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Better Moment Bulgaria - Small Group Guided Tours
Historical Towns, Ancient Cities, Magnificent Mountains
Monasteries, the Black Sea, Caves, Hikes ....

Discover the Magic
of Bulgaria

15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS

Join us on this 15-day (14 nights) tour through Bulgaria where you will see and experience the key highlights of this impressive country.

 

Culture, historical towns, ancient cities, wild nature, magnificent mountain chains, monasteries, small old cosy mountain villages, the Black Sea with endless rough cliffs, and many-many more interesting sights. Fantastic food and extremely tasty Bulgarian wines.

 

All of this together in a small maximum group of only 6 guests, in a comfortable (brand new) 9 seater mini-van, with all the comforts including air-conditioning. Guided and driven by a couple, who fell in love with this country, and who are travelling every year thousands of kilometres in Bulgaria to discover the (un)known secrets for their guests.

 

Did you know that Bulgaria is the oldest country in Europe having the same name (since 681)?

Did you know that Plovdiv (Philippopolis, a polis by Philip the Great) is the oldest European city (ca. 8000 years old)?

Did you know that grape wine in Bulgaria was already made in ca. 4000 BC?

 

When you return home after this tour you will be full of wonderful sights and great memories.

Itinerary

ITINERARY

Day 1 (ca. 325 km)

Sofia – Buzludzha Monument - Shipka Church – Shipka Monument - Veliko Tarnovo

  • Meeting at Metropolitan Hotel Sofia
    After morning-introduction tour departure

  • Drive to Buzludzha Socialistic Monument
    Visit the beautiful Russian Shipka memorial Church

  • While crossing the Shipka Pass we visit the Shipka Monument
    In memory of the war against the Ottoman empire 

  • Overnight in the old city of Veliko Tarnovo
    This evening a welcome dinner is included

Day 2 (ca. 70 KM)

Veliko Tarnovo – Transfiguration Monastery – Nicopolis ad Istrum – Tsarevets 

  • Visit to Transfiguration Monastery
    Unique Monastery in the mountains

  • Nicopolis and Istrum, founded around the period 102-106 A.D.
    Ruins from a Roman and early Byzantine town

  • Guided city walk in Veliko Tarnovo and visit the Fortress, Tsarevets
    A local guide will show you around this old city

  • Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo

Day 3 (ca. 112 KM)

Veliko Tarnovo – Open Air Ethnographic Village Etarat– Sokolski Monastery 

  • In the morning - free time in Veliko Tarnovo
    Wander around in the old cosy centre with narrow handy craft streets

  • A visit to Etarat, Ethnographic open-air museum village
    Learn more about life and economy during the Bulgarian National Revival period

  • Bulgarian Orthodox Monastery, Sokolski (1833)
    Monastery with big cosy yard and beautiful old chapel 

  • Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo

Day 4 (ca. 330 KM)

Veliko Tarnovo - Founders of The Bulgarian State Memorial – Balchik - Black Sea Coast (Kavarna/Shabla)

  • Driving to the Founders of The Bulgarian State Memorial
    Monument built in 1981 to commemorate 1300 anniversary of the  Bulgarian state

  • Towards the beautiful surroundings of Balchik at the Black Sea coast
    A visit to the Botanical gardens and the famous Balchik Palace

Day 5 (ca. 80 KM)

Black Sea Coast (Kavarna/Shabla), Shabla Light House – Kavarna/Shabla

  • A visit to Shabla Light House
    Picturesque old light house with great view 

  • Today we have a fantastic hike along the cliffs of the Black Sea Coast
    Several hours of walking with breath-taking views, sea rock formations, caves, and a nice picnic on the cliffs up to 70 meters high (ca. 4 hours)

  • Optional evening trip to a lake with birds watching and a possibility for dinner
    When everyone is fit after the walk, we offer an optional (free) trip to a great restaurant (dinner not incl.) close to a bird lake

  • Overnight in Kavarna or Shabla

Day 6 (ca. 80 KM)

Black Sea Coast (Kavarna/Shabla), Cape Kaliakra – Kavarna/Shabla

  • Visit to Cape Kaliakra with medieval Fortress
    70 meters above the sea on the cliffs… try to see Dolphins and birds

  • Relaxing afternoon on the beach at the small bay Bolata
    Beach surrounded by red rocks for a nice climb 

  • Overnight in Kavarna or Shabla

Day 7 (ca. 185 KM)

Kavarna – Varna  (Retro Museum and The Sea garden) – Nesebar

  • Driving to Varna, the 3rd largest city in Bulgaria at the Gulf of Varna
    Major seaport on the Black Sea

  • Visit to the Retro Museum, 4000㎡ of Bulgarian history focussed on the period from 1944 until 1989 (the Soviet influence)

  • Or walk along the longest sea side park on the Balkan, or visit the Cathedral
    ... Much to see and experience in Varna

  • Arriving in Nesebar, the beautiful ancient city on the Black Sea Coast
    Wander around in the “Pearl of the Black Sea”. 

  • Overnight in Nesebar

Day 8 (ca. 305 KM)

Nesebar – Zagreus Winery – Plovdiv  

  • A bit more free time in Nesebar

  • Visit to Zagreus Winery nr Plovdiv inc. lunch with a view (on the vineyard)
    Taste fantastic Bulgarian wines of Zagreus & tour of the wine production

  • Arrival in Plovdiv, the ancient city in the centre of Bulgaria
    Roman ancient theatre, Roman stadium, beautiful Old Town, Dzumaya Mosque, Ethnographic Museum, Kapana creative district, handy craft street.  Take a walk on the pedestrian street Knyaz Alexander and enjoy good food and drinks at one of the many terraces and restaurants

  • Overnight in Plovdiv

Day 9 (ca. 65 KM)

Plovdiv – Assen’s Fortress – Bachkovo Monastery – Plovdiv

  • City walk through ancient Plovdiv with a local guide
    A local guide will show & tell you secret details of this fascinating city

  • Assen’s Fortress from the 11th century, located 279 meters on a rocky ridge
    Enjoy extremely picturesque views around the medieval Fortress

  • Visit and a guided tour (local guide) in Bachkovo Monastery (founded 1083)
    The 2nd most important Monastery in Bulgaria 

  • Return to Plovdiv for dinner and overnight
    Wander around in this vibrate city and enjoy the summer evening

Day 10 (ca. 150 KM)

Plovdiv – Chudnite Mostove Wonder Bridges – Shiroka Laka – Devin

  • Some short free time in Plovdiv
    Last walk through this beautiful city, time to buy some souvenirs…

  • Drive to Chudnite Mostove Wonder Bridges, a natural phenomenon 
    Deep into the Rhodope Mountains you will find “Skalnite Mostove”

  • Visit Shiroko Laka, a typical Rhodope Mountains town
    Traditional Rhodope Houses “hanging” on the mountain side

  • Overnight in Devin, the spa capital of Bulgaria
    A mineral hot spring town in the  middle of Rhodope Mountains

Day 11 (ca. 168 KM)

Devin – Devil’s Throat Cave – Devil’s Path (Borino) – Dolen – Bansko

  • Devil’s Throat Cave excursion
    A guided tour in the  impressive short/steep cave

  • Hiking the Eco trail The Devil’s Path, a hike you will never forget….
    Spectacular hike ca. 3 hours via wooden stairs built on the side of high steep rocks following a river. Breath-taking hike!

  • Visit Dolen, a very authentic Rhodope Mountain village
    One of the most picturesque mountain villages in Bulgaria

  • Overnight in cosy family hotel in Bansko
    Beautiful town at the foot of the Pirin Mountains

Day 12 (ca. 110 KM)

Bansko - Belitsa Dancing Bears park - Narrow gauge train ride to Bansko

  • City Walk” in the beautiful old centre of Bansko with a local guide
    One of the best preserved old towns in Bulgaria

  • Driving to Dancing Bears Park Belitsa
    Over 30 bears in the national rescue centre, incl. guided tour

  • Train ride in region of Yakoruda to Bansko
    Amazing tour of 1.5 hour in narrow gauge train incl. “refreshment”

  • Overnight in cosy family hotel Bansko
    Get the feeling with the locals 

Day 13 (ca. 50 KM)

Bansko – Banderitsa Café – Pirin Mountains hike – Banya - Bansko

  • Visit Pirin Mountains, short drive to beautiful Pirin National Park.

  • Banderitsa Cafe at 1820 meters high in Pirin Mountains
    Hiking to Vihren Hut, 1915 m / Mountain-lakes with breath-taking views, up until ca. 2400 m. (4-6 hours)

  • Visit to the town of Banya and enjoy one of the 27 Hot Mineral Springs
    Perfect spot to relax after mountain hiking

  • Tonight we have a look back at 2 weeks of Bulgaria during our farewell dinner in Bansko.

  • Overnight in cosy family hotel Bansko

Day 14 (ca. 180 KM)

Bansko (free time) – Sofia (City tour) – Sofia Hotel

  • Morning free time to wander around in Bansko
    Enjoy the atmosphere of  Bansko, and maybe buy some souvenirs.

  • Early afternoon drive to Capital of Bulgaria, Sofia
    Walking tour to the highlights of Sofia with visits to the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, The Russian Church (St. Nicolas the Miracle Maker), The National Theatre, and the Parliament. 

  • Overnight in Metropolitan hotel in Sofia 

Day 15 (Sofia)  - Transfer to the airport or stay some extra days in this surprising city

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICE
DEPARTURE DATES

08th June, 13th July, 17th Aug 2024

TOUR PRICE

€2350 (Double) €2795 (Single) per person

ADDITIONAL EXTRAS

Extra nights in Metropolitan Hotel in Sofia inc breakfast & transfer from/to airport

​

DOUBLE ROOM €108 per night excl. VAT

SINGLE ROOM €93 per nigh excl. VAT

INCLUDED

  • 14 x overnights in single or double room 

  • 14 x breakfasts

  • Dinner/ Lunch on the days mentioned in the itinerary

  • Guiding, transfers &  parking costs 

  • All itinerary activities & entrances 

NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights to/from Bulgaria (or other transport)

  • Optional tours/ activities/ entrances

  • Dinners/ lunches not mentioned in the itinerary

  • Personal expenses during the whole tour

  • Tips

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