Day 1. Welcome meeting at Sofia Airport. Transfer to your hotel and overnight.
Day 2. Sofia is considered to be the second oldest city in Europe, founded some 7000 years ago by the Thracian tribe Serdi. Through the centuries the city played role as an important trading center in the Byzantine and later in the Bulgarian empires. Under Ottoman rule, Sofia was the center of Rumelia province. Sofia became the capital of restored Bulgaria in 1879, with a population of only 20,000. Today many streets, buildings, parks, and even whole neighbourhoods preserve the architectural style typical for the past times.
The sightseeing tour includes exploration on foot of the main attractions in the city centre - The St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral, the National Library, Sofia University, The Parliament, the National Theatre, St. Sofia Church, Sofia's oldest building - St George Rotunda (from the 3rd C), The houses of the Council of Ministers, the presidency and the former communist party headquarters, the ruins of the ancient city of Serdika (dating from the 5th-6th C), the National Palace of Culture, the main shopping streets of Sofia etc.
Day 3. Today we transfer to Rila Monastery (appr. 2 hrs one way). Looking as a fortress from the outside, behind the 20m high walls the monastery hides a complex of a church (with five domes, three altars and two side chapels, painted with enchanting frescoes), residential part with appr. 300 chambers, library with valuable old manuscripts and documents, the famous 14th century Hrelyo Tower and museum collection with the particularly famous Rafail’s Cross (wooden cross from a whole piece of wood, carved to precision in order to recreate 104 religious scenes and 650 miniature figures; it took more than 12 years to be finished, but the monk who made it lost his sight as a result). Free time later in the afternoon in Sofia or if the weather is good this could be spent further up in Rila Mountains just above the monastery.
Day 4. Transfer to the airport for departure.
