Bulgaria at a glance: Sofia City Break
Bulgaria at a glance: Sofia City Break
4 Days Starting and ending in Sofia, Bulgaria
Visiting: Sofia, St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Sofia, St. George Rotunda, Sofia, Russian Church St. Nikolay, Sofia, National Theatre Ivan Vazov, Sofia, Rila Monastery, Boyana Church, National History Museum, Sofia, National Museum of the Bulgarian Fine Art, Sofia, National Ethnographic Museum, Sofia, National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, Earth and Man National Museum, Sofia, Plovdiv, Roman Theater, Plovdiv, Nebet Tepe, Plovdiv, Ancient Stadium Plovdiv
Tour operator:
Tour code:
634440
Guide Type:
Partially Guided
Group size:
2 - 8
Age range:
2-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the vibrant city of Sofia with our "Bulgaria at a Glance: Sofia City Break" tour. This captivating journey offers a blend of history, culture, and stunning architecture. Begin your adventure in Sofia, exploring its ancient remains, rich museums, and bustling pedestrian zones filled with cafes and boutiques. Visit the iconic Rila Monastery, nestled in the mountains, and uncover its historical significance and legends. Marvel at the exquisite medieval frescoes of Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy three nights in a comfortable hotel, with breakfast included, and benefit from private airport transfers. A guided tour of Rila Monastery and Boyana Church is included, while optional excursions to Plovdiv and a traditional Bulgarian dinner with folklore dances are available. This city break promises an unforgettable experience in Bulgaria's charming capital.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : ARRIVAL SOFIA (10km – 30min)
Location: Sofia, St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Sofia, St. George Rotunda, Sofia, Russian Church St. Nikolay, Sofia, National Theatre Ivan Vazov, Sofia
Accommodation Name: Hotel Budapest or similar 3*
Welcome to Bulgaria! Arrive at Sofia International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure enjoying the highlights of Sofia. You may stroll around the city centre and visit the biggest Orthodox Cathedral in Bulgaria - St.Alexander Nevski, with an impressive gold-plated cupola and rich interior. Your walk may continue with the most significant sights in the centre – St. George Rotonda, the Russian church St. Nikolay, and the National Theatre Ivan Vazov. Do not miss having a cup of coffee on the pedestrian street Vitoshka and feel the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Alternatively, you can choose to end the day with the following Optional Tour (not included):
Dinner with Folklore and Nestinari Dances (shared basis):
Celebrate the start of the trip by being 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 Eastern Orthodox beliefs together with the older pagan traditions from the Strandza Mountains.
Notes: 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 2 : RILA MONASTERY AND BOYANA CHURCH EXCURSION (260km – 4hrs)
Location: Sofia, Rila Monastery, Boyana Church
Accommodation Name: Hotel Budapest or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start your day with a nice breakfast at the hotel and head to the meeting point for your “Rila Monastery& Boyana Church” sightseeing tour (included). Starts at 09:00h from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Please be sure to organize your travel to the meeting point and be there at least 15 minutes in advance. Rila Monastery is definitely a must-see sight if you are in Bulgaria. The arcaded balconies, the unique frescoes – a work of one of the most famous Bulgarian Revival Period painters, the gilded iconostasis, the fabulous mountain views… and the unique combination of them all, makes the visit to the monastery extraordinary and memorable one. You will have around an hour of free time at the Rila Monastery to explore the most visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria, enter the main church and the narthex’s gallery, admire the exhibits in the History Museum of the Monastery, try the tasty "mekitsi" (Bulgarian doughnuts) with delicious buffalo’s yoghurt (a local speciality) or even have a short walk in the area. Then, drive back to Sofia, where the next UNESCO Monument is awaiting you. The Boyana Church's frescoes bring epochal change in the mural painting and are considered predecessors of the European Renaissance. The majority of more than 240 figures depicted there have individuality, vitality, and psychological depth.
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 3 : SOFIA
Location: Sofia, National History Museum, Sofia, National Museum of the Bulgarian Fine Art, Sofia, National Ethnographic Museum, Sofia, National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, Earth and Man National Museum, Sofia, Plovdiv, Roman Theater, Plovdiv, Nebet Tepe, Plovdiv, Ancient Stadium, Plovdiv
Accommodation Name: Hotel Budapest or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
After your delightful breakfast at the hotel, you can continue exploring the capital of Bulgaria at your own pace. Sofia offers a great variety of museums that could meet almost every taste. We recommend you to visit the National History Museum, the largest one in Bulgaria that hosts more than 650,000 artefacts. Other important museums, worth visiting, are the National Museum of the Bulgarian Fine Art and the National Ethnographic Museum, both found in the building of the former Royal Palace on Alexander I Square, the National Museum of Natural History, the Earth and Man National Museum with its collection of precious stones and minerals, and many more. If you wish to travel within the country, you can book our shared Optional trip to the European City of Culture for 2019, Plovdiv (not included)
Plovdiv tour (shared basis, available only on Mondays and Fridays):
Take this tour and explore the cultural capital of Bulgaria. Plovdiv is the second biggest city in the country and the oldest European continuously inhabited town with a history that goes back for more than 6 000 years. Have a walk on the cobbled-stone streets of the Old town and stop by the awe-inspiring Roman Theater, the old-style houses, the Nebet Tepe fortifications, the Ancient Stadium, street art, galleries, old churches, ornamented mosques, exotic cafés, and chic bars. Enjoy and really get to know the city with our expert guide on your side. On this unforgettable tour, you will learn a lot of intriguing stories, funny urban legends, and striking historical facts.
Notes: Included: English-speaking guide, modern A/C equipped vehicle and all transportation costs along the way. Not include any entrance fees, personal expenses, food, beverages, and gratuities.
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 4 : DEPARTURE SOFIA (10km – 30min)
Location: Sofia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a tasty breakfast before you check out from the hotel. A private transfer will lead you to the airport to catch your return flight home.
What's Included
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Tour Guide
Operated with an English-speaking local guide during the shared activity on Day 2.
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Transport
Private arrival transfer from Sofia International Airport on Day 1, shared transportation sightseeing tour on Day 2, and private departure transfer to Sofia International Airport on Day 4.
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Entrance Fees and Activities
All activities mentioned as included: Rila Monastery and Boyana church sightseeing tour, excluding entrance fees on Day 2.
What's Not Included
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Entrance Fees
Any entrance or optional tour fees. Entrance fees for Boyana church and the museum in Rila Monastery are not included and must be paid on the spot.
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Flights
Domestic and international flights are not included.
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Meals and Drinks
Any meals and drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise) are not included.
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Optional Tours
Optional tours are not included.
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Porterage and Gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
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Personal Expenditures
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc., is not included.
Requirements
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.Please Note
- The included on Day 2 trip “Rila Monastery and Boyana church” starts at 09:00h from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Please be sure to organize your travel to the meeting point and be there at least 15 minutes in advance
- The optional trip “Plovdiv” starts at 09:00h from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Please be sure to organize your travel to the meeting point and be there at least 15 minutes in advance
- Check-in time for the hotels, in general, is after 2:00 pm, check out until 12:00 pm. These requirements may differ depending on the hotel and town.
- We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
- Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
- No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed
- Please consider that the driving times and distances are estimated and that they can vary because of many circumstances, such as the specific route is taken, hotel location, traffic, weather, road conditions, etc.
3096
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONSDay 1-3 Sofia
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*
Pre/ Post-night Sofia
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*
3096
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONSDay 1-3 Sofia
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*
Pre/ Post-night Sofia
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*
Mode of Transport
The tour includes private arrival and departure transfers from Sofia International Airport, as well as shared transportation for a sightseeing tour on Day 2, ensuring a seamless travel experience throughout your stay.Accommodation
Enjoy a comfortable stay with 3 nights' accommodation at the Hotel Budapest or a similar 3-star hotel in Sofia, offering a standard hotel category experience. Optional pre or post-night stays are available at the same hotel category.Check out our Q&As
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What kind of guide will be available during the tour?
The tour includes an English-speaking local guide during the shared activity on Day 2.
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Are entrance fees included in the tour?
Entrance fees for Boyana Church and the museum in Rila Monastery are not included in the price and must be paid on the spot.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 3 breakfasts.
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Is transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes private arrival and departure transfers from and to Sofia International Airport, as well as shared transportation for the sightseeing tour on Day 2.
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What is the accommodation arrangement during the tour?
The tour includes 3 nights' accommodation in a standard hotel category, such as Hotel Budapest or a similar 3-star hotel.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes a sightseeing tour of Rila Monastery and Boyana Church on Day 2, excluding entrance fees.
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Is there an option for additional nights in Sofia?
Yes, there is an optional extra for pre/post-night accommodation in Sofia at a standard hotel category like Hotel Budapest or similar 3-star hotel.
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client´s arrival
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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Low Deposit
Destination Services Bulgaria requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services bulgaria charges.
Up to 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
