City Tour of Sofia, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Boyana church
Full day exploring Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. We will discover a city with 7000 years of long history, concentrating on numerous cultural and historic monuments from different periods. We will visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the St. George Rotunda from the 4th century, the St.Sofia Basilica, the ruins of the ancient city Serdica.
Further we drive to Boyana Church, located on the outskirts of Sofia,
The church consists of three buildings. The Eastern Church was built in the 10th century, then enlarged at the beginning of the 13th century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who ordered a second two storey building to be erected next to it. The frescoes in this second church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. The ensemble is completed by a third church, built at the beginning of the 19th century. This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.
Another dinner in a local restaurant in Sofia and overnight.

SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY- Bansko
This morning we transfer to the Rila Monastery from the 10th century, one of UNESCO World Heritage site, the largest and the most impressive Bulgarian monastery. We will have a tour of the monastery complex, church and museum with its lavish collection of precious old manuscripts, icons, jewelry, masterpieces of woodcarving, ethnographic exhibition of fabrics and carpets.
In the afternoon return transfer to Bansko, the best winter resort in Bulgaria with the longest ski runs and the richest cultural history. The town of Bansko is situated at the foot of the Pirin mountain. We spend the overnight in Banko, enjoying the beautiful nature.

Bansko – Thessaloniki (Greece)
Today we leave Bulgaria and transfer towards Greece, where we will spend the next 3 overnights of the tour. After approximately 3.5 hours drive we reach the coastal city of Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece after Athens. Thessaloniki is attractive not only with its magnificent beaches, but also a rich historical heritage. The history of the city spans over 23 centuries, and each era has left its symbolic and remarkable places.
We start the visit of the city of Thessaloniki passing by the main sites of tourist interest such as the White Tower, the Byzantine church of Agios Dimitrios, the upper town and its ramparts, the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda and the vibrant city center. Visit of the archaeological museum. We will pass through two open-air markets, where locals buy fresh fruit and vegetables. At the end we stop at the oldest confectionery (over 90 years old) to try the syrupiasta, (a local dessert)
We will stop at Athonos Square, where there are many small authentic Greek taverns. We will have dinner with a menu of traditional dishes, accompanied by a tasting of Ouzo, a local liqueur.

Thessaloniki – Verginia – Athens
After breakfast drive to Vergina, the most important remains of the monumental palace of the Kingdom of Macedonia, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander. Continue to Athens stopping enroute at Thermopylae – site where a small Greek force made a heroic stand against the Persians in 480BC. Overnight in Athens.

Athens City Tour and visit of the Acropolis
Full day in the capital city of Greece, Athens. In the morning we enjoy a panoramic tour in order to see its main monuments: the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the University, the Academy, the Panathenaic stadium, the Parliament and its elite guards in traditional dress, called “evzones”. Visit the Acropolis site, classified by UNESCO: a complex composed of several temples, including the famous Parthenon.
Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Athens – Return Flight
Free morning in Athens. Transfer to the airport for the return flight.