Tours » Holidays » Bulgaria in five days
Sofia – Rila Monastery – Sandanski – Melnik – Roupite – Shiroka Luka – Bachkovo Monastery – Plovdiv – Sofia
Day 1 - City tour around Sofia
Arrival and accommodation in the hotel in Sofia. Panoramic City tour around Sofia.
Sofia is the biggest city of Bulgaria and its capital since 3 April 1879. It is one of the ancient European cities. (Roman's name Serdika, Slovenian's name Sredetz, Greek's name Triaditza). Sofia has its name since 14th century when it was renamed after St. Sofia church. Among the attractions of the city are the Rotunda St. George which is the oldest cultural monument of the city, built in 4th century B.C. Other monuments are the cathedral St. Alexander Nevski, the fortress's walls of ancient Serdika, the church St. Petka Samardjijska (14th century), the church St. Sofia (6th century) , the Russian church St. Nicholas - built in typical Moscow architectural style.The National Theatre, built in neoclassical style, has a very interesting architecture. The Parliament is also here. It has been built in three steps: in 1884, 1890 and 1928.Other places to visit are The National Historical Museum, The National Gallery, The National Assambly, The St. Kliment Ochridski University..
Sofia boasts the biggest on the Balkans Congress Center - National Palace of Culture. It is equipped with modern high-quality facilities. It has to offer 16 halls and more than 5000 seats. Ideal place for congresses, meetings, festivals, concerts, etc.
You will also visit the famous painted “Boyana” church, which is included in UNESCO World Heritage List. You will have the opportunity to buy some genuine hand-made Bulgarian souvenirs. Overnight.
Day 2 – Sofia – Rila Monastery – Sandanski
Breakfast. After breakfast you will visit the most famous place in Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery.
The biggest spiritual and cultural center in Bulgaria for hundreds of years.
A part of UNESCO's World Heritage. A touch of the Balkan medieval history - Rila Monastery gives you the impression of a fortress.
It can briefly described as a combination monumental architecture an rich history. It was founded in the X century by Ivan Rilski and used to be the primary spiritual and cultural centre of Bulgaria and the whole orthodox enclave.
The church's interior is extremely impressive. The murals were painted between 1840 and 1848 by some of the finest artists of the time. This gallery of art was enriched by the murals in the churches and chapels outside the monastery. Thirty-six figural scenes, the figures of the Old Testament Kings, apostles martyrs, an exceptionally rich ornamentation of flowers, birds and stylised figures - this, in short, is the subject-matter of the main carved altar of the Holy Virgin Church fashioned by four masters over a period of five years.
The library contains 16000 volumes including 134 manuscripts from l5th to 19th century, numerous incunabula and documents. The donations represent an original chronicle of the national consciousness, of those pure patriotic feelings and hopes, which were inspired throughout centuries in every Bulgarian by the Rila Monastery - the country's largest spiritual and cultural temple.
After Lunch departure to Sandanski. A town in the south-western foothills of Pirin Mountain. Sandanski is built in the place of an old Thracian settlement that appeared close to the mineral springs and inhabited by a Medi tribe from whom Spartacus is supposed to descend.
You have free afternoon to enjoy the city and its hot mineral water pools and the unique mild climate of the spa-resort. Overnight.
Day 3 – Sandanski – Melnik – The Phenomenon Melnik Pyramids – Roupite – Shiroka Luka
After breakfast departure to Melnik and the Phenomenon MelnikPyramids.
Bulgaria's smallest town is hudding among frozen standstone pyramids immobile for millennia. Thracians, Romans and Byzantines have writen its history. Trace of it are prezerved in unique monuments of old architecture, some of which are of national significance.
The pyramids of Melnik are rocky formations (earth pyramids) in the south-westen peripheral slopes of the Pirin mountain. They are located in the surroundings of the town of Melnik. These magnificent natural sculptures are outlined in various forms and shapes, looking like haystacks, Egyptian pyramids, Gothic temples, minarets, ancient towers and loop-holes, giant obelisks, rising jumpers with incredible resemblance to colossal stone mushroom
You have the possibility to taste the delicious Melnik wine.
We continue our excursion with visit of Roupite – the newest resort center in the country known for the church “St. Petka Bulgarska” and for Vanga, the Bulgarian prophet.
In the latest afternoon we arrive in the village of Shiroka Luka - architectural and ethnographical reserve. Roud trip and accommodation in typical bulagarian old houses.In such relaxing place you will have the chance to taste the delicious national cousine and to enjoy one unforgettable night with the Bulgarian folklore. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Shiroka Luka – Bachkovo Monastery – Plovdiv
After breakfast departure to Bachkovo Monastery - one of the oldest monasteries in the Bulgarian lands, it rises in the picturesque Chaya river valley. Founded in 1083, Bachkovo Monastery is chiefly known for its original architecture, rich collections of old icons, jewellery, coins and church plate. The library preserves many valuable incunabula and old manuscripts. Its most remarkable feature, however, are the paintings that are seen everywhere - in the church and ossuary, where the figure of the Bulgarian King Ivan Alexander is discernible among the I I th and 14th century murals, in the refectory (1601), in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin main church (1604), and in the Holy Trinity and St. Nicholas church (I 840), which contain some of the first murals painted by the celebrated National Revival artist Zahari Zograph.
After than we will travel to the town of Plovdiv, where lots of archaeological remains are well preserved. In the Old town of Plovdiv you will see the ancient theatre (which is a scene even nowadays). You will as well visit the Stadium, the Forum, the Mosque and the Archaeological Museum. Overnight.
Day 5 – Plovdiv - Sofia
Breakfast. Free time to explore the town.
Plovdiv - the second biggest city in Bulgaria is situated beatifully on the two banks of the Maritsa river and on six unique syenite hills (called "tepeta"). Around the three eastern hills the Thracians estabilished the ancient settlement of Evmolpiass, which was later on called Pulpudeva. In the year 342 B.C. the town was conquered by Philip II of Macedonia and was called Philipopol. During the Roman times it was given the name of Trimontium ("town on three hills"). The Slavs called it Plovdiv.
Plovdiv is divided into two parts - the old town Stariyat grad, which occupies the three eastern hills, and the lower town spread in the plain below. The modern town offers entertainment and vigorous sights but the old town /conveys best/ carries the atmosphere and the culture of the city
The ancient part of the three-hill town is an architectural reserve. The Ancient Plovdiv has preserved until nowadays the athmosphere of the Renaissance.
The modern town is a trade and culture centre.It is a bunch of museums, churches, banks,hotels, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, shops, bars, bazaars, music clubs, casinos etc. Here rest the ruins of a Roman stadium and remnants of the Roman forum, here could be also seen several mosques and original Turkish baths. The modern centre provides entertainment and rich cultural life. Classical concerts take place at the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra's concert hall, here in January the Winter festival of Symphony Music is held. The Opera is near the concert hall. The Mesalitinov Theater is the venue for classical drama, child shows, and modern theater. The building of the TV and the Radio, and the biggest cinemas are situated in the modern city. In the Fair Camp different international exhibitions and expoes are held all year round.
Departure to Sofia in the afternoon.