Bulgaria Highlights
5 Days
from
$1,260
to
$1,310
per person*
Highlights:
Bulgaria
(Sofia)
Trip Start/End:
Sofia
/
Sofia
Discover Bulgaria, one of the oldest inhabited places in Europe, boasting one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters on earth. Start your tour with Sofia, the Bulgarian capital and get acquainted with the most important boulevards and tourist attractions. Enjoy this trip together with your personal guide. After a delicious lunch in a local restaurant (included in the tour price), continue your tour to Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the National Museum of History. Continue exploring Bulgaria and visit its second largest city, Plovdiv, one of the oldest towns in Europe where traces from the Thracians, Romans, Goths, Slavs and Ottomans have turned the town into a museum. Enjoy a day tour to Rila Monastery, the biggest monastery in Bulgaria situated 120 km away from Sofia, and admire the mountainous landscape. End your tour in Bulgaria with a trip to the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo, and visit Tsarevets, with the remains of the Royal Palace.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Sofia
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Crystal Palace Boutique (4*)
Standard (Mon-Thu) (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Sofia
| - Private - 1/2 d City Tour - Vehicle/Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Crystal Palace Boutique (4*)
Standard (Mon-Thu) (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Sofia
| - Private - Plovdiv Tour (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Crystal Palace Boutique (4*)
Standard (Mon-Thu) (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Sofia
| - Private - Rila Monastery Tour (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch Included
- Dinner (not included)
| Crystal Palace Boutique (4*)
Standard (Mon-Thu) (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Sofia
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Sofia
Crystal Palace
Day 1: Sofia
Meet your driver for a private airport transfer with vehicle and driver.
Accommodation: Crystal Palace Boutique (4*) With its 63 beautifully appointed, spacious rooms and suites Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel (4*) offers superior facilities and quality service, introducing the Bulgarian hospitality to business and leisure travellers. You will be steps away from nearby the sights of the city like Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University and St. St. Kiril and Metodii National Library. Windows face amazing views to Vitosha mountain and Doctor’s garden. Within easy walking distance is the city center of Sofia. The unique combination between an architectural and a cultural monument and a modern comfort building brings the hotel The Building of the Year Prize in 2004.
National Theater
Day 2: Sofia
Enjoy a private tour with your private guide and vehicle along the main tourist attractions of Sofia and view the Roman walls of ancient Serdika, St. George Rotunda, one of the oldest fully preserved churches in Europe dating from 4th century AD. View the most important religious buildings such as the Mosque, the Synagogue, St. Joseph Catholic church and the Orthodox churches of St. Nedelya, St. Petka, St. Sophia, the Russian Church and St Alexander Nevski Cathedral - cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, the former Royal Palace, the National Theatre, the Mineral Baths, the Parliament, the statue of Tsar Liberator, and the Sofia University. Visit the Crypt of St Alexander Nevski Cathedral with the best collection of icons in Bulgaria.
Accommodation: Crystal Palace Boutique (4*) 
Plovdiv, Old Town houses
Day 3: Sofia
Enjoy a full day tour to Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria and one of the oldest towns in Europe. It was inhabited by the Thracians, Romans, Goths, Slavs and Ottomans whose traces have turned the town into a museum. The Ancient Plovdiv Architectural Reserve is of special interest. Brilliant examples of the Bulgarian National Revival Period are preserved here. One can sit among the ruins of the ancient Roman Theater and feel the atmosphere of the extinct world. Enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Crystal Palace Boutique (4*) 
Rila Monastery
Day 4: Sofia
Enjoy a full day tour to Rila Monastery, the biggest monastery in Bulgaria, one of the most remarkable monuments on the Balkan Peninsula. The monastery was founded in the l0th century by the Bulgarian monk St. John of Rila and was rebuilt in the l3th -l4th century and it is situated 120Km/75 miles south of Sofia in the beautiful surroundings of Rila Mountain. In the four-storied dormitories there are more than 400 cells, 4 chapels, guest-rooms, a cook-house, unique in terms of construction and design. A museum with a rich library is arranged at the monastery. Since 1983 it is included in the list of monuments of the world culture and natural heritage compiled at UNESCO. Lunch is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Crystal Palace Boutique (4*) Day 5: Sofia
Meet your driver for a private airport transfer with vehicle and driver.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Boutique (4*) - Sofia
With its 63 beautifully appointed, spacious rooms and suites Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel (4*) offers superior facilities and quality service, introducing the Bulgarian hospitality to business and leisure travellers. You will be steps away from nearby the sights of the city like Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University and St. St. Kiril and Metodii National Library. Windows face amazing views to Vitosha mountain and Doctor’s garden. Within easy walking distance is the city center of Sofia. The unique combination between an architectural and a cultural monument and a modern comfort building brings the hotel The Building of the Year Prize in 2004.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Bulgaria
VISA/PASSPORT
A valid passport is required for both US and Canadian citizens. Canadian and U.S. citizen visitors are granted 90 days of stay without a visa within a given six-month period. Foreigners are required to carry identification documents at all times.
Citizens of other countries may require a visa. Please ask your Sales Advisor. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Bulgaria for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are poor quality and not widespread. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/bulgaria.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Sofia.
Government: Democratic Republic since 1990.
Language: Bulgarian is the official language and the Cyrillic alphabet is used. English, German, French and Russian are spoken in major tourist resorts and hotels.
Religion: The majority of the population are Christian, the main denomination being Bulgarian Orthodox Church with a membership of 83% of the population. Eastern Orthodox Christianity is considered to be the traditional religion in Bulgaria. There is also a significant Muslim minority (13%) and a small Jewish community.
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are two-pin.
Telephone: Country code +359.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is patchy to good in most of the country.
Internet: Internet cafes in major. Most major hotels have Internet connection, and some have Wi-Fi access.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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