Highlights

• Experience the Ancient World better than anyone - we have tremendous contacts and experience to achieve whatever you're looking for.
• Go wine tasting and meet the winemakers in Europe's oldest vineyards. 
• See the highest mountains in the Balkans and breath the purest air in Europe
• Experience some of the world's most scenic landscapes
• Get off the beaten track, we are known for this 
• Meet the locals - engage in humour and share stories
• Learn some of the local Ancient languages - pick up a few phrases and practice Slavic
• Connect with your Ancestors - many people from all over the world have links to the Balkans. 
• Return relaxed, informed and in love with the Bulgarian Balkans 

Included:

• 4 Star Accommodation or equivalent on a Bed and Breakfast Basis 
• Meet and Greet at Airport
• Transfers to and from hotel
• Expert driver/guide
• Comfortable touring vehicle
• Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
• Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels

 

Not included

 

• Flights - purchase your own flights in/out of destination 
• Gratuities minimum recommended $20 per person per day
• Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
• Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway. 

 

Detailed Itinerary:

 

Day 1

Arrive in Sofia, ancient Capital of Bulgaria and the most populous city. Relax in the surrounds of the old city and explore Vitosha street with the snow-covered peak in the background. Check-into hotel after your meet and greet, freshen up and meet with the local guide for a walking tour from your central location. Ask as many questions as you can, this is your opportunity to understand Serdika, the old Celtic name for the city. There are many great dining options and a lot of cultural gems to uncover, such as the national history musuem. 

 

Day 2

 

Today we'll enjoy the UNESCO Bojana Church dating back to the 11th century and see untouched splendours in this historic setting perched high above the capital. Breath the fresh air and learn all about the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Bulgarian language, Slavic tribes and more. See gold, lapis lapsilum and more as you see the famous Church wall frescoes bringing a millenary life back to the present day. Truly a magnificent visit. Enjoy the mountainous cuisine in a local, traditional restaurant if you wish and enjoy the splendorous views down to the plains below. 

In the afternoon, return to Sofia to enjoy more culture, coffee, and musuems with our local bilingual guide and driver, who'll give you the panoramic city tour you dreamt of. 

 

Day 3/4

 

Today we head for the highest mountainous region in the Carpathians. By visiting the spectacular Rila Monastery, you will fully understand the beauty of nature here and why the monks of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church decided to live high up the valley, untouched by the passing troops of the Ottomon armies and other invaders into Bulgaria over the centuries. Life continues at an even pace, tucked away in a mountainous corner of this splendid high-altitude paradise. 

Continue south after lunch at the monastery restaurant to the spectacular upland region criss-crossed by vineyards, farms, streams, meadows, rivers, ravines and mountains alike. Overnight in the countryside with a traditional Bulgarian family on their farm. Meet the animals and see how they live, as well as enjoy pure, clean air and fresh, organic foods all from the farm. 

 

Day 5

 

Today we cross the Rodopi mountains of Southern Bulgaria, close to the Greek Border. Sample local cheeses, local foods and wines and admire the spectacular views in this tremendously historic area. Stop for a cruise on the famous lake with Dospat city nearby. Enjoy the history of the region as it peppers your travel through the high mountains. Stop to meet some local people in a village in the high plains and learn about life through the seasons. See the animals, notice the architecture, experience local customs and clothing and understand how life is from winter right through to autumn in this spectacular forested landscape of Southern Bulgaria. 

Arrive in the evening to your hotel in the old town of Plovdiv. Bring comfortable walking shoes as much of the ground is of ancient stone construction and wearing high heels or flat hard shoes without grip is not recommended.  Check into hotel for three nights. 

 

Day 6

 

Today we meet the local guide here in Plovdiv, European capital of culture in 2019, and one of the foodie meccas of the world. With some of the best fruit and veg in Europe, you will not be disappointed whether your a total carnivore or prefer salads, fruits and fresh juices. See some local violinists in the streets busking, engage with bag pipers as they play the traditional Bulgarian instruments in local costume on the main square and enjoy the fantasic depth of culture stretching back 5,000 Years. 

See the Roman amphitheatre, famous houses, galleries, musuems and the 7 hills on which the town was built. Originally a Macedon settlement named Philippopolis - Philip's City (father of Alexander the Great) - enjoy the thousands of years of history provided by Antiquity and Classic Europe. Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Thracian cultures have all left their stunning mark on this incredibly historical city. 

 

Day 7

 

Today we explore Ancient Thracian Culture north of the city with Thracian tombs that are several thousand years old, followed by lunch and wine at a stunning location in the mountains north of the city. Enjoy a guided tour and learn about Bulgarian wine history, one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. The reds and whites are both spectacular. The food at the vineyard is quite simply stunning, trust us, we know great cuisine when we encounter it. Service is great and the hosts care about you and your experience of their lands and its fruits. 

Return to Plovdiv where you can decide which of the many musuems, galleries and attractions interest you most. We like Plovdiv City History Museum, Roman Stadium, Ottoman Mosque (one of the only ones of this style left in Europe, the only one in Bulgaria), Regional Ethnographic Musuem, Plovdiv Aviation Musuem (just outside the city), walk the hills of Plovdiv, try Mavrud wine or rakia and much more. 

 

Day 8 

 

After breakfast we take head for ancient Roman city Burgas on the spectacular Black Sea, where we stay for one night. Check into hotel, catch our breadth, have a bite to eat and then we head close to the Turkish Border in the afternoon to explore the fishing village of Ahtopol.

Enjoy the wonderfully historic coastal village of Ahtopol. Here you'll find fishing culture, fresh seafood, calm waters on the Black Sea, laid back local men and women enjoying coffee and talking to one another. Like time travel, just slow down and absorb local life. Try some fish, fruits, vegetables, try a glass of white or juice and just relax by the sea. 

After your lunch, walk with us around the small town and experience the beautiful historic architecture. We'll stop off to visit a friend of ours in the old town who speak great English and they'll give you all latest news, gossip and history of the place. Of course, your guide is present with you for the day as well. Return to your centrally located Varna Hotel - trust us, this one is a great place to stay. 

 

Day 9 

 

Have breakfast in this stunning hotel and depart for a panoramic of the town on the coach. Stop off the at the famous Archeological Musuem where you can see Thracian gold jewelry fabricated over 6,000 years ago that's world renowned. We also enjoy the Retro Musuem which houses a collection of perfectly preserved Soviet momentos from cigarettes all across the former Soviet states to classic cars from the same areas over several decades. The wax musuem adjacent is also worth a visit, as are many more attractions in Varna. 

The Stone forest and Cathedral of the Assumption should be high on everyone's list and the guide with the group will choose an itinerary matching interests for the day. There's a maritime museum and a monastery also worth seeing. 

 

Day 10

 

After breakfast at our magnificent hotel, carry on northward to the stunningly renowned UNESCO church town of Nessbar. The drive takes you through rolling Black Sea forest scenery. On the way stop in Balchik seaside village to explore the Botanic Gardens perched over the Black Sea with stunning sun and scenery illuminating the way. 

We have a stunning lunch on a nearby hilltop venue dining in exclusive fashion overlooking what life is all about - gentle breezes, azure waters, unlimited horizons and pure feelings. 

Take the flight home from Varna Airport (an imporant regional and international airport from where you can fly to anywhere in Europe to continue on another of our programme's or you can continue into Romania with us where we commence the trip in Constanta, Black Sea Roman city with a lot of history, superb beaches, great marina and many historical attractions).  See our Romania section for more details. This Northern Balkan country is famous for Castles, superb cuisine outrageously beautiful landscapes, as well as kind and caring people.