Explore Bulgaria in a week, Self-Drive

Meet Bulgaria and its highlights during this 8 days self-drive tour. Start your trip exploring the romantic Black sea coast, the Sea Capital Varna and the old aged towns of Nessebar and Sozopol. Spend several days travelling through the countryside, learning about the culture and traditions of rural Bulgaria. Stop in the European city of Culture, Plovdiv and have enough time to feel the special atmosphere of this colourful town. Then head to the capital of Bulgaria, a modern and buzzing city which keeps impressive history from Antiquity to nowadays. In Veliko Tarnovo, you will be fascinated by the magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill and will discover how wealthy merchants have lived in the Bulgarian Medieval ages. The sea breeze at the end of this exciting trip will leave you with memories to remember. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Varna: the Bulgarian Black sea capital is a must-see. Enjoy the picturesque views from one of the numerous beach restaurants, relax in the Sea Garden or discover the oldest processed gold in the world in the Archaeological museum in the town. 

Nessebar: the “Pearl” of the Black Sea Coast. The Old town of Nessebar will fascinate you with the numerous churches from the 13th century and the breathtaking sea views. 

Plovdiv: heir of great civilizations, Plovdiv has a lot to offer, from ancient sites to bohemian quarters with great artistic cafes and ateliers. Immerse in the atmosphere of this Town of Culture.  

Sofia: the capital and largest city of Bulgaria will offer you a great variety of attractions: from ancient remains, rich museums and typical architecture to a pedestrian zone with numerous cafes, restaurants and fashion boutiques. 

Veliko Tarnovo: the former Bulgarian capital will fascinate you with its magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill, the cobbled street of Samovodska charshia and the mastership of the local craftsmen. 

Day 1: ARRIVAL VARNA or BOURGAS / CAR HIRE PICK-UP (10km – 30min)

Welcome to Bulgaria! Arrive at your chosen Airport – Varna or Bourgas, take your car, and drive to your accommodation hotel. Check-in and receive the special package that we have prepared just for you, including a map of Bulgaria, a rich program with all the possible sights that you can visit en-route, vouchers, and other useful information. Enjoy a walk in the pedestrian centre to find out more about the town and its most significant sites. Beautiful promenades crowded with enthusiastic tourists, romantic Sea gardens with lots of idyllic places to hide from the crowd, interesting museums housing the history and traditions from ancient times to nowadays. Or just take your swimsuit and relax at one of the numerous beaches of the town and its surroundings. Alternatively, you can choose to book our optional professional guide (not included):

English, French, German or Spanish-speaking tour guide in Varna or Bourgas (private basis):

Notes: Private service. Duration 4 hours. Included private tour guide. Not included: transfers, entrance fees.

Overnight in Varna or Bourgas.

Day 2: VARNA/BOURGAS – NESSEBAR – KAZANLAK – PLOVDIV (420km – 6hrs)

Depart early today, after your rich breakfast, as you have a very intriguing program ahead. Take a drive to the South and reach the “Pearl” of the Black Sea Coast, your first UNESCO site for today - the Old town of Nessebar. Stroll through the romantic cobbled streets, exploring the numerous churches from the 13th century and feel the time turning back to the days of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. Absorb the local ambience and get lost in the labyrinth of tiny streets and wooden houses. Then head to the countryside and the Rose Valley. We suggest you to stop in Kazanlak, where you can visit the UNESCO designated Thracian Tomb, dating back to 310 – 290 BC, impressing with its most well-preserved artworks from the Hellenistic world. As you are in the Rose valley, it is a must to witness the unique rose production and experience the spirit and fragrance of the Bulgarian Rose in the Rose Museum. Breathing the aroma of the Rose will leave vivid memories that you will need to share! Continue to Plovdiv, the European City of Culture for 2019 and part of the UNESCO tentative list. 

Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 3: PLOVDIV AND SURROUNDINGS (60km – 1.5hr)

Think over the route for today, enjoying your leisure breakfast at the hotel. You can wander in the Old town of Plovdiv and emerge in the unique atmosphere of this ancient place. We recommend you not to miss visiting the Roman Amphitheatre, built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD and also the Hindlyan House, one of the most richly decorated houses in Plovdiv from the Bulgarian Revival. Then find the famous “Thursday” market, embrace the chance to have a chat with the sellers and producers and buy locally produced fresh fruit. Dive into the bohemian quarter of Kapana, and explore the numerous cafes and ateliers in the neighbourhood. If you are a nature lover, a trip to Rhodopi Mountain will leave you speechless. Hidden deeply in this picturesque place, you can also visit the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, the Batchkovo monastery. Admire the beauty of the scenery around the monastery, the sacred icons in the church and the monumental architecture of the entire complex.

Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 4: PLOVDIV – SOFIA (240km – 4hrs)

Enjoy your delicious breakfast in the hotel before you head to the Capital of Bulgaria. On the way, you have plenty of options to learn more about Bulgarian culture. Meet the life of the Revival Period in Bulgaria, by visiting an ethnographical centre with several houses in the revolutionary town of Karlovo. Have a cup of coffee, made on the sand and typical Bulgarian sweets. If you wish, you can dress in Bulgarian costumes and take memorable pictures as a local. You can also visit the beautiful town of Panagyurishte, situated in the idyllic valley of the Sredna Gora. The town region has been populated since antiquity, which is evident by more than 300 monuments found here – necropolises, settlements, fortresses, military camps and road construction installations. The best evidence for this is kept in the History Museum, including the world-famous golden treasure of Panagyurishte, which was part of the temporary exhibition in the Louvre museum. Continue your trip to Sofia.  

Overnight in Sofia.

Day 5: SOFIA

After your delightful breakfast, start exploring the capital of Bulgaria at your own pace. Have a walk in the city centre and be impressed by the gold-plated cupola and the rich interior of the biggest Orthodox Cathedral in the country, St. Alexander Nevski. Continue with a stroll around the most significant sights in the centre, St.George Rotonda, the Russian church St. Nikolay, and the National Theatre Ivan Vazov. Have a cup of coffee on the pedestrian street Vitoshka and feel the atmosphere of this vibrant city. The National History Museum is housing the whole of Bulgarian History in one place. The large collection of the museum will give you a great overview of the country and its history. The next stop could be one of the most remarkable medieval monuments in the world, the Boyana church, a UNESCO designated monument with, especially fine wall paintings. As Sofia is conveniently located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, the nature seekers have an easy way to escape from the busy life of the capital. Follow the mountain treks, have your time and immerse in the silence of the picturesque nature. If you wish to know more about the secrets of the Bulgarian capital, you can book our optional private tour guide for up to 4 hours (not included):

English, French, German or Spanish-speaking tour guide in Sofia:

Notes: Private service. Duration 4 hours. Included: private tour guide. Not included: transfers, entrance fees.

Dinner with Folklore and Nestinari Dances:

Book our optional dinner and be part of a typical Bulgarian night with a delicious welcome dinner and folklore program. Songs, dances… what a magical night full of unforgettable moments. The Nestinari dances, a barefoot dance on smouldering embers, part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage will leave you speechless. This ritual will lead you back to the mystery of the Eastern Orthodox beliefs together with the older pagan traditions from the Strandza Mountains.

Notes: Private service. Duration 3 hours. Included Dinner in a typical restaurant (four-course menu, including a glass of wine); folklore program, and Nestinari* Dance (*performed only if the weather conditions allow). Dinner starts at 20:00h and ends at 23:00h. Not included: guide, transfers.

Overnight in Sofia.

Day 6: SOFIA – VELIKO TARNOVO (270km – 4hrs)

Start your day with a nice breakfast at the hotel and prepare to drive deep in the Balkan Mountain. If you are interested in the Orthodox beliefs, you must stop at the Troyan Monastery, the third largest monastery in Bulgaria, isolated in the idyllic skirts of the mountain. Continue your trip to the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo that will fascinate you with its magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill. Stroll down the cobbled street of Samovodska charshia to find out more about the mastership of the local craftsmen. We invite you to participate in an old crafts demonstration at the pottery or wood carving atelier (no guidance included). Continue to the small village of Arbanassi where you will discover how wealthy merchants lived in the Bulgarian Medieval ages.

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 7: VELIKO TARNOVO – VARNA/BOURGAS (310km – 4.5h)

After your leisure breakfast, check out from your hotel and dedicate this day to a picturesque drive through the country to reach the sandy beaches of the Black Sea coast. On the way, you can take the chance to visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari will impress you with its unique polychrome half-human, half-plant caryatids and painted murals. The Madara Rider is the only relief of this kind, carved high in the rocks in the plateau of Shumen. Find out more about the legends and mysteries of these sacred places before you head off to the sea towns of Varna or Bourgas. If you are accommodated in Varna, you can choose to book our optional dinner with wine tasting in one of the fanciest restaurant in the town. Ponder your senses, tasting the best wines of Bulgaria, accompanied with perfectly matching meals and celebrate the great trip you’ve enjoyed.

Dinner with wine-tasting in Varna:

Notes: Included: Wine-tasting of three wines (white, rose and red, 100ml each), accompanied by the respective dishes. Not included: transfer, guidance.

Overnight in Varna.

Day 8: CAR HIRE DROP-OFF / DEPARTURE VARNA or BURGAS (10km – 30min)

Enjoy a tasty breakfast before you check out from the hotel and catch your return flight home. If you have time until your flight, you can choose to book our optional professional guide (not included):

English, French, German or Spanish-speaking tour guide in Varna or Bourgas

Notes: Private service. Duration 4 hours. Included: private tour guide. Not included: transfers, entrance fees.

Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes (including also swimsuit, hat) for the beach stay. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.