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.

DAY 2 & 3

Plovdiv, a hidden gem

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.

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.

DAY 4, 5, 6, 7 

Nesebar

The ancient city of Nesebar is located on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Black Sea and is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria.

The small peninsula is connected to the mainland by an artificial isthmus, which translated from ancient Greek means “a narrow strip of land connecting two parts”.

If you walk down the narrow isthmus, you can see that it will be a wonderful day trip. As you cross the narrow strip of land, a wooden windmill welcomes you to this ancient town hidden behind the remains of the walls of a Roman fortress.Often called the ‘Jewel of the Black Sea’, ancient Nessebar is over 3000 years old and was once a Thracian settlement known as Mesembria.

Sunny Beach

Sunny Beach is Bulgaria’s largest seaside resort. It is located in a crescent-shaped bay between the town of Nessebar and the seaside resort of Sveti Vlas. With its hundreds of hotels, numerous entertainment and catering establishments, shops and developed infrastructure, the resort can currently accommodate thousands of tourists.
The climate here is characterised by hot summers and average July temperatures of 22-23°C. The beach is over 10 km long and, in some places, over 60 metres wide. The fine sand, natural dunes and deepening seabed attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Accommodation options in the resort are extremely diverse – there are luxurious five-star resorts, as well as various categories of hotels, villas, guest houses, aparthotels and more. The number of dining and entertainment establishments in the resort runs into the hundreds, offering a variety of Bulgarian and international dishes.

Tourist entertainment is provided by a wide range of attractions – water sports, surfing, beach volleyball, a water park, bowling, various facilities for children, etc.

Day tomorrow 8 & 9

Drive westwards through the most famous Valley of the Roses. It is a region in Bulgaria south of Stara Planina. From a geological point of view, it consists of two river valleys, the Strayama in the west and the Tundzha in the east.

The valley is known for rose cultivation, which has been practiced here for centuries and produces almost half of the world’s rose oil. The center of the rose oil industry is Kazanlak, other major cities are Karlovo, Sopot, Kalofer and Pavel Banja. Every year, festivals are held in honor of roses and rose oil.

The rose picking season lasts from May to June. During this time, the region exudes a pleasant scent and is covered with colorful flowers. Rose picking is traditionally reserved for women and requires great skill and patience. The flowers are carefully cut one by one and placed in wicker baskets, which are then transported to the distilleries. Tourists are invited to take part in rose picking, usually on weekends, when special ritual performances are organized in the villages around Kazanlak.

Enjoy historical, traditional luxury in Stara Planina

You arrive at Hotel Starosel; located on the outskirts of Starosel village and features an outdoor swimming pool with hot mineral water. It has a traditional Bulgarian-style interior with natural materials such as wood, stone and wool. It has a piano bar with karaoke facilities and its own winery. Bulgarian specialities are served in Starosel Hotel’s restaurant with a summer terrace. An extensive wine list is available and wine tasting and wine tours in the area can be organised. The spa, located in the annex building, invites you to relax in the hot tub, sauna, steam room or pamper yourself with a massage or a special beauty treatment including winter therapy. There is also a mini golf course and a petting zoo on site. Hunting, horse riding and off-road excursions in the area can be organised at an additional cost. All accommodation combines traditional décor with modern amenities.Hisarya Resort is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

Day 10

Back to Sofia via Koprivshtitsa

HoThe town of Koprivshtitsa is located in the heart of the Sredna Gora Mountains. It is 110 km from Sofia, 24 km from Pirdop, 22 km from Strelcha and 90 km from Plovdiv. In 1952, it was declared the country’s only municipal museum and since 1971 it has been an architectural and historical reserve with a total of 388 architectural, historical, artistic and ethnographic monuments. In 1978, it was recognised as a national architectural reserve of international importance and a tourist destination.
There are many legends surrounding the city’s beginnings. The place was said to be rich in cups and particularly fertile, a popular resting place for caravans and shepherds herding their flocks. This is where the proto-Bulgarians settled with their herds – the people known as ‘Zhupa’ – and this was the origin of Koprivshtitsa.

Day 11 back Home