Tailor Made - “Three Capitals” - Bulgaria

Welcome to Bulgaria. We will meet at Metropolitan Hotel Sofia After breakfast you will be briefed about the tour introductions. Lunch in Sofia the capital of Bulgaria one of the oldest cities in Europe, after lunch we will start our journey to Veliko Tarnovo a beautiful drive through Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains). Arrival and check-in in Veliko Tarnovo, we will walk, together with a local guide, through this fascinating ancient town and maybe have some dinner together (not included). Overnight in a cosy (family) hotel. A good night's rest for tomorrow's exciting day.

Today we will visit the Royal Hill and Fortress of Tsarevets. The fortress was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. We will take a walk exploring the city on foot, strolling through its narrow and cosy old streets. We will continue our journey to the Transfiguration Monastery ‘Preobrazhensky. We will enter this interesting monastery on a rock. Our journey continues to the ruins of Nicopolis ad Istrum a Roman and Byzantine city founded between 101 and 106 A.D. We will visit the Hotnishki Waterfall where we will take a short drive and walk to the falls. Accommodation in a cosy family-run hotel. A good night's rest for tomorrow's long day.

Today we will have a special day full of history. We will visit the village-museum of Etara, the only open-air museum in Bulgaria focused on the Renaissance. Drive along the spectacular road to the Shipka Pass and Monument. Fantastic views and an important monument commemorating the Ottoman war. We continue our journey to the imposing Shipka Memorial Church. A Russian church in memory of the soldiers who died at the Shipka Pass. We will visit the ‘communist’ monument of Buzludzha, impressive, ugly, imposing .....
Our journey continues in the direction of Kazanlak, the centre of the rose oil industry, the city of roses in the world (May-June), we visit the museum of roses.
The route takes us through the Valley of the Tombs where we visit a copy of an ancient Thracian tomb dating back to 400 BC. We arrive in Plovdiv where we spend a relaxing evening in the European Capital of Culture 2019. Overnight in hotel (family) in Plovdiv.

Today we will visit the Bachkovo Monastery (founded in 1083), the second most important monastery in Bulgaria, with guided tour included. We will walk to the beautiful waterfalls of Bachkovo, short 20 minutes walk to the waterfalls. Spectacular in April, May and June. We will continue our trip where we will visit the Asen Fortress. Medieval fortress on top of a rock over the river. Return to Plovdiv. Evening stroll through the old town and enjoy this vibrant city. Overnight in hotel (family) in Plovdiv.

Today we will enjoy free time until 13.00 hrs to discover Plovdiv. We will visit the ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, the Roman Stadium of Plovdiv, the Old Town with beautiful houses and narrow streets, the Ethnographic Museum of Plovdiv, the Dzumaya Mosque... etc. We will continue our fabulous trip visiting Zagreus Winery where we will have lunch with amazing views. Guided tour of the winery with tasting of 5 wines.
Return to Plovdiv. Dinner and drinks on one of the many terraces tonight. Overnight in hotel (family) in Plovdiv.

We will drive for 2 hours to the current capital of Bulgaria, which has been the capital since 1879. We will walk through the centre of Sofia, visiting the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, the Russian Sveti Nikolay Mirlikiiski Church, the Rotunda of St. George's Church and the National Theatre. When we have time we will also visit the ‘Women's Market’ (Zhenski Pazar) and the Central Market (food) Hall (Tsentralni Hali). Return to our hotel in Sofia for the night. If you want to stay in the centre you can take a taxi back to the hotel. The cost of the taxi is about 10-15 lev (5-8 euros). Accommodation in Sofia

Today we will hike to the Boyana Waterfalls. A pleasant 4-5 hour hike to the beautiful waterfalls of Boyana. We will visit the church of Boyana. This 10th century church is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We will take a trip to Mount Vitosha, where we will enjoy a pleasant walk ‘to the top’ of Mount Vitosha with fantastic views over Sofia.
Farewell dinner in Sofia included. Our last dinner in a great week together
Accommodation in Sofia in a high class hotel in the outskirts of the city.

Transfer to the airport or stay some extra days in this surprising city.