After arriving at Sofia Airport, we’ll proceed through immigration and collect our luggage before heading to our hotel in Sofia for a short break before the city tour. We will visit the old part of the city center and see the historical landmarks such as Alexander Nevski Cathedral and St. Sofia Basilica. In the evening we will have a Solos welcome drink and dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast we will visit Rila Monastery - the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is Bulgaria’s most famous monastery that has been a spiritual centre for over 1000 years. Rila Monastery’s fortress-like complex engulfs 8800 sq. m, and within its stone walls we’ll find remarkably colourful architecture and religious art. You can’t fail to be struck by its elegant colonnades, archways striped in black, red and white, and the bright yellow domes of its main church, beneath which dance apocalyptic frescoes. All this splendour, against a backdrop of mist-swirled mountains, has made Rila Monastery hugely popular among both pilgrims and curious visitors.
After light lunch we will return to Sofia.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore Sofia independently. In the evening we will have a dinner at local restaurant
After breakfast at our hotel we will transfer to Plovdiv where we will visit a local family and have lunch at their restaurant before our tour of Plovdiv. Like Rome, Plovdiv straddles seven hills; but as Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, it’s far more ancient. It is best loved for its romantic old town, packed with colourful and creaky 19th-century mansions that are now house-museums, galleries and guesthouses. We will visit the Ancient Roman Theatre, Stadium and Odeon and the Old Town (a UNESCO site), before a visit to “The Trap” (the vibrant little district with the best cafés and art shops). In the afternoon we will return to Sofia. In the evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner.
After breakfast we’ll transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
ADDED VALUE: 2 Lunches are included
Our hotel is easy 10-minute walk to city centre and close to some popular tourist sites with many bars and cafes nearby.
City Hotel houses a bar and a restaurant serving Italian and International cuisine. The sauna and massage treatments are provided at a surcharge.
Each room is equipped with a TV, coffee/ tea making facilities and a minibar. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a free WiFi.
Average Daily Maximum:
Jan, Feb 0°C, Mar 05°C,Apr 11°C, May 16°C,Jun 18°C, Jul, Aug 22°C,Sep 17°C, Oct 12°C,Nov 06°C, Dec 01°C
3 hours
GMT + 2 hours
Transfer TimeThe transfer time from Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia is approximately 20 minutes, depending on the traffic.
CurrencyBulgarian lev
GratuitiesWe suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff of minimum £15.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
Included ProgrammeA guided tour of Sofia, Rila Monastery & Plovdiv are included in your touring package.
Dress CodeDressing in layers with casual evening wear is recommended with comfortable footwear and sunglasses.
Passports and visasIf you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Bulgaria.
For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Bulgaria Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements. Alternatively, you can apply for your Visa with our preferred partner the Travel Visa company by selecting the following link; Travel Visa Company.
Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.
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