Pearls from the Balkans

12 days/11 nights tour in 4 different countries on the Balkan peninsula - the bridge, connecting the East with the West from centuries

Departure dates for 2010 - upon request

There are 4 of the "24 wonders of Bulgaria" included in this itinerary:

1. Rila Monastery (UNESCO object)
2. The Old Plovdiv
3. Bachkovo Monastery
4. Nessebar

Day 1

Arrival to Sofia airport. Transfer and accommodation in 4* hotel in the centre of the city. First meeting with the culture and the traditions in Bulgaria - dinner in a restaurant with rich folklore program. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 2 - The City of Wisdom

After Breakfast - panoramic tour around Sofia. The Bulgarian capital is a 8500 years old city called "My Rome" by the Emperor Constantine the Great. Visit to the most interesting historical sights: the National Museum of History, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral (the biggest Orthodox temple on the Balkan peninsula), the St. Sofia Church (the name means wisdom), which had given the name of the city, the St. Nickolay Church, the Rotunda Church St. George, the St. Petka Chapel, the antique Roman theatre dated III-IV-th century (the time of the Emperor Constantine the Great) and the historical and cultural center of the capital.

In the afternoon - departure to Plovdiv - the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, famous for its ancient and diverse culture and millennial history. Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Accommodation in a 3* hotel in the center of the city. Dinner in a good local restaurant. Overnight.

Optional: Visit of the crypt of Alexander Nevski cathedral, representing the largest collection of icons in Bulgaria

Day 3 - Three Hills with Millennial History

After breakfast - visit of the Old Plovdiv which is situated on three hills. We will see the Antique Theatre, the oldest church in the city, which took name of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helena, the ancient fortress from the time of Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great, as well as some of the most luxury homes from the Renaissance, which were owed by rich citizens of Plovdiv (Balabanova house and the house of Hidliyan). Free time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and to feel the atmosphere of the old city.

Visit of Bachkovo monastery, founded in 11-th century. There are extremely valuable frescos of biblical subjects from 16-th century in the monastery. The Icon of Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the monastery is considering as miraculous.

In the afternoon - departure for the ancient town of Nessebar, located on the South Black Sea Coast. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel in Sunny Beach Resort located nearby.

Day 4 - The Ancient Nessebar

After breakfast - city tour of Nessebar. The town is listed in the UNESCO world heritage. Enjoy the pleasant atmosphere ot the ancient architecture and the romantic narrow streets. There are more than 40 churches in the town, dated from different periods, visit of two of the most well preserved churches - St. Stefan and St. Spas.

Departure for the South border of Bulgaria. On our way - visit of Ropotamo Reserve - one of the most exotic places at the Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria.

Optional: one hour boat trip down the Ropotamo River to its mouth at the sea - possibility to meet wild animals, unique rock figures, rare plants

Departure to Istanbul. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in a 4* hotel in the historical center of the city.

Day 5 - The Emperors' Citadel

After breakfast - panoramic tour of Istanbul - a city on two continents, an Emperors' Citadel and a guard of the secular Turkey of today. Visit of the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk, the St. Sofia Church, the Sultan's Palace Topkapi and the famous Grand Bazaar (or Covered Bazaar, Kapalıçarşı in Turkish) in Istanbul.

In the evening - dinner with rich show program and oriental dances in one of the most popular music-halls in the city - Orient House.

Overnight in the hotel.

Day 6 - Border of Two Continents

After breakfast - possibility for boat trip in the Bosphorus - the straits which divides Asia from Europe and connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara

Departure for Greece. Arrival in Kavala late in the afternoon and accommodation in 3* hotel. Dinner in a fish restaurant at the sea shore. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 7 - A Wharf of the Fishermen

After breakfast - city tour of Kavala with the following accents: Neapolis Fortress, the Virgin Marry Church (where the first Christian lady has been christened), the Castle of Mehmed Ali (a viceroy of Egypt, the leader of the Egyptian army), the Aqueduct, the Old city of Philipi and the Harbour with the numerous fishing boats.

In the afternoon - departure to one of the biggest port cities of Aegean sea - Thessaloniki. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in 3* hotel.

Day 8 - The Capital of the Northern Greece

After breakfast - city tour of Thessaloniki with visit of the White Tower - symbol of the city, the extensive Byzantine walls of the Upper City, the Triumph Arc, the famous St. Dimitаr church (patron saint of the city) and other sights of the city. Free time for shopping on the main commercial street Egnatia. Dinner with entertainment program in a typical Greek tavern in the old part Ladadika. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 9 - The Majesty of Pella

After breakfast - free time in Thessaloniki and departure to the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia. On the road - visit of the old capital of Macedonian Kingdom - Pella, founded by Philip II of Macedonia. Arrival in Ohrid - one of the most beautiful cities in the Southeast Europe, located on Ohrid lake, which is listed in UNESCO world heritage list. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in 3* hotel.

Day 10 - The Pearl Ohrid

After breakfast - city tour of Ohrid: the Samuil's Fortress, the Antique Theatre, the churches St. Sofia, St. Joan Kaneo and St. Kliment. In the afternoon - visit to the St. Naum Monastery, located on the Ohrid lake. Dinner in a folklore restaurant with typical meat BBQ and folklore program. Overnight in the hotel.

Optional: Boat trip on Cherni Drim River

Day 11 - The Monastery in Rila

After breakfast - free time. Departure for the capital - Skopje with short stay and visit to the old town. Set off to Bulgaria. The last stop before returning to Sofia is the Rila Monastery, founded in 10th c. The biggest Bulgarian medieval spiritual centre with a great collection of icons, wall-paintings, old-printed books. The monastery is a monument on the UNESCO list of world heritage.

Arrival in Sofia. Accommodation dinner and overnight in 4* hotel.

Day 12

After breakfast - free time and possibility for shopping. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.

Tour prices include:
• 4 nights in Bulgaria in 3* and 4* hotels on HB base
• 2 nights in Turkey in 4* hotel on HB base
• 3 nights in Greece in 3* hotels on HB base
• 2 nights in Macedonia in 3* hotel on HB base
• Dinner with folklore show in Sofia.
• Dinner with show program and oriental dances in Istanbul
• Dinner with show program in typical Greek tavern in Thessaloniki.
• Dinner with BBQ and folklore program in Macedonia.
• A/C vehicle with driver during the whole trip.
• Parking fees.
• Road and border taxes.
• All entrance fees for the museums, sites and churches.
• English speaking tour guide throughout and local guides in Turkey, Greece and Macedonia.
• Maps of Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Macedonia

Tour prices don’t include:
• Other meals than stated.
• Beverages.
• Porterage in the hotels.
• Airplane tickets to Bulgaria

Optional:
• The biggest icon collection in Bulgaria at the crypt of the “Alexander Nevski” cathedral – 10 EUR per person.
• Boat trip along Ropotamo river (Bulgaria) – 10 EUR per person
• Boat trip along Bosphorus (Turkey) – 30 EUR per person
• Boat trip along Cherni Drim river (Macedonia) – 5 EUR per person