|
Bulgaria's
Heritage
Country
visited: Bulgaria |
 |
With
nine UNESCO recognized World Heritage Sites, Bulgaria stands
out as one of Europe's important heritage centres. Located
at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Bulgaria has had
its share of cultural interactions whether it was from
trade, invasions or intellectual exchanges, Bulgaria got
and gave a lot to the heritage of mankind. In this artistically
designed Bulgarian Heritage Tour we cover the most well
known of not only the main UNESCO World Heritage Sites
in Bulgaria, but also an excellent mixture attractions
that makes this country not to be missed. |
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Sofia |
|
02
|
Sofia |
| 03 |
Sofia
/ Rila Monastery / Plovdiv |
|
04
|
Plovdiv
/ Kazanlak / Nessebar |
|
05
|
Nessebar |
|
06
|
Nessebar
/ Varna / Madara / Shumen |
|
07
|
Shumen
/ Sveshtari / Rousse |
|
08
|
Rousse
/ Ivanovo / Veliko Tarnovo |
|
09
|
Veliko
Tarnovo / Troyan Monastery / Sofia |
|
10
|
Sofia
/ Departure |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
| World
Heritage Sites in Bulgaria covered in this tour |
|
Boyana Church (1979) |
Located on the outskirts of Sofia, Boyana Church
consists of three buildings. The eastern church was built in
the 10th century, then enlarged at the beginning of the 13th
century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who ordered a second two?storey
building to be erected next to it. The frescoes in this second
church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important
collections of medieval paintings. The ensemble is completed
by a third church, built at the beginning of the 19th century.
This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved
monuments of east European medieval art. |
| Madara Rider (1979) |
The Madara Rider, representing the figure of
a knight triumphing over a lion, is carved into a 100-m-high
cliff near the village of Madara in north-east Bulgaria. Madara
was the principal sacred place of the First Bulgarian Empire
before Bulgaria's conversion to Christianity in the 9th century.
The inscriptions beside the sculpture tell of events that occurred
between A.D. 705 and 801. |
| Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo (1979) |
In the valley of the Roussenski Lom river, in
north-east Bulgaria, a complex of rock-hewn churches, chapels,
monasteries and cells developed in the vicinity of the village
of Ivanovo. This is where the first hermits had dug out their
cells and churches during the 12th century. The 14th-century
murals testify to the exceptional skill of the artists belonging
to the Tarnovo school of painting. |
| Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (1979) |
Discovered in 1944, this tomb dates from the
Hellenistic period, around the end of the 4th century B.C.
It is located near Seutopolis, the capital city of the Thracian
king Seutes III, and is part of a large Thracian necropolis.
The tholos has a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber,
both decorated with murals representing Thracian burial rituals
and culture. These paintings are Bulgaria's best-preserved
artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period. |
| Ancient City of Nessebar (1983) |
Founded
in the 9th century B.C. on the Gulf of Tunis, Carthage
developed, from the 6th century, into a great trading
empire covering much of the Mediterranean and was home
to a brilliant civilization. |
| Rila Monastery (1983) |
Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century
by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church.
His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed
into a monastic complex, which subsequently played an important
role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria.
Destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century, the
complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862. The monument is
a characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th-19th
centuries) and symbolizes an awareness of a Slavic cultural
identity following centuries of occupation. |
| Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari (1985) |
Discovered in 1982 near the village of Sveshtari,
this 3rd-century B.C. Thracian tomb reflects the fundamental
structural principles of Thracian cult buildings. The tomb
has a unique architectural decor, with polychrome half-human,
half-plant caryatids and painted murals. The 10 female figures
carved in high relief on the walls of the central chamber and
the decoration of the lunette in its vault are the only examples
of this type found so far in the Thracian lands. It is a remarkable
reminder of the culture of the Getes, a Thracian people who
were in contact with the Hellenistic and Hyperborean worlds,
according to ancient geographers. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
01: Arrival in Sofia
Sofia, here we come. Upon arrival we are warmly received and transferred to our
hotel. Balance of the day is free.
Overnight: Hotel in Sofia (2 nights) (D)
Day 02: Sofia
Our Bulgarian Heritage Tour starts off in Sofia with a visit to the majestic
Alexander Nevsky golden-domed cathedral. The crypt of the Church of St. Alexander
Nevsky displays paintings and applied arts from the Bulgarian Middle Ages. From
here we continue and visit one of the oldest churches in Europe, St. Sofia Church.
Off to another highlight of Bulgaria's heritage, the 4th century Church of St.
George, the earliest and best-reserved building in inner old Serdica. At the
Archaeological Museum we see a collection of rich artifacts including the bronze
head of Apollon, Thracian gold treasure of Valchitran, and a Thracian funeral
mask made from gold. Our afternoon tour includes the Banya-Baschi mosque - a
valuable monument of Islamic architecture. The other museums are situated in
the beautiful quarter Boyana, where we also see The Boyana Church , a
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The church consists of three parts constructed
in three different periods. We culminate the day with a tour of the National
Historical Museum providing a good picture to understand the rich history of
Bulgaria. (B, D)
Day 03: Sofia / Rila Monastery / Plovdiv (drive)
After breakfast, we drive to Rila Monastery - the largest Monastery in
Bulgaria that is famous for its unsurpassed frescoes. From here we visit the
monastery museum and its exquisite architecture followed by a drive to Plovdiv.
Our visit of Plovdiv includes the very interesting old quarter, the Ethnographic
museum and the Roman Amphitheatre. A locally flavoured dinner awaits us at a
typical restaurant in the Old Town.
Overnight: Hotel in Plovdiv (1 night) (B, D)
Day 04: Plovdiv / Kazanlak / Nessebar (drive)
A scenic drive gets us to Kasanlak, where we visit the famous Thracian tomb -
one of the most remarkable creations of Thracian culture. Discovered in 1982
near the village of Sveshtari, this 3rd-century B.C. Thracian tomb reflects the
fundamental structural principles of Thracian cult buildings. The tomb has a
unique architectural decor, with polychrome half-human, half-plant caryatids
and painted murals. The 10 female figures carved in high relief on the walls
of the central chamber and the decoration of the lunette in its vault are the
only examples of this type found so far in the Thracian lands. It is a remarkable
reminder of the culture of the Getes, a Thracian people who were in contact with
the Hellenistic and Hyperborean worlds, according to ancient geographers. From
here we continue to the Ancient city of Nessebar .
Overnight: Hotel in Nessebar (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 05: Nessebar
Our visit of this fishing town starts with a tour of the ancient town centre
of Nessebar - a UNESCO recognised reserve. The reserve is located on a small
rocky peninsula and is home to many ancient monuments from the Thracian, Greek,
Roman and Byzantine period. Its two parts (old and new) are full of life, with
music and entertainment. Old Nessebar, for what it offers, is best done walking
through the narrow street lanes. We will also tour the Archaeological museum
and some of the medieval churches. Nessebar is famous for its seafood and we
will join the locals at one of their famous restaurants. (B, D)
Day 06: Nessebar / Varna / Madara / Shumen (drive)
After breakfast, we depart for the main Bulgarian port town Varna where we visit
the Archaeological museum, which holds one of the country's richest collections,
55000 exhibits, from the Old Stone Ages to the Late Middle Ages, including the
Oldest Gold in the World. After lunch we continue for Madara - place of the famous Madara
bazorelief - The Horse Rider . This is a rare monument, dating from the 8th
- 9th century A.D. It is a unique symbol of young Bulgaria.
Overnight: Hotel in Shumen (1 night) (B, D)
Day 07: Shumen / Sveshtari / Rousse (drive)
Today we visit the Thracian Temple in Sveshtari . This 3rd century B.C.
Thracian tomb reflects the fundamental structural principles of Thracian cult
buildings. The decoration of the burial chamber is exceptionally interesting,
a unique blend of art and architecture. From here we take an interesting drive
to the largest town on the Danube River bank, Rousse. Dinner is at a fine restaurant
on the riverbanks with panorama view of the outskirts.
Overnight: Hotel in Rousse (1 night) (B, D)
Day 08: Rousse / Ivanovo / Veliko Tarnovo (drive)
Our morning tour takes us back through the architecture history of Europe - from
the Classic, Baroque and Renaissance styles. We then depart for another interesting
World Heritage Site - The Rock Monasteries of Ivanovo , where we see the
unique frescoes. This is an area where a number of medieval churches, monastic
cells and chapels were carved on both sides of the river Lom. A colony of hermits
lived here from the 3rd century to the 17th century. The natural vesicles in
the Karst rocks were widened and moulded to meet the needs of the colony. The
chambers are at a height of 6-10 m and are connected by series of stairs, passages
and galleries. Later we drive to Arbanassi where we visit the "museum village" of
Arbanassi. Austere houses resemble minor fortresses on the outside, with high
walls and heavy gates, iron grids and secret hiding places. The oldest of the
Arbanassi's five churches is The Birth Christ (1637-1649) which holds an art
gallery with over 3500 stunningly realistic figures and Biblical scenes, painted
by unknown artists throughout the ages.
Overnight: Hotel in Veliko Tarnovo (1 night) (B, D)
Day 09: Veliko Tarnovo / Troyan Monastery / Sofia (drive)
Today we tour the old Bulgarian capital city, featuring its numerous museums
and archaeological sites and a breathtaking view over this picturesque town from
the Holy hill. We visit some of the main 40 monasteries erected in the picturesque
gorges of the Yantra River before continuing our drive to the Troyan Monastery.
This must have been in existence long before the l5th Century, as legend suggests.
It flourished again around the year 1600. Towards the beginning of the l9th century
the monastic brotherhood re-erected the monastery. The Troyan Monastery is known
above all for the creative work of Zahari Zograph, who painted both the exterior
and the interior - a rare practice of the time. Late afternoon we are free to
enjoy the Sofia shops or stroll through the city. Evening is our farewell dinner.
Overnight: Hotel in Sofia (1 night) (B, D)
Day 10: Sofia / Departure
After experiencing a unique and rich mixture of cultures, we bid farewell to
Bulgaria and Sofia as we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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|
Departure Dates |
2008
Please call for details
1.800.663.0844 or +1.604.264.7378
|
| Prices |
| Departure |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2008 |
Please
call for details 1.800.663.0844 or +1.604.264.7378 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- Hotels
as per itinerary (or similar)
- All
transfers & tours with private transportation
- Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
D=Dinner)
- Entrance
fees to all Sites and Museums
- Services
of an English Speaking guide
- Road
taxes, parking fees, driver’s overnight wages
|
- International
flight tickets
- Departure
airport taxes (if any)
- Insurance
(or visa fee if applicable)
- Tips
|
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1200 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1400 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 10
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
|
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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