Bulgarian Architecture Classics Itinerary 6 nights/7days !!! Prices from 227 up to 529 EURO
Bulgarian Architecture Classics
Itinerary 6 nights/7days
Day 1: Arrival at SofiaAirport. Meet&Greet at the airport by one of our professional and friendly guides. Transfer to a first class hotel in Sofia. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 2: Short pedestrian sightseeing tour of the capital city in the morning.
Sofia-the CapitalCity of Bulgaria – Inhabited for 7 000 years, it was called Serdica by the Thracians. The Romans made it splendid and important province capital. Since the 14th century this great city at the foot of the majestic Vitosha mountain has been known as Sofia. Its museums house many of the country most important ancient artifacts. See the unique mixture of ancient, medieval and more recent examples of the local architecture-the 1400 years old St. George Rotunda, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the 6th century St. Sofia Church, which gave the city its name, the Royal Palace, which now hosts the National Art Gallery and many others.
Departure for the smallest but one of the most picturesque towns of the country-Melnik. Lunch en route
The Museum town of Melnik – the tiniest treasure of the Bulgarian architecture – lovely romantic houses perched on the slopes of steep sandstone rocks and one main street – this is Melnik for its visitors, who still marvel at the remains of the former splendor of this unique small town. See the Kodopoulos House with its Venetian stained glass windows, large rooms decorated with murals, a wrought iron gate and spacious wine –cellar, which used to be well –known for the production of Melnik wine, once famous in Greece, Austria, Italy and even Marseilles and Spain.
Dinner and overnight in first class hotel in Sandanski-a nearby spa center.
(Sofia –Melnik-183km)
(Melnik –Sandanski-20km)
Day 3: Morning drive to the small town of Bansko-one of the many Bulgarian architecture classics.
Bansko-Located at the foot of Pirin Mountain, its houses look like old fortresses or medieval monasteries-austere and inaccessible, with solid stone walls and small windows. Behind the heavy gates one can discover the unique Bulgarian spirit featuring lovely spacious rooms decorated with carved ceilings shining down on inbuilt cupboards, wooden chests and colorful rugs. The vitality of the true Bulgarian spirit is represented also in the murals, icons and the phenomenal iconostasis of the Holy Trinity Church.
You continue the picturesque drive to the second largest city in Bulgaria- Plovdiv. Lunch en route. Afternoon tour of the Old Town Plovdiv
Plovdiv-the second largest city- A thousand years older than Sofia-Bulgaria’s second largest city, Plovdiv was founded in 342BC, when Philip II of Macedonia conquered the Thracian town of Evmolpia and named it after his own name-Philipopolis. Later the Romans invaded Thrace and called the city Trimontium. The 19th century, which marked the apogee of the Bulgarian Revival period was the century of the creation of what is now known as the Old Town Plovdiv. This is one of the most remarkable places in Bulgaria with its steep cobbled stoned streets, unique houses and romantic atmosphere. See 4th century BC Thracian wall paintings, the Roman amphi-theatre, Byzantine and medieval fortifications and 15th century Ottoman mosques.
Dinner. Overnight in a first class hotel in Plovdiv
(Sandanski –Bansko-96km)
(Bansko-Plovdiv-151km).
Day 4: Departure for the ex-royal Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo. Via the magnificent Shipka Pass visit the ethnographic and architectural gem-EtaraMuseum Town.
The Open –air Museum Town of Etara-Near the town of Gabrovo, in the very heart of Bulgaria you will discover an untouched piece of the Bulgarian Renaissance. Here you can see how the locals made their living last century, their economic development and their way of life. The old Gaborovians tamed the force of water to serve them. This could be seen at the water-mill, at the wood turning lathers for salt cellars and wooden bowls, at the braiding workshop, at the saw-mill and the nap raiser water mill bleachery. The museum was built as a Craftsmen’s street. Vitality is the most remarkable feature of the old buildings and shops. Still the craftsmen here produce their unique art pieces of copper, goat’s hair, wood, steel, wool, potter’s clay, fur and silver.
Then continue your journey to another masterpiece of the medieval Bulgarian architecture-the MuseumTown of Bozhentsi
Bozhentsi- White washed two store houses hidden behind ivy and wild germanium, heavy stonoe-tiled roofs, large open verandas and lush gardens. Nothing here disturbs the quiet and colorful mountain landscape. The interior of the houses gain warmth from its oak –paneled walls, carved ceilings and doors and bright rugs and carpets that recall its past cosiness.
Dinner and overnight in a first class hotel in Veliko Turnovo
(Plovdiv-Etara-166km)
(Etara-Bozhentsi-17km)
(Bozhentsi-Veliko Turnovo-40km)
Day 5: Morning sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo
Veliko Turnovo : the exroyal capital Capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396), this city is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. You will be amazed by its stone houses which are perched one above the other on the steep banks of Yantra river. Enjoy a visit to the Tzarevets Hill, where the patriarchal church and royal palaces are, the place where you can still see Baldwin’s Tower, legendary symbol connected with the Latin Emperor Baldwin of Flanders, who bas captured and beheaded by Tsar Kaloyan. Also visit Trapezitsa Hill, where relics of 17 medieval churches were found. Luxuriate in the breathtaking view from atop Holy Hill. Trill to the spectacular “Sound and Light” performances on the historic Tzarevets Hill and Fortress (weather permitting)
Afternoon visit to Arbanassi village-one of the symbols of the immortal Bulgarian tradition.
The village of Arbanassi – a piece of the unbroken Bulgarian tradition. Old choronicles and travel notes describe this village as the ancient capital’s Veliko Turnovo Royal residence. With their solid walls and heavy gates the old houses resemble miniature fortresses. But once you are in, you marvel and enthuse over the spacious and comfortable rooms, richly decorated and lavishly furnished. There are two monasteries and five churches, the oldest being the Nativity (1637-1649), dug into the ground, without a belfry and hidden deomes, very modest, but featuring a real treasure of over 3500 strikingly realistic figures and Biblical scenes, created at various times by unknown artists.
Enjoy your dinner sampling delicious Bulgarian dishes and wine, while wondering at typical Bulgarian fire-dances. Optional in the evening –Sound and Life Show in Veliko Turnovo. Overnight.
(Veliko Turnovo –Arbanassi and back-10km)
Day 6: Morning departure for Sofia with on the way visit to the unique town of Koprivshtitsa. Lunch en route.
Koprivshtitsa-- located 111km from Sofia. The romantic spirit lives in this small town. White walls surround gardens full of flowers and shrubs. Ceilings carved like suns, painted facades, sunlit balconies and bay-windows-these are the characteristics of Koprivshtitsa. The floors are covered with colorful spreads of rugs, carpet and cushions. Behind the houses heavy iron - studded gates one can feel the dramatic past of this tiny beautiful place.
Dinner and overnight in Sofia.
(Veliko Turnovo –Koprivshtitsa-194km)
(Koprivshtitsa –Sofia -111kkm)
Day 7: Time to go home
Services included:
· 6 nights accommodation in first class hotels;
· meals as per itinerary (breakfast , dinner)
· all transfers and transportation during the tour
· guide escort throughout the tour
· all entrance fees to the museums as per itinerary
· all local taxes
