Bulgaria's Hidden Heritage
Bulgaria's Hidden Heritage
Bulgaria's Hidden Heritage
8 Days Starting and ending in Sofia, Bulgaria
Visiting: Sofia, Plovdiv, Nessebar, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Kmetovtsi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FBULT
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 35
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please make us aware of any specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This round trip from Bulgaria's bustling capital, Sofia, will introduce you to many wonderful sites which tell the story of the country's rich history. Discover Plovdiv's Roman amphitheatre, dating back to the 2nd century AD, then continue to the incredible city of Nessebar. UNESCO-listed and home to many ancient churches, it is a delight to explore. There's time to relax on the beach in Varna, while at Madara you can admire an extraordinary medieval rock relief. Watch artisans at work in an open-air ethnographic museum and journey through a scenic mountain pass to learn how Bulgaria's famous rose oil is produced and discover Kazanlak's Thracian tomb.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Uk - Sofia
Location: Sofia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Arena di Serdica
Meals Included: Dinner
Make you own way to the airport for your flight to Sofia today, after which we'll transfer you to your hotel. This evening we'll enjoy dinner together.
Day 2 : Sofia
Location: Sofia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Arena di Serdica
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join your Tour Manager for a walking tour of Sofia. As you explore you'll discover highlights including onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and many of the country's finest museums and galleries. This afternoon, why not join us for an optional excursion to the Rila Monastery. Founded by a hermit monk in around 927 AD, it's the largest monastery in Bulgaria. An architectural masterpiece, beautiful frescoes adorn the walls and ceiling of the main church and a museum tells the story of its history.
Day 3 : Plovdiv
Location: Plovdiv
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Landmark
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you're going to explore Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria. Situated at the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, Plovdiv is a cosmopolitan place with architectural landmarks dating back to the Thracian, Roman and Ottoman eras. You'll discover the Old Town and see its 2nd century Roman amphitheatre, which was uncovered during a landslide in 1972. Once you have your bearings, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.
Day 4 : Plovdiv - Nessebar - Varna
Location: Plovdiv, Nessebar, Varna
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Golden Tulip Varna
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we'll make our way to Nessebar. This UNESCO-listed city is situated on a rocky peninsula jutting out into the Black Sea and is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Here you'll find remains of Roman and medieval walls and cobblestone streets lined with houses built in Bulgarian National Revival style. The city is renowned for its many ancient churches built during different periods of history. Each has a tale to tell, from the Church of St John the Baptist with its cylindrical dome to St Stephen's Church and its 16th century frescoes. Our tour also takes in the archaeological museum, where exhibits chart Nessebar's fascinating history. Later we'll drive to Varna and dinner this evening will be served at a traditional restaurant and wine cellar.
Day 5 : Varna - At Leisure
Location: Varna
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Golden Tulip Varna
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a busy few days, today has been left free for you to relax on Varna's sandy beach. Alternatively, you can join our optional sightseeing tour of Varna. It begins at the Cathedral, then takes you to the archaeological museum, where thousands of exhibits found in Varna and the surrounding area are housed. Some of the artefacts date back to the region's prehistoric settlements and they include the oldest gold treasure in the world. We will see the well-preserved remains of the Roman thermal baths and the beautiful Sea Garden, a large landscaped park running parallel to the coastline. There will also be time to stroll through Varna's streets lined with historic buildings, shops and cosy cafés.
Day 6 : Varna - Veliko Tarnovo - Kmetovtsi
Location: Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Kmetovtsi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Fenerite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
You're heading to Kmetovtsi, a village in the Balkan Mountains, and on the way, you'll pack in plenty of sightseeing. Your first stop is Madara, where you'll see the impressive Madara Horseman. This early medieval rock relief is carved into a plateau and depicts a horseman trailed by a running dog, with a lion crushed beneath the horse's hooves. The sculpture was created in the 7th century more than 20 metres up a 100-metre-high cliff and is one of Bulgaria's most famous monuments. Next, we continue to the town of Veliko Tarnovo, which is home to a reconstructed fortress and well-maintained streets lined with wooden houses. Perhaps walk up Zarevets Hill to enjoy breathtaking views over the town and the numerous monasteries that decorate the picturesque gorges of the Yantra River.
Day 7 : Kmetovtsi - Sofia
Location: Kmetovtsi, Sofia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Arena di Serdica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we head to the open-air museum of Etara. In all, this museum boasts 50 sites showcasing Bulgarian life at the turn of the 19th century. Stroll around and relive the past as you watch bell-makers, potters and other artisans at work. Later we'll journey through the spectacular Shipka Pass, which winds through mountainous terrain, on our way to a rose-oil distillery. The damask rose, or Bulgarian rose, has a deep and intense scent, and the country is one of the top producers of rose oil. This highly prized commodity is used to make some of the world's most famous and expensive perfumes - to make just 1kg of oil it takes three tonnes of petals. This is why rose oil is known as 'liquid gold'. You'll see how it is produced on your tour and will even get to sample products including rose water and rose and lavender oil. Next, we'll head to Kazanlak to see a Thracian tomb dating back to the 4th century BC. Tonight, we're going to head back into Sofia to enjoy dinner and a traditional folklore show. The restaurant we are going to dates back to the 19th century and is located close to Lion's Bridge. An array of delicious Bulgarian specialities will be on the menu, including porcini soup served in a bowl of bread.
Day 8 : Sofia - Uk
Location: Sofia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
What's Included
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7 nights in 3, 4 and 5-star hotels
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Return flights from Heathrow with British Airways
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11 meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners and welcome drink
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Overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
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Return flights from London
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Dedicated Travelsphere Holiday Director to accompany you on tour
Check out our Q&As
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No. Min age is 18 years.
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Requirements do change, and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure so that you have the correct documentation and are adequately vaccinated. Information on health is available from your GP surgery and from the National Travel Health Network and Centre www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Travelsphere’s Flexibility Promise has been created to give you complete peace of mind and make you feel confident when booking your holiday with us. We have also been awarded the WTTC safe travels stamp which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Travelsphere has been operating escorted touring holidays for 60 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travelsphere, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive Holiday conformation upon booking, and then several documents detailing any adddiotnal information and the optional excursions that you can book before you travel. The final information covering your flights, hotels and itinerary will be sent to you around 14 days before your departure date.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, we do not offer single share options
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, Im afraid not
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accomadate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - and make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Our Travelsphere Cares programmes, in partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, support local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. We simply donate a portion of the funds from our tours, so it’s great to know that when you travel with us you are helping to change lives and turn travel into real impact.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Like minded travellers
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Travelsphere allows you to make 4 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Travelsphere allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform travelsphere, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Travelsphere requires a minimum deposit of 21% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travelsphere charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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