Small-group Weekend trip to Bulgaria's most famous sites

1. 1

   Rila monastery and Plovdiv

   At 8:30, you will be picked by your guide from your hotel/accommodation in Sofia. You will have an hour and a half drive on a beautiful road to get to the first famous site, Rila Monastery. Situated deep in the dense pine forests of Rila Mountain, Rila Monastery is the biggest and most important Orthodox cloister in Bulgaria. It is an outstanding example of the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage, in which architecture and painting merge harmoniously. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St Ivan Rilski, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy place, and later on, a monastic complex was formed. It played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. After a nice lunch in the area of the monastery, we will continue our journey toward the second biggest city in Bulgaria- Plovdiv. It is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. The city has cultural and economic significance both in the past and in the present due to its strategic location. Pieces of evidence of its millennial history can be found all over the place – from the Roman Theatre to the Ottoman mosques. This is the reason why Plovdiv is one of the most charming sights in Bulgaria- wherever you look you will find history, a legend from a different period, traces of glorious past and at the same time, it’s a pleasure to see how vivid is it still and how it continues to develop and writes its new history. There, we will visit the highlights – the Roman Theatre, the Roman Stadium- and have a walk in the Old Town with typical for the Revival Period house museums and narrow cobblestone streets. The evening we will spend in Plovdiv. We will overnight in the heart of the Old town in a nice 3* hotel. You can enjoy your free time by visiting the famous area called "The trap". It is like a maze full of small craft beer and wine shops, wonderful restaurants, bars with live music, and many more places of entertainment.

2. 2

   Koprivshtica, Starosel and the heritage of the Thracians

   After a good Bulgarian breakfast, we will drive to our first point of interest which will send you further back in time to the ancient Thracian era at the Starosel Thracian Tomb. Explore the fascinating underground complex, marvel at the intricate murals, and learn about the intriguing rituals and beliefs of these mysterious people. As you stand in awe of the impressive burial chambers, you'll be transported to another world, where the past comes to life in vivid detail. Our next stop will bring us back into the 19th century. Koprivshtica is an architect reserve and it is like a time machine. The town is very important for the Bulgarian history and especially to the Revival period, and the struggle of the Bulgarians against the Ottomans. We will have a guided walking tour of the place. We will see some wonderful examples of the 19th-century Bulgarian architecture. We can have some nice traditional Bulgarian lunch before we head toward Sofia. When we arrive you will be dropped at any location in the city.

Difficulty

Easy

Guide

Guided tour in English

Start times

09:00

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