You meet your local travel guide at Varna Airport. Varna, the third largest city of Bulgaria, was founded by colonists from the Asia Minor city of Miletus in the 6th century BC under the name of Odessos. The city’s highlights include the Pantheon, the Archaeological Museum, the Assumption of the Virgin Cathedral (Uspenie Presvyatia Bogoroditsi) and the ruins of the Roman Thermal Baths. Dinner at the hotel.

Visit on your way to Ruse two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Madara Rider from the 8th century and the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari. The tomb of the Thracian tsar will impress you with its remarkable architecture and elaborate ornamentation. Arrival in Ruse in the late afternoon, city tour in the centre of the city, check-in and dinner at the hotel.

In the morning, you travel to Ivanovo and explore the UNESCO-protected Rock-Hewn Churches. Admire the ancient frescoes and the beautiful panorama. Around noon, you reach Arbanassi, where you visit the Nativity of Christ Church. Further travel to Veliko Tarnovo. The former medieval capital of Bulgaria offers a particularly impressive city tour including a visit of the ruins of the Tsarevets Fortress and a stroll through the ancient crafts shopping quarter, Samovodska Charshiya. Dinner at the hotel.

On the way to Sofia, you are cordially invited to visit the locals of Golyam Izvor (Great Spring). The people of this Balkan village are pleased to present not only their old monastic cell school but especially their home-made fruit brandy and pastry variations. Around noon, you reach Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The city tour begins with the symbol of Sofia, Alexander Nevski Cathedral, and continues with the St Georgi Rotunda, the Banya Basi Mosque, St Sofia Church, the Presidency, the National Bank and the Ivan Vazov theatre. Dinner at the hotel.

You leave Sofia today and head towards the Rila Monastery, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the world. In the Middle Ages it developed into an important centre of intellectual and cultural life in Bulgaria. The buildings on the monastery grounds contain around 300 ornamented chambers, each one – a unique work of art. Then your trip takes you through stunning mountainous landscapes to the city of Plovdiv. Check-in and dinner at the hotel.

Discover after breakfast the old town of Plovdiv, the well preserved Roman Amphitheatre, the Roman Stadium, the St Constantine and Helena Church and the Hindlian House from the time of the National Revival. The afternoon holds on offer a visit of the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, the Bachkovo Monastery, including the monastery kitchen – the Magernitsa. Enjoy jet another wine tasting in a historical wine cellar in the region. Dinner at the hotel.

In the morning, you arrive in the ancient town of Nessebar. The town was founded 3200 years ago on a picturesque peninsula and experienced Greek, Roman and Ottoman rule during its rich history. Today the new and the old town are connected by a narrow isthmus. Due to its extraordinary cultural wealth, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For your dinner you travel to a nearby village and experience the warm welcome of the local people. You will be entertained by folk music, fiddle play and Nestinari fire dances and enjoy a 4-course menu with wine and brandy.

Depending on the flight schedule you can enjoy some free time or you drive to Varna Airport where you say goodbye to your tour guide.