Arrival in Sofia Airport
Arrival in Sofia and City Tour, Sofia – Pome Kyustendil, Kyustendil – Rila Monastery – Bansko, Agro Yustina Farm – Plovdiv, Cow farm – Starosel, Sofia – Return flight
7 Days
All year
Arrival in Sofia and City Tour
Arrival in Sofia airport, and transfer to the hotel. We spend the 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.
Welcome dinner in a local restaurant, with traditional menu and degustation of local Bulgarian wines.
Sofia – Pome Kyustendil
After breakfast, we drive towards Kyustendil, in the south-west of Bulgaria. On the way we stop to visit a local farm cultivating pome fruits. We learn more about the cultivation process, or can get engaged in local daily activities in the farm.
In the afternoon we reach Kustendil, one of the most famous Bulgarian spa resorts. The climate is traditionally continental with Mediterranean influence. The mild weather is largely due to the beneficial effect of the mountains which surround the plain from the north, east and west. Relaxing evening with dinner and overnight in Kustendil.
Kyustendil – Rila Monastery – Bansko
After breakfast we leave Kyustendil and drive towards the Rila Mountains to visit the Rila Monastery – the largest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The monastery was founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 13th and 14th centuries. It is one of the oldest in Europe and was added to the UNESCO list in 1983. Behind the 20-meter walls there are impressive monastery buildings, a church and a chapel with valuable wall paintings.
Then we drive a little further to a restaurant that is famous for the trout fish menu to enjoy lunch there.
In the afternoon we continue to Bansko, a ski resort town located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, not far from the national park of the same name in the valley of the Mesta River. The mountain peaks near the city, the numerous lakes and the ancient pine forests create a spectacular panorama. We enjoy a dinner with traditional menu and spend the overnight in Bankso.
Bansko – Agro Yustina Farm – Plovdiv
Today we drive to Plovdiv, the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Before we reach the city, we stop on the way to visit Agro Yustina, a goat farm.
Agro Yustina is the only specialized farm in Bulgaria for meat production and breeding of animals of the “Boer” breed. The farm has a capacity of 300 mother goats and was built according to a project that is part of the rural development program. This is one of the largest and most modern farms for the Boer breed in Europe.
Afternoon arrival in Plovdiv, where we take a walking tour of the city. The old town extends over three hills and exudes a romantic flair with its colorful wooden houses and narrow cobblestone streets. We will visit the jewels of the Bulgarian Renaissance: the Church of St. Constantine and Elena. We are also on the trail of the Romans in the ancient theater and the Roman stadium. Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.
Plovdiv – Cow farm – Starosel
After breakfast we drive towards Starosel, a village only 50 km from Plovdiv. Our goal in Starosel is actually a cow farm for cattle and dairy cows. The farm has a total of 220 heads. The farm uses free animal husbandry methods: during the summer the animals are brought to the grass high up in the mountain Sredna Gora. In addition to animal breeding, the ambitious farmer cultivates 240 hectares of land for pasture and fodder production, a hunting ground, grapevines and a holiday complex.
Starosel – Sofia
After breakfast, near the village of Starosel, you will discover the largest Thracian temple tomb from the 4th to 5th centuries BC. Belonging to a Thracian ruler. Visit the peaceful spa town of Hisarya, known for its mineral hot springs, significant Roman remains, leafy parks and swimming pools.
Then we get back on the bus and drive through scenic routes along the southern foot of the Balkan Mountain. On the way we visit a small Balkan village where we are greeted by the owners of a young dairy farm who tell us the story of their hobby and their work. There we see buffalo, sheep, cows, goats and horses. We will also observe the entire process of making milk and cheese and have the opportunity to taste.
Arrival in Sofia and free evening.
Sofia – Return flight
After breakfast we drive to the airport for the return flight.