Bulgarian sites under UNESCO protection

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

The Bulgarian UNESCO sites tour is designed for those travelers who would like to get a real deep understanding of this contrasting and expansive country. The tour offers a wonderful balance of guided sightseeing and free time for personal explorations making the whole experience extremely fulfilling and leaving with you a good insight into Bulgarian history, culture and life. A Bulgaria holiday to be treasured for a long time afterwards!

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Day 1: ARRIVAL IN SOFIA

Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to your hotel, centrally located in the heart of Sofia. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner with folklore show at local restaurant. Overnight.

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Day 2: CITY TOUR OF SOFIA

Breakfast. Full day sightseeing tour of Sofia with visits to the Crypt (an icon museum), St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National museum of history and Boyana Church. The Boyana Church dates back to 1259 and is known for its 13th century murals, famous for their exceptional realism. Lunch at local restaurant. Free at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight.

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Day 3: SOFIA – VELIKO TARNOVO

Breakfast. Departure for the town of Veliko Tarnovo via the “Valley of Roses”. On the way you will visit the Kazanlak Tomb, the best preserved monument of Thracian art from 4th–3rd century B.C. The Tomb is not large, but it inspires the imagination with the beautiful ornaments and murals. The road proceeds to the town of Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of the second Bulgarian Kingdom. Accommodation at the centrally located hotel. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight.

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Day 4: VELIKO TARNOVO – IVANOVO - ROUSSE

Breakfast. Panoramic tour of Veliko Tarnovo with a visit to Tzarevetz Hill. Lunch at a local restaurant followed by a drive to Rousse. En route a visit of Ivanovo Rock Churches and cells, dug into the rock high above the picturesque canyon of the Roussenski Lom River, with 13th and 14th century murals of great artistic interest. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel in Rousse. Overnight.

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Day 5: ROUSSE – MADARA – SHUMEN

Breakfast. Departure for the town of Shumen. En route visit The Sveshtari Thracian-Hellenistic Tomb (3rd century BC). Visit The Madara Horseman – 7th century AD, an impressive bas-relief, carved out of the sheer rock, a unique site in Europe. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel in Shumen. Overnight.

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Day 6: SHUMEN – NESSEBAR

Breakfast. Early in the morning drive to The Museum Town of Nessebar. The town preserves the ruins of more than 40 medieval churches with murals, carvings and ceramic ornaments. The town is remarkable with its splendid houses, each of them a masterpiece of the Bulgarian architecture. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel in Nessebar / Bourgas. Overnight.

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Day 7: NESSEBAR – PLOVDIV

Breakfast. Early in the morning departure for the town of Plovdiv – Bulgaria’s second most important city. Guided tour of the old part of the town – a reserve of Bulgarian National Revival architecture (19th century) with a visit to the ethnographical museum. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel in Plovdiv. Overnight.

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Day 8: PLOVDIV – RILA MONASTERY

Breakfast. The road proceeds to The Rila Monastery, located in the heart picturesque setting of the Rila Mountains. It is the most famous monument of Bulgarian culture from the National Revival period. Visit the monastery complex and museum. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in the monastery area.

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Day 9: SOFIA – DEPARTURE

Breakfast. Drive to Sofia for the departure flight home.

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Price includes:

International Flights
Accommodation in double room on Full Board basis – 3 star hotels
Ground transport by luxury air-conditioned coach / car
Enter fees according to the programme
English Speaking guide assistance throughout the itinerary
All local taxes

This tour is subject to availability and is governed by Vamos Travel Terms & Conditions

“Serdica” hotel 3* - located in the heart of the city. There are 110 single and double rooms, 11 business rooms and 10 apartments in the Hotel, all equipped with a mini-bar, phone and cable TV. The guests of the Hotel can make use of the Conference hall with 65 places, another 3 Halls with 30 places and Business center. All halls are air-conditioned and offer Internet access.

Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo:

“Gurko” hotel 3* - located in the old part of the town, on quiet street, but near the center. The hotel offers 11 luxuriously furnished double rooms. All the rooms are supplied with mini bars, cable TV, air-conditioners, and bathrooms with bathtubs and lovely balconies that offer an incredible view of the area where houses cling to the cliffs. The hotel has a parking lot with a guard. The GURKO Hotel and Tavern Complex is a family business, a place where guests always come first and are treated as personal friends of the family. Whether on a business or pleasure trip, here, you will find the comfort you need to make the best out of your stay.

Accommodation in Rousse:

“Danube Plaza” hotel 3* - accommodation in the new part of the hotel; Located in city center. Services: Welcoming, Laundry and Valet., Concierge service desk., Reception and reservations 24 hours, Parking, Safety deposit box at the reception, Pets allowed in rooms, Color TV with cable and satellite programs, Exchange Agency, Secretary services, Bank, Room service, Telephone and fax, Medical services on call, Souvenirs boutique, Meeting events, conference and party arrangements arrangement, Conference and business facilities. Accommodations: Standard rooms, Special rooms, Business suit, Pink suit, all rooms with bathroom with shower, mini-bar, direct international telephone dialing, permanent internet connection, satellite and cable TV.

Accommodation in Shoumen:

“Shoumen” hotel 4* - located in the center of the town. 175 double rooms, 25 single rooms, and 20 suites. All rooms are air-conditioned and sound-proof, with luxurious bathroom, bath-tub, mini bar, cable TV, Internet access. VIP floor suites with 2 bathrooms and water massage baths. Round – the - clock room-service. Indoor swimming pool, life-guard on duty; sauna, fitness facility, massage, health service, laundry and ironing, hairdresser, shopping area, night club. 24 hour Internet access.

Accommodation in Bourgas:

“Bulgaria” hotel 3* - located in the center of the town. The hotel has 16 floors, each of them with a spectacular view to the Bourgas Bay or the old town. The hotel has 3 standard and 7 luxury suites, 75 single and 87 twin bed rooms. Every room has a bath-tub, mini-bar, direct phone, cable TV and radio. Hotel facilities, such as indoor swimming pool, restaurants, bars, conference halls, and fitness are available. All rooms are very well furnished and offer all standard facilities: like TV set, telephone, private bathroom and toilet, etc. Internet connection is available at the luxury rooms and suites.

Accommodation in Plovdiv:

“Trimontzium Princess” hotel 4* - located in the center of the town, between the old and the new part of Plovdiv. The 4 star Trimontium-Princess hotel welcomes you to its large, comfortable hotel rooms, 158 in total, including 4 suites and 12 rooms with Jacuzzi. The hotel and room facilities include: air-conditioning - individual climate (controlled heating) - direct dial telephone in the rooms - sat/cable TV - mini-bar - hairdryer - non-smoking rooms - shopping centre - business centre – sauna.