Departures on 31 Jul, 21 Aug 2009


For thirteen centuries, Bulgaria the cradle of Slav culture, the land of Orpheus and Spartacus has given the world men of great achievements, mysterious Thracian treasures and burial tombs, magnificent frescos and many brilliant examples of ancient applied arts.

This comprehensive tour offers the chance to discover the amazingly rich cultural and natural heritage of one of Europe’s most beautiful but least known countries. It highlights the many ancient monasteries and churches that lie scattered amongst mountains and will visit some of the most outstanding examples.

To experience the tranquility of traditional life in the remote black sea coast, mountain towns and villages, the tour visit Varna, Nessebar, Old Plovdiv, Melnik, Koprivshtitsa and Arbanassi, all famed for their unique and well preserved architecture and will give an idea about the country’s rich tradition of arts and crafts in the live museum of Etar.
To ease the stress away, the tour will take you to one of the best spa resorts in Bulgaria “Velingrad” spa resort to relax and take care of your health.

The journey will also include some of Bulgaria’s vibrant and historical cities; the capital Sofia, Plovdiv with its extensive Roman remains and exquisite Nineteenth century mansions and the lively museum town of Veliko Ternovo dominated by its mighty fortress.

Details

DAY 1
0755 Departure from Beirut International Airport.
0955 Arrival to Varna; Passport control & customs formalities. Meet and assistance, refreshments followed by transfer to the hotel.
1200 Lodgement in Hotel Melia Grand Hermitage (5* Superior).
1400 Meeting for brief information. Free time for leisure.
2000 Leaving to Albena resort, diner in restaurant "Slavinski kat" with folk show, Dance on the coal.
2330 Overnight in hotel Grand Hermitage.

DAY 2
0900 After breakfast, Varna City guided tour including the Marine Park "the biggest in the Balkan range", the Holy Vergin Cathedral & the Opera Square. Free Time for coffee or cold drink in one of many Café-trottoire or for light lunch.
1200 After lunch, departure to the museum town of Nessebar.
1430 Arrival to Nessebar, lodgement in hotel Iberostar Festa Panorama. City tour to browse the cobbled streets, the souvenir shops and some of the 40 historical churches." Free time for shopping.
2000 Dinner overlooking the magnificient sunset & sea view. Overnight in hotel Iberostar.

DAY 3
0800 After breakfast departure to the second Bulgarian largest city Plovdiv. Stop in midway.
1200 Arrival to the city. Lodgment in Trimontium Hotel (4* Superior).
1400 Guided walking tour of Plovdiv's old quarter and the roman amphitheatre followed by free time for lunch.
1700 Return to the hotel. Free time.
2100 Dinner with show in the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 4
0900 After breakfast , you can benefit from the leisure in the hotel.
1100 Departure to sofia.
1300 Arrival to Sofia, lodgement in Hotel Princess (4* Superior).
1600 After a break, city walking tour to visit the landmarks of Sofia: St Nedelia Church, St. John Rotunda,
St. Sofia church, the Russian memorial church, the Cathedral and many other interesting sights. Free time.
DAY 5
0745 After breakfast departure to visit the Iskar Lake.
Proceed to Rila Monastery the largest and the most impressive cultural monument from the Bulgarian National Revival period
and the most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
1330 Arrival to Rila monastery.
1500 Lunch which consists of famous Balkan fresh-water trout will be served near the Monastery (included in the rate).
1300 After a short break for lunch, continue up through the Balkan Mountains to the Shipka pass. In 1630 Return to Sofia, free time, overnight.

DAY 6
0900 After breakfast departure to Veliko Turnovo.
1030 Free time for refreshments.
1200 Arrival to the city. Lodgment in Yantra Hotel (4* Superior). Free time for lunch.
1500 Departure through the montains to visit the Etar Ethnographic Heritage Park with houses from the Bulgarian National Revival
period and workshops for handycrafts.
1800 Return to Veliko Turnovo. In the evening you can enjoy the "Son et Lumiere" spectacular show (if available) designed to tell
the history of Tsaravets - the fortress is lit up by huge spotlights accompanied by a stirring soundtrack.
2030 Dinner in a typical Bulgarian restaurant at Arbanassi village. Return to the hotel and overnight.

DAY 7
0900 After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo - the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (13th C). Remains of the
medieval fortifications, churches and the palace still stand on the Tsaravets Hill (The King's Hill). 1100 Departure to Varna with a stop in midway in the White Horse Complex. Free time for refreshments.
1330 Proceed to Varna.
1500 Arrival to Varna, free time at leisure.
2200 Dinner with ballet show.
2330 Lodgement in Grand Hermitage(%* Superior).
SATURDAY
1100 After breafast and swimming, visit the natural phenomenon of Kleptuza spring. Free time for lunch.
0200 Check out from the hotel, transfer to Varna airport for passport control and formalities.
0455 Departure to Beirut.

Rates Include:
* Round trip ticket BEY / VAR / BEY.
* Transport in Luxury air-conditioned coaches.
* Hotel Accommodation for 7 nights in 4* or 5* Superior hotels as mentioned in the table.
* Transfers "Airport/Hotel/Airport"
* Lebanese and/or Bulgarian guides
* All entrance fees unless mentioned in the table.
* 24 hours telephone for emergency cases.
* Transport and travel insurance.
* Visa and airport taxes.

Rates Exclude:
* Lunches (Only 1 lunch is included).
* Personal expences.
* Portage fees and tips.

Notes & Remarks
* Airport taxes are subject to increase according to fuel surcharges. Final amount will be fixed when tickets are issued.
* Down payment upon reservation: 35% of package cost + visa & insurance cost.
* Down payment upon reservation: 75% of package cost + visa & insurance cost incase the reservation is within the last 15 days.
* Deposit is not refundable after reservation and in case the cancellation is done within the last 10 days, all the package must be paid.
* Breakfast is on open buffet basis.
* Dinners outside the hotel (4 dinners) include 1 beer or half a bottle of wine for each tourist. While in hotels, drinks are not included.
* All extra demands or change of meals should be paid by the tourist.
* Hotels could be changed to the same or higher categories in the same or nearest location.

 

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Last updated: June 2009