EXPLORE the COLOURFUL MONASTERIES of BULGARIA/ Private tour

After breakfast, embark on a panoramic city tour of Sofia. Then, we'll head to the Troyan Monastery, the third largest in Bulgaria. Next, we'll proceed to Veliko Turnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria, beautifully situated on four hills above the Yantra river. Here, we'll tour the city, including the Tsarevets Royal Hill and its fortress. After a day of exploration, check into your hotel in Veliko Turnovo for a well-deserved rest.

Today, we'll visit three of the most famous monasteries in the Veliko Turnovo region: the Transfiguration, Liaskovski, and Kilifarevski Monasteries. These colourful, picturesquely located monasteries are steeped in legends of Bulgarian kings and queens, masters of murals and woodcarving, and the history of Bulgaria's fight for independence and cultural identity. In the late afternoon, we'll head deep into the Balkan mountains to the museum town of Tryavna, a main centre of woodcarving and icon-painting. After a visit to the old town, you'll check into your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we'll tour the Bachkovo Monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria and a site connected with the history of the Third Crusade. We'll then depart for Bansko, a museum town located at the foothills of the Pirin Mountain National Park, a UNESCO site. Here, we'll take a walking tour of Old Bansko before checking into your hotel.

In the morning, we'll visit Dobursko village and its Church of St. Teodor Tiron and St. Teodor Stratilat. We'll then head to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, located 1100 meters above sea level in Rila Mountain National Park. Sofia is just a two-hour drive away, and just before arriving at your hotel, we'll visit another UNESCO gem, the Boyana Church. Check into your hotel in Sofia for the night.