Classic Touring
Max 35 Group Size
All Breakfasts
Day 2 Sofia
Join your Tour Manager for a walking tour of Sofia. As you explore you'll discover highlights including onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and many of the country's finest museums and galleries.
This afternoon, why not join us for an optional excursion to the Rila Monastery. Founded by a hermit monk in around 927 AD, it's the largest monastery in Bulgaria. An architectural masterpiece, beautiful frescoes adorn the walls and ceiling of the main church and a museum tells the story of its history.
Day 3 Plovdiv
Today you're going to explore Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria. Situated at the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, Plovdiv is a cosmopolitan place with architectural landmarks dating back to the Thracian, Roman and Ottoman eras. You'll discover the Old Town and see its 2nd century Roman amphitheatre, which was uncovered during a landslide in 1972.
Once you have your bearings, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.
Day 4 Plovdiv - Nessebar - Varna
After breakfast, we'll make our way to Nessebar. This UNESCO-listed city is situated on a rocky peninsula jutting out into the Black Sea and is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Here you'll find remains of Roman and medieval walls and cobblestone streets lined with houses built in Bulgarian National Revival style. The city is renowned for its many ancient churches built during different periods of history. Each has a tale to tell, from the Church of St John the Baptist with its cylindrical dome to St Stephen's Church and its 16th century frescoes. Our tour also takes in the archaeological museum, where exhibits chart Nessebar's fascinating history.
Later we'll drive to Varna and dinner this evening will be served at a traditional restaurant and wine cellar.
Day 5 Varna - at Leisure
After a busy few days, today has been left free for you to relax on Varna's sandy beach. Alternatively, you can join our optional sightseeing tour of Varna. It begins at the Cathedral, then takes you to the archaeological museum, where thousands of exhibits found in Varna and the surrounding area are housed. Some of the artefacts date back to the region's prehistoric settlements and they include the oldest gold treasure in the world. We will see the well-preserved remains of the Roman thermal baths and the beautiful Sea Garden, a large landscaped park running parallel to the coastline. There will also be time to stroll through Varna's streets lined with historic buildings, shops and cosy cafés.
Day 6 Varna - Veliko Tarnovo
You're heading to Veliko Tarnovo, a town in the Balkan Mountains, and on the way, you'll pack in plenty of sightseeing. Your first stop is Madara, where you'll see the impressive Madara Horseman. This early medieval rock relief is carved into a plateau and depicts a horseman trailed by a running dog, with a lion crushed beneath the horse's hooves. The sculpture was created in the 7th century more than 20 metres up a 100-metre-high cliff and is one of Bulgaria's most famous monuments.
Veliko Tarnovo is home to a reconstructed fortress and well-maintained streets lined with wooden houses. Perhaps walk up Zarevets Hill to enjoy breathtaking views over the town and the numerous monasteries that decorate the picturesque gorges of the Yantra River.
Day 7 Veliko Tarnovo - Sofia
Today we head to the open-air museum of Etara. In all, this museum boasts 50 sites showcasing Bulgarian life at the turn of the 19th century. Stroll around and relive the past as you watch bell-makers, potters and other artisans at work.
Later we'll journey through the spectacular Shipka Pass, which winds through mountainous terrain, on our way to a rose-oil distillery. The damask rose, or Bulgarian rose, has a deep and intense scent, and the country is one of the top producers of rose oil. This highly prized commodity is used to make some of the world's most famous and expensive perfumes - to make just 1kg of oil it takes three tonnes of petals. This is why rose oil is known as 'liquid gold'. You'll see how it is produced on your tour and will even get to sample products including rose water and rose and lavender oil. Next, we'll head to Kazanlak to see a Thracian tomb dating back to the 4th century BC.
Tonight, we're going to head back into Sofia to enjoy dinner and a traditional folklore show. The restaurant we are going to dates back to the 19th century and is located close to Lion's Bridge. An array of delicious Bulgarian specialities will be on the menu, including porcini soup served in a bowl of bread.
Day 8 Sofia - UK
Today we'll transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, either make your own way home or your Travelsphere Private Chauffeur Service will be waiting for the journey home (if you've pre-booked).
Meals included: B
