Day 1 Arrival Sofia
Arrival at Sofia Airport. First impressions of the town with a visit to the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the biggest cathedral on the Balkan Peninsula. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Sofia – Rila Monastery(120km/2h) – Damianitza ( 130km/2h) – Sandanski ( 10km/20min)
After breakfast the tour continues with a visit to the oldest church in Sofia - the Rotunda of St. George that dates back to 4th c. A.D. Departure to the Rila Monastery, founded by St. Ivan Rilski in the 10th century. During the National Revival period the monastery became one of the most important religious and cultural centers. The monastery is the biggest in Bulgaria and is a part of the UNSECO World Heritage. Sightseeing of the monastery including the monastery church and the museum. On to the village of Damianitza via the Kresna valley. Visit of the first wine factory in our trip. Sightseeing and wine tasting. Departure for Sandanski – a famous spa resort. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Sandanski – Melnik ( 20km/40min) – Bansko (100km/2h)
After breakfast departure for the smallest town in Bulgaria – Melnik. The climate there is favorable for the cultivation of the famous Melnik red grapes. Visit to the Kordopoulov’s House and wine tasting of the famous Melnik wines in the sand tunnels beneath the house, where the wine used to be stored in the past. After the wine tasting follows lunch in a typical Bulgarian restaurant with specialties from the Bulgarian cuisine. The trip continues via the Predela pass to the mountain resort of Bansko, where the high peaks of the three mountains – Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes meet. Accommodation in a 4-star hotel in the town. Sightseeing of the town of Bansko with a visit to the Church of the Holy Trinity.Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Bansko – Plovdiv (150km/3h)
After breakfast departure for Pazardjik and Plovdiv through the picturesque routes of the Rhodope mountains. A short photo stop at the Yundola pass. After that on through the Thracian valley to the second biggest town in Bulgaria – Plovdiv, founded by Philip II of Macedon and later conquered by the Romans and turned by them into an important cultural and administrative center.
A short trip to the private wine cellar Todorov (20 km) where the process of wine production will be observed and followed by a wine tasting session. Back to Plovdiv. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Plovdiv – Etura ( 130km/3h) – Veliko Tarnovo ( 50km/1h)
Panorama trip through the Thracian valley and the Rose valley to the church in the village of Shipka. Sightseeing of the Church. The trip continues through the Shipka Pass (1326m) to the ETURA, an open air Ethnographic museum in the vicinity of Gabrovo. Bulgarian crafts from the 19th century are presented here in an authentic setting. On to the old Bulgarian capital of Veliko Turnovo. Accomodation in a 3-star hotel in the town. Visit to the neighboring museum-village of Arbanassi. Visit to the Konstantsaliev’s House and to the Church of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Veliko Turnovo – Lyaskovetz– Veliko Tarnovo ( 15km/30min)
Sightseeing of Veliko Turnovo including the fortress of Tzarevetz – fortress of the Bulgarian kings from the second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396). Departure to Lyaskovetz where one of the biggest wine cellars in Bulgaria is situated. Visit and wine tasting. Dinner and overnight in Veliko Turnovo.

Day 7: Veliko Tarnovo – Troyan (100km/1h30min)- Sofia ( 160km/2h30min)
After breakfast departure to the Troyan monastery (16th century). Sightseeing of the monastery and tasting of the famous plum brandy. Continue to Sofia. Enjoy folklore performance during dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Sofia

Day 8: Sofia Departure
Transfer to Sofia Airport