Cultural Highlights of Bulgaria

Arrive and transfer to your hotel, where you can relax.

Join your guide in the lobby at 4 p.m. today in our Sofia hotel for a “Welcome to Bulgaria” get-together. Then take a neighbourhood stroll before enjoying your first taste of Bulgaria’s rich cuisine in a local restaurant.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain.

Today your local guide will take you on a walking tour of the capital city to explore the different areas and unique cultural mixture here.

You’ll explore the Triangle of Tolerance, where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish temples are all within a few steps, followed by a stop at the President’s Building to watch the changing of the guard.

Next, visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, famous for its gilded domes and masterful mosaics.

Then you can ‘follow the yellow brick road’ to explore the bustling market hall. (Note: Central Market Hall is currently closed so you can visit an open air women’s market instead)

There’ll be some free time to explore the market, and your local guide will help you to understand the issues facing modern Bulgarians today.

Note: depending on your interests we can arrange for you to meet local women, business people and see other interesting sites. This is your trip so let us know what your interests are and we can tailor it accordingly.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs.

Overnight Sofia

Today, you’ll dive headfirst into Bulgarian culture with a visit to a local school *(see below) to learn about the challenges of integrating the Roma community into the local educational system.

Later, drive through the scenic Rilska Valley (c 2 hrs) to visit the remote and mystical Rila Monastery, high in the Rila Mountains.

Rila Monastery is a UNESCO Site, founded in the 10th-century architectural treasure with fabulous frescoes.

Return to Sofia for overnight, and visit a traditional restaurant for some authentic Bulgarian cuisine.

* School visit will depend on the day and dates visiting, and may be in Sofia or Plovdiv. Can only be confirmed once dates are known.

After Breakfast depart for Plovdiv. Your first stop after about 2 hours is a small carpet-weaving factory, hiding the largest loom in Europe, where a few local women still weave carpets by hand. You can talk with the owner of the factory and the ladies who work there (again this visit is date dependant).

Next stop is a winery. Wine making here dates back 4,000 years to when merchants from Troy journeyed here. Learn the history of some of Europe’s oldest vineyards which have survived from ancient times to the Communist “collective era” to the entrepreneurial present.

Enjoy a tasting sessioin before continuing on to Plovdiv – one of Bulgaria’s most delightful cities as well as being Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city and European Capital of Culture in 2019.

Enjoy an orientation walk to the heart of the city, before finding a restaurant for dinner (own choice with guidance from your local guide).

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs

Once the capital city of ancient Thrace, Plovdiv is actually older than Athens and Rome, with archaeological relics dating back 7,000 years.

Takt a walking tour of Plovdiv’s old town, including Trajan’s second-century Roman amphitheatre and its commanding view of the city.

Plovdiv is most proud of the old town area where you’ll see the elegant, confectionary pastel-coloured “Bulgarian Renaissance” homes from the 19th century, and the Dzhumaya Mosque, the oldest in Bulgaria.

You will also have the chance to visit Plovdiv Mosaic Museum, the city’s newest (additional entry fee).

The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of this cultural and cosmopolitan city, famous for its coffee houses, shops, galleries and cobbled streets.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.

Overnight Plovdiv

Journey to the Black Sea today on a day’s drive (c 7 hours), stopping in Kazanlak for lunch and to visit some of the greatest examples of early Hellenistic art: a fourth-century BC Thracian tomb covered with magnificent murals (to protect the tomb you will visit a replica), and the history museum packed with beautifully preserved gold and bronze artefacts.

Stay on the coast of the Black Sea tonight in the pretty port town of Burgas.

Enjoy a post-dinner stroll through the city’s historical centre or follow the picturesque promenade on Burgas Bay.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly even terrain.

The island town of Nesebar is connected to the rest of Bulgaria by a narrow isthmus.

The town has a long and rich history – Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian, and Turkish — a lot has happened in this tiny place!

After lunch drive along the Black Sea coast on the way to the Naval capital of Bulgaria — Varna.

This is a busy, working city but you can relax on the beach, stroll around town, or sample the local catch direct from the fishermen.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours.

Overnight Varna.

Start your day with a tour of the Varna Archaeological Museum where you will marvel a the oldest gold jewellery ever discovered.

Then enjoy a short walking tour, admiring the city’s beautiful architecture and elegant churches.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore this modern town and stroll the extensive waterfront park and promenade.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs.

Overnight Varna

Today you’ll drive up and over the green Balkan Range to one of Europe’s most dramatically situated towns: Bulgaria’s medieval capital of Veliko Tarnovo.

En route see the Madara Horseman, carved high into a rock cliff 13 centuries ago, and stop to tour the ancient timeless village of Arbanasi.

Tonight enjoy a hearty local dinner and admire the striking night view of Veliko Tarnovo’s illuminated citadel across the valley.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 5 hours.

Overnight Veliko Tarnovo

Today will start with quite a hilly walking tour of Veliko Tarnovo – the medieval capital of the Bulgarian Kingdom, and perhaps Bulgaria’s most picturesque city.

You’ll learn about Veliko Tarnovo’s role in the birth of the Bulgarian Kingdom and how, in the 14th century it fell to the Ottoman Turks, who were cast out during the 19th-century uprising that led to the end of Bulgaria’s Ottoman occupation.

As the story unfolds, you’ll explore the historic old town, walking along narrow cobblestone streets. Meet the local artisans along the way, and finally conquer the ruins of one of Europe’s mightiest citadels, high above the Yantra River.

After the walking tour you’ll have free time to continue exploring this unique town or to just work your way back through the medieval streets to your hotel.

Meet up later this evening for an optional trip to a local folk evening, or (and in the event the folk evening is not possible) explore the streets by night and find a local taverna for dinner.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Bus: 1 hour.

Today you’ll visit the small Banat village of Asenovo, where you’ll be greeted by the mayor for a tour of the town, followed by lunch and a cooking demonstration at the mayor’s home.

This afternoon return to Sofia for a festive final meal.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 6 hours.

Overnight Sofia

Breakfast is provided, but there are planned activities today. Bulgaria’s international airport is just outside of Sofia, or you can hop a train to other European cities. Your guide will help get you pointed in the right direction.

Transfer to the airport for your onward or return flight if needed (on request).