Bulgaria

Day 1 Sofia
Arrival at the Sofia airport Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon we will do the Sofia city tour which includes the most spectacular sightseeing of the capital as St Alexander Nevski Cathedral Theatre Ivan Vazov, Russian Church, the Parlia­ment the National Assembly etc. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 2 Sofia - Septemvri - Velingrad (train)
Arrival at the old railway station in Septemvri and continue with the enchanting narrow-gauge railway line which crosses the so called Chepino River Gorge. Being carried by the low speed romantic traia you will be able to admire the picturesque beauties of the river, the rocks and the nature all around. In the early afternoon we arrive at the railway station in Velingrad from where our coach will transfer us to our SPA Hotel. The town of Velingrad lies among beautiful nature of the Western Rodopi Mountain and although it has preserved evidence of life since Antiquity with Thracians, Slavs, Byzantines and Romans its most spectacu­lar treasure are the numerous mineral water springs. The 80 mineral springs, mild climate and beautiful nature create ideal conditions for recreational tourism. Dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Day 3 Velingrad
Enjoy the wide range of SPA procedures which the hotel offers you. Dinner in a local restaurant situated at bank of the lake Kleptuza which is part of the biggest karst spring in Bulgaria.

Day 4 Velingrad - Bansko (80km/1,30h)
Drive to the mountain resort of Bansko passing the beautiful region of Jundola. Bansko lies in the northeast skirts of the Pirin mountain, at the foot of the most beautiful karst part of Pirin. Besides high-quality ski and winter sports facilities, the town is famous for its Bulgarian Renais­sance architecture and ancient remains. To men­tion a few, visitors are taken by the St Trinity Church the native houses of famous Bulgarians such as Neofit Rilski, marvelously designed hous­es built during the Bulgarian Renaissance period such as Velyanov's house and Todev\'s house. Din­ner at traditional local restaurant where you will be able to feel the atmosphere of an old Bulgari­an village.

Day 5 Bansko - Kovachevica - Melnik (120km/2,30h) -Sandanski (20km/30min)
One hour drive to the village of Kovachevica where you will be able to enjoy the beauty and authentic spirit of a village of the Bulgarian Revival. A lunch of the national cuisine will be served. Departure for the town of Melnik, the smallest in Bulgaria. Here you will be enchanted by the breath-taking Melnik pyra­mids rank which are among the most remarkable natural phenomena of the country. Over an area of about 17 sq. km. millennia-long erosion has created a truly unearthly world. It is up to the visitor\'s imagination to distinguish obelisks, ancient towers, pyramids, and giant mushrooms among the various forms of erosion. Among the others spectacular monuments of the culture are the Revival houses, the old churches and the Despot Slav\'s fortress but undoubtedly the biggest treasure of Melnik is its unique sort of wine which you will have the chance to enjoy in a wine tasting afternoon in a magnificent local cellar including dinner. Overnight in Sandanski.

Day 6 Sandanski - Rila Monastery (80km/1,30h) - Sofia (100km/2h)
After one hour ride we arrive at the biggest monastery on the Balkans - that of Rila. It is sit­uated at 1,147 meters above sea level. It is believed to have been founded by a hermit John of Rila, in the 10th century, during the reign of the Bulgarian Tzar Peter (927-968). St John of Rila, whose mummified relics are exhibited for pilgrims in the main church in fact lived in a cave about half-an-hour walk away from the present-day monastery complex. The monastery itself is considered to have been built by his scholars, who came to the place to be taught by him. Back to Sofia for overnight.

Day 7 Sofia
Free day.

Day 8 Sofia
Transfer to the airport for final departure.