Round Trip 4 European countries: Bulgaria - Macedonia - Kosovo - Albania - Travel To Bulgaria |
11 days / 10 nights
This tour offers a rare opportunity for a limited time to visit four European countries, to meet the legends of gods and heroes, to see the modern life style and entertainment, to make a real voyage in the time through more than 25 centuries.
Day 1 - arrival in the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia
Transfer from airport to downtown hotel
Walking tour to the city center (about 3 hours). You will see St.Sophia church dating back to 5th-6th century of our era, a monument of Bulgarian medieval civilization that gave the current name of the town. Visit the largest cathedral Alexander Nevski with its gilded dome, the rotunda St.George 3th-4th century and the city fortress and you will feel the atmosphere of the city, which history dates over 5000 years ago.
Dinner in a folklore restaurant . There you will not only try the typical Bulgarian dishes, but will listen to Bulgarian folk music and hectic rhythms of the dynamic Bulgarian folk dances. Overnight.
Day 2 – Sofia - Plovdiv
Departure to Plovdiv - the second largest city in Bulgaria.
Accommodation in a 4* hotel in the center of the city. Walking tour of the city. This is a real trip through the centuries. Plovdiv is the oldest living city in Europe with 8 000 years of history. It was founded before Athens, Rome and Constantinople in the time at which was based and the ancient city of Troy. There are artifacts of Thracian civilization. The Thracians were famous in the ancient world for its wines, which were declared as the best. The period during which Plovdiv has been within the Roman Empire was marked by the construction of many large public buildings like an amphitheater (late first and early second century of our era). And nowadays it is used for performances and outdoor concerts. Other major monuments of Roman civilization are the Roman Forum (2nd century BC) and Roman stadium in length of 180 meters and with 30,000 seats (second century of our era). At that time the name of the city was Trimontium, which means "town on three hills."
Bulgarian history is presented in the old town of Plovdiv with the big beautiful houses of 18 -19 centuries. They are evidence of the economic power of the city during this era. At that time Plovdiv compete with Thessaloniki and Istanbul. The walk along the narrow cobbled streets between high walls and overhanging second floors take us back in time. In many of these houses are now occupied exhibition halls, shops and restaurants. Dinner. Possibilities to enjoy the night life in the numerous piano bars ( live music) , night clubs and casinos. Overnight.
Day 3 – Plovdiv – Kazanlak - Veliko Tarnovo
Breakfast and departure to Kazanlak.
Visit of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Roses. There is a big number of Thracian King’s tombs. One of the most interesting is ”Goliamata Kosmatka”. Archaeologists reveal it several years ago. It was buried the Thraciann King Seuthes III. This monument of the Thracian civilization is 2500 years (5th century BC). There is difficult to explain how the Thracian are built this construction without the modern technology.
Another monument to be visit - the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (fourth century BC , ( included on the UNESCO World Heritage List). Unknown artist of old times used 4 main colors and 2 - painting techniques.
The Rosa Damascena, known as the Damask or Castile rose, is the greatest treasure in the region of Kazanlak and it is one of the national symbols. Under the influence of the unique climate and soil in the region, this rose gradually developed into a Bulgarian strain distinct from Damask roses elsewhere. That is why at the beginning of the 19th century this rose was named the Kazanlak Damask rose and the valley to the south of the Central Balkans came to be known as the Valley of the Roses. Here is produced 80% of the world production of rose oil, which is in the base of the highest quality perfumes. For centuries, roses have been the basis for the livelihood of this region. More can be learned about the region rose cultivation at the Kulata Ethnographic Complex, which is just a kilometer from the city center. Here visitors can arrange in advance to observe the practice of traditional local customs and sample food and drink made from Kazanlak roses. Ethnographic Complex “Tower” welcomes guests with a sweet from roses and rose liqueur and it is not rare.
In the Museum of Roses in Kazanlak the exhibits are arranged in three separate halls, and in include original photographs and documents related to the cultivation of roses during the Bulgarian Age of Awakening (18th -19th centuries) and in the 20th century. There is a display of tools used to cultivate the rose gardens, along with vessels used to store and transport rose oil and rosewater.
Departure to Veliko Tarnovo, the ex-Bulgarian capital. Accomodation. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 4 – Veliko Tarnovo – Sofia
Breakfast. Visit Tsarevets Hill, home to the Royal Palace and Patriarchy.
The hill was fortified (with wall) and occupied between 12th-14th centuries. It had between 3000 - 3200 inhabitants. These were aristocrats and merchants. The royal palace was in the castle fortress. Its area is 4872 m2.
Patriarchy was the second fortress of the castle, with an area of approximately 3000 m2.The church of the Patriarchy was built in 13th-14th century, on the highest point of the hill.
Visit the street of the crafts - Samovodska charshija where crafts studios are still active. There is immersive atmosphere of 60th-70th years of the 19th century.
Free time for visiting the city and tasting the local cuisine.
Departure to Sofia.
Dinner. Optional visit of night club. Overnight.
Day 5 – Sofia – Skopje ( Macedonia )
Breakfast. Departure to Skopje. Arrival and accommodation. City tour of the capital of Macedonia. Starting from old part and finishing at new part of the city, crossing the river Vardar, you will visit the fortress, Old churches and mosques, old bazaar and crafts. But when you pass the Stone Bridge, you will see the square, pedestrian street, trade centers and some of the museums. One of them, Memorial House of Mother Theresa, because she was Born in Skopje. In the evening, dinner in national restaurant. Overnight.
Day 6 – Skopje – Prizren (Kosovo) – Durres ( Albania )
Breakfast. Travel to Kosovo and visit Prizren. Half-day spent in Prizren to feel the life at Kosovo by walk through the old bazaar, visit the Mosque of Mustafa Pasha Prizreni, Ortodox Church St. Nikola, Stone Bridge and free time for leisure and lunch. Afterwards continue to Albania. Arrival in Durres and accommodation in hotel. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 7 – Durres - Tirana - Durres
Breakfast. Departure to Tirana, Capital of Albania and the most important political, economic, educational and cultural centar of the country. The tour begins from Skanderbeg Square, visit the Et'hem Bey Mosque, proceed to clock tower, the palace of Culture, National Historical Museum and Archeological Museum. Lunch in the restaurant and free time for leisure. Return to Durres and short city tour. Relaxed walk in the central area, near the Durres Castle, Port, pedestrian street..Dinner. Overnight.
Day 8 – Durres ( Albania ) – Pogradec ( Albania ) – Ohrid ( Macedonia )
Breakfast. Departure to Pogradec, small town near the border with Macedonia. Short break in the center and opportunity to visit some of the famous confectioners. Continue to Macedonia and visit St Naum. Maybe one of the best place around the Lake Ohrid where are the springs Crn Drim and monastery St. Naum with original remainings from the 9th century. Nice ambient for lunch and leisure. Afterwards departure to Ohrid and accommodation in hotel. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 9 – Ohrid ( Macedonia ) – Bitola ( Macedonia) – Petrich ( Bulgaria )
Breakfast. Departure to Petrich via Bitola.
The national park-museum Samuil’s Fortress includes the archaeological site Samuil’s fortress with 13 canned dugouts and one so-called Big Dugout, as well as the ruins of the lookout tower of the Samuil’s fortress. A panoramic site was built over the ruins with a memorial composition and an exhibition hall. At the end of the 10th and the beginning of the 11th century AD, when the Bulgarian Empire, headed by tsar Samuil (reigned 997 – 1014) was at war with Byzantium, the defensive system of Klyuch was built on this place. A part of this system is the Samuil’s Fortress, which has a strategic place and was probably used as a command center by tsar Samuil.
Arrival in Petrich , small south Bulgarian town. Accomodation. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 10 – Petrich – Rupite – Melnik – Rila Monastery – Sofia
Rupite is a protected area, which is situated at a distance of about 10 km from Petrich. The locality is mostly famous as a place related to the prophet Vanga, and by this it attracts thousands of worshippers and tourists. Vanga lived in a small house in the Rupite, because according to her relatives she considered the area an energy source and collected her powers from it. The church was built by monetary means, provided by Vanga, and it is interesting because of its wall paintings. They were made by the famous Bulgarian artist Svetlin Rusev and they are quite realistic, which differentiates them from the Orthodox canon. Despite the fact that the temple was not built according to the rules of the Orthodox church, it attracts thousands of worshippers and tourists because of its connection with Grandmother Vanga.
The smallest town in Bulgaria (208 residents), Melnik, is nested in the south slopes of Pirin, among sand pyramids with queer forms.
Melnik is famous with its beautiful rich houses from 17-18 centuries and its strong red wine.
Departure to Rila Monastery. Rila Monastery is one of the most impressive UNESCO world heritage sites in Bulgaria and it is the largest Eastern orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated south of the capital Sofia. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. The whole complex occupies an area of 8,800 m² and is rectangular in form, centered around the inner yard, where the tower and the main church are situated.
Arrival in Sofia. Accomodation. Dinner. Optional visit of casino or discotheque. Overnight.
Day 11 – Departure
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.
The offer includes:
- 10 nights on HB in hotels 4 * ( standard dinners European local food. Optional Indian food in some of the towns with additional price.)
- Transport in comfortable air-conditioned minibus/bus
- All transfers
- English speaking guide
- Tickets for museums, monuments and guided tours (except tickets for pictures with cameras and camcorders)
The offer does not include:
- Not listed meals and drinks
- Personal expenses and tips
- Insurance
- Visas
- Additional services
