Day 01 – Arrival at Sofia airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Day 02 – Sightseeing tour of the city, including a walk in the central area with visit to Al. Nevski Cathedral, St. Sofia Church, Russian Church, Ruins of Serdica, St. George Rotunda (4th C. AD), National Theatre. Departure to the museum town Koprivshtitsa with its typical 19th C. atmosphere and beautiful old houses. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 – Breakfast with Bulgarian traditional pastry - "Banitza" and sheep's yogurt served in a pot. Walking tour through the village including entrance to the Ethnographical museum-houses. Drive to Veliko Turnovo. On the way visit of the Troyan monastery ( 17th C.). Possibility to visit the exhibition of folk artistic crafts in the village of Oreshak. Overnight at hotel in Veliko Turnovo or in Arbanassi village (4 kms away).
Day 04– Sightseeing of Veliko Turnovo with and of Arbanassi village – architectural reserve and museum town with houses and churches from 17th –19th C. with entrance to the Jesus Christ’s Nativity Church which interior is covered in frescos depicting 2000 scenes. In the afternoon drive to the museum village of Bozhentsi (50 kms away from Veliko Turnovo).Overnight at hotel in Bozhentsi or Kmetovci.
Day 05 – Drive to Plovdiv through Shipka Pass. On the way visit of Ethnografical Outdoor museum Etura with its 18th - 19th C. crafts and of the museum-town of Tryavna - the famous center of icon painting and wood carving during the National Revival Period. Possibility for tasting buffalo yoghurt at Shipka Pass. Visit to the Shipka memorial church with golden doms. Entrance to the Thracian tomb included in the UNESCO List in Kazanlak – the capital of Rose Valley. Overnight at hotel in Plovdiv.
Day 06 – Sightseeing of the old part of the town with beautiful old houses from the Bulgarian Revival period (18th – 19th C.). Entrance to the Ethnographic museum and to the Roman Theatre. Departure to Bansko – winter ski resort in the impressive Pirin mountain. Overnight at hotel in Bansko.
Day 07– Trip to Melnik – museum town, scenically located at the foothills of sandstone pyramids, famous for its ancient architecture and red wine. Visit of the Rozhen monastery. Wine tasting of the famous local red wines at Kordopulova house. Back to Bansko. Overnight.
Day 08 - Departure to Rila Monastery - visit of the largest and one of the oldest Bulgarian monasteries (10th c.), included in the UNESCO World Heritage List with medieval defence tower from the 14th C. and fine frescoes. Drive to Sofia. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 09 – Departure.
