SPECIAL OFFER FOR HISTORY & CULTURE TOUR IN BULGARIA

2 persons,  2006

1 Day

Sofia

Arrival in Sofia . Airport pick up and transfer to Art Hotel, 4*, located in a quiet street in the centre of Sofia. If the time of arrival allows, city tour of Sofia to see the historical buildings in the city centre – even remains from the Roman Empire. (www.artotel.biz)

2 Day

Sofia – Rila Monastery – Melnik

You will start your way out of Sofia to the impressive Rila monastery. The monastery is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. You will visit the monastery complex, one of the most impressive in the continent due to its unique architecture and abundance of frescoes. You will admire the 1 200 mural paintings at the Blessed Virgin Church, see the Hrelyo Tower, built in 1335, and then spend some time amidst the precious collection of the monastery’s museum.

Optional lunch in a local restaurant – fresh trout menu.

Next, head on to Melnik – the smallest town-museum in Bulgaria, located in southern Bulgaria. Melnik is picturesquely located amidst sandstone pyramids and famous for producing delicious wine. You can visit the famous Kordopulova Museum House. Optional dinner with wine tasting of famous local wines in Melnik.

Accommodation and overnight in Despot Slav Hotel, 3*** .(B)

3 Day

Melnik – Rozhen Monastery – Bachkovo - Plovdiv

After breakfast, afternoon – visit of the Rozhen Monastery, picturesquely located on a mountain hill near Melnik. Next, departure through the gorgeous Rhodopes mountain. Optional stop in Trigrad to see the famous gorge and the Devil’s Throat cave, connected to the myth of Orpheus. Optional visit to Shiroka Luka village, famous for its well preserved local style Renaissance houses. Next, departure for Plovdiv. En route visit of the Bachkovo Monastery – the second largest monastery in Bulgaria. Optional stop in Assenovgrad to see the Assenova fortress of the Bulgarian king. The Assenovgrad region is famous for producing another delicious typical  Bulgarian wine – Mavrud. In the late afternoon – arrival in Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, famous as the cultural capital of Bulgaria.

Accommodation and overnight in Trimontium Princess Hotel, 4**** (www.trimontiumprincess.com).(B)

4 Day

Plovdiv – Кazanlak - – Etura - Bozhentsi

After breakfast, you will have some spare time in Plovdiv with options for sightseeing or shopping or depart straightaway for Kazanlak – a nice town, located in the foot of the Balkan mountain. Visit of the famous Thracian tomb from the 4^th century BC with preserved colourful murals. The tomb is included in the UNESCO world heritage list.  You will have the option to visit the Rose museum as well – Kazanlak is the closest town to the famous Rose valley of Bulgaria. About noon - departure to Etura – a unique open air crafts museum. You will see the skillful Bulgarian masters working.  Next, you can visit the nearby Sokolevsky monastery with the unique stone fountain. Next, departure for Bozhentsi – a small village architectural reserve, located in the Balkan Mountain. Accommodation and overnight in Parlapanovata Kushta – a hotel, located in a restored traditional Bulgarian Renaissance house.

(B)

5 Day

Bozhentsi – Veliko Tarnovo

After breakfast, departure for Veliko Tarnovo – very picturesque town, located over the two shores of Iantra river. Walk around the Tzarevetz hill – once a residence of the Bulgarian kings. You will enjoy the unique atmosphere of the place. you will go to the nearby village of Arbanassy – that used to be a residence for the Bulgarian kings. The village is an architectural museum with preserved old houses and churches. You can have a dinner in one of the picturesque garden restaurants that offer delicious cuisine. Next, you can visit both the vicinities of Veliko Tarnovo or take a walk in the town.

 Accommodation and overnight in Yantra hotel, 4*. (www.yantrabg.com) (B)

6 Day

Tarnovo –  Koprivshtitsa

After breakfast, head for Koprivshtitza - a museum town displaying the best-preserved authentic architecture of the National Revival Period (18-19 century). As you wander along the cobble stone streets, you will see some of the best museum houses as well as the Church Virgin Mary. Nestled amidst the picturesque slopes of the Sredna Gora Mountain, Koprivshtitza is a unique place - every house here is a work of art: blue, yellow, red houses with verandas, bay windows and eaves, rooms decorated with wood carvings, lit up by brightly coloured rugs and cushions, its cobblestone streets, winding between high white stone walls and gardens full of greenery. Walk in Koprivshtitza, accommodation in Bashtina Kashta Hotel, 3*** and overnight.(B)

7 Day

Koprivstitza - Sofia

After breakfast, departure for Sofia. Depending on the on the spare time  – sightseeing tour in Sofia. Accommodation in Art Otel, 4*. Dinner with a folklore show in a typical Bulgarian restaurant with traditional Bulgarial meal.(B)

8 Day

Departure

After breakfast, depending on the spare time to departure – sightseeing tour in Sofia or transfer to the airport for arrival.(B)

The price includes:

-         7 nights  with breakfasts as per itinerary ;

-         Transport by  Air-conditioned car – Opel Astra, Peugeout 307 or similar;

-         Professional Spanish speaking driver-guide thorough, accommodation of the driver

-         Dinner with folklore show in Sofia;

The price does not include:

-         Entrance fees;

-         Lunches and dinners;

-         Fuel costs and parking taxes;

-         Anything that is not mentioned in “The price includes”