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Monastery Tour
offered by supplier M18975 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 4
- 10
day(s)
Group Size: 8
- 30
people
Destination(s):
Bulgaria
Specialty Categories:
Church Tours
Cultural Journey
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 520 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 745 Euro (EUR)
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Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in Sofia. A transfer and accommodation at hotel, centrally located. A panoramic city tour of Sofia with visit of Boyana Church dated 1259, known for its 13th century murals, famous for their exceptional realism. Back to the hotel. Dinner with folklore show at local restaurant. Overnight.
Day 2: Sofia - Zemen Monastery – Rila Monastery - Plovdiv
Breakfast. Drive to Zemen Monastery founded during the 14th century. A solid stone building the Zemen church is an absolute exception to the whole of Bulgaria's medieval architecture. The decoration by two rows of blind arches - is unique in the entire Balkan Peninsula. The road continues to – The Rila Monastery, picturesque located in the heart of Rila Mountains. It is the most famous monument of Bulgarian culture, spiritual center of Bulgarians for more than 10 centuries.
The icons, iconostasis and murals are samples of the outstanding Bulgarian renaissance art schools from the National Revival period. The interior is a beautiful interlace of colonnades arches, wooden staircases and verandas. The museum keeps a rich collection of books, manuscripts and icons. Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer to the city of Plovdiv - Bulgaria’s second most important city. Plovdiv is an extraordinary combination of monuments from different époques - from Philip II Macedonian until the present days. Accommodation at the hotel, centrally located. Dinner & overnight.
Day 3: Plovdiv - Bachkovo Monastery - Plovdiv
Breakfast. City tour of the Old Town a reserve of Bulgarian National Revival period (19-th century) – visits of the Ethnographic museum and the Roman Amphitheater. Lunch at a typical, Plovdiv style, local restaurant in the old town. In the afternoon visit to Bachkovo Monastery. The second biggest Bulgarian monastery (founded in 1083) is chiefly known for its original architecture, rich collections of old icons, jewelry, coins and church plate. The Holy Trinity and St. Nicholas church (1840) contain some of the first murals painted by the celebrated National Revival artist Zahari Zograph. On the way back to Plovdiv visit to Assenova Krepost – Assen’s Fortress (12-14century) and the Saint Petka Petrichka Church. It preserves small bits of wall paintings dated from the 14-19 centuries. It is one of the most valuable representations of sacral architecture in Bulgaria. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Plovdiv – Kazanlak - Bourgas
Breakfast. Departure for Bourgas via the Rose valley. A stopover in Kazanlak for a visit of The Thracian Tomb - the best preserved monument of Thracian art in Bulgaria dated 4th–3rd century B.C. The Tomb is not large, but it inspires the imagination with the beautiful ornaments and murals. Lunch in Kazanlak. The road proceeds to Bourgas. Accommodation. Free at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight.
Day 5: Bourgas - Nessebar – Varna
Breakfast. Departure for Varna. A stopover in The Museum Town of Nessebar picturesque situated on small peninsula. It preserves the ruins of more than 40 medieval churches with murals and carvings, ceramic ornaments. The town is remarkable with its splendid houses – each of them a masterpiece of the Bulgarian architecture. The unique atmosphere of Nessebar is an unforgettable experience. Sightseeing tour of the town of Nessebar with a visit of Hristos Pantocrator Church and St. Stefan church. Drive along the sea to the “summer capital city” of Bulgaria – the city of Varna. Panoramic tour of Varna and visit of the Archeological museum. Lunch at a local restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner & overnight.
Day 6: Varna – Madara – Veliko Turnovo
Breakfast. On the way to Veliko Turnovo – a visit of The Madara Horseman - 7th century AD, an impressive bas-relief, carved out of the sheer rock, unique in Europe. Arrival in Veliko Turnovo – the ex-capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12-14century), one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria picturesque situated up on several hills on both sides of Yantra River. The houses are perched one above the other on the steep slopes making an incredible panorama. Accommodation at the hotel, centrally located. Dinner & overnight.
Day 7: VelikoTurnovo – Ivanovo – Veliko Turnovo
Breakfast. A stroll in the old part between the small shops and narrow streets with visit of Tzarevetz Hill with the remains of the fortress, the ex-royal palace and Patriarch church. Departure for Rousse – the biggest and most beautiful Bulgarian city on Danube River. Lunch at the local restaurant. 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. On the way back to Veliko Turnovo a visit to Kilifarevo monastery. Back to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant in Veliko Turnovo. Overnight.
Day 8: Veliko Turnovo – Troyan Monastery – Koprivshtitza – Sofia
Breakfast. Departure for Sofia. En route a visit of Troyan monastery– the second largest in Bulgaria, famous with its icons, iconostasis and murals – samples of the outstanding Bulgarian renaissance art schools. Lunch in a local restaurant near the monastery. Crossing the Balkan Mountains by the magnificent Troyan pass on the way for the museum town of Koprivshtitza – one of the unique Bulgarian towns having presented the original architectural heritage from the Bulgarian Revival period. A transfer for Sofia. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel. Overnight.
Day 9: Sofia
Breakfast. City tour of Sofia. Visit to the churches of St. Sophia, St. Petka and the St. George Rotunda (4th c.), The Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevski. Lunch at local restaurant. A Visit to The National Museum of History with its genuine treasures of ancient arts. Back to Sofia. Free at leisure. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 10: Breakfast. Free at leisure. Transfer to Sofia Airport for the flight home.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 9 overnights in double room on full board basis
- Ground transport by luxury air-conditioned coach
- Enter fees according to the program
- English speaking guide assistance throughout the itinerary
- All local taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Spiritual Odyssey
Church Tours
Cultural Journey
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, ext: 18975
