Balkan Phenomena - Guaranteed departure

ITINERARY: SOFIA — PLOVDIV — RILA MONASTERY — SOFIA — EDESSA — METEORA ROCK MONASTERIES — VERGINA — THESSALONIKI — SOFIA

1 DAY

Arrival in Sofia. Accommodation. Guided sightseeing tour of the city center, including visit to Alexander Nevski Cathedral — one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and primary tourist attractions; St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by emperor Justinian in the 6^th century, the National Theatre, the former Royal Palace, housing the National Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, the Presidency, etc. Free time in the city centre and main trade area around Vitosha Boulevard. Upon request — evening panoramic tour “Sofia by night” and dinner at a traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight in Sofia.

2 DAY

Breakfast. Departure for Plovdiv. Sightseeing tour of Old Plovdiv, including visit to the Ethnographic Museum, the Roman Stadium, St. Constantine and Helena Church, etc. Visit to the Roman Theatre, which was build in the 2^nd century AD under the rule of the Roman Emperor Trajan and is nowadays considered to be the largest surviving Roman construction in Bulgaria. Free time in the centre of Plovdiv. Drive back to Sofia. Overnight in Sofia.

3 DAY

Breakfast. Departure for Rila Monastery — the most beautiful and the most important monastery in Bulgaria, founded in the 10^th century and nowadays included in the list of UNESCO. Tour of Rila Monastery and its museum. Visit to the monastery church Nativity of the Virgin. One of its greatest treasures is the wooden iconostasis, some 14^th and 15^th century icons, wall paintings, made by the famous artist Zahari Zograph. Walk around the monastery — Hrelyo’s Tower, the old kitchen. Free time. Drive back to Sofia in the late afternoon. Overnight in Sofia.

4DAY*

Early breakfast. 7:30 am — departure for Greece. Drive to Thessaloniki. Sightseeing tour — the White Tower — a symbol of the city, St. St. Cyril and Methodius Church, Navarino Square with the Palace of Galerius; Arch of Galerius; Turkish Baths; Roman Forum; St. Dimitrius Church where the relics of the saint are preserved for worship; Eptapirgio Fortress. Free time in the old part of the town for visiting the famous market. Drive to the Olympic Riviera. Accommodation and overnight.

5DAY

Breakfast. One day tour to Meteora locality and the famous rock monasteries of Meteora. The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and they form one of the most important stations of the cultural map of Greece. Visit to two of the six functioning monasteries there. Free time in the picturesque town of Kalambaka, nestled in the shadow of the giant rocks of Meteora. Drive back to the Olympic Riviera. Overnight.

6DAY*

Breakfast. Drive to Vergina — first capital of Ancient Macedonia. Visit to the famous tomb of Philip II the Macedon and the museum. Visit to the town of Edessa, a photo break at the waterfalls of Edessa and walking tour in the centre and the old part of the town — Varosha. Departure for Bulgaria in the afternoon. Accommodation in Sofia in the evening. Overnight.

7DAY

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and departure.

 

*Due to technical reasons the 4^th and 6^th days of the tour may be substituted.

- Arrival and departure transfers; - 6 nights accommodation on BB basis at 3* hotel in Sofia and 2*+ hotel at the Olympic Riviera; - Air-conditioned motor-coach; - All excursions mentioned in the itinerary; - Professional English guide; - Special lectures on coach during long rides; - Travel insurance in Greece.

- Entry taxes for the visited in the itinerary sights; - Personal expenses, meals (lunch, dinner) and drinks, entry taxes for museums visited individually; - Evening panoramic tour “Sofia by night” and dinner at a traditional restaurant with music and dances in Sofia (optional) - 45 euro - Single room (optional) - 105 euro

For cancellation up to 3 days, a full refund will be given. For cancellation up to 1 days, 50% refund will be given.