Best of Bulgaria Roundtrip

Day 1. Sofia

Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the hotel. Follow a sightseeing tour of Sofia. Visit The Cathedral and The Crypt of Saint Alexander Nevsky, The National Theater of John Vazov, The Church of Saint Sophia and The Rotunda of Saint George, dating from the 4th century. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 2. Sofia – Rila Monastery – Melnik

Today you have a visit to the Rila Monastery, the biggest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The Monastery was founded in the 10th century by Saint John of Rila and was included in the UNESCO list in 1983. The monastery houses the Rafail cross, a wooden crucifix that shows 104 religious scenes and 650 miniature figures, carved in a whole piece of wood (81 х 43 cm).

The route continues to Melnik. Here sample the city's famous red wine and explore the natural sand pyramids. Overnight in Melnik.

Day 3. Melnik – Trigrad

Today pass through the picturesque Rhodopes Mountain, believed to be the birthplace of the legendary Thracian singer Orpheus. The highlight of the day is a visit to Yagodina Cave, one of the longest caves in Bulgaria (over 10,000m mapped so far). Overnight in Trigrad.

Day 4. Trigrad – Plovdiv

Today you visit Plovdiv, the second biggest city in Bulgaria and a European capital of culture in Bulgaria since 2019.

Along the way you enjoy The Wonderful Bridges - a natural arch formed by the forces of nature in the hard rocks of the mountain. Accommodation in a hotel in the city.

Day 5. Plovdiv

The day you begin with a sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, one of the oldest still inhabited cities in the world. It has existed as a settlement for more than 8,000 years. In The Old Town you explore the beautifully decorated houses in traditional Bulgarian style, the ancient fortress walls, the ancient Roman theater and stadium, and the many magnificent churches. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 6. Plovdiv - Kazanlak - Etara - Veliko Tаrnovo

On the way to Veliko Tarnovo visit the Tomb of the Thracian King Seuthes III, located near Kazanlak.

You follow The Museum of The Rose. The history of rose production in the country is preserved here.

You will be fascinated by The Architectural-Ethnographic Complex of "Etara", where you experience the way people lived 150 years ago. Skilled artisans will show you how people used to make wool clothing, pottery, utensils, and ornaments.

The last stop today is Veliko Tarnovo. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 7. Veliko Tarnovo – Koprivshtitsa

The day starts with a sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria, where you can feel the glorious past of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Visit a Tsarevets Hill, which is crowned by The Church of the Patriarch "Holy Ascension of God".

The next stop is Arbanasi Village, famous for its well-preserved traditional architecture.

In the afternoon you continue to Koprivshtitsa. The city has now been turned into a museum, where you can feel the atmosphere of the Renaissance Period (18th-19th century) in Bulgaria. Overnight in Koprivshtitsa.

Day 8. Koprivshtitsa - Sofia

Return to Sofia (around 2 hours) for departure. Please make sure you book your departure flight after 1pm. You can also extend your stay in Sofia.