Day 1 SOFIA

Upon arrival at the airport Sofia your guide will meet you. Transfer to Sofia and accommodation. Welcome dinner. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 2 SOFIA

After breakfast we visit the National Museum of History. Then we continue to the center of the city and stroll in the center with the most interesting sites - the Ruins of Serdika, the Rotunda of St. George (fourth century), The Basilica of St. Sofia (sixth century), the Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral (1912), the National Theater, the Russian Church of St. Nicholas and the square of the Parliament Building. In the afternoon we visit the Boyana church, ncluded in the UNESCO list of Cultural Heritage and considered as a herald of European Renaissance. The church is located 8 km away from the center of the capital. The architectural complex consists of a small church built in the tenth century and over two floors dating from the thirteenth century. Its extraordinary importance as a cultural monument is due to the unique frescoes. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 3 SOFIA - OHRID (395 km.)

Departure to Macedonia. In Macedonia we visit the Old Town of Ohrid, located on the shores of Lake Ohrid. The city tour includes Robevi family house that has been converted into a museum and the Monastery of San Pantheleimon with more than 800 Byzantine-style icons painted between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries. The tour end with the rebuilt Cathedral of San Clemente and the ancient amphitheater. Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 4 OHRID - THESSALONIKI (235 km.) 

After breakfast we depart to Greece. In the afternoon arrival in Thessaloniki. The panoramic tour of the city includes the White Tower, the Rotunda, the ruins of the Byzantine fortress, the catacombs and the church of St. Dimitar. Free time at leisure. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 5 THESSALONIKI - KALAMPAKA - METEORA (230 km.) 

Breakfast. Leave Thessaloniki and proceed to the town of Kalampaka, situated in the foot of the rock monasteries of Meteora. Then visit of two monasteries. Free time in the city of Asclepius. Overnight in Kalampaka.

Day 6 KALAMPAKA - DELPHI - ATHENS (390 km.)

We depart to Delphi. Upon arrival panoramic tour of the downtown of Delphi with the Oracle of Delphi, the Theater, the Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. Departure for Athens. Overnight in the capital.

Day 7 ATHENS

After breakfast we continue with exciting walk through the center of Athens, including Syntagma Square, Greek Parliament, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the Olympic Stadium, host the first Olympics, the Presidential Palace, the National Park of Zapión, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. And of course, the tour wouldnot be complete without a visit of the Acropolis. Free time in Plaka - a historical site located at the foot of the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens.

Day 8 ATENAS - PARALIA KATERINI (430 km.)

Departure for Paralia Katerini. On the way we could see the famous mountain of the Greek Gods - Mount Olympus if the weather conditions permit this. Overnight in Paralia Katerini.

Day 9 PARALIA KATERINI - ROZHEN MONASTERY - MELNIK (215)

After breakfast we travel to Bulgaria. We cross the border. We proceed to Rozhen Monastery-known for its carved wooden icons from 17th century. In the afternoon arrival in Melnik - the smallest city in Bulgaria, situated at the foot of curious sand pyramids with over 100 meters high. The city is famous with its red wine. Wine tasting at the House of Kordopoulos. Overnight in Melnik.

Day 10 MELNIK -RILA MONASTERY- PLOVDIV (280 km.)

After breakfast the route continues to the Rila Monastery, UNESCO site. The monastery was founded in the tenth century by Ivan Rilski and during medieval times it became the largest Bulgarian cultural center. The museum has an interesting collection of mural paintings, woodcuts, old weapons, coins, books, parchment bibles and icons. The remarkable Hrelio tower was erected in the fourteenth century. After visit the monastery we continue towards the city of Plovdiv. Accommodation at a 3 * hotel and overnight in the town.

Day 11 PLOVDIV

After breakfast tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv, famous with its architecture during the National Revival Period (XVIII-XIX century). Among the most interesting sites are the ethnographic museums and the Roman Amphitheater (second century). Departure to the medieval fortress of Assen (Assenova Krepost), which is named after the Tzar (King) Ivan Assen II. We visit parts of the original wall and the medieval church of the Mother of God with its frescoes dated back to fourteenth and nineteenth centuries. In the afternoon we return to Plovdiv and have a traditional dinner with folklore performance. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 12 PLOVDIV - KAZANLAK - SHIPKA - ETARA-SOKOLSKI MONASTERY- VELIKO TURNOVO (170 km.)

Breakfast. Depart to Kazanlak and visit the Museum of Roses and the tomb of Kazanlak, the best preserved site of the Thracian art that dates back to the fourth century BC. Actually we visit an identical replica, built in 1974 for the tourists. The walls of the tomb are covered with frescoes depicting scenes of battle. The entire complex is typically Hellenistic and it is the richest of all those found in Ancient Thrace. It is included in the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST. The tour continues to the Ethnographic Open Air Museum "Etara. En route we visit the Sokolski Monastery - a cultural center during the Renaissance. Proceed to Veliko Tarnovo - the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Accommodation at a 3 * hotel.

Day 13 VELIKO TURNOVO - ARBANASSI - SOFIA (230 km.)

Breakfast. Tour of Veliko Turnovo and the surrounding area: the Royal Tsarevets Hill and a stroll through the medieval market with many handicrafts represented there. In the afternoon, visit one of the most authentic villages in Bulgaria- Arbanassi. Highlighting the Constanceliev's house that looks like a fortress. The Church of Nativity of Jesus Christ "with more than 3,500 images and scenes from the New Testament is another site of interest in the village. In the afternoon we continue to Sofia. Farewell dinner with folklore program.

Day 14 SOFIA

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight.