bulgarian National Revival house, with a still-functioning basement in cave-like underground tunnels.

The city is regarded as the Mecca of the Bulgarian Revival architecture,  more than 100 of the original buildings have been designated as historical monuments. Therefore, all reconstructions or even newly built houses have to comply with the Bulgarian Revival architecture.

Traditionally located in the middle of a wine region, it is no wonder that Melnik has developed a robust and celebrated winemaking tradition, Sir Winston Churchill reportedly ordered 500 litres of Bulgarian Melnik wine each year in the run-up to and during World War II.

Of the city’s more than 70 original churches, only 3 are still in operation, the most important being St. Anthony’s Church. The walls in this church are not covered with biblical scenes, but with more tranquil paintings of flowers and plants, this is in great contrast to what is common in Orthodox churches.

A walk to the St. Nicholas Plateau is almost an obligation, there you will find the beautiful ruins of several churches, monasteries and the old fortress walls. From here the view of the magical Melnik Sand Earth pyramids is also breathtaking.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city after Athens and is situated on the shores of the Thermaikos Gulf of Macedonia.
The city has a rich history and culture. As well as being an excellent base for exploring northern Greece, it also acts as a commercial, business and transport hub for this part of the country. It’s one of the liveliest places to visit, with all kinds of facilities and a great promenade.

Discover the city  – with visits to the White Tower, the statue of Alexander the Great, the church of St. Alexander the Great, the church of St. Peter and the church of St. Paul.
Alexander the Great, the church of St. Demetrius on the Agora and Aristotle Square.
Perhaps the next morning, continue to the Heptapirgion fortress and pass by the Trigonion tower with a magnificent view of the city, the Rotunda – one of the most important Roman monuments, also known as the church of Agios Georgios.

DAY 3

We move East, ideally via the very scenic and very Greece Aegean coast.

Kavala

Kavala, also known as the Blue City; perched on a hill on the Aegean coast, a cultural crossroads between East and West, the city of Kavala offers everything one could wish for in a destination and more: mountains, beaches, perfect cityscapes, breathtaking views, important monuments and sites, delicious local cuisine and surprising places to discover at your fingertips.

Explore the coast of Kavala; the beautiful beaches, secluded or not, with crystal-clear waters will satisfy even the most demanding. Enjoy water sports and then savour local dishes in one of the picturesque waterfront tavernas. The importance the city has acquired over the years is mainly due to its location on the Egnatia road and the port.
A walk around the city harbour is a must.
The area around the lighthouse is the ideal place for a walk along the Panagia peninsula. Take in the view, enjoy the spectacular sunsets and, weather permitting, you can also catch a glimpse of the island of Thassos, the Mount Athos peninsula to the west and Keramiti beach to the east.

Day 4

Maybe enjoy the Greece sun? A short distance away are picturesque harbours and beaches such as Palio, Nea Iraklitsa and Nea Peramo. Visit the archaeological site of Filipi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Mount Pagaio, where you will discover Byzantine monasteries, traditional

villages and lush scenery

Get away from the usual choices by adding variety to your vacation. Take part in a daily cruise with a boat with a lot of sun, relaxation and spectacular views, swimming and unique sunsets. An immersive holiday experience that will forever be engraved in your memories.

DAY 5

We  move back to Bulgaria, driving north through the Rhodopi Mountains

Bordering the Aegean Lowland to the south and the Thracian Lowland in the north, the Eastern Rhodopes stand out with their mosaic landscape of open grasslands, shrubs and forests, where diverse fauna and flora blossom. It is a land of diverse cultures and ethnicities, where one can explore Bulgarian, Roman, Thracian and Byzantine heritage. An area that goes beyond sustainable travel, and instead, focuses on regenerative tourism to support nature and communities.

To the west, the Rhodopes also extend to the northern parts of the Pirin and Rila Mountains, with their famous Pirin and Rila National Parks. The entire region forms the heart of the Rilo-Rodopa Mountains, the largest compact mountain formation in the Balkans, with an area of 40,000 square kilometres (or 4 million hectares).

The landscape stretches from the Aegean Sea near Port Lagos in Greece to an altitude of 2,212 metres, the highest point in the Slavyanka Mountains. The region is also home to one of the oldest land masses on the Balkan Peninsula: the Western Rhodopes. Only the highest peaks were covered by ice during the last Ice Age. The extremely diverse physical geography of the region is one of the main reasons for its rich and unique biodiversity.

Accomodation in Pamporovo

DAY 6

We continue through the magic Rhodopi mountains to Plovdiv, a hidden gem.

Wonderful Bridges

Deep and high in the majestic Rodhopi Mountains, there is a beautiful destination called The Wonderful Bridges (Chudnite Mostove). This is one of the most attractive and impressive natural phenomena in Europe.

The bridges were formed by the erosive force of the once flooded river in the past, which eroded the marble slab into a deep water cave. The ceiling collapsed, creating majestic marble bridges. Actually, the Wonderful Bridges marble arches connect the banks of the Dalbok Dol (Deep Gorge) river. A thousand years ago there was a cave in the riverbed that collapsed after an earthquake. Over the centuries the river washed away the rubble and the beautiful bridges emerged.

Bachkovo Monastery

The Bachkovo Monastery is located in the north of the Rhodopi Mountains, not far from the town of Assenovgrad. Founded in the 11th century by two Georgian brothers, aristocrats in Byzantine military service, it is one of the oldest monasteries in the entire Balkans and one of the other ten Unesco World Heritage sites in Bulgaria. It is linked to three cultures: the Byzantine, the ancient Georgian and the Bulgarian.

The Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria and is beautifully situated on a ledge to the right of the valley of the Chepelarska River. The monastery complex is almost 8000 m² and is located about 440 meters above sea level. It includes two large courtyards and four churches.

Asen’s Fortress

Asen’s Fort is an important stop on the most popular religious and cultural routes through the Rhodopi Mountains. Asen’s Fortress is a medieval fortress and a strong reminder of Bulgaria’s glorious past.

The fortress has existed since the time of the Thracians 3000 B.C. and was extended, fortified and named after Tsar Ivan Asenin 1231 during his reign.

The panoramic views from the fortress of Asen are astonishing. It was for this reason that the fortress of Asen is located on this steep rocky hill and has been rebuilt over the centuries.

Plovdiv

Plovdiv is said to be one of the oldest living cities in Europe.
It was originally built on seven hills, now there are only six: one was mined centuries ago for the construction of the city.
With its long history and architectural heritage, Plovdiv’s old town has acquired UNESCO protected heritage status, and has been given the official designation of “Architecture and Historical Reserve”.
As such, it was not surprisingly chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2019. Because of its charm, Plovdiv is compared to other beautiful and historic cities and is called the Bulgarian Florence or Paris of the Balkans.

Accommodation in Plovdiv