Bulgaria Express – 5 days

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Bulgaria Express

There are many remarkable sites in Bulgaria. In this tour you will see the three most important for Bulgarian history towns.

Itinerary

Day-1

Arrival at Sofia airport. Transfer to Plovdiv. Overnight.

Day-2

Breakfast. Half day tour of Plovdiv, which is one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria, known for its Old  Town and the ancient theater. Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo and, on the way, visit to the Ethnographic  Complex Etar, Valley of the Thracian Kings. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Plovidv is considered to be one of the oldest cities in Europe. Here you will see the remains of a Thracian fortress (5^th century BC) and well preserved remains from the Roman times to our days.

The Old Town is a marvelous site, with its picturesque churches, the mosque and many houses with the architecture, the specific atmosphere and the spirit of Bulgarian Revival period.

Your guide will show you the fabulous remains from the Ancient Roman Empire – the Roman Stadium, the Roman Forum, the Amphitheater.

The Kazanlak Tomb, UNESCO world heritage site, which is based on its architectural outlook, belongs  to the dome tombs, typical for the Thracian funeral architecture from the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 3rd century BC.

The Architectural And Ethnographic Complex Etar is situated on the outskirts of the town of Gabrovo. It is an open air museum. The Complex Etar was established in 1964 and was declared an architectural and ethnographic monument of national significance. The museum contains a total of 50 sites – houses with handcraft workshops, water installations and other buildings. The only collection in Bulgaria of technical installations driven by water – filling mills, water mills, grindstones, etc., are situated there.  16 houses can be seen on the handcrafts bazaar (the central commercial street) in the Etar, which are exact copies of buildings, existing in the past in Gabrovo and the region. On the handcrafts street, the visitors can observe in real time the work of the craftsmen. Multiple handcrafts are presented – bell-making (manufacturing of wrought bells for animals), pottery-making, sugar-making (manufacturing of sugar articles), furriery, manufacturing of copper vessels, etc.

Day-3

Breakfast. Half day tour of Veliko Tarnovo – the town of Great Bulgarian Tsars, where you can enjoy the spirit of the Bulgarian bolyars (nobles). Panoramic tour of Arbanasi. Transfer to Sofia – the capital of  Bulgaria. Overnight in Sofia.

Veliko Tarnovo is one of the oldest towns in the country, as its history dates back to more than five thousand years, which is proven by the archaeological excavations made here.

The upsurge of Veliko Tarnovo is related to the period of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185 – 1396). In 1185 the town was declared a capital of the restored Bulgarian State by the brothers Asen and Petar, which marked the end of the Byzantine dominion, that continued for 167 years.

After its selection for a capital, the town developed fast, as within the period 12th – 14th century it was the most unconquerable Bulgarian fortress, as well as a cultural and intellectual center of Bulgaria and the Balkan peninsula.

The village of Arbanasi is located on a high plateau 5 km from the city of Veliko Tarnovo.

It is known, that the village existed during the time of the Second Bulgarian State (1185 – 1396). At that time the Bolyari (Nobles), living in the capital Tarnovo, used it as a summer residence. According to the legend, the Tsar of Tarnovo minted coins here.

Day-4

Breakfast. Half day tour of Sofia, where you can enjoy the ancient and the modern at once. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in Sofia

Sofia – panoramic tour with transport and on foot, during which you will see the main sights – Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Parliament, Banya Bashi Mosque, The Synagogue, the National Theater, the Kings’ Palace.

Day-5

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.

Additional Days

You may add more days to your tour at special price for accommodation to explore Sofia by yourself or to join Zelanos one-day tours.

Prices: Upon request

• Person in DBL / TRPL

• Person in SNGL

• Child 2 – 11.99 y.o.

• Infant 0 – 1.99 y.o. – FREE

Included in the prices:

• 4 BB in 3* centrally located hotels

• Arrival, departure transfer

• Seat in luxury mini-van or mini-bus

• English speaking guide

• English speaking chauffeur

• All entrances in the sites visited during the tour

Supplements – optional:

• Lunch

• Dinner

• Accommodation in 4* and 5*  hotels supplement per person

Additional nights in Sofia, per person, per night:

• Hotels 3*

• Hotels 4* / 5*

Notes:

Please, send request for rates

Optional excursions:

• Wine tasting in Brestovitsa or Lyaskovets

• Folklore Dinner in Plovdiv

• Folklore Dinner in Sofia

• Visit of Boyana Church, UNESCO world heritage site in Sofia

• Full day tour of Rila Monastery and Bansko