Kings & Roses

Day 1 - Rila Monastery - Sofia
Meet and Greet at the Bulgarian border - Kulata. Transfer by A/C coach to Sofia. On the way - guided visit to the Rila Monastery - Founded in the 10 c., this sacred site nested in the splendid scenery of the Rila Mountains, features the heights of Bulgarian cultural and spiritual glory; marvellous frescos, murals, icon paintings and woodcarving masterpieces. Continue to Sofia - arrival and hotel accommodation. Welcome dinner at a traditional landmark restaurant with a special folklore show. Overnight.
Day 2 - Sofia
Buffet Breakfast. Sofia City Sightseeing Tour - the capital of Bulgaria boasts millennia of rich and versatile history and culture, but also evidences of a permanent revival. We take you by coach via the most impressive Sofia sights including - the National Assembly, the Bulgarian Academy of of Science, the Foreign Art Gallery, the St Cyril and St Methodius National Library, the Fine Arts Academy, the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, the newly opened attractions park Sofia Land (option). Visit - the National Museum of History, displaying among its 200 000 exhibits the unique and finest Thracian gold treasures, the Boyana Church 11 c. (on UNESCO World Heritage list) with admirable frescos from the 13 c. Lunch. The city tour continues by coach via the Palace of Culture, the St. Nedelya Church - built at the very city centre and former cross-point of four Roman lanes , the St. Petka Samardzhiiska Church (14 c.), the Sofia Statue, the Banya Bashi Mosque ( 16 c.) and the Sofia Synagogue. Your stroll will then go along the Rotunda of St George (4 c.) , the Presidency, the underpass with the Roman fortress walls and the Eastern Gates of the city (2 c.), the Archaeological Museum, the National Theatre, the National Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, the St Nikolai Russian Church. Visit the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with the enchanting Icon Gallery in the Cathedral Crypt . Return to your hotel and relax. Dinner . Attend an Opera / Orthodox Sacred Music evening ( upon availability ). Overnight.
Day 3 - Plovdiv
Buffet Breakfast . Departure to Plovdiv. In times bygone "the largest and most beautiful of all Thracian cities", Plovdiv is now a living museum displaying valuable and enchanting remains. See the highlights of the Old Plovdiv - the Antique Roman Amphitheatre, the Forum Romanum, the colourful 19th c. houses with exquisite woodcarvings and frescoes – a picturesque showcase of the Bulgarian Renaissance and unique artistic ambience blending gracefully with modern urban landmarks. Lunch in a traditional tavern with local specialities. Departure for a visit to the Bachkovo Monastery (11th c.) - exquisite murals and medieval icons. Return to Plovdiv and hotel accommodation. Time to relax. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 4 - Valley of Roses
Buffet Breakfast. Early departure from Plovdiv for a visit to the Valley of Kings and Roses (close to Kazanlak city) to witness a special performance showing the traditions of Rose growing and Rose Oil extracting process, to be accompanied by an exciting Rose Brandy, Rose Liqueur and Rose Jam tasting. For centuries the fragrant Bulgarian rose has been grown there and the attar (or essence) of roses is being extracted for the production of the rose oil. Each End of May and early June the Valley of roses magically blossoms into a sea of scent and tint. Visit the Museum of the Rose. Lunch. Visit the original of the Kazanlak Thracian Tomb (4th c. B.C.). Return to Plovdiv - on the way back visit the unique Thracian temple complex Starosel - an impressive ancient site unearthed in the heart of the Balkans. The sensational discovery in the year 2000 of this outstanding monument started to unveil the secrets of the biggest Thracian temple-tomb complex in the Balkans (dated 5th c. BC). Return to Plovdiv. Farewell dinner with wine tasting. Overnight.
Day 5 - Buffet Breakfast. Check out and departure to Sofia. Arrival in Sofia and shopping time / visit the newly opened attraction park Sofia Land (option). Transfer to Sofia Airport. Departure flight to Athens.