BULGARIAN BACKROADS:  MONASTERY TOUR 1

DAY 1:  Arrival. Meeting, assistance. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner in a folk restaurant with program. Overnight.

DAY 2:  Breakfast. Departure to the Glojen monastery “St. George” (a legend says that the monastery was found during the Second Bulgarian empire – 13c. A.D. by the Russian prince George Gloj. In the 19th c. the monastery owned two nunneries – cultural and religious centers in the last years of the Turkish domination). Visit of the Troyan monastery “Virgin Mary” (found in 15th c. as a hermit dwelling, the monastery exists in its present outlines since 19th. During the Revival it has been a spiritual, cultural and crafts center. The murals were made by the prominent Revival’s artist Zahari Zograf, the iconostaisis is a real masterpiece of woodcarving. Recently restored, it is a precious Renaissance architectural monument). Stop in the national exhibition of handicrafts in the village Oreshaka (demonstrations of various handicrafts – pottery, woodcarving, carpet-weaving). Tasting of the famous plum brandy with local specialties. In the late afternoon – arrival in the architectural reserve Arbanassy. Overnight.

DAY 3:  Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the Medieval ensemble Arbanassy, visit masterpieces of old stone houses and churches richly decorated with colorful murals, as well as two monasteries. Next stop – Preobrajenski monastery “Transfiguration”. (One of the most precious architectural and art monuments of national importance. Found in 14c. During the Second Bulgarian empire, with the Bulgarian Queen Theodora-Sara and her son Tzar Ivan Shishman being its donors. The church was built by the famous Renaissance builder Kolio Ficheto, while the precious murals were made by Zahari Zograf). Sightseeing of Veliko Tarnovo – the administrative, spiritual and cultural center of the Second Bulgarian empire. Visit of the historical hill Tzarevetz with the fortress and the archbishop’s cathedral. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

DAY 4: Breakfast. Visit of the monastery of Drianovo “St. Arhangel Mihail” (found in the Second Bulgarian Empire, destroyed during the Turkish domination, later rebuilt in the 19th c., a spiritual centre and stronghold of the Bulgarian liberation movement). Next stop – Prisovski monastery “St. Archangel Mihail” (the present monastery is built over the ruins of an older complex dating back to the 12thc. A flourishing cultural and religious center during the Revival. The trip continues with the Kapinovski monastery “St. Nikolay”. (Found in 1272 during the rule of Tsar Konstantin Tih, it’s one of the biggest Bulgarian monasteries. The present monastery dates back to 1835 when the church was built). Next stop – Plakovski monastery “St. Ilia” (The monastery church is one of the few preserved examples of the so called “Mount Athos” type. The monastery complex and the bell-tower were built by the famous master-builder Kolio Ficheto. Last stop – Kilifarevski monastery “Nativity” (found in 1348 by the prominent religious leader Teodosi Tarnovski. One of the biggest educational and cultural centers of Medieval Bulgaria. The present church “St. Dimitar” was built in 1840 by the master-builder Kolio Ficheto. Overnight in the architectural Renaissance reserve Triavna.

DAY 5: Breakfast. Visit of the ethnographical and architectural reserve Bojenzi. Next stop – Sokolski monastery. Visit of the ethnographical complex Etara. Overnight.

DAY 6: Breakfast. Departing to the Shipka peak – visit of the Mausoleum erected in honour of the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who died in the Russian-Turkish liberation war. Next stop – the Thracian tomb in Kazanlak and the Kazanlak monastery. Overnight in Kazanlak.

DAY 7: Breakfast. Visit of the Roman fortification system in Hissar and departure to Plovdiv. City tour of the old Plovdiv - a romantic experience along the cobblestone narrow streets, where tourists discover wonderful examples of our Revival’s architecture. Overnight in Plovdiv.

DAY 8: Breakfast. Half – day tour of the monasteries in the Plovdiv area – Kuklenski (15 km south) with precious frescoes from the 17th c; Muldavkski (20 km south) dating back to the Middle Ages and impressive for its architecture and murals; and of course the Bachkovo monastery – the second largest in Bulgaria (28 km south), founded in 1083 by two Byzantine nobles of Georgian origin, with unique atmosphere, religious paintings and icons. Overnight in Plovdiv.

DAY 9: Breakfast. Departure for Koprivshtica - Discover the architectural and ecological paradise! Cobblestone streets and century old town houses in their peaceful and romantic surroundings harbour a variety of impressions just waiting to be experienced! The numerous museums, the arched bridges, the granite fountains, the high stone walls, the wooden yard gates and the buildings in their typical colours, all take you back to times long gone. Departure for Sofia. Accommodation and overnight in Sofia.

DAY 10: Breakfast. City tour of the Bulgarian capital, including some of the most beautiful churches in Bulgaria – “St. Aleksandar Nevki” Cathedral, “St. Sofia”, Rotonda church of “St. George”, “St. Nicolas”, “St. Nedelya”, “St. Petka” as well as all the major monuments in the city. Farewell and transfer to the airport. Departure.

Please call us for pricing.  Itinerary subject to change without notice.