Bulgaria’s Hidden Secrets

Day 1 – Flight to Bucharest

Morning flight from London Heathrow to Bucharest, capital of Romania. Transfer to hotel followed by short, guided city tour.

Day 2 – Across the Danube

After a short drive through southern Romania, we enter Bulgaria at the city of Ruse and arrive at the village of Kyulevcha. We spend 2 nights with dinners at a delightful small hotel.

Day 3 – The Madara Horseman

Drive to the nearby Madara Horseman (UNESCO listed), an archaeological site dating from pre-historic times. Afternoon visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Ivanovo rock cut churches dating from the 14th Century. Return to Kyulevcha for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – Veliko Tarnovo

We visit the village of Arbanassi to see the Church of the Nativity. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former capital city. A short walking tour will include the famous citadel and we overnight in a family run private hotel in the old town.

Day 5 – Shipka Pass & Thracian Tombs

Continue over the Shipka Pass to Kazanlak to visit the Thracian tombs, then to Plovdiv for a 2-night stay. Our small hotel is situated in the heart of the old city.

Day 6 – Plovdiv

After a short guided walk the rest of the day is free to explore independently. The old city has much to offer – beautiful 19th Century houses, a Roman theatre and stadium dating from the 2nd Century and one of the first mosques built by the Ottomans on Bulgarian land.

Day 7 – Narrow Gauge to Bansko

Main line train to Septemvri followed by a journey over the highly scenic narrow gauge rail line to Bansko. This line also boasts the highest station in the Balkans – Avramovo (4100 ft). Arrive at the ski resort of Bansko late afternoon. We overnight and enjoy dinner at a well appointed guest house.

Day 8 – Rila Monastery

After a little free time in Bansko we drive to Rila Monastery where lunch is included. A tour of the monastery includes, apart from the main church, the 14th Century fortress tower, monk’s cell, jewellery and ethnographic exhibitions. Continue by road to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.

Day 9 – Sofia & VintageTram Tour

Most of the day is free to explore with an unlimited travel pass for metro, trams and buses before a late afternoon three hour vintage tram tour with local guide. The tram stops at, amongst other places, the Lion’s Bridge, National Palace of Culture and the Vasil Levski National Stadium.

Day 10 – Return to Ruse

Mid-morning train through pleasant mountain scenery to Ruse, arriving late afternoon for overnight stay.

Day 11 – Ruse Railway Museum

Morning visit to the National Railway Museum at the original Ruse railway station (built 1866) followed by afternoon train from Ruse to Bucharest.

Day 12 – Bucharest to London

Late morning rail transfer to the airport for flight to Heathrow, arriving early evening.