Bulgaria Grand tour

Day 1 - Arrival at the Sofia apt. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner in a traditional folklore restaurant. Overnight.
Day 2 - Breakfast. Sofia city tour - The "St. Alexander Nevski" Cathedral and the icon museum, the "St. Sofia" church, The Parliament. the "St. George" Rotonda church from early Christianity times, Mediaval City fortress walls, the National Theatre, the Former Royal Palace, The Russian church "St. Nikolay", the Banya Bashi mosque and the "St. Petka church", the President Palace and the change of guards, The Synagogue (third largest in Europe), The Boyana church, a small but precious building from the XI c., with frescoes, listed in the World Cultural Heritage list. Free time. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 3 - Breakfast. Full day tour to the Rila monastery – the biggest in Bulgaria (120 km south of Sofia) and the smallest town in the country Melnik, famous for its sandy rocks, old houses and wine producing, and visit of the Rojen Monastery (110 km south of Rila Monastery), Sandanski region. Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 4 - Breakfast. Departure to Troyan. Visit of the Troyan monastery, stop in the national exhibition of handicrafts in the village Oreshaka (demonstrations of various handicrafts – pottery, woodcarving, carpet-weaving). Tasting of the famous plum brandy with local specialties. In the late afternoon – departure to the "Haiduk meadows" (a big meadow with a panoramic view to the surrounding hills). A tourist attraction, followed by folk dances around the burning fire. Barbeque. Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo. Overnight.
Day 5 - Breakfast. City tour of Veliko Tarnovo – The Tzarevetz hill, the fortress walls, the Memorial Church, the small churches in the foothill of The Trapezitsa, the Arbanasi village (4 km North), one of the most picturesque and well preserved in architecture and traditions, the Preobrazhensky monastery. Dinner and Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 6 - Breakfast. Departure for the Northern Bulgarian Seaside (230 km). On the way stop and visit of the ancient Bulgarian capital Preslav, with its fortress walls and archeological complex & museum, as well as the Madara locality with the stone image of a horseman (World Heritage List site). Accommodation in Golden Sands resort. Overnight.
Day 7 - Breakfast. Visit the holiday village of Balchik with the Palace and the Botanical garden, the small fishing ports. Optional cruise from Balchik to Golden sands (either yacht or even tall – ship!) or visit of a typical Bulgarian house with local cuisine lunch, folklore show and traditions’ presentation. Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. Overnight in Golden Sands.
Day 8 - Breakfast. Departure for the Southern Black Sea coast. Visit of the biggest city on the Bulgarian coastline – Varna. City tour – the Roman Baths, The Harbor, The Cathedral Church. Then visit of the old town of Nessebar – an ancient Greek colony, situated on a small peninsula on the Bulgarian coast, with old houses, churches, fortress walls (World Heritage List site). Accommodation in the Sunny Beach resort. Overnight.
Day 9 - Breakfast. Free time in Sunny beach and then departure for the town of Plovdiv (290 km) or early departure for Plovdiv and free time in the city. Accommodation in Plovdiv. Dinner in a "Puldin" restaurant in the Old Town of Plovdiv. Overnight.
Day 10 - Breakfast. City tour in the Old town of Plovdiv, visiting the Roman theatre, the old houses and the church of "St. Constantine and Elena" - a romantic experience along the cobblestone narrow streets, the Roman hippodrome, the Djumaia mosque. In the afternoon visit of the Bachkovo Monastery (30 km South) and the Assenova Fortress. Overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 11 - Breakfast. Full day tour to discover the most magnificent among the Bulgarian mountains – the Rhodopes. Visit of the small villages with the untamed traditions and pristine nature. Optional lunch in a typical Rhodope house. Dinner in the "Alafrangite" restaurant in Plovdiv. Overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 12 - Breakfast. Departure for the town of Kazanlak in the famous Rose Valley. Visit of the first and best preserved Thracian tomb mount, stop at Shipka mountain pass - visit the monument to the soldiers, died here in the Russian – Turkish war of 1878 and the magnificent church, dedicated to the Russians who fought in these battles. Visit of the Etnographical complex of Etara (Gabrovo) with traditional craftsmen workshops. Back to Kazanlak and overnight.
Day 13 - Breakfast. Departure form Kazanlak for Koprivshtica (120 km west)- an architectural and natural masterpiece, where the spirit of the Bulgarian Revival period (15 – 19 c.) is still preserved and vivid. Late afternoon – departure for Sofia. Farewell dinner in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 14 - Breakfast. Transfer to the Sofia apt. Departure.