Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery

🌸 Next Tour: May 25- 31

Rila Monastery

Whether ancient monuments, pagan temples, Roman fortresses or Christian icon paintings – Bulgaria offers a variety of historical sites of key importance to human heritage. The Rila Monastery was established in the 10th century by St. John of Rila, who was the first Bulgarian hermit declared a saint while he was still alive, and is one of the largest monasteries together with those in Bachkovo and Trojan.

 Rila Monastery with its unique architecture, frescoes and altars contributes to our understanding of Christian art and culture. The historical villages at the slopes of the Balkans still retain their special charm, for every visitor to experience, explore and enjoy. In 1983 the monastery was declared a monument of culture under the protection of UNESCO. His religious status was restored in 1991 after the fall of communism.

Visit with Us the Thracian Valley, Sofia, Rila Monastery, Melnik, The Valley of Roses, Bansko, Rozhen Monastery, Plovdiv, Shipka Pass

On our bus tours across beautiful Bulgaria you will experience scenic landscapes, wine tastings, outdoor photography workshops,  rose picking & much more!

📷    Photography Workshops with Loic Lagarde, daily
 🍷     Wine Tastings in famous Wineries 
 ⛷️   Qualified English and German speaking Tour Guide & Sommelier
 🥞    Delicious Traditional Bulgarian Cuisine Included 
 🌲    Accommodation in  Katarino Starosel in a Double room with Bath or Shower / WC, Satellite TV, free Wi-Fi 
 💖   Mineral Water Springs 45°Sauna, Breathtaking Panorama, Steam Room
 ☀️   Admission to all Attractions
 🚐   Travel with air- conditioned bus & airport transfer
 
🍀 7 days in Bulgaria
 🏝️  Travel Price from $1390
 

1 Day

Arrival in Sofia

A city with many faces: Sofia, Serdika, Sredets

A walking tour through the historic center of Sofia, one of the oldest cities in Europe. The highlight of our visit is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – one of Sofia’s landmarks and a remarkable work of orthodox architecture and icon painting. Photography & Panoramic Landscapes.

2 Day

Discover the wonders of Pyramids, formed by Nature

The Stob’s Pyramides at dawn – the Rila Monastery: fascinating frescoes and altars – Photography Workshop  in the picturesque village of Melnik & Wine tastings – hiking to Rozhen Monastery & Natural wonders at sunset.

Accommodation in Rozhen 3*Hotel, Dinner & Wine

3 Day

Melnik Pyramides at dawn – Winery Sintika: Wine tastings– Panoramic view from the top of Pirin Mountain (2500 m) & Bansko old town sightseeing.

Accommodation in Katarino SPA 4*Hotel,Dinner & Wine

4 Day

The Secrets of the Frescoes

Photography & Frescoes – the ancient churches in Dobarsko and Delchevo – Winery Uwas NestumWine Tasting – Katarino SPA & Wine Tastings

5 Day

Pathways to Bulgarian Ancestry:  Bachkovo Monastery – Plovdiv, the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Plovdiv‘s earliest inhabitants settled 4,000 BC– Explore the picturesque old town and enjoy the view from the Antique Roman Theater overlooking the city – Plovdiv’s pedestrian zone offers attractive shopping and diversion!

Dinner at traditional Mehana (Механа)- experience the dances and folk songs of the Balkans

Accommodation in 3* hotel in Plovdiv

6 Day

Photography and Rose picking of small fragrant flowers of the Damaszena rose. We will then learn how to extract valuable rose oil from a visit to a rose oil distillery and taste some products made from rose petals.  Photography at dawn – the Balkan Mountains and the Shipka Pass, with a scenic view of the Valley of Roses – the gold-shining Russian Church in Shipka

Bailovo – Photography & Sightseeing; Photography rewards & Rakia tastings

7 Day

Time to say goodbye

Photography & Breakfast

Departure to Sofia – Time at your disposal before your scheduled flights.

The price quoted is based upon a minimum number of eight travelers. If the minimum number of travelers is not met, the initial deposit will be returned to the traveler within 30 days before the start of the tour. The general terms and conditions of the tour organizer “Grosev-Culturetours” apply.