ITINERARY
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Travel Day
Arrange your international flight to leave your home city sometime today, arriving in Sofia, Bulgaria tomorrow morning. (Search for flights using the airport code: SOF) As with most of our international tours, we recommend that you consider arriving one day early to get over the jet lag. We will be happy to help you reserve an additional night at our group hotel if you decide to arrive in Sofia early.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Arrival in Sofia
Try to schedule a flight that arrives before 1:00pm today so you do not miss the city sightseeing tour this afternoon. One group transfer is provided from the airport to the hotel, and it will be timed to accommodate the greatest number of arriving passengers before 1:00pm.
Our group meets for the first time in the hotel lobby at 2:00pm this afternoon to commence a half-day sightseeing tour of Sofia. Dating back to the fourth century BC, the ancient capital of Sofia is making an attempt to become a modern metropolis, but its rich heritage prompts the most interest. It has a wealth of different architectural styles including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and Turkish. The city boasts many theaters, museums, opera houses, art galleries, universities, open-air markets, and parks (over 300 of them).
The tour includes a general orientation and overview of the city center, plus entrance to several of the most historic churches: Alexander Nevsky, Boyana, St. Petka and St. Sofia. This evening we celebrate the start of our adventure together with a cocktail and introductions at the hotel followed by a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (Welcome Dinner included)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Rila Monastery / Plovdiv
After a hot buffet breakfast at our hotel, we depart into the countryside, traveling by motorcoach into the majestic Rila Mountains. Our destination this morning is the Rila Monastery, the country’s most famous site, which is hidden away in a remote forested valley. Founded in the late 13th century, this complex is no delicate religious structure but an imposing medieval fortress. UNESCO included the Rila Monastery on its list of World Heritage Sites in 1983. After lunch, we continue on to the town of Plovdiv, arriving in late afternoon. Enjoy some free time after hotel check-in, followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant. (All Meals)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Plovdiv Sightseeing
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city. It has a lovely old town, which has been completely restored to its mid-19th century appearance. Each street is packed with charming houses, museums, and galleries. Another distinctive feature is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the Balkans, still used for performances to this day. We tour the Roman sites, then visit the Ethnographic National Museum.
After lunch, visit the hilltop of Nebet Tepe, where the ruins of Eumoplas, a Thracian settlement dating back to 5000 B.C., overlook the town. We also visit the Bachkovski Monastery which ranks second only after the Rila Monastery both with regard to size, and to architectural, artistic and literary significance. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel. (All Meals)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Kazanlak / Nessebar
Enjoy a morning at leisure today in Plovdiv. Our day of touring begins with lunch at a local restaurant after we have checked out of our hotel. After lunch we drive 75 miles to the town of Kazanlak. Tucked between two mountain ranges, it was originally settled in ancient times as the Roman city of Sevtopolis. The main attraction is a heavily secured Thracian Tomb, discovered during the building of a bomb shelter in World War II and now another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continuing on to the Black Sea, we arrive at our destination, Nessebar, in the late afternoon. We have sea view rooms at an all inclusive resort, so we gather this evening for dinner with all local beverages included! (All Meals)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Free Day
Nessebar is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one look at the town will clue you in to the reason. This is one incredibly scenic spot everywhere you look, with several Byzantine church ruins alongside narrow cobblestone streets. The entire day is free to explore on your own. You might stroll into the old town to seek out museums and historical sites, or stroll along the waterfront. Your Toto host and your tour guide will be happy to help you set up optional adventures that won’t duplicate tomorrow’s touring. Our resort is all inclusive, which means we enjoy all meals, snacks, soft drinks and local alcohol brands at no additional charge. (All Meals and Beverages)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Varna
Partake in a guided tour of Nesabar this morning. We see the old town and visit several old churches. Also included are tours of the Archeological Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and the New Metropolitan Church (St. Stephen). Returning to our resort for lunch, we then continue north along the Black Sea coast to the unusual town of Varna. It is a constantly surprising place, contrasting cosmopolitan city life and Black Sea gaiety with hidden side streets and ancient Roman ruins. Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour, visiting the Bogoroditsa Cathedral and the Roman Thermae, a spa facility built in the 2nd century A.D. Dinner included at our hotel. (All Meals)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Madara / Arbanasi / Veliko Turnovo
Our day begins with a drive to Madara, an important Thracian town around 5000 B.C. and later during Roman occupation. Today the town is famous mainly for the Madara Horseman, a series of cliff carvings done in the 8th century and now recognized as another World Heritage Site by UNESCO. After stopping to view the Horseman we continue on to Arbanasi, one of Bulgaria’s most lovely historic monastery villages. We stop for lunch and take an afternoon sightseeing tour, including the Holy Nativity Church with exquisite frescoes, and the gorgeous 17th century Konstantsalieva House.
Our final destination today is Veliko Turnovo. After settling into our rooms, we visit the Lyaskovets Winery to taste several regional wines, cheese and bread with dinner. (All Meals)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Veliko Turnovo Sightseeing / Return to Sofia
Veliko Turnovo is perhaps unrivaled in all of Europe for its spectacular and romantic setting. The Yantra River winds its way through a tree-lined gorge, atop which sits the ancient capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire from the 12th to 14th centuries. On Tsaravets Hill, the ruins of a massive fortress overlook the old town and dominate the skyline. Archaeologists have found the remains of 400 houses , 18 churches, many monasteries, shops, gates and watchtowers.
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of the main sights, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Digest and relax during the three hour drive back to Sofia, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner is included at our hotel. (All Meals)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is entirely free to explore Sofia in more depth and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. Tonight we celebrate the choices we made throughout the tour during a Farewell Dinner at one of Sofia’s lovely restaurants. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast. Arrange your international flight to depart any time today. We provide one group transfer to the airport, timed to accommodate the greatest number of departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet your needs, we will assist you in arranging a private transfer to the airport. Let us know if you would like to extend your stay at our hotel in Sofia. (Breakfast)
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