ITINERARY

31 Mar. Sat Departure from Europe to Sophia . Upon arrival transfer on your own to hotel. Afternoon to relax or explore Sophia. Welcome dinner.

1 Apr. Sun . Departure for the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv. Enroute to Plodiv we will visit Bessa Valley Winery where you will learn about the production of Bulgarian wines. Wine has been produced in this region for centuries. Wine tasting with snack. Continue to Plovdiv. Afternoon and evening free to explore Plovdiv.

2 Apr. Mon. Today we will enjoy a tour of Plovdiv, the 2nd largest city in Bulgaria. Ancient ruins and archeological sites date from approximately 7,000 year ago. You will visit landmarks from Thracian times, Ancient Roman period to the National Revival, thru the modern age. Highlights will be the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum and the Amphitheatre, the Old Town of Plovdiv, situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium, with its houses from the National Revival period (18- 19th century) is proclaimed an architectural open-air museum. During your tour, you will view of St. Constantine and Helena, Assumption of Mary Cathedral the Mevlevi Haane Dervish Monastery, and the scenic Maritza River

3 Apr. Tue Morning departure for Starosel to visit the latest excavations of Thracian tombs. The village is known for ancient Thracian sites, with finds dating as far back as the 5-6 millennium BC. Starosel was the second most important center of the Thracian political and religious life. After our tour, we will proceed to the Starosel Winery, Spa and Mineral Bath Hotel to spend the remainder of our day. You have wine tasting and or Brandy distillery tasting. Afternoon you will have the opportunity to relax and “take the waters” of the indoor and outdoor mineral pools. The Spa offers various massages and treatments (paid individually). Early evening with Bulgarian . Return relaxed to Plovdiv.

4 Apr. Wed Breakfast. Drive to the Monastery Bachkovo Monastery. The cloister is the second largest in Bulgaria, founded in 1083. Inside the monastery visit the main church of Virgin Mary built in 1604 where a valuable icon of Saint Mary from 11-12th century AD is being kept. Attached to the Virgin Mary church see the Archangels' Church dating to the 12th century, the monastery refectory complex which has preserved colorful murals from 1643. The second monastery in the complex is Saint Nikola church built between 1834 and 1837.

5 Apr. Thu Plovdiv Sophia Villa Yustina Winery, a snack is included. Upon arrival in Sophia you will be transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the afternoon and even at leisure to explore Sophia.

6 Apr. Fri Breakfast. Today enjoy a walking tour of Sophia. During our tour, you Will visit the Church (UNESCO) where you will admire beautiful paintings from 1259. In the National Historical Museum see the world famous Thracian Treasure of Panagyuristhe dating to the 4th century BC. Visit the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest and most beautiful on the Balkan Peninsula, St. Sophia early Christian basilica, which has given the city its name, the Monument of Alexander II, the Parliament, the Russian Church, the Presidency, the National Theater, the Ruins of Serdica and the Rotonda St George 4th c. AC, The Statue of St – the symbol of the city, the Synagogue, the Mosque. Remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Sophia.

7 Apr. Sat Breakfast. Departure for Monastery. One of the highlights of our tour. Rila is the richest historical and architectural monument of the Orthodox Monasteries. Founded in 10th century and transformed to the most important spiritual and cultural center of Bulgaria. The is located in 1147 meters. It is a complex of cultural, dwelling and farming buildings which take about 8800 square meters. The Rila Monastery has a unique architecture and is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world heritage list.

8 Apr. Sun. Depart Sophia for your European destination.

TOUR INCLUDES o Accommodation Sophia and Plodiv First-Class Hotels (Local Standard) o Breakfast, Wine Tasting, 2 Dinners o Motor coach Transportation, Tour Manager, Local Guides Guided Tours and Entrances to Sites listed in itinerary

SUPPLEMENTARY COSTS DOCUMENTS: US PASSPORT and dinners not mentioned in itinerary Flight from Europe/Airport Transfers TOUR COST LAND ONLY: $1600.00 Personal expenses SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $475.00 Customary Tips to Drivers and Guides

Cancellation Fees 60 Days Prior to departure 75% $500 DEPOSIT DUE AT BOOKING 45 Days Prior to departure 100% FINAL PAYMENT FEBRUARY 9, 2018 NO SHOWS 100%

THESE TERMS ARE ACCEPTED AT TIME OF BOOKING. PAYMENT OF DEPOSITS AND/OR PAYMENTS IN FULL FOR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS INDICATES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE CONDITIONS.

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED BULGARIA

March 31 through April 8, 2018

PHOTOS OF ROMAN AMPHITHEATER, RILA MONASTERY, NATIONAL MUSEUM SOPHIA, AND TRACIAN TOMB.

Spring Break join Katie for an all-inclusive tour of South Western Bulgaria. During your tour, you will experience the Sophia and Plovdiv Region. Visits are planned to magnificent painted churches and monasteries, Roman Ruins, the National Museum in Sophia and a Thracian Tomb dating from approximately 4th Cen. BC. During your walking tour of each city you will experience the main sights of Sophia and Plovdiv. One of the highlights of the tour will be the visit to the Rila Painted Monastery Complex. Visits are planned to three wineries to experience Bulgarian Regional Wines. In recent years has been winning awards in European completions. A special visit is planned to the Straosel Winery. After wine tasting you will have the opportunity to relax in the indoor and outdoor thermal mineral pools. A special dinner is planned at the Starosel Winery where you will enjoy Bulgarian cuisine and hospitality. www.starosel.com

DEPOSIT OF $500 IS REQUIRED AT TIME OF BOOKING ALONG WITH SIGNED “RESERVATIONS REQUEST FORM” AND “TERMS AND CONDITIONS FORM” ON THE WEBSITE www.meyertravelgroup.com FINAL PAYMENT IS FEBRUARY 9, 2018 PLS SEND YOUR DEPOSIT ALONG WITH THE BOOKING REQUEST FORM TO KATIE MEYER, 1005 COURT, ROSEVILLE, CA. 95661. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT KATIE MEYER 1-916-786-3708 E-MAIL [email protected]

Tour organizer and/or its agents act only as agents in making arrangements for hotels, sightseeing tours and transportation or any other service in connection with the itineraries of the individual tour members who by acceptance thereof, acknowledge that the sponsoring organization and/or its agents and suppliers shall not be liable for injury, loss, damage delay or irregularity, liability or expense to the person or property due to act or default by any hotel carrier or other company or person providing or rendering services included on the tours. The tour participant agrees that Meyer Travel Group nor its affiliates shall be liable for any damages, loss (including personal injury, death or property loss) delay, change in services, sickness, strike, war, quarantine or expense occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing tour services or any other person. These items are accepted at time of booking.

CTS # 2126940