The Rich Culture of Bulgaria and Macedonia Tour
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Tour ID:
1103 Tour Theme: Historic and Cultural Tours Regions: Central Bulgaria, Southern Bulgaria, Macedonia Duration: 12 Day / 11 Nights |
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Introduction:
Bulgaria and Macedonia - two neighboring countries with rich culture, impressive historic places, remarkable monasteries and nice nature - 12-days journey. From Sofia we depart to the capital city of Macedonia; Skopje. We will visit Skopje Kale Fortress, which is the highest point of the city with fantastic view of the cityâ™s Ottoman old town. The next day continuing our journey of Macedonia. The next day we continue our journey into Macedonia and visit Orchid Fortress, and also Perivlepta Church and the old Antique Theatre. Visit St. Naum Monastery, located on a high, rocky outcropping over Lake Orchid, above deep forests and the life-giving springs of the Crn Drim. Before returning
to Bulgaria we will see Macedoniaâ™s second city, Bitola; a grand old town that still bears the marks of its turn-of-the-century importance as a center for diplomacy while also exemplifying the countryâ™s time-honored cafe culture.
Then we begin our second half of the trip to discover the ancient and modern sights of Bulgaria. Rila Monastery is the largest and oldest monastery in Bulgaria, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List with medieval defense tower from the 14th C. and fine frescoes, with a beautiful mountainous backdrop. Then we go to the old town of Plodiv and visit St. Konstantin and Elena church, the old Roman Theatre, and Bachkovo monastery - the second biggest in the country with frescoesfrom the 17th C. The old capital of the Bulgarian Kingdom during the 12th-14th centuries, Veliko Turnovo has been the living symbol of Bulgarian statehood over the ages. Part of the territory of Veliko Turnovo has been declared a museum reserve with three zones, also including the territory of the village of Arbanassi. Then last but not least we will have a full day to discover the current capital of Bulgaria, Sofia.
This tour is customizable and can be adjusted upon your request. For more details please refer to the "Day by Day Itinerary".
The Rich Culture of Bulgaria and Macedonia Tour!!!
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1:
ROUTING: SOFIA
- Arrival at Sofia airport.
- Transfer to the hotel.
- Overnight in Sofia
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 2:
ROUTING: SOFIA - SKOPJE
- Breakfast
- Departure to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia.
- Sightseeing of Skopje - visiting the cultural and historical sites of Skopje Kale Fortress, the Museum of Macedonia, the church St. Spas dating from 1348 year, The Stone Bridge, Daut Pashaâ™s Bath 1489/1497 year, Kurshumli Han (a monument from 1550 year) and the church St.Pantelejmon - Nerezi. Dinner
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 3:
ROUTING: SKOPJE - OHRID
- Breakfast
- Drive to Ohrid and Ohrid lake.
- Sightseeing of old part of Ohrid. Walking through the old streets of Ohrid, passing by its traditional architecture, you will be constantly aware of its monuments to different periods of history. Visiting of the Ohrid Fortress - the Fortress of Tzar Samuel, the crown of Ohrid and of Lychnidos, Sv.Bogorodica Perivlepta - the Church of the Holly Mother of God Perivleptos dating from 1295, with its remarkable architecture and frescoes is one of the best known monuments of its kind in Macedonia, the Gallery of icons, belong to the period between the 11th and the 19th centuries, the Antique Theatre - the oldest antique theatre in Macedonia, built for- among other things - gladiatorial combats, has been reconstructed to house theatrical performances and concerts.
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 4:
ROUTING: OHRID - ST.NAUM MONASTERY - OHRID
- Breakfast
- Departure for monastery complex St.Naum by bus (if the weather is gut by boot). The monastery complex St. Naum (dated from 9th century), built by St. Naum, a disciple of St. Cyril and Methodius, and is one of the most significant monasteries in the Balkans, situated on the Macedonian-Albanian border on the west side of the attractive Mount Galicica. Sightseeing of the monastery complex and church.
- On the way back to Ohrid visit of the Bilyanini izvori - the famous aqua sourses.
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 5:
ROUTING: OHRID - BITOLA - DEMIR KAPIJA - SANDANSKI
- Breakfast
- Arrival in Bitola and sightseeing in the city. A walk along the old and well known Sirok Sokak (Broad Street), where the Consulates of European countries were located at the time of the Ottoman Empire. A visit and viewing of the archeological site Heraclea Lyncaestis. Heraclea Lyncaestis complex, founded by Philip II of Macedon and one of the best preserved antique sites in the Balkans.
- Departure for Demir Kapija gorge. Visit the famous Elenov winery in the region.
- Arrival at Sandanski in the late afternoon.
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 6:
ROUTING: SANDANSKI - MELNIK - RILA MONASTERY - SOFIA
- Breakfast
- Trip to Melnik - museum town, scenically located at the foothills of sandstone pyramids, famous for its ancient architecture and red wine.
- Visit of the Rozhen monastery.
- Departure to Sofia.
- On the way visit of Rila Monastery - visit of the largest and one of the oldest Bulgarian monasteries (10th C.), included in the UNESCO World Heritage List with medieval defense tower from the 14th C. and fine frescoes.
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 7:
ROUTING: SOFIA - PLOVDIV - BACHKOVO MONASTERY - PLOVDIV
- Breakfast
- Drive to Plovdiv. Sightseeing of the old part of the town with beautiful old houses from the Bulgarian Revival period (18th - 19th C.). Entrance to the St. Konstantin and Elena church and to the Roman Theatre. Visit of the Bachkovo monastery (11th C.), located 30km away from Plovdiv, the second biggest in the country with frescoes from the 17th C. On the way back to Plovdiv wine tasting at Brestovitsa wine cellar.
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 8:
ROUTING: PLOVDIV - KAZANLAK
- Breakfast
- Departure to Kazanlak.
- On the way visit of Starosel tomb and tempel. The grave and its surroundings are thought by archaeologists to have been an important religious site for Thracians dating from the stone age. Visit of the town of Hisarya - famous spa resort. In the afternoon entrance to the History museum of Kazanlak with exhibition of gold Thracian treasure found in 2004 and to the Thracian tomb - replica. The original tomb is included in the UNESCO World Heritage register.
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 9:
ROUTING: KAZANLAK - VELIKO TURNOVO
- Breakfast
- Entrance to the original Thracian tombs near by Kazanlak, located in the Valley of the Thracian kings -Ostrusha and Kosmatka. Drive to Veliko Turnovo via Shipka Pass. Visit to the Shipka Memorial church with golden domes. Entrance to the Outdoor ethnographic museum Etura with its 18th -19th C. crafts.
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 10:
ROUTING: VELIKO TURNOVO - SOFIA
- Breakfast
- Sightseeing of the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12th -14th C.), picturesquely situated on the hills at the banks of the meandering river Jantra. Visit of the medieval fortress of Tsarevets hill Sightseeing of Arbanassi - 17th C. fortified village; entrance to Konstanzalievâ™s house (17th C.) and Jesus Christâ™s Nativity Church which interior is covered in frescos depicting 2000 scenes.
- Drive to Sofia.
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 11:
ROUTING: SOFIA
- Breakfast
- Full-day sightseeing of the capital town - St. Sofia statue, St. Petka church, St. George Rotunda, Ruins of Serdica, Archeological museum, Russian church, Al. Nevski Cathedral with icon exhibition, and St. Sofia church. In the afternoon entrance to the National History museum and to the Boyana church (10th C.).
- Overnight
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL *** OR ****
Day 12:
ROUTING: SOFIA
- Breakfast
- Transfer to the airport and the final good-bye
End of tour services
This tour can also be adjusted to start or end in Romania. For tour ideas visit our partner website www.goromaniatours.com
Prices, Dates & What's Included:
Prices available upon request...
The Tour Includes:
- 11 nights accommodation in double rooms (twin beds)
- English-Speaking Specialist driver for the duration of the tour
- Local guides upon request
- Local Taxes
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Entrance fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities
- Extra charges of hotel, eg. Laundry, telephone or fax charges, room service, etc..
- Insurance
For more details please fill out the Inquire/Book It form which you can access from the button below
