Sofia arrival at the airport. Meet your tour guide and panorama tour of the capital city of Bulgaria – Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia 6th c basilica, Parliament Square, National Theatre and the Old City Garden, Presidency, St. George rotunda, the ruins of Ancient Serdica. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Departure to Koprivshtitsa museum town - one of the most famous museum-towns in Bulgaria, declared national historical and architectural reserve, where one can still feel the spirit of the Bulgarian National revival. Narrow cobbled streets, arch-like bridges, stone fountains, high-stone walls with big gates, leading to picturesque houses create an inimitable romantic atmosphere. Late afternoon departure to Oreshak village, via Beklemeto mountain pass and the town of Troyan. The region is famous for the specific technique of the pottery masters as well as the premium plum brandy. Check in, dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Proceed to Troyan Monastery ( 3rd largest in Bulgaria ) and further to Veliko Turnovo – the medieval capital city of Bulgaria, picturesquely located on 4 hills above Yantra river. During the tour you will see the old part of Veliko Turnovo with Samovodska Charshia ( the old marketplace ), Gurko Street, Tsarevets Citadel with the Patriarh`s complex and Baldwin tower ( the leader of the 4th Crusade, who was imprisoned here ). Lesson-demonstration of woodcarving or pottery at the workshop of a local potter. We will continue to Arbanassi museum village, located on a hill above Veliko Turnovo to visit Nativity Church. Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Morning departure via Shipka mountain pass and Memorial Church ( photo stop ) to Kazanluk – the centre of the Valley of Roses, known as well as the Valley of the Thracian kings. Visit Kazanluk Thracian tomb ( UNESCO site, copy ). In the village of Skobelevo nearby, we will visit a family run rose distillery and taste some rose products. Continue to Plovdiv – the 2nd largest city in Bulgaria, European capital of Culture in 2019, as well as Europe`s oldest continuously inhibited city. We will visit the Old Plovdiv architecture reserve with the Ancient Theatre, St. St. Constantine and Helena Church, The Ethnographic museum ( the so-called Royal House ). If not too tired, evening walk in Kapana – the artistic neighbourhood of Plovdiv. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Departure south from Plovdiv to the region of the picturesque Rhodopes – the mountain of Orpheus. En route we will stop to Bachkovo Monastery – the 2nd largest monastery in Bulgaria, built in the 11th c and connected with the history of the 3rd Crusade. Proceed to Shiroka Luka museum village - ethnographic reserve which houses, amphitheatrically located on the two banks of the Shiroka Luka river are distinctive for their massive stone construction, bow windows, wood carved roofs and stone made chimneys. Overnight and Rhodope dinner at a traditional guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: family run guesthouse

We will continue our exploration of the Rhodope mountains and the picturesque traditional villages of the region – Leshten and Kovachevitsa. Kovachevitsa is regarded a hidden pearl of the mountains, established high in the Western Rhodopes in the end of the 14th c, despite the fact that remains of settlements from the 1st millennium BC have been unearthed here. The village is a national architecture reserve because of its small cobble stone streets and 2 to 4 floors houses built of only stone and wood. Afternoon arrival in Sandanski spa town, believed to be the home town of Spartacus – the Roman gladiator and leader of the slave uprising. Check in at a spa hotel and free time to use the spa facilities and the swimming pool with mineral water. Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Day tour to the nearby Rojen Monastery and Melnik – the smallest Bulgarian town, situated at the foothills of sandstone pyramids, where once wine cellars were dug. In bygone days, the caravans departed from here to Venice, Vienna and Egypt as far as Madrid along the wine routes. Visit Kordopulov House and its 200 meters long wine cellar, taste some local wines. Return to Sandanski and free time to use the spa facilities of the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Free morning at the hotel to use its spa facilities. Check out at noon and departure to Rila Monastery UNESCO site – the largest monastery in Bulgaria, located at Rila Mountain National Park. Lunch at a family-run restaurant not far from the monastery. Tour of the monastery and check in at a room within the monastery complex (with private facilities ). Enjoy the place, spend the night there.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila

Departure to Sofia, possible tour ( based on the arrival time on Day 1 ). Farewell dinner with folklore program. Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel