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9-Day Best of Bulgaria

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Overview

There are nine sites in Bulgaria under the protection of UNESCO. During this nine-day excursion, you will explore some of them, including the Thracian necropolises, ancient cities, Bulgarian medieval and renaissance churches and monasteries. All of them are supreme achievements not only of Bulgarians but of the whole human civilisation which lead to their title.

As you travel through the towns and cities of Bulgaria, you'll be taken on tours that introduce you to some of the most famous locations in each, you'll also have lots of time to explore at your pace and stay in luxury accommodation including the Silver Hotel and Rachev Hotel Residence.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Food & Drink

Itinerary

Day 1

Sofia Arrival and Walking Tour

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Sofia Arrival and Walking Tour

Upon your arrival in Sofia, you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Check-in at the Silver hotel and then head out on a guided walking tour for an introduction to this fascinating city.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Silver Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Sofia Walking Tour

    Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Sofia

    Sofia Central Mineral Baths

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    Destinations

    Sofia

Day 2

Veliko Tarnovo via Koprivstitsa and Gabrovo

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Veliko Tarnovo via Koprivstitsa and Gabrovo

This morning you'll check out then go on a trip to Veliko Tarnovo with the first stop being in the village of Koprivshtitsa. Koprivshtitsa is one of the most characteristic Bulgarian towns, still preserving the atmosphere of the Bulgarian National Revival period of the 19th century. Continue to visit the architectural and ethnographic complex of Etar – an open-air museum where you will see a unique collection of the old-time water-driven machinery in Bulgaria.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rachev Hotel Residence4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Koprivshtitsa

    Open-Air Ethnographic Museum "Etar"

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sofia

    Koprivshtitsa

    Gabrovo

    Veliko Tarnovo

Day 3

Veliko Tarnovo to Varna

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Veliko Tarnovo to Varna

The day starts with a city tour of Veliko Tarnovo, the old capital of Bulgaria. During the tour, you will see the old town and visit the Tzarevetz Castle. You will have some time for lunch before we depart for Varna. After checking in to your new hotel, you will go on a walking tour of the city where you'll explore the most significant monuments to get a feel for the city.

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    Accommodation

    Hotel & Casino Cherno More4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Veliko Tarnovo Walking and Sightseeing Tour

    Tsarevets Fortress

    Konstantsalieva’s House Arbanasi

    Walking Tour of Varna

    Roman Baths

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Veliko Tarnovo to Varna

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Veliko Tarnovo

    Varna

Day 4

Varna to Nessebar

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Varna to Nessebar

After breakfast in the hotel, you will travel to Balchik, a small town on the Black Sea, you'll stop to visit the Balchik Palace, originally called 'Quiet Nest Palace' this was built for the Romanian Queen Marie. You will then travel on to Nessebar, a beautifully situated coastal town. After checking in, you will go on a tour around the city.

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    Accommodation

    Hotel "Vigo"4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Balchik Palace

    Nessebar

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Varna to Nessebar

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Varna

    Balchik

    Nessebar

Day 5

Nessebar to Plovdiv

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Nessebar to Plovdiv

Depart for Kazanlak, where you will visit the Valley of the Thracian Kings and the Museum of the Rose, where you will learn how the rose oil is produced. Continue to the town of Plovdiv, the second-largest city of Bulgaria. After checking in at your hotel, you will go on a tour through the Old Town including a visit to the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis.

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    Accommodation

    Hotel Dafi3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak

    Rose Museum

    Plovdiv Sightseeing Tour

    Plovdiv Old Town

    Regional Ethnographic Museum Plovdiv

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Nessebar to Plovdiv

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Nessebar

    Kazanluk

    Plovdiv

Day 6

Tour of Villa Yustina Winery

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Tour of Villa Yustina Winery

After breakfast in the hotel, a tour of the winery, Villa Yustina follows in a scenic valley at the foot of the Rhodope mountains. You will learn about the history of the winery, the processes involved and you will get to sample some wine. Upon your return to Plovdiv, you are free for the rest of the day to explore the city and its ancient sites.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Dafi3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Villa Yustina Winery

    Plovdiv Old Town

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Plovdiv to "Villa Yustina" Wineyards

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Plovdiv

    Plovdiv Province

Day 7

From Plovdiv to Bankso Scenic Train

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From Plovdiv to Bankso Scenic Train

Depart to Velingrad by bus and from there, you will take the train to Bansko. This is an extremely scenic and memorable trip. You will travel through the Pirin, Rila and Rodopi mountains and up to the highest railway station in Bulgaria. You can expect to arrive in Bankso in the mid-afternoon and have time to explore this famous resort town.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Park Hotel Gardenia4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Scenic Train to Bankso

    Bansko

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Bus from Plovdiv to Velingrad

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Plovdiv

    Velingrad

    Bansko

Day 8

A Day Tour of Melnik

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A Day Tour of Melnik

Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to Melnik. Here you will go on a tour which will cover all of the local highlights of the smallest yet most famous town of Bulgaria, your guide will show you why. In the afternoon, you'll have time to explore Velingrad at your own pace touring the sights and getting acquainted with Bulgarian spa culture.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Park Hotel Gardenia4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Kordopulovata House

    Melnik Sandstones Pyramids

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Bansko to Melnik

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bansko

    Melnik

Day 9

Rila Monastery & Sofia International Airport

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Rila Monastery & Sofia International Airport

Breakfast in the hotel and depart to Sofia. On the way, you will visit the largest and oldest Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Monastery; the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as Rila Monastery.
You will then continue on to Sofia, where you will be dropped off at the airport.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rila Monastery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Bansko to Sofia

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bansko

    Rilski Manastir, Kiustendil

Included in Price

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • 24 activities
  • 8 breakfasts
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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