The Magnificence of Byzantium - Guaranteed departure

ITINERARY: SOFIA — PLOVDIV — ISTANBUL — SOFIA

 

1 DAY

Arrival in Sofia. Accommodation. Guided sightseeing tour of the city centre, including visit of Alexander Nevski Cathedral — one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction; St. George Rotunda, St. Sophia Church, built by emperor Justinian in the 6^th century, National Theatre, former Royal Palace, housing the National Art Gallery and Ethnographic Museum, Presidency, etc. Free time in the city centre and main shopping 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 with a comfortable air-conditioned intercity bus. Sightseeing tour of Old Plovdiv, including visit to Ethnographic Museum, Roman Stadium, St. Constantine and Helena Church, etc. Visit to the Roman Theatre, which was built 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. Accommodation in Plovdiv, overnight.

3 DAY

Breakfast. 8:30 am — departure for Turkey. Drive to Istanbul — huge modern city, former capital of three Empires. On the way — stop for a sightseeing tour in the town of Edirne — the beautiful Selimiye Mosque — one of the miracles of the Muslim world, the central market, the Bulgarian church St. George. Arrival in Istanbul in the evening. Accommodation. Upon request, evening panoramic bus tour — “Istanbul by night”. Overnight in Istanbul.

4DAY

Breakfast. Guided tour of the historical part of Istanbul — the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. 1.Optional guided tour of  St. Sophia Museum which was Episcopal Church of the Byzantine capital, and the old Sultan Top Kapi Palace. Free time for individual visit of the famous covered market at Kapali Charshi, the Egyptian market and other places of interest. 2.Upon request – individual visit to original Turkish bath — “hamam”. 3.In the evening, upon request, dinner at a fish restaurant in the area of Kumkapi in Istanbul, or 4.Visit to a restored Turkish hamam, nowadays attraction venue where you will see the famous dancing dervishes from Anadol. Overnight in Istanbul.

5DAY

Breakfast. Free time in Istanbul or, optional tours:

1. Boat trip on the Bosphorus Strait;

2. Panoramic bus tour to the Asian part of Istanbul — visit to the hill Yedi Tepe, the old sultan palace Beylerbeyi, the Maiden’s tower in the Bosphorus Strait.

In the evening, upon request, options for: 3. dinner at the traditional Turkish club “Orient House” with folklore program; 4. Turkish evening on a panoramic ship-restaurant in the Bosphorus Strait; 5. Turkish evening in “1001 Nights” traditional restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.

6DAY

Breakfast. Free time in Istanbul, or optional guided sightseeing tour – visit to Syuleymaniye mosque and the new royal palace Dolmabahche. Departure for Bulgaria at noon. Arrival in Sofia late in the evening. Accommodation and overnight.

7DAY

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and departure.

- Arrival and departure transfers; - 6 nights accommodation on BB basis at 3* hotels in Sofia, Plovdiv, Istanbul; - Air-conditioned motor-coach; - All excursions mentioned in the itinerary; - Professional English guide; - Special lectures on coach during long rides; - Travel insurance in Turkey.

- 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 traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances (optional) - 45 €; - Evening panoramic tour by bus “Istanbul by night”(optional) - 12 €; - Visit of Top Kapi Palace and St. Sophia Museum (optional) -12 €; - Visit to authentic historical Turkish bath (optional) - 45 € ; - Dinner at a fish restaurant in Istanbul (optional) -25 €; - Individual visit at a restored Turkish bath with program of the dancing dervishes (optional) - 25 €; - Bosphorus boat trip (optional) -18 €; - Panoramic bus tour to the Asian part of Istanbul (optional) -18 €; - Dinner at the traditional Turkish restaurant “Orient House” with music and dances (optional) - 36 €; - Turkish evening on a panoramic ship-restaurant in the Bosphorus Strait with dinner and folklore program (optional) - 57 €; - Turkish evening in “1001 Nights” traditional restaurant (optional) - 30 €; - Visit to Syuleymaniye mosque and the new royal palace Dolmabahche (optional) -12 €; - Use of city transport - one-time token costs 3 TL; - Single room (optional) - 110 euro.

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