4 days: Monasteries in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria there are more than 120 monasteries! The interest in them we can explain with their role in the historical and cultural evolution of the Bulgarian nation. They survived the cruelty times of the middle ages and the Ottoman period, the vandalism, the natural disasters. They were the source of light in the dark ages of the people, making literally schools for education, science and religion.

Some of them are like open-air museums, still keeping their secrets. Join us to solve some of their mysteries, to see the biggest ones like Rila, Bachkovo, Troyan. Feel the spirit of the orthodox temples and look over the monks and the nuns. See the incredible frescos and icons, made by the different painting schools. Come to understand why these things are little pieces of heaven.

Itinerary

1. Boyana Church · 20 min

   Welcome to Sofia. Today we’ll see two UNESCO sites – Boyana church and Rila monastery. Transfer to Boyana – 30 minutes. The church is famous with its layers of paintings dated from 11th, 13th. and 19th. century.

2. Rila Monastery · 2 h

   Transfer to Rila monastery – 2 hours. Rila Monastery is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria. A guided tour of 1 hour and free time for lunch.

3. Plovdiv · 12 h

   Transfer to Plovdiv – 2 hours and 30 minutes. Plovdiv is the second largest city and the cultural capital of Europe for 2019. Accommodation in a boutique hotel in the center of Plovdiv. Guided tour in the old part of Plovdiv.

4. Bachkovo Monastery · 2 h

   9.00. Hotel check-out. Transfer to  Bachkovo monastery – 40 minutes. Bachkovo monastery is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria and it is a candidate for the list of UNESCO heritage. Guided tour and free time.

5. Arapovo Monastery · 1 h

   Transfer to Arapovski monastery – 30 minutes.

6. Shipka · 30 min

   Transfer to Shipka monastery – 2 hours.

7. Sokolski Monastery · 50 min

   Transfer to Sokolski monastery – 1 hour. A guided tour.

8. Veliko Tarnovo · 12 h

   Transfer to Veliko Turnovo – 1 hour.  Veliko Turnovo was the capital of the Bulgarian kingdom from 12th to 14th. century. Accommodation in a boutique hotel with a panoramic view to the King’s hill, where is the fortress.

9. Tsarevets · 2 h

   9.00. After breakfast, a guided tour in Veliko Turnovo. Visit the fortress and feel the history of the place.

10. Arbanasi · 2 h

    Transfer to Patriarch’s monastery – 30 minutes. Transfer to Arbanasi to see the church “The Nativity of Jesus” – 30 minutes.

11. 40 min

    Transfer to Kupinovski monastery – 40 minutes.

12. 2 h

    Transfer to Preobrajenski monastery – 1 hour.

13. Veliko Tarnovo · 12 h

    Transfer to Veliko Turnovo – 15 minutes. Night in Veliko Turnovo.

14. Troyan Monastery · 4 h

    9.00. Hotel check-out. Transfer to Troyan monastery – 1 hour and 30 minutes. Troyan monastery is famous as the biggest monastery in North Bulgaria and with its miracle icon, which saved a lot of pilgrims. It was a hideout of Vasil Levski, the national Bulgarian hero, who made a big conspiracy inside the Ottoman empire.

15. 2 h

    Transfer to Glodjene monastery – 1 hour and 30 minutes.

16. Sofia · 2 h

    Transfer to Sofia– 2 hours. End of the program.

What's included

• Guide/driver
• Private tour
• Accommodation in boutique hotels for 3 nights
• Enterence fees for the museums
• Comfortable car

What's not included

• Food and drinks
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Start time

10:00

Languages

In-person guide: German, English

Travellers

• Adult (18–75)

Options

• 4 days: Monasteries in Bulgariafrom €600

  Pickup included

  Start time: 10:00

  In-person guide: English, German

Additional information

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.