BULGARIAN MONASTERIES

   Culture program - 15 days

The Bulgarian peasant poet Ivan Vasov called the monasteries in Bulgaria (their total number exceeds 70) "the glorious rests of the firmness which keep the Bulgarian spirit alive".
We chose for you 21 monasteries. Most of them appeared in the Middle Ages and have been restored or rebuilt later. They gained new blaze and importance at the time of the Bulgarian National Revival. The valuable frescos, which were often painted by famous painters, are extremely popular.
Except at 3 and 4 star hotels you will twice spend the night in the
monasteries (Troyan Monastery and Rila Monastery).

Day 1:Arrival at Sofia airport. Transfer to the hotel Sofia (3 stars) and overnight.

Day 2: Sofia to Dragalevski Monastery and back (50 km/31 miles):
You visit in Sofia the old Church "St. Georgi" (4th century), the Alexander-Nevski- Cathedral and the Boyana-Church (11th cent.). The Dragalevski Monastery, which is situated in the near Vitosha Mountain, is to be visited, too. Hotel Sofia.

Day 3:Sofia to Rila Monastery (170 km/106 miles):
On the way to the Rila Monastery you visit the Zemen and Boboshevski
Monastery. Overnight at hotel Tsarev Vrah (3 stars) near Rila Monastery.

Day 4:Rila Monastery to Sandanski (170 km/106 miles):
Sightseeing of the Rila-Monastery (the biggest in Bulgaria), Melnik (thesmallest Bulgarian town) and the Rozhen-Monastery.
Overnight at Sandanski hotel - 4 stars (Sandanski town).

Day 5:Sandanski - Plovdiv (350 km/218 miles):
Travel through Rhodopi Mountains to the Bachkovo Monastery and the
Arapovo Monastery. Overnight in Plovdiv at hotel Trimontium (3 stars).

Day 6:Plovdiv to Kuklen Monastery and back (50 km/31 miles):
Sightseeing of Plovdiv (Old Town - some old houses and churches and the Roman Amphitheater). Visiting of the Kuklen Monastery near Plovdiv (6km walking). Trimontium hotel.

Day 7:Plovdiv to Troyan Monastery (150 km/93 miles):
The small nun Sopot Monastery and the big Troyan Monastery are in the
day program. Overnight in the Troyan Monastery.

Day 8: Troyan Monastery to Veliko Turnovo (100 km/62 miles):
On the way to old capital of Bulgaria Veliko Turnovo you visit the Batoshevski (6km walking) and Dryanovo Monastery.
Overnight in theYantra hotel (3 Stars).

Day 9:Sightseeing of the medieval Bulgarian Capital Veliko Turnovo
(Tsarevets hill with the stronghold, some old churches and the Old Town).
Yantra hotel.

Day 10:Veliko Turnovo to Arbanassi and back (50 km/31 miles):
Travel to Arbanassi village and sightseeing of old houses, churches, St. Nicolaus Monastery and Uspenie Bogorodichno Monastery. The nun Lyaskovski Monastery near the village is to be visited, too.
Overnight at hotel Yantra in Veliko Turnovo.

Day 11:V. Turnovo to three Monasteries and back (60 km/37 miles):
You have in the program for the day the Preobrazhenski, Kilifarevo and Kapinovo Monastery, which are situated in a beautiful nature. Overnight in Veliko Turnovo, Yantra hotel.

Day 12:V. Turnovo to Ivanovo Monastery and back (190 km/118 miles):
Near the town of Rousse is situated the Rock Monastery of Ivanovo. It has valuable frescos and is in the list of UNESCO. Overnight in VelikoTurnovo, Yantra hotel.

Day 13:V. Turnovo to Sofia (270 km/168 miles):
On the way to Sofia you visit the beautiful Glozhene and Etropole Monasteries. Overnight in Sofia at Sofia hotel.

Day 14:On the end of the route you have free time in the capital. Sofia
hotel.

Day 15: Flight home.

Optimal season: All over the year

Group size: min 1; max 20

REMARKS
1. Normally our company ensures:
     - half board;
     - Accompanying of the group by a foreign language speaking guide from Sofia to Sofia;
     - Transfer - from Sofia to Sofia;
     - Accompanying car during the tour;
     - Overnight as mentioned in the program (2-bed rooms); single
supplement is possible, too.
2. Normally our company does NOT ensure:
    - personal insurance in Bulgaria;
    - museum taxes.

Contact us :
[email protected]