BULGARIAN MONASTERIES

Explore the little-explored art and architectural gems found in Bulgaria on our unique cultural tour across the country. The spectacular sites include:

• Unspoilt stunning landscapes and groundbreaking archaeology discoveries, unaffected by mass tourism.
• Artistically wealthy monasteries: these treasuries of Bulgarian culture were the focal point for artistic patronage.
• Ancient city of Sofia, with an abundance of cultural and archaeological assets.

Unique vernacular architecture: The townhouses of wealthy merchants, government officials and craftsmen combine local Bulgarian, Ottoman Turkish and Central European traditions.

Day1

Arriving Sofia . Transfer to Grand Hotel, central Sofia, for three nights. Afternoon: neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (huge crypt with icon collection) and National Archaeological Museum.

Day2

Sofia: Boyana Church (13th century frescoes), National Museum of History, walking tour of central Sofia: beautifully restored synagogue (Moorish turrets), Banya Bashi Mosque, churches. Free evening.

Day3

Whole-day excursion to small town of Koprivshtitsa (National Revival architecture), and Kremikovci Monastery.

Day4

Zemen Monastery (14th century frescoes), 10th century Rila Monastery (wood-carvings, frescoes, icons), then continue to hotel in Sandanski, for two nights.

Day5

Melnik (remarkable wooden houses, medieval churches with valuable icons), medieval Rozhen Monastery (unique wood-carved altars) and Sandanski early-Christian basilica.

Day6

Bansko (church, National Revival houses), Kovachevitsa (local architecture) with drive through Rhodope Mountains to Devin for overnight at Spa Hotel Devin.

Day7

Shiroka Luka (stone-roofed houses), 11th century Bachkovo Monastery, then continue to Plovdiv for two nights at Landmark Creek Hotel.

Day8

Plovdiv: old town (National Revival architecture), ethnographic museum, St Konstantin and Elena churches, House of Stepan Hindlian, Dzhumaya Mosque, Roman amphitheatre. Free evening.

Day9

Starosel (recently discovered Thracian sanctuaries), Hisar (Roman remains) then continue to Kazanlak (archaeology museum, replica of the 4th century Thracian tomb), Thracian tombs of Golyama Kosmatka, Shushmanets and Ostrusha. Overnight at Gabrovo.

Day10

Sokolski Monastery, Etura (traditional rural architecture) and Preslav (archaeology museum, round church). Continue to Shumen (centre of Muslim minority) for overnight stay at Hotel Shumen.

Day11

Tombul Mosque. Depart Shumen for Pliska site and Basilica, Madara Horseman (medieval rock carving on 300-ft cliff), Sveshtari (3rd century Thracian tomb), then continue to Arbanassi Palace Hotel for three nights.

Day12

Environs of Veliko Turnovo (medieval capital): Arbanassi (merchant’s semi-defensive house), 12th century Tsarevets (royal palace and cathedral), churches.

Day13

Ivanovo cave monastery (vast rock-hewn complex with 14th century murals), Cherven (medieval fortress).

Day14

Preobrazhenski Monastery (murals, icons), Troyan Monastery (spectacular frescoes) then continue to Sofia for overnight stay at Grand Hotel.

Day15

Departure.