DAY 1 Sofia
Welcome to the Capital of Bulgaria, Sofia! On your arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel for check-in. The rest of your day is free to start your exploration.

Stay at: Best Western Bristol (4 star), Hotel Central (4 star) or similar
Meals included: -

DAY 2 Sofia
After breakfast, embark on a panoramic tour of this 8500-year-old city. Highlights includes the ruins of the Roman Serdica, the 6th century Church of St. Sofia, National Parliament and the medieval Boyana Church on the slopes of Mt. Vitosha. In the afternoon, you have free time to further explore Sofia with a wander through the Vitosha Art Boulevard, with its boutiques, shops and cafes, recommended. Tonight, you can take an optional tour to have dinner at a Bulgarian folk style restaurant with a folklore show.

Stay at: Best Western Bristol (4 star), Hotel Central (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 3 Sofia - Veliko Tarnovo
This morning, depart for Arbanassi, famous for its ancient, richly decorated churches and magnificent architecture. In the afternoon, a delicious home-cooked meal with a local family will be served for lunch. An optional cooking lesson in a local house is also available should you wish to learn how to prepare a traditional Bulgarian dish, followed by a home-made lunch. Afterwards, depart for Bulgaria’s former capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Here, a city tour will show you historic Tsarevets Hill as well as the Patriarchal Church and Emperor Baldwin’s Tower. This evening, enjoy some free time with a walk along the old trade street ‘Samovodska Charshia’ where there is an opportunity to shop for souvenirs.
Stay at: Grand Hotel Yantra (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 4 Veliko Tarnovo - Kazanlak - Rose Valley - Plovdiv
After breakfast visit the Etara Open-Air Museum where you will discover over 300 years of Bulgarian traditions, and then travel over the Shipka Pass to Kazanluk. A city tour of Kazanluk will visit the Historical Museum which houses the 4th century Thracian Kazanlak Tomb. Following the tour travel through the Valley of the Roses to learn about the production of Bulgarian rose oil, before continuing to Plovdiv.

Stay at: Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium (4 star), Authentic Hill house in Old Town or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 5 Plovdiv - Leshten
This morning, discover Plovdiv’s highlights on a walking tour through the beautiful Old Town. See the Ancient Theatre, the Fortress walls, the oldest church in the city – “St. Constantine and St. Helena” and more! You will also visit the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis with its impressive mosaics from Roman times – a real masterpiece from the Late Antique art, then, the Muslim temple of Dzhoumaya Mosque and the Roman Stadium on the main street of Plovdiv. After the sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, head to the Rhodope Mountains to visit a unique carpet factory, producing giant carpets of more than 100 m2. Continue with your journey to Leshten and get on to an attractive train trip in the mountain. Your traditional rural house accommodation awaits you for dinner and check-in, offering a unique atmosphere and experience.
Note: According to the timetable of the train, the schedule for this day may change.

Stay at: Leshten Rural House or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 6 Leshten - Melnik - Sandanski
After breakfast, travel through the picturesque Pirin Mountains to Bulgaria’s most famous wine growing region, the Struma River Valley. Here you will visit a family run vineyard and have the opportunity to sample some of the region’s wines. Leave the Struma Valley for beautiful Melnik to see its natural ‘sand pyramid’ rock formations, and visit the Kordopulova Museum, built in the Bulgarian revivalist style, before a drive to the town of Sandanski, birthplace of Spartacus and now one of the biggest spa resorts in the country

Stay at: Interhotel Sandanski (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 7 Sandanski - Rila Monastery - Sofia
A morning departure for Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest spiritual centre. This 10th century monastery contains a rich collection of icons, wall-paintings and rare books and is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. After lunch in a local restaurant, return to Sofia for a final evening at leisure.

Stay at: Best Western Bristol (4 star), Hotel Central (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 8 Sofia
Your Authentic Bulgaria tour concludes with breakfast and a departure transfer for your onward journey

Meals included: Breakfast