BULGARIA FOR NATURE LOVERS
(8 days / 7 nights)

Day 1. Arrival Sofia airport. Welcome by local guide, transfer to a hotel and accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 2. Depart to Sandanski. Stopover at Rila Monastery in the mighty mountain called Rila. The biggest of all Bulgarian monasteries is the natural home of superb works of old Bulgarian painters, builders and woodcarvers. Lunch in a local restaurant. Further travel to Sandanski. Accommodation in a hotel. Time at leisure before dinner. Why not take a chance for a walk in the lovely park with its sweet flower fragrance. Overnight.

Day 3. After breakfast a short drive will take you to the picturesque spots of Melnik and Rozhen. Here you can spend few hours taking delight in the marvellous architecture at the foothills of sandstone pyramids. Perched on a high hill is the Rozhen monastery a piece of art that should definitely not be missed. Lunch at the town of Melnik. Further travel to Bansko. Accommodation at hotel. Dinner in a tavern. Overnight.

Day 4. After breakfast depart to Velingrad and Batak. Lunch. Further travel to the mountain resort Pamporovo in the relaxing landscape of the Rhodopes. On the way you'll pass by the picturesque small towns Dospat, Devin, Trigrad. The Trigrad gorge will evoke feelings that will make you shiver recalling the stone hell that you have just gone through. The turbulent river waters disappear into the Devil's mouth zigzagging in the underground caves and tunnels and emerging again of the surface 500 m below. Accommodation in a hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 5. After breakfast full day sightseeing tour in Pamporovo. Here you can take pleasure in the sun and clean air, original folklore, unique cuisine, hospitable people, hiking tours to Snejanka peak ( 1928 m ) and the surroundings. Lunch in a local restaurant. Time at leisure. Dinner in local village house. Overnight.

Day 6. In the morning departure to Plovdiv. Stopover in Batchkovo monastery, known for its original architecture, rich collection of ancient icons, jewellery and paintings. You can see some of the first paintings of the celebrated national Revival artist Zahari Zograph in the monastery. Arrival in Plovdiv. Accommodation in hotel in Plovdiv. Sightseeing tour in the Ancient City, lovely art galleries, old churches and beautiful houses, as well as Roman ruins. Plovdiv is the country second most important industrial cultural and administrative centre, located along the Maritza river. The town is the host of the well - known International Plovdiv Fair. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7. Departure to Sofia. After accommodation in the hotel, a city tour in Sofia including the impressive Alexander Nevski Cathedral with its precious icon collection, the church of St. Sophia, the National Museum of History, Art Gallery. Lunch. Afternoon excursion to Vitosha mountain - the green mountain of the million Bulgarian capital. In the evening a traditional cuisine in a folk style restaurant. Overnight.

Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport.