Excursions
Sofia walking tour
May 30, 14:00 – 16:30 h
May 31, 14:30 – 17:00 h
(with Gallery visit)
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Sofia has been the capital of Bulgaria since 1879 and it is the biggest Bulgarian city. Located in the Western Bulgaria, in the Sofia valley at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, the city is the main administration, industrial, transport and university centre.
The name Sofia comes from the Greek word for “wisdom”. The town occurred in the VIIIth - VIIth century B.C. around a mineral spring, which is now located in the city centre.
Over 250 archaeological, historical and cultural monuments inherited from Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Proto-Bulgarians and Turks are part of the cityscape. Part of the main attractions today are the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Theatre Ivan Vazov, the Churches St. Sofia and St. George, the St.Nikolay Russian Church, Sofia University, the Parliament building, etc.
Taking this tour you will visit an art gallery where you will be able to see and buy paintings by remarkable Bulgarian masters.
Departure from: Sheraton Sofia HotelBalkan.
Price: 30 EUR (inclusive of transport, English speaking guide and VAT)
The price is valid for a group of min. 3 persons and it is a subject to change for a smaller group. Individual requests for different hours and dates are accepted.
Sofia sightseeing tour
May 31, 09:00 – 13:00 h
(with a visit National Museum of History and Boyana church)
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The trip starts with a walking tour of Sofia and continues with a visit of the National Museum of History and Boyana church.
The National Museum of History is the largest museum in Bulgaria. It has the most impressive collection of national treasures from Palaeolithic, through Neolithic, Copper Age, Bronze Age, Thracian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine history, with focus on the 1300 years history of the Bulgarian state.
Situated at the foot of Vitosha mountain, Boyana Church is one of the Bulgarian monuments included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Its frescoes dating back to 1259 are among the most valuable works of medieval European painting for their vivid use of Renaissance techniques and motifs.
Departure from:Sheraton Sofia HotelBalkan.
Price: 58 EUR (inclusive of transport, English speaking guide, museum fees and VAT)
The price is valid for a group of min. 3 persons and it is a subject to change for a smaller group. Individual requests for different hours and dates are accepted.
Plovdiv – Bachkovo – wine tasting
June 01, 08:00 – 18:00 h.
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Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, was built upon 7 hills in the IVth century B.C. The Old Town is an "open-air museum" where the culture of the ancient Thracians, Greeks and Romans mingles with the Christian culture of the Middle Ages.
Here you can see the city stadium ruins and amphitheatre of Philip II of Macedonia, antique mosaics and pillars, old cobblestone streets, houses from the National Revival period, churches, museums and galleries.
Bachkovo Monastery (26 km South of Plovdiv), the second largest monastery complex in Bulgaria after Rila Monastery, nestles in the slopes of the Rhodope Mountains. It was established in the XIth century and boasts of precious icons, manuscripts and engravings from the Middle Ages.
Pilgrim flocks here to see the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary Eleusa, a copy of which was given as a present to Pope John Paul II during his visit to Bulgaria.
During this tour the participants can enjoy a wine tasting from the region in a Brestovitsa village vinery.
Departure from: Sheraton Sofia HotelBalkan.
Price: 87 EUR (inclusive of transport,representative of Yomex travel agency during the trip,local English speaking guide in the Old town of Plovdiv, museum fees and VAT).
The price is valid for a group of min. 6 persons and it is a subject to change for a smaller group. Individual requests for different dates are accepted.
Koprivshtitsa
June 02, 09:00 – 17:00 h.
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Located 110 km East of Sofia the historical town of Koprivshtitsa is situated 1060 m above sea level in the picturesque valley of the river Topolka, surrounded by the highest summits of the Sredna Gora Mountain.
It is the most famous museum-town of the Bulgarian National Revival (XVIIth – XIXth century) with its unique architecture and lovely nature.
Each house in Koprivshtitsa is a piece of art boasting both original interior and exterior.
The town is the birthplace of some of the most distinguished Bulgarians who have had great contribution to the social and cultural life of the country.
Departure from: Sheraton Sofia HotelBalkan.
Price: 51 (inclusive of transport,representative of Yomex travel agency during the trip,local English speaking guide, museum fees and VAT).
The price is valid for a group of min. 6 persons and it is a subject to change for a smaller group. Individual requests for different dates are accepted.
Rila Monastery
June 03, 09:00 – 16:00 h
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A full-day guided tour to the largest monastery compound in Bulgaria, part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage.
It has been a major Christian, cultural, and enlightenment centre. The monastery is the best example of Bulgarian Medieval and National Revival architecture and mural painting.
It was founded in the X century by St. Ivan Rilski as a colony for hermits. It is located at an altitude of 1,100 m. in the heart of the Rila Mountain, 120 km south of Sofia.
Today’s renewed buildings of the compound date from the beginning of the XIX century. The unique frescoes of the main church were the work of famous Bulgarian master-painters of the National Revival period (XVII-XIX century).
Truly unique masterpieces are kept in the monastery’s museum.
Departure from: Sheraton Sofia HotelBalkan.
Price: 50 EUR (inclusive of transport,representative of Yomex travel agency during the trip,local English speaking guide, museum fees and VAT).
The price is valid for a group of min. 6 persons and it is a subject to change for a smaller group. Individual requests for different dates are accepted.