Bulgaria 2025

Music: Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude

10/17 Veliko Tarnovo, 'City of the Tsars', houses cling to the cliffs of the River Yantra. Tsarevets Hill, the
inescapable symbol of the city. This reconstructed medieval fortress dominates the skyline and is one of Bulgaria's most beloved monuments. The former seat of the Tsars, it boasts the remains of more than 400 houses, 18 churches, a royal palace and more.
Lunch of traditional Bulgarian favorites at picturesque Arbanassi. L The 17th century church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Listen to the magical voices of a local choir, surrounded by magnificent frescoes. The day ends in Plovdiv, a millennial town with a tumultuous history. Dinner is at the hotel

10/18 Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria. Walk along the cobbled streets lined with art galleries and
bohemian cafes. In the Old Town, lovingly restored to its mid-19th-century appearance, admire the Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and Bulgarian antiquities. Visit the impressive Roman Amphitheater best preserved in the Balkans, now used for performances.
The day ends in Sofia, Bulgaria's lively capital, with dinner at the hotel and overnight.

10/19 Sofia, golden Ottoman domes. National
History Museum with its exhibits of Bulgarian lands spanning 8000 years and glimpses of unique gold and silver treasures dating back to Thracian times.
St. Sofia Church, neo-Byzantine golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Church, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.
4th century Roman Rotunda, a red brick building transformed into the present day St. George Church, and St. Joseph's Cathedral.

10/20 10th century Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered one of the greatest centers of literacy and religion in Bulgaria, playing a key role in preserving Bulgarian culture and language. Visit the monastery's church and view the astonishing frescoes, painted by famous Bulgarian artists. Continue with a visit to the monastery's museum.