Meet and assist at Sofia airport. Drive up to the Vitosha Mountain, called “The Lungs of Sofia” and situated on the south outskirts of the capital city, where we will visit the natural phenomenon The Stone River (possibility of short trekking) and after that the viewpoint for a breath-taking panorama of Sofia. We continue to the Bells Monument at the foot of the mountain, initially built in 1979 for the first Banner-of-Peace Assembly when children from all over the world met in Sofia bringing with them bells as a symbol of their homelands. Proceed to Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria. Accommodation and overnight in Hotel Leipzig, walking distance from the city center.

Accommodation:

• High-end Accommodation: Hotel Leipzig

Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe, resting on seven hills, a blend of ancient cultures -Thracian, Roman, Bulgarian, Ottoman. In the morning we will visit the Synagogue in the former Jewish quarter. Then we go to the Old City to explore the narrow winding cobble stone streets where we will see the Roman walls of the ancient Trimontsium, the Roman theatre, St Constantin and St Helena church, and the picturesque 18 c. and 19c. buildings. We will visit the Ethnographic museum that depicts the houses of the city's wealthy people and how they lived at that time. We will have a panorama view from the Nebet Tépé hill where the town history began back in 4000 BC. The sightseeing ends up at the lively pedestrian shopping street – one of the longest in Europe, where we can see the reconstructed Renaissance buildings. Afternoon visit to the Bachkovo Monastery - the second of importance monastery in Bulgaria housing the graves of the two Christian priests who saved the Bulgarian Jews. After we experience the colours, sounds and smells of the authentic marketplace, we drive back to Plovdiv for overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High-end Accommodation: Hotel Leipzig

After breakfast we drive northwards to the Valley of Roses cuddled in the heart of the country. Bulgaria is famous for its rose oil so our first stop will be the Damascena Complex, where we will learn about the production of rose-oil and enjoy the authentic rose smell even out of season. Proceed east to the town of Kazanlak to visit the 4th c. BC Thracian Tomb (a UNESCO site). Continue south to the town of Stara Zagora to admire the remains of ancient streets and the Antique Forum of Augusta Trayana from the 3rd c. in the Roman heart of the city. Back to Plovdiv. Overnight

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High-end Accommodation: Hotel Leipzig

Departure to Sofia. On the way we will stop in Hisarya – famous for its healing mineral waters and Roman fortifications, and in the historic town and architectural reserve of Koprivshtitsa – where we will stroll among the beautiful houses from the National Revival and visit one of the most typical to learn about the traditional crafts and the life of the local people. Accommodation and overnight in Hotel Festa, located in a very good area next to Mall Bulgaria and Jumbo in Sofia.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High-end Accommodation: Хотел Феста София

Morning departure to the famous Rila Monastery – the biggest and most picturesque Bulgarian monastery, founded in 10th C. A.D., nestled amidst the beauty of the Rila Mountains, included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage. On the way back we will drive through Borovets mountain resort – one of the oldest and most preferred ski resorts in Bulgaria, a favourite place for retreat even in summer. Continue to Sofia following the beautiful panoramic road by the Iskar Dam and Pancharevo Lake. Overnight in Sofia. Optional – folklore evening in a typical Bulgarian restaurant.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High-end Accommodation: Хотел Феста София

Drive to the marvelous Krushuna Waterfalls, the biggest water cascade in the country, and the picturesque Devetashka Cave, a carst formation, inhabited in prehistoric times and now home of hundreds of bats and other protected species. On the way back we will make a short stop-over in the town of Lovech to see the old quarter and the old covered bridge. Overnight in Sofia.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• High-end Accommodation: Хотел Феста София

Late check-out. Walking sight-seeing tour of the most important sites of the capital city of Sofia where will see the remains of the Roman city, the King’s Palace, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the St. Sofia Church, the Parliament building, the National Theater, the St. George Rotonda, the Central Baths, the second largest and one of the most magnificent Synagogue in Europe, etc. Visit to one of the biggest malls in Sofia. Transfer to airport.

Meals: Breakfast