Day 01: Arrive in Sofia
We will meet you at Sofia airport and transfer you to the hotel. In the late afternoon, soak up the sights and sounds of historic Sofia on a walking tour. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Yablanitsa – Ribaritsa Village
Today, we transfer from Sofia to start our ride at Yablanitsa town, famous for producing Turkish delight. From the north foothills of the Balkan mountains we slowly wind upwards to the small village of Malak Izvor and on to the picturesque Glozhene Monastery. After lunch, we ride downhill and then on to a rolling road with a gradual ascent bringing us to charming Teteven town. After a short rest in town, we keep on biking upstream alongside the Beli Vit River to our overnight stay in the charming mountain village hideaway of Ribaritsa. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Bogoi Pass – Chiflik
A stimulating morning of riding as we ascend from Ribaritsa (630 m) to the highest point for the day – the Bogoi pass (1,185 m). It’s a challenging 12-km ascent to the summit, but the riding is through idyllic countryside making for a scenic climb. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Chiflik – Koprivshtitsa
After breakfast, a short transfer takes us to the highest pass in the Balkan Mountains: the Beklemeto Pass at 1,500 m. This was the ancient Roman Via Trayana (Trajan road), and some Roman remains can still be seen. We make a short ascent to see the Arc of Liberty, symbolizing the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 from the Ottomans during the Russian-Turkish War, then it’s time to freewheel down into South Bulgaria and the Valley of Roses. In May, the fields are blooming, and the petals are picked early in the morning and distilled into rose oil. We take a short off-road section along a stream for some variety. After a picnic lunch next to a river, it’s on to Koprivshtitsa, the best preserved 19th century Bulgarian town studded with characteristic architecture and a vivid revolutionary past. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Koprivshtitsa – Hisaraya
After breakfast, we visit two famous ‘house museums’ to learn more about this Bulgarian town, steeped in literary, political, and philosophical history. We then saddle up and pedal through rolling terrain among the vast meadows that frame this land. A long descent into Strelcha town passes the ”Crooked Beech Tree” and some interesting rock formations once used by ancient Thracians for their sacred rituals. On the way, we visit an ancient Thracian cult temple from the 5th century B.C. and have lunch at a local winery. From here on, the road rolls calmly all the way to our next destination – Hisarya, famous for its thermal springs and Roman ruins. End the day with a relaxing soak. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Plovdiv City Rest Day
A day for rest and sightseeing as we transfer to Bulgaria’s second city – Plovdiv. “The City of the Seven Hills” is one of the world’s oldest cities and has a fascinating history incorporating Thracian, Greek, Roman, and Ottoman rule. Plovdiv is among the few cities with two ancient theatres; remains of the medieval walls and towers; Ottoman baths and mosques; a well-preserved old quarter from the National Revival period with beautiful houses, churches, and narrow paved streets. There are numerous museums, art galleries, and cultural institutions. After our lunch, we take a tour of Plovdiv’s old town, visiting the Ethnographic Museum and the Ancient Roman Theatre: probably the best-known monument from antiquity in Bulgaria. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Plovdiv – Rodopi
An amazing day awaits us! We transfer up to the Pamporovo Ski Resort in the Rodopi Mountains, stopping on the way to visit Bachkovo Monastery, the country’s second largest, with its unique 17th century dining room. We jump on our bikes at Pamporovo and ride down to Shiroka Laka, a village with many authentic Rhodopean houses. These two-storey homes feature a small cellar with a hiding place and thick white walls to conceal its courtyard from outsiders. We have lunch in this quaint town before we continue our ride upstream along the Trigrad River and the stunning marble rock gorge it cuts through. Once we reach the famous Rodopi village of Trigrad, we can enter the thrilling Devil’s Throat Cave, featuring a 40-m high underground waterfall. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Rodopi – Dospat Dam
Today will be nothing short of spectacular! Back on our bikes for a descent back through the 300-m high walls of the Trigrad Gorge, before a gradual incline takes us up into and through Bulgaria’s longest gorge, Buinovo. Known by locals as the The Wolf’s Leap, the 10-km long gorge narrows to several metres at some points as the river cuts through the marble rock. You’ll spot entrances to many caves along the way, and we’ll stop to visit the beautiful 5-story tall Yagodina cave, filled with fascinating formations. We end our ride today at Dospat village located picturesquely on the shores of a dammed lake. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Dospat Dam – Velingrad
Today, we ride among three beautiful dams, a centuries-old coniferous forest, and vast meadows, finishing in Velingrad, Bulgaria’s spa capital . After riding on so many quiet back-roads, the last 10 km into town are a bit busier than we are used to, so we have the option to transfer, if we wish. There are over 90 curative and preventative springs and another natural phenomenon as well as the Kleptuza, the biggest Karst spring in Bulgaria, with an average discharge of 1,200 litres of ice-cold water per second.

Day 10: Sofia Departure
Transfer back to Sofia for your departure flight or for another night exploring Sofia.

Day 01: Start Sofia Airport; transfer to Yagodina.
Start at Sofia airport (Terminal 2), where we will be met by the representative and transferred to the remote village of Yagodina, our base for the next 6 nights.

Day 02: Yagodina
Walk from Zmeitsa along route of ancient Roman road through meadows, forests and fields to the Buinovo Gorge.

Setting off on foot from the village of Zmeitsa, we follow the line of an ancient Roman road through meadows, forests and fields where there are opportunities to observe the local people engaged in their traditional agricultural lifestyle. Finally, having descended a broad grassy ridge spur, that offers stunning views towards the village of Yagodina, we drop steeply into the Buinovo Gorge where our minibus will be waiting.

Day 03: Yagodina
Walk along the Chairska Gorge; cross the Trigrad Plateau and visit the Devil’s Throat Cave.
We start today’s extremely varied walk by first hiking down the gorge of the Chairska River, and then climbing through ancient forests to emerge at an extensive area of glorious flower-filled meadows. Having crossed these, and then an interesting section of karst plateau, we eventually drop down into the Trigrad Gorge to visit the ‘Devil’s Throat’ cave, an enormous chasm with a thundering waterfall. According to legend, this was the cave by which Orpheus emerged from the Underworld after his tragically failed attempt to reclaim his wife Eurydice. The crags around the cave entrance are also very interesting for naturalists, being home to several local endemic plants as well as the wallcreeper, a rare and elusive bird that flutters around the rocks like a butterfly y on strikingly crimson wings.

Day 04: Yagodina
Walk around Mt Durdaga through a variety of habitats with rich flora and fauna.

A full day’s circular walk starting and finishing in Yagodina. Our route makes a tour of Mt. Durdaga, a high wooded peak that rises directly above the village. During the course of our walk, we pass through a large variety of habitats with an extremely rich flora and fauna. During the first half of the day, as well as wandering through ancient forests that are home to bear, boar and deer, we will also cross several flower covered pastures that are normally enlivened by a spectacular assortment of butterflies. Later in the afternoon, we return to Yagodina along the line of a former Roman road that runs high above the Trigrad Gorge, which not only offers outstanding views, but is also one of the most renowned botanic trails in the country.

Day 05: Yagodina
Traversing the highest peaks of the Rodopi along the Perelik Ridge $ Mt. Golyam Snezhnik.

After breakfast we set off in our bus for a 90 minutes’ drive east into the highest part of the Rodopi Mountains. Having reached the end of the driveable road, we begin a wonderful hike along the main ridge of the Rodopi Mountains. First we skirt just below the military base on the summit of the Rodopi’s highest peak Mt. Golyam Perelik (2191m), before ascending Mt. Golyam Snezhnik (2188m), just two metres lower! Having enjoyed the expansive views from the rolling open pastures, we then start to drop down into the forest, eventually making our way down to the tiny, picturesquely situated village of Gela, which according to legend was the birthplace of Orpheus. Here we will be met by our bus for the drive back to Yagodina. Occasionally, during May, late-lying snow makes it impossible to traverse the flank of Mt. Golyam Perelik, so instead we will attempt a direct ascent of Mt. Golyam Snezhnik from the village of Gela, climbing as high as the snowline.

Day 06: Yagodina 
Sveti Ilia ridge walk with panoramic views over Yagodina and most of the Rodopi.

The focus of today’s walk is the imposing Sveti Iliya (Saint Elijah) ridge that rises up directly north of Yagodina. Our route starts directly from the hotel, making its way through the meadows at the foot of the ridge. After this gentle start, we then begin a steep, direct 350 metre ascent of Mt. Sveti Iliya (1508 m), zig-zagging up the stony sun-baked southern flank to reach the breathtaking viewing platform known as the ‘Eagle’s Eye’. Given stable weather, we then make a complete traverse of the ridge to its eastern end, first descending a jeep track to a saddle in the centre of the ridge, before another steep and stony ascent to Mt. Vartkite (1470 m). The ridge boasts its own unique flora and fauna, offering a chance to observe a variety of interesting butterflies and birds. However, the panorama would itself be reward enough for completing what is a fairly strenuous walk over rough and stony terrain, with views stretching out across much of the Western Rodopi, offering a chance to point out and identify the places one has walked during previous days of this holiday. Finally, we conclude our circular walk by descending back to our hotel.

Day 07: Buinovo Gorge and Devinska Reka. Transfer to Sofia.
Setting off on foot from the hotel, we pick up yet another section of former Roman road, now a beautiful forest trail that is famed for the great variety of orchids. Suddenly the path emerges at a shelter, perched high on a rocky viewpoint from which one can gaze down into the Buinovo Gorge below. From here, the trail steadily descends to meet the river and road beside a wonderfully preserved Roman bridge. On reaching the bottom of the gorge, we will then spend about an hour exploring the Yagodina Cave. This is one of the most beautiful in the country, and world renowned for its variety of cave formations including stalagmites, stalactites, draperies, flowstones, dendrites and cave pearls. The cave system also harbours a unique prehistoric dwelling and subject to permission from the archaeologists, we will hopefully have the chance to enter this and learn more about the surprisingly sophisticated way-of-life of the people who inhabited it more than 6000 years ago.

Having finished our visit to the cave, we then set off on the long but highly picturesque transfer to the Bulgarian capital Sofia, where we will spend our final night.

Day 08: Depart Sofia.
Final departure transfer to airport for flight back to home.

Day 01: Arrival Sofia
On arrival at Sofia airport, meet our representative for your comfortable transfer to your downtown hotel in Sofia. Check in at your hotel and relax. Later in the evening make your way to the front of Palace Of Justice to join a 2 hours walking tour of Sofia downtown. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Day 02: Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Verna
After breakfast at the hotel meet your driver cum guide for a comfortable travel to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi ( Distance between Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo | Arbanassi is approx 230 Kms ) on arrival visit the medieval capital Veliko Tarnovo followed by visit to this beautiful 13th-Century village of Arbanassi.

Afternoon proceed to Varna ( Distance between Arbanassi and Varna is approx 200 Kms ). Check in at your hotel on arrival at Varna. Overnight in Varna.

Day 03: Verna
After a leisurely breakfast you may choose to see Dolphin Show or visit to Euxinograd Castle. Later, make your way to the front of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin to join a 2 hours walking tour of Varna downtown. Rest of the day is free for you to explore Varna and its beaches. Overnight in your hotel in Varna.

Day 04: Varna – Sunny Beach – Burgas
Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel followed by some free time at Sea Garden park of Varna to admire the greenery and the beautiful beaches of Varna, later meet your driver cum guide for a comfortable transfer to Sunny beach for lunch and further to your Burgas Hotel for check-in.

Burgas is located on the coast of Black sea and is fourth largest city of Bulgaria. A visit to Burgas means fun filled beach-time, excursions to its famous museums and archaeology sites, day trip to many of the popular places near Burgas lined up along the Black Sea Coast near Burgas.

Join the happy crowd on the central Pedestrian Street of Burgas and continue to Sea Garden, a huge seafront park, which is also the centre of recreational, sports and cultural activities. Enjoy dinner in one of the fish restaurant on the beach.

Overnight in Burgas.

Day 05: Burgas (Excursion to Sozopol And Nessebar)
Breakfast at your hotel. The Day is free for you to explore beach activities or simply relax at your hotel. You may also choose to visit Sozopol ( 35 Kms from Burgas), a Black Sea historical resort town founded in 7th century BC to explore its beautifully carved wooden buildings in its Old town and Sozopol medieval fortifications ( or castle ) before you return to your hotel in Burgas.

Later in the afternoon travel to Nessebar, a UNESCO-listed town that offers seaside fun along with with sites of immense historical wealth. Nessebar is also approx 35 Kms from Burgas). On arrival in Nessebar make your way to the main gates of the Old Town to join a walking tour of Nessebar city old town. After the tour you may continue to explore Nessebar or indulge in some local shopping.

Meet your driver and transfer back to your hotel in Burgas. Overnight in Burgas.

Day 06: Burgas – Sofia (Via Plovdiv – APPROX DISTANCE 390 KMS )
After a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel, meet your driver for a comfortable travel in a private vehicle to Sofia via Plovdiv. On arrival at Plovdiv enjoy a walking tour of the Plovdiv city downtown, an Open-Air UNESCO Heritage Town. ( This Tour starts in front of Municipality building on the central pedestrian street )

Enjoy some free time to explore Plovdiv – the town of seven hills, and considered to be one of the oldest cities in Europe, you may choose to visit Bunardzik hill or explore some some street shopping before you travel to Sofia, the Capital city of Bulgaria. Check in at your hotel in Sofia. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 07: Sofia
With a mix of Communist and European-style architecture taking a centre stage and Vitosha Mountain in the background, Sofia the capital city of Bulgaria is one of the most important destination in Bulgaria. Later, today after breakfast you may choose to visit Rila Monastery (a UNESCO Heritage Site) or spend the day to explore city of Sofia on your own. Overnight in Sofia. (See Sightseeing and activities in Bulgaria)

Day 08: Departure Sofia
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel transfer to Sofia airport on time to take your flight.

Day 01: Sofia Arrival
On arrival at Sofia airport, meet our representative for your your comfortable transfer to your downtown hotel in Sofia. Check in at your hotel and relax. Later in the evening make your way to the front of Palace Of Justice to join a 2 hours walking tour of Sofia downtown. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 02: Sofia – Plovdiv ( APPROX 1,1/2 HOURS DRIVE – 145 KMS )
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before you meet your driver cum guide for a comfortable transfer to Plovdiv, on arrival at Plovdiv check in at your hotel, Later make your way to the front of Municipality building on the central pedestrian street to join a walking tour of Plovdiv city downtown, an Open-Air UNESCO Heritage Town.

Enjoy some free time to explore Plovdiv – the town of seven hills, and considered to be one of the oldest cities in Europe, you may pick up this opportunity to visit Bunardjik hill, do some street shopping or choose an optional activity from a list of Bulgaria sightseeing tour and activities which La Vacanza Travel Offers. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 03: Plovdiv – Burgas ( APPROX 2,1/2 HOURS DRIVE – 250 KMS )
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, then meet your driver cum guide for your transfer to Burgas in your comfortable vehicle. On arrival at Burgas check in at your hotel.

Located on the coast of Black sea Burgas is fourth largest city of Bulgaria and a visit to Burgas means fun filled beach-time, excursions to its famous museums and archaeology sites, day trip to many of the popular places near Burgas lined up along the Black Sea Coast near Burgas.

Join the happy crowd on the central Pedestrian Street of Burgas and continue to Sea Garden, a huge seafront park, which is also the centre of recreational, sports and cultural activities. Enjoy a the dinner in one of the fish restaurant on the beach line.

Overnight in Burgas.

Day 04: Burgas ( EXCURSION TO SOZOPOL AND NESSEBAR )
Breakfast at your hotel. The Day is free for you to explore beach activities or simply relax at your hotel. You may also choose to visit Sozopol ( 35 Kms from Burgas), a Black Sea historical resort town founded in 7th century BC to explore its beautifully carved wooden buildings in its Old town and Sozopol medieval fortifications ( or castle ) before you return to your hotel in Burgas.

Later in the afternoon travel to Nessebar, a UNESCO-listed town that offers seaside fun along with with sites of immense historical wealth. Nessebar is also approx 35 Kms from Burgas). On arrival in Nessebar make your way to the main gates of the Old Town to join a walking tour of Nessebar city old town. After the tour you may continue to explore Nessebar or visit to the adjacent Sunny Beach Resort.

Meet your driver and transfer back to your hotel in Burgas. Overnight in Burgas.

Day 05: Burgas – Sofia
After a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel transfer to Burgas airport to take your flight to Sofia. Your driver will meet you at Sofia airport for your comfortable transfer to your hotel in Sofia. Later in the afternoon you may choose to visit Rila Monastery (a UNESCO Heritage Site) or spend the day to explore city of Sofia on your own Overnight in Sofia.

Day 06: Sofia Departure
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel transfer to Sofia airport on time to take your flight.