Bulgaria with Luxury & Style (10 Days): Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-B-10-8-28-10-RAIJ
DAY
1: Sofia, BULGARIA
You are met upon arrival and taken to your hotel. This afternoon
enjoy an orientation tour of the city, including the 6th century
Church of St. Sofia, the 4th century St. George Rotunda and the
Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevski.
►Suggested hotel: Sheraton Sofia Balkan, Sofia
DAY 2: Rila Monastery, BULGARIA
This morning take a scenic drive towards Rila Mountain to visit the
most significant monument of the Bulgarian National Revivalperiod,
the Rila Monastery. The exquisite colonnades and arches along with
the monastery’s rich murals and delicate fretwork are a delight to
explore. This Bulgarian treasure houses a vast collection of icons,
jewelry and carpets, as well as a library of more than 16,000 books
and manuscripts. After lunch, drive back to Sofia, en route stopping
to visit Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with perfectly
preserved 13th century frescoes. ►Suggested hotel: Sheraton Sofia Balkan, Sofia
DAY 3: Sofia to Veliko Turnovo and Arbanassi, BULGARIA
Depart Sofia this morning, stopping to tour the medieval capital of
Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo, scenically secluded in a valley along the
Yantra River. Explore the town, including the Medieval fortress of
Tsarevets, the old St. Peter & Paul Church and Samovodene Market
with its original craft workshops. Continue on to arrive at the 17th
century museum town of Arbanassi. Visit the Nativity Church and its
frescoes of scenes from the Bible, and tour the ethnographic house
of Konstantsaliev. ►Suggested hotel:
Arbanassi Palace, Arbanassi
DAY 4: Arbanassi to Varna, BULGARIA
On route to Varna, stop in the sacred village of Madara to view the
Madara Horseman, a towering figure of a knight over a lion, carved
into a 325-foot high cliff. Next, stop to visit Pobiti Kamuni, or
The Stone Forest, natural stone pillars arising on a now-barren
plain. Arrive at Varna, “the pearl of the Black Sea Coast” in the
afternoon. Enjoy a tour of this city founded in the 6th century BC,
with its well-preserved remains from the Roman and Byzantine times,
as well as art and architecture from the Medieval and Renaissance
periods. Visit the 19th century Cathedral of Assumption of the
Virgin, an imposing landmark, with finely carved iconostasis, murals
and stained glass. ►Suggested hotel: Hotel Musala, Varna
DAY 5: Nessebar excursion, BULGARIA
Today enjoy a full day trip to the unique museum town of Nessebar, a
UNESCO Heritage site. One of the oldest towns in Europe, you will
see evidence of the Thracians, Romans, Slavs and Bulgarians. Known
for its treasure trove of churches, visit the Byzantine style Old
Bishop’s Residence; St. Stefan’s, with its valuable 12th century
murals; and the medieval Christ Pantocrator and Aliturgetos
Churches. Enjoy lunch while in Nessebar, and then tonight, dinner in
Varna, complete with local wine tasting. ►Suggested hotel: Hotel Musala, Varna
DAY 6: Varna to Arbanassi, BULGARIA
Drive back to Arbanassi, en route visiting Pliska, the Bulgarian
capital during 681-893 AD, and Veliki Preslav, the first capital of
the Bulgarian Empire and today a national archaeological reserve. ►Suggested hotel:
Arbanassi Palace, Arbanassi
DAY 7: Arbanassi to Etara, Kazanluk & Plovdiv, BULGARIA
This morning drive to visit the Dryanovo Monastery, then continue on
to Etara to explore the Etara Ethnographic Museum, the Assumption
Sokolski Monastery famous for it’s stone fountain and the golden
domed Shipka Monastery. Continue to Kazanluk and visit the 4th
century BC Thracian Tomb, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Relax over lunch in this scenic “Capital of the Valley of the
Roses,” before continuing on to Plovdiv, the second largest city in
Bulgaria. ►Suggested hotel: Trimontium Plovdiv, Plovdiv
DAY 8: Plovdiv, BULGARIA
Plovdiv holds 24 centuries of history, and a plethora of unique
well-preserved treasures. Explore the old town with its cobblestone
streets and romantic atmosphere; see the 4th century BC Thracian
wall paintings, the ancient Roman amphitheater, and 15th century
Ottoman mosques. After lunch, travel outside the city to tour the
Bachkovo Monastery, one of the oldest in Bulgaria. Founded in 1030,
it hosts rich collections of old icons, jewelry, coins, manuscripts
and countless paintings that adorn almost every wall. ►Suggested hotel: Trimontium Plovdiv, Plovdiv
DAY 9: Plovdiv to Starosel & Sofia, BULGARIA
This morning drive to Starosel, and tour Chetinyova Hill, Thracian
sanctuaries built in the 5th century BC. Enjoy lunch in town then
take a tour of the new Starosel Wine Complex with some local wine
tasting. Arrive in Sofia in the afternoon, and tonight, enjoy dinner
with lively folkloric entertainment. ►Suggested hotel: Sheraton Sofia Balkan, Sofia
DAY 10: Sofia, BULGARIA
Today you are taken to the airport for your flight home or on to
your next destination.