ITINERARY:

05/08/2019: 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* Meals included: dinner

06/08/2019: Sofia – Stob Pyramids – Monastery – Banya – – Banya

After breakfast, we depart for the sandstone Stob Pyramids - a natural rock formation of impressive size. We continue to Rila Monastery (UNESCO) – founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan of Rila this is the most famous and largest Christian monastery in . 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 yogurt) at the local bakery. Then we continue to the village of Banya, famous for its hot springs, where we will enjoy the spa before we go to the first day of the International Jazz Festival in Bansko.

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

07/08/2019: Banya – Bansko – Dobarsko – Banya – Bansko – 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. Undoubtedly, the most interesting and extremely well-kept historical monument in the whole region is 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. Second visit to the Jazz Festival.

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

08/08/2019: Banya – Leshten – Kovachevitsa – Delchevo – Banya – Bansko – Banya

We journey to three small villages located in the Rhodope and Pirin 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. In Delchevo, another architectural reserve, we will enjoy beautiful panoramic views and may try the delicious food in this region. We have our third visit to the Jazz Festival.

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

09/08/2019: Banya – Belitsa – Banya – Bansko – Banya Today we visit the Dancing Bears Park, which is an ongoing success story, a favourite spot for children, young, and old alike. Located in the Rila Mountains it is a sanctuary and a rest home for 20 former dancing brown bears. They live in a 120.000 m² forest area under natural conditions, which – step by step – help them learn to lead a life as bears. The park has rich natural environment, so that the bears can turn back to their normal behaviour in nature. Free time in the afternoon to enjoy the spa before we go to the fourth day of the Jazz Festival.

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

10/08/2019: Banya – – Dorkovo – Banya – Bansko – Banya

On this day, 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 Костандово (Kostandovo). Step back in time with the largest paleontological site in the Balkans 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! After a break, we have our fifth visit to the Jazz Festival.

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

11/08/2019: Banya – Gorno Draglishte – Banya – Bansko – Banya

Short drive to Deshka’s house where we immerse ourselves in the uniqueness of the Bulgarian spirit, traditional cuisine, dances and local crafts. Try to prepare tasty caramelized sweeties or pumpkin pastry, dance with us horo (Bulgarian folk dance), wear our festive clothes (nosiya) and learn about the traditional methods of weaving and spinning. Free time in the afternoon to enjoy the spa before we go to the sixth day of the Jazz Festival.

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

12/08/2019: Banya – Sofia Airport

Transfer to Sofia Airport according to your flight schedule and time for goodbyes.

Overnight stay: N/A Meals included: breakfast

Offer № 1

PACKAGE DETAILS:

Included:

 1 overnight stay at the Light hotel (3 stars or similar, no pool but free fitness and sauna) in Sofia  6 overnight stays at the Aspa Vila hotel (3 stars or similar) in the village of Banya  Swimming pool with thermal water, jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath  7 breakfasts and 7 dinners  6 visits to the Jazz festival in Bansko from 6th August to 11th August 2019  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 and tickets for the Rhodope narrow gauge train  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; 10 EUR per adult up to 70 years)  6 lunches 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 caella singing and folklore programme with the Grandmothers of Dobarsko (declared as living human treasures of Bulgaria) can be organized in the courtyard of the church in Dobarsko (Day 3), along with tasting of banitsa (traditional Bulgarian cheese pie) and ayryan (salty yoghurt drink) for 70 EUR