Dancing adventure - tour the unique folk dances of Bulgaria - 12 days on FB

Itinerary

Day 1: Capital Sofia (Shopi ethnographic area)

Stop At: National Palace of Culture, National Culture Palace, Bulevard "Bulgaria", 1463 Ndk, Sofia, Bulgaria
We start the day meeting our instructor-choreographers for about 2 hours. The training is focused on two of the most widely known Bulgarian folk dances – Ra-che-‘ni-ca and ’Pra-vo Ho-‘ro. Lunch follows, and then a walking tour and some free time in the capital Sofia. The day ends with dinner at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant with a folklore show program.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Sofia

Day 2: Northern ethnographic district

Stop At: Tsarevets, Tsar Asen Square, Veliko Tarnovo 5000 Bulgaria
We depart to the old capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom – Tarnovo. There will be sightseeing and free time. The training presents the beautiful E-’le-ni-no Ho-‘ro.
Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Arbanassi, 5029 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
After visiting Veliko Tarnovo, we will go to the outstanding town-museum of Arbanasi.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Arbanasi or Veliko Tarnovo

Day 3: Dobrudzha ethnographic region

Stop At: Varna Archaeological Museum, Bul. Maria Louisa 41, Varna 9000 Bulgaria
After breakfast we are going to the Northern part of the Black Sea coast. We will visit Varna – the third biggest town in Bulgaria, also known as the sea capital of the country.
Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Aladzha Monastery, In Naturpark, Varna 9000 Bulgaria
The same day we visit the magnificent Aladzha Monastery – one of the few cave monasteries in Bulgaria. The dance of the day is ’Sbo-ren-ka.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Sts. Constantine and Helen resort or Albena

Day 4: Thracian ethnographic area

Stop At: Sozopol Old Town, Apolonia str. 1, Sozopol 8130 Bulgaria
We are moving south to the romantic and artistic ancient town of Sozopol. We’ll have fun along the cobblestone streets of the old town and its bustling beaches. Here we learn the Thracian Ra-che-‘ni-tsa (a bit different from the one you know from day 1 - you’ll have to tell the difference).
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Sozopol

Day 5: Thracian ethnographic area

Stop At: Sozopol Old Town, Apolonia str. 1, Sozopol 8130 Bulgaria
We are not touring – just a day to enjoy the fine sand beach, sea, sun and Apollonia Arts Festival. We will have a repetition of all the dances we learned till the day and get a bonus dance from the previous area, the easy and enjoyable – ‘Var-nen-sko Ho-’ro.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Sozopol

Day 6: Rhodopе ethnographic area

Stop At: Mezek Thracian Tomb, Mount of Sheynovets, Mezek Bulgaria
Heading towards the town of Ivaylovgrad, we will pass through the Thracian beehive tomb at the village of Mezek. It is the largest and one of the most impressive tombs of Mycenaean type in Bulgaria, famous for the remarkable archaeological find – a bronze sculpture of a wild boar in natural size. We will have the opportunity to taste some outstanding Bulgarian wines at the Katarzhina wine cellar, which will help us learn easily the next dance in our tour from the Rhodope area – ’Svor-na-to Ho-‘ro.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Ivaylovgrad

Day 7: Thracian ethnographic area

Stop At: Villa Armira, 6570, Bulgaria
We get a break from the dance training and visit 3 significant places: an exquisite architectural monument from the Roman era – villa Armira
Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Perperikon, 10 miles from the town of Kurdzhali Bulgaria
the archaeological complex of Perperikon – one of the most ancient monumental megalithic structures, entirely carved into the rocks, where the famous Temple of Dionysius is located
Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Bachkovo Monastery, 10km south of Asenovgrad on the main road between Assenovgrad and Smolyan, Bachkovo 4251 Bulgaria
One of the largest and oldest East Orthodox monasteries in Europe dated back to the 11th century AD
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Plovdiv

Day 8: Thracian ethnographic area

Stop At: Plovdiv Old Town, Plovdiv 4000 Bulgaria
The day is dedicated to Plovdiv – the oldest city in Europe and second biggest Bulgarian town. Remains of ancient, medieval, National Revival and modern culture coexist and are interwoven into the unobtrusive, irresistible and eternal beauty of this city. During the training we will learn a new dance – Pai-‘dush-ko Ho-‘ro.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Plovdiv

Day 9: Thracian ethnographic area

Stop At: Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, General Radetski St. Parc Tubelto, Kazanlak 6100 Bulgaria
Again, the day will be a mixture of sightseeing and dancing. We will start with the most significant tombs in The Valley of The Thracian Kings.
Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Thracian Temple of Starosel, Starosel village, near Hissarya city, Hissarya 4180 Bulgaria
Starosel – the Thracian temple complex, which is the oldest ever found Royal Thracian complex with a mausoleum.
Duration: 1 day

Stop At: 4180 Tsentar, Hisarya, Bulgaria
Then we continue to Hisarya – a town founded in 4th – 3rd century BC, famous for its healing mineral waters. The dance from the area will be ‘Tri-te ‘Pa-ti.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in *** hotel in Hisarya

Day 10: Pirin ethnographic area

Stop At: Ski Complex Dobriniste, Dobrinishte, 2777 Dobrinishte, Bulgaria
We will enjoy The Pirin Mountains. First we will visit Bansko ski resort and then go up the mountain by chair lift. There will be walking tours, hiking and open air dance trainings. It is time to start learning some extraordinarily beautiful dances from the Pirin area like Dzhan-‘gu-ri-tsa and ‘Ma-le-shev-sko Ho-‘ro.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Vihren, Yavorov or Bezbog hut

Day 11: Pirin ethnographic area

Stop At: Ski Complex Dobriniste, Dobrinishte, 2777 Dobrinishte, Bulgaria
We have the same program as the previous day. Review all dances and a lot of fun... ;-)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Vihren, Yavorov or Bezbog hut

Day 12: Arrival in Sofia and transfer to the airport for the return flights

Stop At: Sofia Airport Transfer, Sofia Bulgaria
Arrival in Sofia and transfer to the airport for the return flights
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.