Mystical Bulgaria
$520 EUR / Per person
01
Day 1
Arrival at Airport Sofia.
Our day will start with a tour to Prohodna Cave, known by the name “Eyes of God”. There are two huge cavities in its vault, one next to the other and with an almond-shaped shape that gives them the appearance of a pair of eyes. Ancient Thracians placed one of their sanctuaries in such a peculiar scenario, inheriting the use that man had given to the cave since Neolithic times. It is not by chance that the local population calls them "Eyes of God" and sometimes "Eyes of the Devil". Viewed from a certain angle, they even resemble a face, gently looking down, and in wet weather "tears" seem to flow from them. The cave has been a scene for several films, and concerts are sometimes played because of the good acoustics.
We will have lunch in the “Pri Momite” winery in Lukovit city, where you will try traditional Bulgarian cuisine.
Then we will go to a picturesque and magical place – The Stone Houses. Andriyan Yordanov-Acho, with a lot of imagination and heart, transforms the area of Lukovit with fabulous stone houses built from completely natural materials. It is also the basis of the restoration of the nearby rock monasteries. From the complex, you can see the rock phenomenon „Provertenika“.
Another interesting stop on our route is Saint Nicholas Monastery. The monastery "Saint Nicholas (Gligora)" is the oldest of all in the area. It is believed to have originated in the middle of the 13th century, in a place previously inhabited by a hermit monk. The surrounding rocks were a favorite place for Hesychasts living in strict fasting and prayer.
*If not possible to do the tour on this day because of the flight schedule, layover, and tour on the next day.
Free time in our beautiful capital.
Layover in Sofia.
02
Day 2
Breakfast.
After breakfast, we head out to one of the most important places for Bulgarian culture and spirituality - the Rila Monastery. The Rila Holy Monastery was founded in the first half of the 10th century. Its history is directly related to the first Bulgarian hermit, St. Ivan of Rila who settled in the area and devoted himself to fasting and prayer. At 4 km. east of the Rila monastery is the grave of St. Ivan of Rila. It is reached by a nice narrow road and a short climb up a path through the forest that leads to the chapel. Right next to it is a large piece of overhanging rock that looks like it will collapse at any moment.
Free time for walking around the complex and having lunch.
We will continue to one of the most mystical places in Bulgaria – the Stob Earth Pyramids. The pyramids are a variety of shapes and sizes, some cone-like and others looking like rocky mushrooms. The legends that are told are related to forbidden love. They say that there was once a plain there. Two lovers from the village decided to get married there, but the mother of the bride did not agree with the wedding. She was so angry that they didn't listen to her that she cursed all the wedding guests to turn to stone. The moment the groom kissed the bride, the oath was fulfilled and the whole plain was covered with strange stones.
The last stop is Blagoevgrad – a lively student town. There are beautiful old neighborhoods and picturesque parks, in which you can take a walk.
Free time for dinner.
Layover.
03
Day 3
Breakfast.
We will go to Heraclea Sintica - an ancient town in modern Southwestern Bulgaria. In ancient times, the town was the center of the district of Sintice, populated by the Thracian tribe of the sintians. The prophetess Vanga claimed that under the Pits there was an ancient city destroyed by a natural cataclysm. The city was destroyed by the devastating earthquake in 383-388 BC. This is evidenced by the fact that all the walls fell in one direction - north-south. Heraclea Syntica existed for nearly 1000 years - from the 4th century BC. to the VI century. The city was founded by Philip II (the father of Alexander the Great) in the period 356-339 BC.
Our second stop is Complex “Rupite” - a place with strong energy and mysticism The locality is mostly famous as a place related to the prophet Vanga, and this attracts thousands of worshippers and tourists. She lost her sight at the age of 12 when during a strong storm she was caught by a whirlwind and was found hours later in the middle of a field covered with stones and earth. After the storm in question, in which Vanga loses her sight, it is believed that her prophetic abilities are unlocked. The temple of Vanga in the Rupites is a sacred place in the Southwest, which should be approached with a pure soul and heart. It was built at the behest of the Prophetess in just two years and incorporates the donations of thousands of concerned people who visited Vanga with the hope of salvation, healing, and comfort. The temple is white and beautiful and bears the name of St. Petka Bulgarska. In the complex, there are mineral springs with a temperature of 75 degrees and a high sulfur content.
We will go to Melnik - one of the most important stops on the Wine Route of Bulgaria and you will have time to take lunch and try the famous Melnik`s wine. Then we will have a tour of this beautiful city.
The first settlers were Thracians, and the Slavs who later inhabited this territory called their settlement Melnik because of the surrounding sand pyramids. The name comes from the Slavic word "mel", which means white clay, and chalk. From Melnik can be seen The Melnish pyramids - a unique natural formation. The mill pyramids are in the process of being laid out and their appearance and shape change over time. We will visit The Kordopul House, which is a unique building that dates from 1754 and belonged to the rich miller Kodropoulos. He was involved in trade and winemaking and apparently did very well. The house impresses with its interior and, of course, with its wine cellar. Next, we will visit Bolyarska House - a unique monument of medieval residential architecture not only in the Bulgarian lands but also in the Balkans. Preserved in ruins. It was built in two stages by its notable rulers - despot Alexii Slav from the Bulgarian royal dynasty of the Asenevtsi and despot Konstantin Dragash, related by blood to the Asenevtsi kings, the Serbian kings - Nemanici and the Byzantine emperors – Palaeologs.
Free time for a walk for you to feel the unique atmosphere of Melnik.
Dinner.
Layover in Melnik.
04
Day 4
Breakfast.
After breakfast, we head to one of the most beautiful and famous mountain resorts in Bulgaria. On this day we give you free time to explore the magical beauty of Bulgaria on your own. In winter you can visit some of the SPAs or even go skiing! And when the season allows, you can enjoy horseback riding - on the terrain or hiking tours with horses around Pirin.
OR you can join the tour “Afternoon on the Godless Lake” (optional and for an additional fee). This tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy the mystic beauty of Pirin Mountain. We will take a lift to the "Bezbog" hut in about 30 minutes. There you will have a unique view of the lake and the "Bezbog" hut, as well as Popovo lake, which is located at an altitude of 2240m. The hut offers breakfast, tea, coffee, and traditional Bulgarian dishes for lunch.
Free time in Bansko.
Dinner.
Layover.
05
Day 5
Breakfast.
Our next stop is the second-biggest city in Bulgaria and the oldest in Europe. Accommodation at the hotel and tour of the ancient and eternal Plovdiv.
Our tour begins from the Central post. We are going to see the main pedestrian area in the center of the city of Plovdiv, which is called “Glavnata”. Theaters, galleries, shops, cafes, and some of the city’s sights are located on it. Often “Glavnata” itself is defined as a landmark. The main street has a total length of 1.8 km, making it the longest pedestrian street in Europe. Then we will continue with the Ancient Roman Stadium, which was built at the beginning of the 2nd century under Emperor Hadrian. Its length is 240m, and its northern end has been exposed so far, and the rest is located under the main Street of Plovdiv. In the past, gladiator fights, sports competitions, and the famous Alexandrian, Kendresian, and Pythian games were held here.
We continue to Jumaya mosque, which is the main Muslim temple in Plovdiv. The Jumaya is one of the oldest Ottoman cult buildings in the Balkans. Its construction shows the influence of the Byzantine and Old Bulgarian architectural techniques – two layers of bricks are built after each layer of cut stone. The interior of the mosque is decorated with frescoes with plant ornaments – twigs, flowers, and garlands, between which are inserted medallions with quotations from the Koran.
The tour stops very close to the Art District of Plovdiv “Kapana”. You can walk through the cobbled streets of Kapana and find a nice place for drinks and food or you can stay at the Jumaya cafe and try Turkish tea in combination with Turkish sweets.
Free time in Plovdiv.
OR you can join in the tour Old Town of Plovdiv with a local guide (optional and for an additional fee).
We will tour the Old Town, which offers a cocktail of unbelievable stories, heroic legends, and breathtaking architecture from different historical periods. It is an authentic open-air museum preserving exhibits from Thracian, Slavic, Roman, Turkish, and Bulgarian times – all located within walking distance from each other.
The next stop is Hindliyan House. Stepan Hindliyan’s house was constructed in 1834-35 by unknown builders and represents one of the few houses in Plovdiv, which have preserved their original symmetric design. Present-day people, the contemporaries of the third millennium, cannot but feel awe at the ingenious and highly sophisticated design of the items, used by people during the 19th century, excellent examples of which can be found in Hindliyan House. Moreover, many of the cultural events of the city take place in this house.
Another landmark not to be missed is The Ancient theatre of Philippopolis. It is one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the World. It is located on the Southern slope of the Three Hills, in the saddle between Taksim and Dzhambaz tepe. Presumably, some of the fights with animals were held in the theatre, as remains of safety facilities in front of the first row are uncovered. Now, this object is fully adapted to the modern cultural life of Plovdiv and it hosts various performances for about 3,500 spectators.
Dinner.
Layover in a hotel or typical guest house, located in The Old Town of Plovdiv
06
Day 6
"The Holy Rhodope Triad” – Cross Forest, Karadzhov Stone and Belintash – beauty and energy from three divine places. It is believed that all three places were Thracian sanctuaries, reflecting the beliefs of our ancestors about the world, as Cross Forest was considered a reflection of the divine, Karadzhov Stone was associated with the world of the dead, and Belintash – with the world of the living."
Breakfast.
After breakfast, we head to Cross Forest – one of the great Orthodox Bulgarian holy places. On September 14 every year, believers from all over the country come to this place and sleep under the open sky, with their hopes, dreams, and beliefs. From Cross Forest, we will walk through a picturesque route to Karadzhov Stone. Since ancient times, people have considered the place special – the ancient Thracians built a sanctuary where they honored the dead. Until today, pits cut into the rock with a religious purpose, as well as steps leading to the upper part of the massif, have been preserved.
Before heading to Belintash, we will have lunch in Bachkovo – a small beautiful city in the mountain, where you can pick up traditional Bulgarian souvenirs.
Dinner.
Layover in “The Old Houses” Complex or similar guest house.
07
Day 7
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport.
Option +1 night in Sofia
Free time in Sofia or you can join the Sofia tour (optional and for an additional fee).
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and is worth visiting for its incredible historical, cultural, and natural attractions. We will visit the Neo-Byzantine-designed St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is one of the most emblematic sites of Sofia and impresses with its architecture. The cathedral was built as a symbol for those who perished during the Russian-Turkish War of 1878-1879, which helped to liberate Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. The interior is as impressive as the exterior. Then we will continue our walking tour to the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, which commemorates the hundreds of thousands of Bulgarian soldiers who died in wars defending their homeland. Our next stop is The Presidency building. You will have the chance to walk on the so-called “yellow pavements”, which are an invariable part of the history of Sofia and its appearance. The National Theater “Ivan Vazov” is another interesting stop – the country’s largest and oldest, and is known for its productions, neoclassical architecture, and history. The National Palace of Culture is a landmark that cannot be missed – is the largest multifunctional congress, conference, convention, and exhibition center in Southeastern Europe. Then we head to the beautiful central street of Sofia “Vitoshka”. The combination of culture and entertainment makes the street a preferred choice for a walk for both locals and tourists visiting the city.
* The tour could be displaced in order to meet your requirements.
PRICES
| 2PAX | 1930 EUR pp |
| 4PAX | 1260 EUR pp |
| 6PAX | 1030 EUR pp |
| 8PAX | 930 EUR pp |
| 10PAX | 860 EUR pp |
| 20PAX | 740 EUR pp |
| 30 PAX | 520 EUR pp |
*Please note that the prices can vary depending on the period of time that you choose to travel. Feel free to contact us in order to get an offer.
Included in the tour price:
- Welcome, pick-up, and drop-off at Sofia airport;
- All ground transportation for the whole tour;
- English-speaking guide for the whole tour;
- 1-2 night in Sofia in 3* hotel with breakfast;
- 1 night in Blagoevgrad in a 3* hotel with breakfast;
- 1 night in Melnik in a traditional guest house with included breakfast, lunch, and dinner;
- 1 night in Bansko in 3* hotel with included breakfast and dinner;
- 1 night in Plovdiv in a guest house, located in the Old Town with included breakfast and dinner;
- 1 night around Belintash in a traditional guest house with included breakfast and dinner;
- Entrance fees to the basic sites;
- 1 FOC for every 20 paying Pax / 2 FOC for every 30 paying Pax in a double room;
Excluded from the tour price:
- Tips;
- Other meals;
- Personal expenses;
- Beverages;
