CITY BREAK

DAY 1 SOFIA ARRIVAL & HALF DAY CITY TOUR OF THE CITY

Arrival at Sofia Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon half day visit.

Sofia is a city with a 7000-year history, which makes it a unique phenomenon in Europe, and places it among the settlements dating back to most distant antiquity. It has the hectic atmosphere of a big capital city and a compact centre where all main sites can be visited on foot. Roads from all parts of the world have been meeting here - peoples have come and gone, civilizations have advanced and declined, but the city has remained. Sofia is the only European capital with a mountain within 20 min. from the city center. Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and its largest city.

Walking city tour which includes: Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St Sofia Church, Parliament square, the monument of King Liberator, Russian church, National Theatre, The Ethnographic Museum, The National art Gallery outside, Archeological Museum outside, the Presidency, St. George`s Rotunda, St. Nedelya square.

DAY 2 DAY FOR OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS – DAILY DEPARTURES

OPTION 1: FULL DAY TOUR TO RILA MONASTERY AND BOYANA CHURCH
Two UNESCO sites in one day

AVAILABLE: DAILY, DURATION: 7h

Rila Monastery is definitely a must-see. The arcaded balconies, the unique frescoes – a work of one of the most famous Bulgarian Revival Period painters, the gilded iconostasis, the fabulous mountain views… and the unique combination of them all makes the visit to the monastery extraordinary and memorable one. One will have at least two full hours of free time at the Rila Monastery to explore the most visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria, enter the main church and take photos of the narthex’s gallery, admire the exhibits in the History Museum of the Monastery, try the tasty "mekitsi" (Bulgarian donnuts) with delicious buffalo’s yogurt (local specialty) or even have a short walk in the area.
The Boyana Church's frescoes bring epochal change in the mural painting and are considered predecessors of the European Renaissance. The majority of more then 240 figures depicted there have individuality, vitality and psychological dept.

REMARKS&LOGISTICS:

- Pickup point: The meeting point is behind "Alexandar Nevski" Cathedral at 9:00 am sharp.

11:20 am is the expected time of arrival at Rila Monastery.
- The transfer from Rila Monastery to Boyana Church starts at approximately 1:30 pm. The expected time of arrival at the Boyana Church is 3:30 pm. You will have 30 minutes at the Boyana Church.
- 4:30-5:00 pm you will be back at Alexandar Nevski Cathedral.

Prices: 25 Euro per adult; 20 Euro per child;

The price includes: English speaking guide-driver and all transportation/parking costs.

The price does not include: Entrance fees, meals and other personal expenses.

Admission fees (not included): 4 Euro for Rila Monastery Museum, 5 Euro for Boyana Church

Extras:

- Audioguide in German, Italian, Spanish and Russian - 5 Euro per device

- Hotel pick-up & drop off - 5 Euro per pp

OPTION 2: FULL DAY TOUR TO PLOVDIV & KOPRIVSHTITSA

AVAILABLE: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DURATION: 11 h

Discover the cities of Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa on this full-day tour from Sofia. The amusing mixture of traditions, culture, and architectural masterpieces are a must-see for every culture-hungry traveler.

A 2-hour drive from Sofia will take you to the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city and one of its oldest towns. Within 2-3 hours of walking along the city you will discover history and culture behind an 7000-year old settlement, written by the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Bulgarian civilizations. You can enjoy sightseeing in the Old Town with its museums, historical monuments, revival period houses, lined with souvenir shops cobbled streets or get impressed by the rich Ethnographical Museum and the ancient Roman Theater. Feel the atmosphere of this artistic and trade center and enjoy a lunch at the local restaurants.

Next stop on your way back is the charming town of Koprivshtitsa with its fascinating history and authentic 19 th-century architecture. Spend the rest of the day in the leisure of this small and picturesque city situated in central Bulgaria, spread amongst the slopes of Stara Planina Mountains, that carries a specific spirit of tranquility and eternity. Once scene of battles for the liberation of Bulgaria, now the city is turned into museum of the Revival Period of Bulgaria. Here you can visit the homes of some of the most eminent Bulgarians, writers and rebels, admire the vast collections of ethnographical treasures, including ancient weapons, intricate national costumes and stunning jewelry.

REMARKS&LOGISTICS:

- Pick-up point: The meeting point is behind "Alexandar Nevski" Cathedral and just in front of "Mamma Mia" Restaurant at 8:30 am sharp.

10:30 am is the expected time of arrival at Plovdiv .
- The transfer from Plovdiv to Koprivshtitsa is approximately 1:30 pm. The expected time of arrival at Koprivshtitsa is 2:30 pm. You will have 2-3h in Koprivshtitsa.
- 5:30-7:30 pm you will be back at Alexandar Nevski Cathedral.
 

Price: 45 Euro per adult; 30 Euro per child

The price includes: English speaking guide-driver throughout the tour, all transportation costs with a modern vehicle with A/C

The price does not include: Entrance fees, meals and other personal expenses 

Admission fees (not included): 4 Euro for Koprivshtitsa, 2.5 Eur for the Ancient Theatre, 2.5 Eur for the Ethnographic Museum in Plovdiv.

DAY 3 SOFIA DEPARTURE

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.