Bulgarian Family Escape

Upon your arrival at Sofia Airport, your guide will greet you and arrange a comfortable transfer to your hotel in the city center. Along the way, you’ll get a first glimpse of Sofia’s unique blend of architecture, culture, and daily life. After check-in, take some time to relax or start getting acquainted with the surroundings at your own pace.

Bulgarian Flag

Cathedral Sofia

Bulgarian Bridge

Food Market

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Junó Hotel Sofia

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In the morning, you will set out to discover the highlights of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. During the city tour, you’ll visit key landmarks, including the iconic yellow-cobbled streets, ancient Roman ruins, and natural thermal springs in the heart of the city. You’ll also see the National Theatre Ivan Vazov, the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia University, the Mosque, the Synagogue, and the Round Church of St. George, which dates back to the 4th century. A visit to the National Archaeological Museum will offer a glimpse of one of Bulgaria’s most renowned Thracian golden treasures, dating to the 4th century BC. Along the way, you’ll encounter many other notable sites that reflect Sofia’s character and heritage. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Balkan Mountain Range (2 hours 20 minutes). You’ll take part in a 2 to 3-hour pottery workshop at the “Eko Art” craft shop in Drashkova Poliana Village. Your hosts, Encho and Velichka, are a warm and welcoming family who will spend the next two days introducing you to traditional Bulgarian pottery and art. Encho will demonstrate special techniques used in crafting authentic Bulgarian pottery, while Velichka will share fascinating stories and insights about the region. Later in the afternoon, we will continue to our overnight stay in Apriltsi where you can spend the evening at your own pace.

Sofia at Night

Pottery Workshop

Boutique Hotel

Bulgarian People

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Chateau Copsa

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In the morning, you will continue your arts and crafts workshop with Encho. Meanwhile, Velichka will prepare a homemade lunch using traditional ingredients from the region. In the afternoon, you will travel to your hotel in the village of Arbanasi, located 6 km from Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital.

Bulgarian Salad

Tsarevets

Lunch with Host

Bulgaria Tours

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Bey House Boutique Hotel

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The Old Town of Veliko Tarnovo is home to well-preserved 19th-century architecture, with its narrow cobbled streets adding to the town’s charm. Along one of these streets, you will find a variety of craft shops showcasing traditional Bulgarian artistry, from handmade pottery to intricate wood carvings. A visit to the Sarafkina House, a local museum on the scenic Gurko Street, offers insight into the town’s architectural heritage and daily life from centuries past. This historic home provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of a wealthy merchant family, with its well-preserved interior and collection of period artifacts. In the afternoon, you will return to the village of Arbanasi for a second overnight stay, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this historic settlement.

Tsarevets Royal Hill

Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo at Night

Danube River

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Bey House Boutique Hotel

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After breakfast, you will visit the family-run farm of Eli and Iliya in the village of Sabotkovtsi. "Bozhenski Chiflik" offers a peaceful setting where visitors can connect with nature, experience farm life, and meet the animals. You can unwind with a cup of herbal tea, enjoy homemade yogurt with berry jam, and learn about centuries-old Bulgarian traditions. The farm is also known for producing high-quality honey, including herbal, acacia, and linden varieties from its 50 beehives. Every product is made with care, using natural ingredients. Eli and Iliya take great pride in their work, ensuring everything they offer is fresh and full of flavor. Eli’s cooking is a true highlight—her homemade cheese, hand-kneaded bread, and other specialties reflect both skill and passion. Later, you will continue to the town of Tryavna, one of the finest examples of a well-preserved 19th-century settlement. Tryavna was a center for traditional crafts, as well as renowned schools of iconography and wood carving. The Old School houses a collection donated by Dimitar Kazakov, one of Bulgaria’s most celebrated contemporary artists. His works are featured in prestigious collections, including the Louvre, the Pushkin Museum in St. Petersburg, and the Emperor’s Collection in Tokyo. The town’s clock tower and historic stone bridge are recognized as landmarks of national significance. A visit to Tryavna wouldn’t be complete without experiencing its coffee tradition—brewed over hot sand, served in ceramic cups, and enjoyed slowly with a side of white jam.

Family Farm Visit

Tryavna

Feeding Cattle

Tryavna Town Center

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Alegro

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Today, you’ll visit Kazanlak, known as the heart of the Rose Valley and the site of the famous Rose Festival. You’ll explore the Rose Museum, where you’ll learn about the region’s rose oil production, an essential part of Bulgaria’s economy. This centuries-old industry is unique to the area and has long been considered one of the country’s most significant. If you’re visiting in May or June, you can join in the rose-picking process and, under the guidance of a pastry chef, prepare rose jam or other rose-based desserts. You’ll also visit a replica of the Kazanlak Thracian Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 4th century BC. Later you will be transferred to the ancient seaside town of Sozopol located on the southern Black Sea Coast.

Rose Picking

Bulgaria

Bulgarian Rose Museum

Kazanlak Thracian Tomb

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Hotel Blu Bay

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After breakfast, you will take a guided walking tour of Sozopol’s Old Town. One of the oldest towns on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, Sozopol is also among the country’s most popular seaside destinations. Archaeological findings suggest that the town has a cultural heritage dating back 7,000 years. Well-preserved remains of the Saint Ivan (Saint John) Monastery complex, dating from the 10th to 12th centuries, can still be seen today. Other notable sites include the medieval basilica in the town center and part of the Holy Apostles Monastery, located on Skamniy (Rocky) Point in the northeastern part of the Old Town. Declared a museum-reserve in 1974, Sozopol’s Old Town is known for its charming atmosphere, with narrow cobbled streets and centuries-old wooden houses creating a timeless appeal. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the beach and the sea. The Black Sea has a low saline content, around 16-17% in coastal waters, with minimal tidal fluctuations. In summer, the water temperature averages between 22°C and 24°C, reaching up to 26°C in shallower areas, making it ideal for swimming.

Old Town

Sozopol

Harbour

Sozopol Ocean

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Hotel Blu Bay

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After breakfast, you will head to the Ropotamo River for a boat trip. Often referred to as the "Bulgarian Amazon," the river stretches nearly 50 kilometers, though only 9 kilometers are navigable. The land surrounding the Ropotamo River was designated a protected area in 1940 and later expanded into a nature reserve in 1992, covering 1,000.7 hectares. The reserve is home to diverse landscapes, including the river’s estuary and floodplain, natural sand dunes, beaches, and dense deciduous forests with Mediterranean influences. The area supports a rich variety of wildlife, including wild boar, red deer, jackals, foxes, otters, goldfinches, and over 260 bird species. It is also a habitat for several types of bats, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. After the boat trip, you will return to Sozopol, where you will have the rest of the afternoon free to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Ropotamo River

Otters

Ropotamo River

Jackals

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Hotel Blu Bay

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You will be transferred to the town of Nesebar for a walking tour of the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which spans just 850 meters long and 350 meters wide. Over time, it has lost about one-third of its territory, which sank into the sea. Situated on a rocky peninsula along the Black Sea, this more than 3,000-year-old site was initially a Thracian settlement (Menebria). In the 6th century BC, it became a Greek colony. The oldest remains, mostly from the Hellenistic period, include parts of the Thracian fortification walls. Among other significant landmarks, the Stara Mitropolia Basilica and the fortress date back to the Middle Ages, when Nesebar was a key Byzantine town on the western Black Sea coast. Several churches from the 10th to 18th centuries remain preserved, and the 19th-century wooden houses are representative of Black Sea architecture from that time. During our walk, we’ll explore sections of the fortification walls from various periods, as well as houses featuring the typical style of the National Revival Period (18th-19th centuries). On the way back to Sozopol, there will be a stop near the town of Pomorie at Pomoriisko Lake. The southern part of the lake is known for its healing mud, while the northern part is used for malting. The healing mud extracted from the salt lake has been proven to be among the best in the world. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a rejuvenating mud bath—definitely worth the experience.

Nesebar UNESCO Old Town

Nessebar

Pomorie

Pomorie Mud Bath

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Hotel Blu Bay

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The walking tour (1.5 – 3 hours) covers the Old Town, an open-air museum featuring cultural landmarks from various historical periods. Highlights include the Roman amphitheater, Roman stadium, the 4th-century Eastern Gate, the Ethnographic Museum, and the 14th-century Djumaya Mosque, the oldest in Bulgaria. Elegant mansions from the 18th and 19th centuries add to the town's charm. You will then have the rest of the afternoon free to explore at your own pace, before spending one final night in Plovdiv.

Plovdiv Old Town

Plovdiv City

Plovdiv Old Town

Rhodope Mountains

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Hotel Gallery 37 Bw Premier Collection

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After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Sofia, where you can spend the remainder of the day at your own pace. For those interested, an optional cycling tour offers a chance to see some of Sofia’s key landmarks in an active and engaging way. The route takes you through the city's green parks, historical sites, and lively neighborhoods, providing a closer look at its architectural and cultural heritage. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore as you prefer. You may choose to take a leisurely walk through the city center, visit one of Sofia’s museums, or enjoy a coffee at a local café while soaking in the atmosphere.

Boyana Church

Parliament

Rakia

Bulgarian Casserole

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Junó Hotel Sofia

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After breakfast, you will be transferred to Sofia Airport for your departure after a memorable week and a half of flavorsome experiences. Safe travels!

Happy Travels!

Goodbye

Feeding Cattle

Airport

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Junó Hotel Sofia

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