Self Drive: Bulgaria - mountains, seaside and culture

Welcome to Bulgaria! Upon your arrival at Sofia Airport, you'll be provided with a car for your journey. Your first destination is the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, less than a two-hour drive from Sofia. You'll be staying at a charming family-run hotel nestled near a small river, just 5 km from the monastery. Enjoy a delightful dinner at the hotel's traditional restaurant, where you can sample local specialties like monastery bean soup and mountain trout.

After breakfast, explore the monastery and take a leisurely walk in its surrounding area. Revel in the unspoiled beauty of Rila Mountain, the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula and a declared National Park. Continue south to the museum village of Bansko, nestled at the foothills of Pirin National Park. Discover the old town's traditional architecture, museum houses, and the St. Trinity Church. Spend the night at a cozy family-run hotel in Bansko.

Today, you have two exciting options. If you love mountains and hiking, drive to the nearby town of Dobrinishte and take the seat lift from Gotse Delchev hut to Bezbog hut, then enjoy a pleasant walk to Bezbog Lake and Popovo Lake. Alternatively, if you prefer sightseeing, drive south from Bansko towards Melnik, the smallest Bulgarian town, and visit the Rojen Monastery, one of the oldest preserved monasteries in Bulgaria. Return to Bansko for an overnight stay at the same hotel.

Bid farewell to Bansko as you set off for Plovdiv, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Europe and a former European Capital of Culture. Explore the Old Plovdiv Architecture reserve with its cobblestone streets, museum houses, galleries, and small restaurants. Discover the ruins of Roman times, including the Ancient Theatre, Stadium, and Forum. If time allows, visit Kapana, the artistic neighborhood of Plovdiv, and the world's longest pedestrian street. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.

Spend the day exploring the old town of Nessebur, located on a small peninsula with many medieval churches and a local museum. Alternatively, you can choose to relax on the beach and soak up the sun. Spend another night at your hotel in Nessebur.

Depart north along the Black Sea coast to Varna, the largest Bulgarian city on the coast. Explore the city's central part, the Sea Garden, and the Cathedral. Visit the archaeology museum to see the oldest gold treasure in the world, discovered in Varna Necropolis. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.

Depart east from Varna with possible stops at the Petrified stones, Devnya museum of mosaics, Madara Horseman UNESCO site, Shumen, and the remains of the capital cities of the 1st Bulgarian Kingdom - Pliska and Preslav. Arrive in Veliko Turnovo, the medieval capital city of Bulgaria. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.

Spend the day exploring Veliko Turnovo, located on four hills above the Yantra River. Walk in the Old Town with Samovodska Charshia, the street of traditional crafts, and Gurko Street. Visit Tsarevets Royal hill with the medieval fortress, Patriarch's complex, and Baldwin tower. You can also visit the nearby Transfiguration and Petropavlovski Monastery.

Depart for Sofia, arriving after a 3.5-hour drive. Spend the day exploring the capital city of Bulgaria. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Boyana Church, the 4th-century St. George Rotunda, and the early Byzantine Basilica of St Sophia. See Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, Parliament Square, Sofia University, National Theatre, and the Old City Garden.