Itinerary
- Day 1
Sofia
You'll arrive in Sofia and take the metro from the airport to reach your hotel in the city center. Once there, you can settle in and take it easy for the rest of the day.
- Day 2
Sofia
After breakfast at your hotel, a local guide meets you for a walking tour through Sofia's historic center. You'll see ancient ruins, grand cathedrals, and important squares while learning how Emperor Constantine the Great called this city 'My Rome'. There's a coffee break at a family-run café where you can try traditional Bulgarian pastries, then the afternoon is yours to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking city tour of Sofia with local guide
- Coffee break with traditional Bulgarian mekitsa and coffee/tea at family-run café
Landmarks/POIs Ancient Serdica St. George 4th Century Rotunda Old City Garden Former Royal Palace National Art Gallery Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral St. Sofia 6th Century Basilica Parliament Square Sofia University National Library - Day 3
Sofia to Bansko
Following breakfast, head to Sofia's central bus station and catch a coach to Bansko, a charming museum town at the foothills of Pirin Mountain National Park. In the afternoon, you'll do a half-day walk or hike in Pirin with a local mountain guide, then have dinner with traditional home-made local dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional home-made local dishes)
Included Activities
- Half-day private walk/hike in Pirin with local mountain guide
- Traditional home-made dinner
Optional Activities
- Sightseeing in Bansko
- Walking in Pirin area
- Hiking in Pirin area
- Trekking in Pirin area
- Biking in Pirin area
Landmarks/POIs Pirin Mountain National Park - Day 4
Bansko
This is a full day in the Pirin Mountain area. You'll find marked eco-trails through pine and fir forests, glacial lakes, and century-old trees with great views. Pick what works for you: hike, trek, bike, or simply relax and take in the scenery at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Marked eco-trail walking in Pirin
- Hiking in Pirin
- Trekking in Pirin
- Biking in Pirin
- Visiting chalets and mountain huts
- Using seat lifts
Landmarks/POIs Pirin Mountain National Park - Day 5
Bansko
Explore Bansko's cultural heritage by visiting its six year-round museums, including the Nikola Vaptsarov museum and Icon exhibition. If wildlife interests you, there's also the Dancing Bears Sanctuary park about 30 km away that you can visit.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Nikola Vaptsarov Museum
- Icon Exhibition
- Velyanova House Museum
- Museum House of Neofit Rilski
- 'Paisii Hilendarski' Historical Center
- Ethnographic complex 'Radonova House'
- Dancing Bears Sanctuary Park in Belitsa
Landmarks/POIs Nikola Vaptsarov Museum Icon Exhibition Velyanova House Museum House of Neofit Rilski 'Paisii Hilendarski' Historical Center Ethnographic complex 'Radonova House' Dancing Bears Sanctuary Park - Day 6
Bansko to Plovdiv
Board Bulgaria's narrow-gauge 'Alpine railway of the Balkans' for a scenic 4.5-hour journey through valleys, gorges, and mountains. You'll pass through 35 tunnels and stop at 11 stations, reaching Avramovo station at 1,267 meters (the highest in the Balkans). Change trains at Septemvri for Plovdiv, arriving at your hotel within walking distance of the train station.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Avramovo Station - Day 7
Plovdiv
Spend the day checking out Plovdiv's history and culture. Walk through the Old Plovdiv architecture reserve, visit the Ethnographic museum in the Royal House, see the Ancient Theatre and Roman Stadium, and wander through Kapana's artistic neighborhood with its colorful street art. Later, stroll along the world's longest pedestrian street filled with shops, restaurants, and ancient Roman ruins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Old Plovdiv architecture reserve
- Ethnographic Museum (Royal House)
- St. Constantine and Helena Church
- Ancient Theatre visit
- Roman Stadium visit
- Djumaya Mosque Square
- Kapana artistic neighborhood exploration
- World's longest pedestrian street walk
Landmarks/POIs Old Plovdiv Architecture Reserve Ethnographic Museum (Royal House) St. Constantine and Helena Church Ancient Theatre Roman Stadium Djumaya Mosque Kapana - Day 8
Plovdiv to Subotkovtsi
Take the train from Plovdiv through the Thracian Plain and into the southern slopes of Stara Planina mountain. Change trains along the way to reach Subotkovtsi village, where your local hosts greet you at the station. You'll check into the Staroto Shkolo (Old School) guesthouse and have home-made dinner before relaxing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Vegetarian home-made dinner)
Landmarks/POIs Stara Planina Mountain - Day 9
Subotkovtsi
After breakfast, dive into Bulgarian traditions with your local hosts. Learn about yoghurt preparation and taste authentic Bulgarian yoghurt. You can also try traditional bread-making, craft souvenirs, visit a beehive, or take nature walks on eco-trails lasting 2 to 5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Home-made breakfast)
Included Activities
- Yoghurt preparation and tasting
- Home-made breakfast
Optional Activities
- Traditional bread preparation
- Souvenir crafting
- Beehive visit
- Nature walk on eco-trails (2-5 hours duration)
- Day 10
Subotkovtsi to Veliko Turnovo
Following breakfast, your hosts arrange transport to the train station for your journey north to Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria's medieval capital perched dramatically on four hills above the Yantra River. A local guide shows you the old town, the royal Tsarevets Citadel fortress, historic Gurko Street, and the old marketplace with its workshops. The day ends with a regional wine tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of medieval Veliko Turnovo with local guide
- Tsarevets Citadel fortress viewing
- Gurko Street visit
- Monument of the Royal Brothers visit
- Samovodska Charshia old marketplace visit
- Regional wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Tsarevets Citadel Gurko Street Monument of the Royal Brothers Samovodska Charshia Yantra River - Day 11
Veliko Turnovo
You have the day free to explore Veliko Turnovo at your own pace. Consider visiting the Assenosa neighborhood's medieval churches, the charming Arbanassi museum village 10 km away, or the nearby Transfiguration monastery. Arbanassi was first documented in 1538 and became so scenic that Greek bishops traveled there to spend summers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Assenova neighborhood with medieval churches
- Arbanassi museum village
- Transfiguration monastery
Landmarks/POIs Assenova Neighborhood Arbanassi Museum Village Transfiguration Monastery - Day 12
Veliko Turnovo to Romania
In the morning, board a train heading to Romania. You'll change trains at Gorna Oriahovitsa and again at Ruse border city as you cross into Romania. This marks the end of the guided portion, though tailor-made experiences in Romania can be arranged if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
