Departure on 30 Jul. 2008 - (2 WEEKS)
Check our 1 week program

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.

Rates Include:
* Round trip ticket BEY / VAR / BEY.
* Transport in Luxury air-conditioned coaches.
* Hotel Accommodation for 14 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.
* Meals as mentioned in the table.
* 24 hours telephone for emergency cases.
* Transport and travel insurance.
* Visa and airport taxes.

Rates Exclude:
* Tips and personal expenses.
* 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 (2 dinners) include 1 beer or half a bottle of wine for each tourist while in hotels, drinks are not included.
* Refreshments consist of one cup of coffee or mineral water or one soft drink for each tourist.
* 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.
 

Details

WEDNESDAY - DINER & SHOW (SLAVIANSKYKAT - ALBENA)
0855 Departure from Beirut International Airport.
1045 Arrival to Varna; Passport control & customs formalities. Meet and assistance, refreshments followed by transfers to the hotel.
1145 Lodgement in Hotel Melia Grand Hermitage (5* Superior). Ex.Kempinski
1300 Meeting for brief information. Free time for leisure.
2000 Departure to Albena resort for dinner and to watch the folkshow, overnight.
2300 Return to the hotel, overnight.

THURSDAY - VARNA DOLPHINARIUM SHOW
1100 Departure from the hotel to Varna.
1200 Watch one of the top ten dolphin shows in the world.
1330 Free Time for coffee or cold drink in one of many Café-trottoire or for light lunch.
1430 Tour in the Marine Park.
1530 Visit the Cathedral and the opera square, free time for shopping.
1800 Return to the hotel.
2100 Leaving to Casino International, free time at leasure: open buffet, slot machines, black jack, baccarat and more.

FRIDAY - SUNNY DAY, NESSEBAR & DINER IN HOTEL HONOLULU
0830 Departure from the hotel to the museum town of Nessebar.
1000 A short stop on Goritsa for refreshments and afterwards a stop in Chatra to enjoy the panoramic view of Nessebar.
1130 Arrival to Sunny Beach, the biggest Bulgarian sea resort. Free time for swimming or a promenade on the mini train.
1330 Continue to Nessebar, lodgment in hotel Iberostar (4* Superior).
1430 Free time to browse the narrow streets, antique shops, churches and restaurants where you can have the lunch.
2000 Diner in the panoramic restaurant Honolulu with live Gypsy music
2300 Return to the hotel.

SATURDAY - SOZOPOL & DINER IN FIESTA PANORAMA
1100 After breakfast proceed to Bourgas the largest Bulgarian port, city tour onboard the coach.
1230 Continue to Sozopol which is a fishing village located on a scenic rocky peninsula, It is arguably the most beatifull village on the Black Sea coast. It is also a favoured haunt of artists and writers.
1330 Free time to enjoy the casual ambience, the two sandy beaches, and the distinctive 19th century stone and wood houses, some 45 of which are national cultural monuments. You can have the lunch in one of many fish restaurants.
1630 Return to the hotel, diner, free time, overnight.

SUNDAY - PLVDIV CITY TOUR & DINER SHOW
0830 After breakfast departure to the second Bulgarian largest city Plovdiv.
1030 Break in the town of Nova Zagora for refreshments.
1230 Arrive to Plovdiv, lodgment in hotel Trimontium (4* Superior) or similar.
1330 Free time for lunch followed by a guided walking tour of Plovdiv's most intesting sites: the old quarter, the roman amphitheatre, the Chrches, the Mosque and the shopping area.
1730 Return to the hotel, diner and overnight.

MONDAY - VELINGRAD, FREE TIME IN THE SPA & DINER SHOW
1000 Departure from the hotel. Continue through a phenomenon green Chepino Vally to Velingrad, the most beautiful and most famous Bulgarian spa resorts. It lies at the most attractive part of the Rhodope mountains.
1230 Lodgment in Hotel Abir (4* Superior). After a long trip you can relax in the hot mineral water, the sauna, the steam room or the jacuzzi or you may make a special massage.
2030 Dinner Show in the hotel.
2300 Free time for night life. Overnight.

TUESDAY - VELINGRAD, FREE TIME IN THE SPA, LUNCH IN KLEPTUZA LAKE, FREE TIME
0830 After breakfast, free time at leasure.
1130 Visit to the pictoresque Batak dam, free time for a coffee or to enjoy a small boat trip.
1400 Visit the phenomenon Kleptuza lake. Free time for pedalo. The lunch will be served on the shore of the lake. (included in the rate)
1600 Return to the hotel. Free time, overnight

WEDNESDAY - SOFIA CITY TOUR & OUTDOOR DINER
0900 After breakfast departure from the hotel. Continue through the green mountains while enjoying the fabulous scenery. Break in the mid way for refreshments
1230 Arrival to Sofia, lodgement in Hotel Princess (4* Superior), free time.
1400 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.
2100 Dinner in a Bulgarian restaurant. Return to the hotel, overnight.

THURSDAY - RILA MONASTERY SIGHTSEEING & LUNCH, FREE TIME
0900 After breakfast departure to visit the Iskar lake.
1200 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.
1500 Lunch which consists of famous Balkan fresh-water trout will be served near the Monastery (included in the rate).
1730 Return to Sofia, free time, overnight.

FRIDAY - KOPRIVSHITSA, HISARiA, FREE TIME IN THE SPA & INDOOR DINER
0830 After breakfast early departure to Koprivshtitsa Architectural reserve.
1030 Walking Sightseeing tour of the reserve, free time to browse the pictoresque small town and have a refreshment or a light lunch.
1400 Proceed to Hisaria, the health resort with its 22 curative mineral springs. (total debit of 4000 l\min. and a temperature of 37-52 C).
1530 Lodgment in SPA hotel Astrea (4* Superior) or similar. Free time. In the evening diner in the hotel. Overnight.

SATURDAY - KAZANLUK, SHIPKA, ETERA, VELIKO TURNOVO & OUTDOOR DINER
0830 After breakfast departure to Kazanluk, on the road a visit to the "ostrich farm" to admire those wonderful big volatiles.
1000 Proceed through the Valley of Roses, a short stop in the town of Kazanluk with a visit to the Museum of Bulgarian Oleaginous Rose.
1130 Visit the Russian memorial church in the village of Shipka, free time for a snack.
1300 Drive up in the Balkan Mountains to the Shipka Pass. In1877 this pass was the site of the most important battle in the liberation war.
1500 Arrival to the Etar ethnographic Heritage Park, with houses from the Bulgarian National Revival period and workshops for handicrafts.
1630 Lodgment in hotel Premiere (4* Superior) or similar. Free time. In the evening you can watch “the son et lumiere” spectacular (if available).
2000 Proceed to Arbanassi village for typical Bulgarian diner with live music.
2300 Return to the hotel, overnight.

SUNDAY - VELIKO TURNOVO CITY TOUR, DRYANOVO MONASTERY & OUTDOOR LUNCH.. FREE TIME
0900 After breakfast, walking sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo - the old capital. Remains of the medieval fortifications, Curches and the palace still stand on Tsarevets Hill (the King's Hill). Passing in the Samovodska Charshiya (old souk where you can buy all kinds of hadcrafts)
1200 Continue through the the green mountains to visit the Dryanovo monastery. Lunch in a pictoresque restaurant. (included in the rate)
1600 Return to Veliko turnovo. Free time, overnight.

MONDAY - TARGOVISHTE WHITE HORSE COMPLEX, FREE TIME & DINER SHOW
0900 After breakfast departure to the regional and municipal center of Targovishté. It is famous for the vine-growing and wine-production,
1030 Arrival to the White Horse comlex (swimmingpool & garden restaurant) for refreshment or light lunch. especially renowned are Traminaire, Chardonnay and Muscat wines.
1230 Proceed to Varna.
1430 Arrival to Varna, free time at leisure or optional tour to Balchik (17€).
2100 Diner and ballet show in hotel International.
0000 Return to the hotel, overnight.

TUESDAY - VARNA & METRO MALL SHOPPING, OUTDOOR LUNCH, FREE TIME
1000 Departure from the hotel.
1100 Visit the Metro super store for shopping.
1300 Lunch in Varna. (included in the rate)
1430 Free time in the city center.
1700 Return to the hotel, free time at leisure.

WEDNESDAY - BACK TO BEIRUT
0400 Check out from the hotel, transfer to Varna airport for passport control and formalities.
0605 Departure to Beirut.

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Last updated: June 2008