ITINERARY:

Day 1: Airport – Sofia city centre

Our guide will meet you at Sofia International Airport and will transfer you to your hotel located in the centre of the city.

Overnight stay: Sofia, Light hotel 3* included: dinner

Day 2: Sofia – Sofia

We explore a city with a 7000-year-long history. During our walking tour we take some lovely photos with the most beautiful historic buildings in the city: the Sofia Synagogue, the , St. Nedelya Church, the Sofia Court House, Vitosha street and one of the symbols of the Bulgarian capital city – the 4th century rotunda of St. George. We have a short break at the fountains next to the famous Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Our next stop is one of the most popular places in – the impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral built in Neo-Byzantine style. The tour ends with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, which is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria. We have our dinner in a traditional restaurant with folklore music, where you can enjoy delicious dishes from the Bulgarian .

Overnight stay: Sofia, Light hotel 3* Meals included: and dinner

Day 3: Sofia – Stob Pyramids – Monastery – Banya

After breakfast we depart for the sandstone Stob Pyramids - a natural rock formation of impressive size. We continue to (UNESCO) – founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan of Rila this is the most famous and largest Christian monastery in Bulgaria. It played a key role in preserving Bulgarian culture and language during the centuries. Free time to try the delicious mekitsi (Bulgarian donuts served with fresh buffalo ) at the local bakery. Then we continue to the village of Banya, famous for its hot springs, where we will enjoy the spa and the swimming pool in the afternoon.

Overnight stay: village of Banya, Aspa Vila hotel 3* Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Day 4: Banya – – Dobarsko – – Banya

On this day we will visit the most famous winter resort in Bulgaria – Bansko. We start with the Bansko Permanent Icon Exhibition housed in the oldest preserved building in Bansko, built in 1749. We continue with the house museum of the poet Nikola Vaptsarov. We then drive to the nearby village of Dobarsko, to visit the church of St. St. Theodore Tiron & Theodore Stratilat, built in 1614. The church is unique for its abundance of original frescoes and icons, some of which are interpreted as portraying Jesus Christ in a rocket. We immerse ourselves in the uniqueness of the Bulgarian spirit, traditional cuisine, folk dances and local crafts in Deshka’s house.

Overnight stay: village of Banya, Aspa Vila hotel 3* Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Day 5: Banya – Leshten – Kovachevitsa – Delchevo – Banya We journey to three small villages located in the Rhodope and mountains – Leshten, Kovachevitsa and Delchevo. Leshten attracts tourists with its authentic look and about 15 houses that evoke the spirit and atmosphere of the past with more than 300 years of history. At the so-called Clay house made by clay, straw and wood, we take a short break and take some photos. We continue towards the village of Kovachevitsa, which is historical and architectural reserve often used in the film industry. Delchevo is another architectural reserve where we will enjoy beautiful panoramic views and may try the delicious of the region.

Overnight stay: village of Banya, Aspa Vila hotel 3* Meals included breakfast and dinner

Day 6: Banya – Kostandovo – Dorkovo – Banya

Today, we will pick you up at 10:00 and present a special experience for all nature lovers – a trip on the Rhodope narrow gauge train through the mountains, the only such train in operation in Bulgaria. It makes its way over magnificent vistas and provides you with unforgettable memories of nature. We will pick you up from the station at (Kostandovo) to visit the workshop for hand-woven carpets, where we can buy textile accessories – carpets, scarves and even blankets. Step back in time with the largest paleontological site in the situated in the village of Dorkovo. In the centre of the exhibition hall you can see the towering life-sized model of a mammoth – a truly impressive sight!

Overnight stay: village of Banya, Aspa Vila hotel 3* Meals included breakfast and dinner

Day 7: Banya – Melnik – Rozhen Monastery – Banya

We dedicate this day to explore Melnik, which is the smallest town in Bulgaria but offers amazing scenery. We spend some time in the downtown and enter the Kordopulov House – a mansion once owned by a rich merchant in the 1700s. The house is built in national revival style and boasts of an impressive underground wine cellar typical in this region. Next, we visit the Rozhen Monastery and the unique natural phenomenon next to it - The Sand Pyramids of Melnik. We continue to Orbelus, a quite a spectacular winery proudly working with only organic grapes. A passionate winemaker will greet us with a show-around of the winery followed by a wine tasting session.

Overnight stay: village of Banya, Aspa Vila hotel 3* Meals included: breakfast and dinner

Day 8: Banya – Sofia Airport

Transfer to Sofia Airport about two hours before your flight and time for goodbyes.

Overnight stay: N/A Meals included breakfast

Offer № 3 PACKAGE DETAILS:

Included:

 2 overnight stay at the Light hotel (3 stars or similar, no pool but free fitness and sauna) in Sofia  5 overnight stays at the Aspa Vila hotel (3 stars or similar) in the village of Banya  7 and 7 dinners  Swimming pool with thermal water, jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath  Licensed English speaking driver-guide for the whole tour and all ground transfers  Transportation by A/C minivan, type Opel Zafira (or similar), or bus Opel Vivaro (or similar) for the whole trip according to the number of participants  Entrance fees for all sites; tickets for the Rhodope narrow gauge train and wine tasting  VAT and all local taxes

Not included:

 Flight tickets  Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary  Tips  Personal expenses  Porterage at airport and hotels

Optional:

 Accommodation can be upgraded to 4 star hotels or 5 star hotels  We can offer a higher class rental car or bus upon a request  Personal medical insurance (highly recommended)  6 can be added for 60 EUR per person  Child car seat (12 EUR) and baby backpack carrier (30 EUR ) can be provided upon a request  A cappella singing and folklore programme with the Grandmothers of Dobarsko (declared as living human treasures of Bulgaria) in the courtyard of the church in Dobarsko (Day 4), along with tasting of (traditional Bulgarian cheese pie) and ayryan (salty yoghurt drink) for 70 EUR