Bulgarian Wine, Nature & Culture in 8 Days

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Stop At: Sofia International Airport, bul. "Christopher Columbus" 1, 1540 Sofia, Bulgaria
Our driver will wait you at the airport with sign with your name.

After picking you up, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Duration: 15 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Sofia

Day 2: Exploration of Sofia city and introduction to the Bulgarian history

Stop At: National Museum of History, ul. "Vitoshko lale" 16, 1404 Boyana, Sofia, Bulgaria
During this day we will find out more about Sofia –the capita and the largest city in Bulgaria. The city is situated in the western part of the country, on the slopes of Vitosha Mountain. Sofia preserves various monuments from its rich past.

Your driver and your guide will be waiting for you in front of your hotel at 09:30 am. We will start our tour with visit of the National

History Museum where you will be introduced to the history of the Bulgarian lands since the prehistoric times.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Boyana Church, 3 Boyansko Ezero Str., Sofia 1616 Bulgaria
After that we will visit Boyana Church - UNESCO site, where we will have the chance to admire the unique frescoes from the Middle Ages. Our next stop will be a place in Vitosha Mountain

with a stunning view of the city.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Sofia Bulgaria, alexander nevsky cathedral, 1000 Old City Center, София, Bulgaria
After admiring the scenery we will continue towards the city center. There we will have the chance to visit the highlights of Sofia which include:The Alexander Nevski Cathedral (the biggest one in Bulgaria), Saint Sofia Church, The Bulgarian National Gallery for Foreign Art, the Russian Church,The National Art Gallery ( former Royal Palace), the National Theatre, and the St. George Rotunda (built by the Romans).
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Sofia

Day 3: In the world of the good wine

Stop At: Rila Monastery, Rila 2643 Bulgaria
This day will be dedicated to the wine traditions of Bulgaria.

Your driver and your guide will wait for you in front of your hotel at 09:00 am. On our way to Melnik region (one of the leaders of wine production) we will pay a visit to the biggest and most glamorous monastery on the Balkan Peninsula – Rila monastery, listed in UNESCO World Heritage list. We can have a lunch.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Villa Melnik Winery, The road between Melnik and Gotse Delchev, village of Harsovo 7km from Melnik, Harsovo 2819 Bulgaria
We will continue south to one of the most popular wineries – Villa Melnik. There you will learn more about the way grapes are grown

and wine is made. You will enjoy beautiful views with a glass of Melnik wine. A local winery guide will take you on a journey through the production facilities and lead a professional wine tasting for you. You will have the chance to visit the underground cellar, located deep under the sandy hill. This day ends with a check in hotel in Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Melnik

Day 4: Getting to know Melnik

Stop At: Kordopulova House, Melnik Bulgaria
Today the town is architectural reserve which preserves the typical for the Revival period house style.

After breakfast you tour of Melnik will start at 10:00 am. During

this day we will have a walk in the town with typical for the Revival

Period house museums and narrow cobblestone streets. We will visit Kordopulova House – which belonged to rich merchants and is the biggest preserved house on the Balkan Peninsula from this period.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Wine Museum, 2820 Melnik, Bulgaria
Another highlight to which we will pay attention is the Museum of wine were will have the chance to learn more about the wine traditions in Bulgaria and the region and have a degustation of several wines.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: The Melnik Pyramids, Pirin Planina, Melnik Bulgaria
On the way to our next destination– Rozhen Monastery, we will stop to admire the famous natural phenomenon – the Pyramids of

Melnik which are rock formations of different shapes, some of which are resembling human figures.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Rozhen Monastery, Rozhen, Melnik 2820 Bulgaria
Once we arrive to Rozhen Monastery we will see the admirable frescoes from XVI century ad praise the beautiful nature surrounding the monastery.
Duration: 40 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Melnik

Day 5: The Seven Rila Lakes Adventure

Stop At: Seven Rila Lakes, שבעת אגמי רילה,Rila,2650,בולגריה, 2650, Bulgaria
When we reach Panichishte resort area we will board the chairlift to the Rila Lakes mountain hut. From there we will continue on foot and explore the Seven Rila Lakes: the Eye, the Tear, the Kidney, the Twins, the Trefoil, the Fish Lake and the Lower Lake. The route is difficult and requires good fitness level. It takes approximately 5 hours walking time to visit all of the lakes. The tour will end with check in hotel situated in Rila Mountain.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Panichishte resort

Day 6: Horse riding day

Stop At: Horse riding "Adgor", между в.з. Ярема и с. Ковачевци, 2023 Sofia, Bulgaria
This day will start with later breakfast, because feel of

tiredness is expected. At around 10:30 you will head

toward Horse riding stable Adgor. Is is located in

a remarkably beautiful ecologically clean

environment, on a plateau with a breathtaking

view towards four mountain ranges – Rila,

Verila, Vitosha and Plana. Thanks to their well-

trained and calm horses, as well as the

professionalism of their trainers, you will have a

wonderful experience and an adventure. It is

calculated that the riding will be around 4 hours, but it is flexible and depends

mostly of your physical capabilities and desires.

After you gain your memories we will head back to your hotel and spend

the late afternoon resting and relaxing.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Panichishte resort

Day 7: Heading back to Sofia

Pass By: National Palace of Culture, National Culture Palace, Bulevard "Bulgaria", 1463 Ndk, Sofia, Bulgaria
After breakfast you will start your journey back to Sofia where you will check in. You will have

free day in Sofia. Your guide can give you tips how to spend it.

Optional is to have shopping tour of Sofia with our company.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Sofia

Day 8: End of your tour

Stop At: Sofia International Airport, bul. "Christopher Columbus" 1, 1540 Sofia, Bulgaria
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Sofia airport.
Duration: 15 minutes

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.