Zet Travel > Bulgaria and Balkan tours > Two Continents Combined Tour
Combined Tour "Two Continents"
The Best of Bulgaria and The King of the Cities - Istanbul
08 Days - 07 Nights
Itinerary: Sofia – Bansko – Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Tryavna – Veliko Tarnovo – Sofia - Istanbu
Day 01: Welcome to Bulgaria
Arrival in Sofia – the capital of the country is the second oldest city in Europe, it is city of numerous archaeological, cultural and historical monuments from its rich Thracian, Byzantine, Roman, Slav and Ottoman history which have been preserved. А beautiful city on its way to grow to a big and modern European city, with nice green arias, beautiful ancient churches and buildings.
Welcoming and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and Overnight. (D)
Day 02: Sofia – The second oldest city in Europe
Sofia sightseeing with lunch at the Vitosha mountain and visit to the ancient Serdica Fortifications dating from the 3rd-5th century; The 4th century St. George's Rotunda famous for its unique frescoes and original architecture; The magnificent Alexander Nevski Memorial Church is a splendidly decorated masterpiece of late 19th – early 20th century architecture; The beautiful Banya Bashi Mosque built in 1566 by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan; St. Sophia basilica, 6th century, is one of the most valuable pieces of early Christian architecture in the Balkans. Battenberg Square with its emblematic landmark; The former Royal Palace, the Presidency building, and the building of the Bulgarian National Bank. The National Theater designed by the architectural firm of Helmer & Felmer from Vienna; The Central Military Club, built in the same neo-Renaissance style.
Afternoon: The tour continues to the National History Museum and to the Boyana ChurchBoyana a remarkable a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both sites are located at the footsteps of Vitosha Mountain. In the National Museum of History one can see the magnificent Thracian golden treasures, as well as artefacts from the oldest in the world discovered so far golden objects, processed by Europe's most ancient civilization (4600-4200 BC).
Dinner at a typical restaurant with folk style music and dances. Overnight in Sofia. (B,L,D)
Day 03: Rila Monastery – One of the Bulgarian Treasures
Leave for Rila Monastery - the biggest monastery on the Balkan Peninsula, the most important example for bulgarian revival architecture and painting and in the time of ottoman domination the most important cultural and educational centre. Human imagination and the talent in combination with nature have fashioned true perfection in the hearth of the Rila Mountain, 120 km from Sofia. The monument monastery architecture is truly breathtaking and the rich monastery lands are awe-inspiring. The Rila monastery is included in the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage. Sightseeing of the monastery and its museum - the Church "Birth of the Holly Virgin", The Monastery Kitchen /called Magernitsa/, Hrelyo Tower, Transfiguration Chapel..
Departure for Bansko at the foot of the beautifil Pirin Mountain – the Europe's largest ski town. The resort combine the facilities of a modern ski town with the sense of history. Bansko provides a superb combination of virgin nature of the Pirin mountain and the atmosphere of the ancient Bulgarian small towns. It is a favoured resort for ski and holidays.
Transfer to your hotel in Bansko Dinner and Overnight. (B,L,D)
Distance: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Bansko Resort (200 km – 3.20 h)
Day 04: The Bulgarian Mountain Resorts
Sightseeing of Bansko – a small town, preserving not only the architecture from the Revival period, but also the spirituality of those times of troubles and fights, and also of heros. One of the most interesting sights is the bell tower and clock, and the monument of Paisii Hilendarski at the town center; the temple St. Virgin, built in XIV century, as well as the Holy Trinity Church. The mural paintings and the wood-carved iconostasis inside the church are the works of masters belonging to the artistic school of Bansko.
Leave for Plovdiv - the country's second large city is older, than Bulgaria itself, Plovdiv is founded in 342 BC BY Philip II of Macedonia who conquered the old Thracian establishment in Evmolpia. Old town Plovdiv, preserving innumerable monuments from different periods, is a true living museum with performances in the Antique Theatre, exhibition halls in lovely National Revival periods houses, art and crafts workshops.
Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and Overnight. (B,L,D)
Distance: Bansko – Plovdiv (146 km – 2.20 h)
Day 05 The Ancient Plovdiv
Sightseeing of the Old town (UNESCO World Heritage List) of Plovdiv - The Roman Forum, Stadium, Fortress Walls, and above all, the fabulous Amphitheatre, which was built during the time of Emperor Trajan (98-117), beautiful houses and churches.
Afternoon visit to the Bachkovo Monastery – the second big in the country from the 11th century with some marvelous murals from different periods of its long history. In the monastery there are extremely valuable frescos of biblical subjects from 16-th century. The Icon of Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the monastery, is considered as miraculous.
Take off for the village of Brestovitza - a symbol of Bulgarian red wine. Legend says that the temple of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, was built on Bulgarian land. Tour around the Wine cellar accompanied by lecture, myths, legends, wine producing technologies and methods of wine storage.
Back to Plovdiv. Dinner and Overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 06: Kazanlak - The Valley of the Roses and the Thracian Kings
Departure to Kazanlak, located in the hearth of the Rose Valley. Visit to the Museum of Roses and The Thracian Kazanlak Tomb - from the late 4 century B.C., in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The frescoes are the finest masterpiece of the Thracian art discovered to date.
Set off to town of Tryavna via the historical Shipka Pass. Walking tour of Tryavna, featuring 17th century vaulted stone bridges, houses, churches and a square with a clock tower where preserve the spirit and talent of the artists from Tryavna School of Art. Visit the Woodcarving Museum of Tryavna.
Stop in the "Living Museum" Etara - architectural ethnographic complex, situated 8 km from the town of Gabrovo (Gabrovo, known as an international capital of humour and satire and the native town of Mrs. Dilma Rousseff's father). Sightseeing of the unique village. The exposition of Etara museum includes traditional Bulgarian houses from the Revival Period, a street with craftsmen's shops where the successors of Renaissance craftsmen demonstrate their skills and the symbol of Bulgarian Revival Architecture - the clock tower. The museum territory covers an area of 7 ha and comprises 50 sites - water technical equipment, houses with craftsman's workshops, places with social importance.
The tour continues to Veliko Tarnovo. Visit an unique attraction in front of the Tsarevets Fortress - Show " Sound and Light" . Overnight. (B,L,D)
Distance: Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Veliko Tarnovo (230 km – 2.40 h)
Day 07: Veliko Tarnovo – The capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom
Sightseeing of Veliko Tarnovo – the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom - the hill Tzarevez with the remains of the castle and church of the bulgarian kings, who established the Bulgarian state after the time of byzantine domination in the 12th century. Visit to the medieval fortress of Tsarevets; the Old Marketplace, Samovodska Tcharshia; and other landmarks.
Next is a visit of village Arbanassi and the unique underground Nativity church with some of the oldest and most worthwhile paintings in Bulgaria and the Konstanzalieva House – a typical house from the 17th century.
Leave for Sofia. Dinner and Overnight. ((B,L,D))
Distance: Veliko Tarnovo – Sofia (220 km – 2.40 h)
Day 08: Discover Istanbul
Transfer to the airport. Departure to Istanbul "The King of the cities" - once the capital of Byzantium then Constantinople of the New Rome and finally the Ottoman Empire, is one of the uniquie Turkish metropole which is situated between two continents, Asia and Europe.
Arrival at the International Airport, transfer to hotel.
Tour "Sultan's night" in one of the best club with dinner and folklore program - while having your dinner and drinking traditional Turkish Rakı, you can watch the belly dancers, sultan show, folklore dancers and singers. Overnight.(B,L,D)
Day 09: Full Day Byzantine & Ottoman Relics
Full day city tour in Istanbul - drive through the modern part of İstanbul namely Beyoğlu, Taksim square, Nişantaşı, Osmanbey, Beşiktaş and Bosphorus. Seeing the Dolmabahçe Palace, İnönü stadium, Tophane, Karaköy and Galata Tower. Cross over Atatürk bridge and reach to the old İstanbul. Visit the ancient Hippodrome where the chariot races held during the Byzantine Empire period, see the German Fountain, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Walled Column.
Continue to visit: the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet mosque) with its 6 minarets, 16 balconies and 266 windows. One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarest; Hippodrome: The former center of sprotive and political activities of Constantinople; St. Sophia - the magnificent Byzantine Church of all times, one of the finest and largest architectural works of art in the world; Underground Cistern
After lunch, visit the famous Topkapı Palace - the former imperial residence from where the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled. Today a spectacular museum that has one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, dresses of Ottoman Sultans, Kiosks and gardens with Bosphorus view can be visited during your two hours journey in the palace. Last visit to the world famous Grand Bazaar with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewellery, leather and souvenirs. Shopping opportunity.
Return to your hotel. Overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 10: From Europe to Asia continent in 2 minutes
Bosphorus Cruise and Asia continent. Departure from your hotel, before embark to the boat, visit Spice Market (Egyptian Market) where ancient Caravans along the centuries brought traditional spices from India via Egypt. Transfer to the boat for your boat trip along the Bosphorus, the sea between Europe and Asia continents. The strait Bosphorus connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea and its length is approximately 30 km., 21 mile long. Opportunity to take photographs of marble palaces and ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture, besides modern residences and luxurious apartments.
Lunch at the Bosphorus, afternoon cross over Bosphorus bridge from Europe to Asia continent, climb to Camlıca peak where you can have the panoramic view of Istanbul.
Return to hotel. Overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 11: End of Services
Transfer to Istanbul Airport and flight back home (B)
The Tour includes:
Further information:
Seven Bulgarian wonders are part of the list of UNESCO's Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Two more wonders are natural sights.The cultural pearls that lead the Bulgarian wonders are:
The Rila Monastery part of the convention since 1983, it is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, situated in the North-Western Rila Mountain (117 km South of Sofia).
The Boyana Church in the list since 1979, it is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church originally constructed in the late 10th or early 11th century, located in the outskirts of Sofia city, in the Boyana quarter.
The Madara Rider (or Madara Horserider) - part of UNESCO World heritage list since 1979, it is an early medieval large rock relief situated Eastern of the city of Shumen (Northeastern Bulgaria), near the village of Madara.
The Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak - it is protected since 1979, it presents a vaulted brickwork "beehive" tomb, part of a large Thracian necropolis, situated near the town of Kazanlak in central Bulgaria.
The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo - part of UNESCO list from 1979, group of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries hewn out of solid rock and completely different from other monastery complexes in Bulgaria, it is located 20 km South of the Danube river side town of Rousse, near the village of Ivanovo.
The Ancient Town of Nesebar - protected cultural area since 1983, it is an ancient city on the Black Sea coast, located in Nesebar municipality, Bourgas province.
The Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari - it is in the list since 1985, the tomb is situated 2,5 km South-West of the village of Sveshtari, Razgrad province, which is 42 km North-East of the city of Razgrad (Northeastern Bulgaria).
The Pirin National Park - world heritage since 1983, the park encompasses the larger part of the Pirin Mountains, including two nature reserves (Southwestern Bulgaria).
The Srebarna Nature Reserve - considered as world heritage from 1983, itis a natural reserve, situated 18 km West of the riverside of Silistra town and 2 km South of the Danube River (Northeastern Bulgaria), the reserve is located on the Via Pontica - a bird migration route between Europe and Africa.
For people, who like nature:
Magura Cave - the biggest and most impressive in Bulgaria; in the South - in the hearth of Rodopi Mountains Trigrad gorge and the caves Devils Throat; the Spa resorts Hissarja, Sliven); we can add to the cultural programs short or bigger trekking into the wonderful Pirin, Vitosha Mountains (Pictures from Bulgarian Mountains, The seven Lakes in Rila).
For people, interested in Archaeology and History:
Perperikon, unique relief like Starosel, Valchitran, Panagjurishte, Nikopolis ad Istrum from the 2 century; historical and museum villages like Melnik, Sozopol, Jeravna and many others.
For religion-oriented people:
We recommend a Monastery trip, which will include beside other sightseeing landmarks more monasteries like Sokolovski Manastir, Dryanovski manastir, Aladja manastir, Rocky Monastery near Ivanovo, but also mosques and other sacred places.
Kaliakra, Sightseeing of Cathedral of Holy Virgin, the The Stone Forest, The Old town of Ropotamo River and reserve and others.
For wine fanciers:
Bulgaria is known about its good wines. In the last years more and more people come and make a trip trough the different arias of wine producing and try the famous wines like Mavrud, Gamza, Melnik and others.
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