tour bulgaria 2022

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Tour of Bulgaria

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Race information

• Date: 01 September 2022
• Start time: 13:03 (12:03 CET)
• Avg. speed winner: 40.327 km/h
• Race category: ME - Men Elite
• Distance: 159 km
• Points scale: 2.2.Stage
• UCI scale: UCI.WR.2.Stage
• Parcours type:
• ProfileScore: 102
• Vert. meters: 2066
• Departure: Chirpan
• Arrival: Momchilgrad
• Race ranking: 223
• Startlist quality score: 24
• Won how: ? - let us know!
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2022 UCI cycling calendar | 2022 Tour of Bulgaria

2022 tour of bulgaria.

Took place from Saturday 27 August 2022 till Thursday 01 September 2022 .

In the UCI calendar ...

• takes place in Bulgaria
• is part of the Europe Tour 2022

Result / Final classification

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Cycling - Tour of Bulgaria - 2022 - Detailed results

Choice of a season : 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

Results 2022

Results by stage, information, tour of bulgaria 2022.

General classification - 1 September 2022

Prologue - sofia - sofia - 1,2 km - 27 august 2022.

Go to result of the stage including all rankings

Stage 1 - Sofia - Plovdiv - 176 km - 28 August 2022

Stage 2 - Plovdiv - Troyan - 106 km - 29 August 2022

Stage 3a - Troyan - Gabrovo - 72 km - 30 August 2022

Stage 3b - Tryavna - Sliven - 133 km - 30 August 2022

Stage 4 - Sliven - Burgas - 142 km - 31 August 2022

Stage 5 - Chirpan - Momchilgrad - 160 km - 1 September 2022

Tour of Bulgaria - Archives

• 2010 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2011 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2012 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2013 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2014 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2015 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2016 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2017 - International Cycling Tour of Bulgaria - North
• 2020 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2021 - 68th Tour of Bulgaria
• 2022 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2023 - Tour of Bulgaria
• 2024 - Tour of Bulgaria

Tour of Bulgaria - Information

General informations.

• First edition : 1924
• Editions : 68 (including 2023)
• Official name : Tour of Bulgaria
• Wikipedia link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_of_Bulgaria
• Official website : http://www.tourofbulgaria.com/

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Tour of Bulgaria

UCI, Stage race, 2nd stage, 29th August 2022, Bulgaria

Stage GC Youth Mountain Sprint Team

Information

2nd stage | 103.0 km

Plovdiv -> Troyan

THE 10 BEST Bulgaria Tours & Excursions

Bulgaria tours.

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Day Tour

2. Day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia - Small Group

3. Tour to Lovech, Devetaki cave & Krushuna waterfalls

4. Full Day Trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest

5. Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria- Small group tour

6. Plovdiv Full Day Tour from Sofia

7. Small group tour to Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

8. Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip in Italian

9. Full-Day Belogradchik Rocks and Venetsa Cave Tour from Sofia

10. Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia

11. Sofia Private City Tour

12. Day Tour to Nis, Serbia - Small group

13. Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip from Sofia

14. Visit Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo Medieval Fortress - Private tour from Bucharest

15. From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

16. Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars

17. The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia

18. Culinary Adventure To The Fungi And Botanical Kingdom Of Bulgaria

19. Plovdiv- Shuttle Day Tour from Sofia

20. Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

21. Full-day Nis and Serbian History Tour from Sofia

22. Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks

23. Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

24. 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave

25. Access All Weapons - A Private Shooting Lesson for Two or More

26. Day trip to Skopje and Matka Canyon from Sofia

27. Skopje North Macedonia Day Tour from Sofia

28. Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup

29. The OFFroad Adventure

30. Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery

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Go Off the Beaten Path in Bulgaria — and Find Historic Cities, Stunning Landscapes, and a Mix of Cultures

Bulgaria is often overlooked, but with historic cities and stunning landscapes, it makes for a fascinating European trip.

It was well past midnight when we arrived at Zornitza Family Estate , a rambling property in southwestern Bulgaria, near the Greek border. The country roads were unlit, our path illuminated by nothing but the moon and stars. Our only sense of place came from the smell of roses that hung heavy in the air. My husband, Nikos, and I stumbled into our room, exhausted and half-blind from the eye-straining drive, and immediately fell asleep.

"I think it's almost nicer to arrive here at night," Yavor Kirov, the property's general manager, told me the next morning with a smile. "Because then you are pleasantly surprised when you wake up."

In the pale morning light of May, this corner of Bulgaria is old-world bucolic. Zornitza, a member of the Relais & Châteaux hotel consortium, sprawls out across softly rolling pale-green hills that are striated with more than 100 acres of grapevines. (The estate has its own wine label.) Everywhere I turned there were roses, from tiny pink buds crawling up stone walls to giant tiger-streaked petals trembling in the breeze. There were organic orchards flush with early-summer sour cherries and apricots, herbs growing along a creek, beehives, a livestock farm, and a lake for fishing. Guests are encouraged to pick any fruit or flowers they find on the estate, mimicking the feel of a traditional rural Bulgarian childhood.

"This is really the concept," Kirov explained. "To create a place where guests are in full harmony with the great nature we have."

Long overshadowed by its southern neighbors and, for Americans, often associated singularly with its Communist past, Bulgaria is only now starting to be seen as a travel destination — boosted by a growing interest in Eastern Europe (and far enough removed from the war a few countries north in Ukraine). I first became enthralled with the country while reading Kapka Kassabova's extraordinary book Border: A Journey to the Edge of Europe. Kassabova, who left Bulgaria as a teen after the collapse of the Soviet Union, returned to her homeland 20 years later to explore the layered communities along its borders with Greece and Turkey. Her book highlights the natural beauty and mysticality of Bulgaria; instantly intrigued, I began plotting a trip from my home in Greece.

Everywhere I turned there were roses, from tiny pink buds crawling up stone walls to giant tiger-streaked petals trembling in the breeze.

Kirov was happy to indulge my curiosity. He took us for a hike in the nearby Pirin Mountains — a range that, as one story goes, derives its name from the Slavic god of thunder and lightning. (Neither, thankfully, was on display during our walk.) The area is known for its special energy: abundant mineral springs, thought to have healing properties, make this a popular wellness destination.

Our first stop was the Melnik Pyramids, a natural rock formation that looks like rust-colored sandcastles emerging, rather incongruously, from behind a forest. As we scrambled up a jagged ridge, Kirov pointed out a dormant volcano, Mount Kozhuh, in the distance. This, too, is revered for its energy — and for being the birthplace of Baba Vanga, the blind mystic and medium who holds a special place in Bulgarian culture. On our way back down, we stopped at the medieval Rozhan Monastery, resplendent with 16th-century frescoes and wood carvings.

Our appetites piqued, Kirov ushered us into the restaurant at Rozhenski Han, which has an open stone courtyard decorated with local ceramics. Before long, a steaming cheese-topped loaf arrived on a wooden plank. The chef, his belly generously protruding in pitch-perfect marketing for his cooking, sliced into the stuffed bread with surprising delicacy. Tender slices of meat and vegetables fell out of the loaf and onto the plate, and the smell of a typical Bulgarian spice blend, tsubitsa, wafted through the air. This was bohcha, a dish so good I didn't wait for the heat to subside before digging in. Luckily there was plenty of chilled rakia, the Balkan fruit brandy, to cool me down. The chef took a shot with us and, in a typical display of Bulgarian hospitality, sent us off with presents: a warm, fluffy loaf for Kirov, and a small bag of tsubitsa for me.

The next day, my husband and I left for the capital, Sofia, taking the longest possible route through the mountains. I rolled down the windows and breathed in the damp forest air as rivers and trees rushed past. We made a detour east to see the Rila Monastery, the largest and most important Eastern Orthodox monastic complex in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in the 10th century, the original structure burned down in the 1840s and was rebuilt in the National Revival style. Black-and-white-striped domes curve upward, the restored frescoes within painted in vivid colors. I could've stayed for days looking at each scene (and some devoted people do, sleeping in the old monks' cells), but a crack of thunder and subsequent downpour forced us back into the car.

Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs, Ottomans, and, later, Russians have all left their imprints. Churches, mosques, and synagogues sit on the same street, and Ottoman-influenced food is served in the shadows of Baroque Revival buildings.

Bulgaria is almost obscenely fertile — right down to its name, that bulging B and those round vowels filling up the mouth. After just a few days in the countryside, I had gotten used to being surrounded by abundant nature. So entering Sofia, with its clogged streets and faded Socialist-era apartment buildings, was a shock to the system. Many post-Communist cities have a reputation for being drab — but as with most good things in life, their charm lies beneath the surface.

We checked in to the Hyatt Regency Sofia, where we were greeted by sleek lines and a subtle color scheme. It's one of the newest additions to a scene dominated by grand, if dated, hotels; the Hyatt is among the few energy-saving "smart" hotels in the city. It overlooks Vasil Levski Square, named for a hero from the Bulgarian revolution against the Ottomans in the late 19th century. The property is a stone's throw from all the major cultural sites (including St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia University, and the National Gallery), which I took in all at once from the hotel's rooftop bar with an expertly crafted negroni in hand.

"Sofia has existed for more than seven thousand years," general manager Laurent Schauder explained over a coffee in the light-filled lobby. Those centuries brought many different would-be conquerors to the city, all of whom left their imprints: Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs, Ottomans, and, later, Russians. Churches, mosques, and synagogues sit on the same street, and Ottoman-influenced food is served in the shadows of Baroque Revival buildings.

Of course, Bulgaria's Communist past looms large in the imagination of Americans. Georgi Georgiev, a history student and guide who led us on a four-hour tour of Communist-era sites, feels similarly: "It is part of our history," he told me. "It was short, but it completely changed the lives and mindsets of Bulgarians." The architectural styles of the Eastern bloc can be found throughout the capital, but I was most touched by a somber monument tucked away in a corner of the National Palace of Culture park, where the names of thousands of victims of the regime are engraved in black marble.

These days, the leafy-green neighborhoods around the Hyatt, including Doctor's Garden and Zaimov Park, are a pleasant jumble of hip restaurants, record stores, and third-wave coffee shops. At Raketa Rakia Bar , we tasted our way through an extensive spirits list, accompanied by copious amounts of grilled meat and the buzz of happy diners.

Buteven Sofiates will tell you the most beautiful city in Bulgaria is Plovdiv. We drove east out of the capital and headed to the country's second most populous city, famous for being the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe: a dizzying variety of people have passed through, and at one point, it was the Byzantine Empire's third-largest metropolis. The layers, of course, remain. Plovdiv's founders were the Thracians, an early Indo-European group who spread across the Balkans and to whom many Bulgarians still feel a historical and cultural connection.

"An early name for this city was Evmolpia," explained Hristo Gyulev, the owner of the Hotel Evmolpia , an Ottoman-style inn in the city's old town. "Evmolpus was a Thracian king and famous warlord who could talk with the gods." Ah — there's that Bulgarian mysticism again.

If Sofia was concrete, Plovdiv, built on seven hills (well, now six, after one was mined for cobblestones), felt totally green: fruit trees and bushes line the sidewalks, and mulberries and cherries fall onto the ground, leaving sticky traces underfoot. "Well, we are located in the middle of the most fertile lands in Bulgaria!" Gyulev told me. In June, the air smelled like flowers or apricots or, if the wind was blowing in a particular direction, both.

The entirety of Plovdiv, particularly the old town, exudes a kind of fairy-tale romance. The streets are narrow and cobblestoned, pastel churches hide behind towering elms and lindens, and the views from the hilltops are breathtaking, especially when you get a glimpse of the city's most famous landmark: a second-century Roman amphitheater, well preserved and still hosting performances. A gaggle of schoolchildren entered at the same time we did, shrieking with delight. "This isn't even the most impressive thing to see here," one blasé Plovdivite told us. "You should go to the Bishop's Basilica."

The entirety of Plovdiv, particularly the old town, exudes a kind of fairy-tale romance. The streets are narrow and cobblestoned, pastel churches hide behind towering elms and lindens, and the views from the hilltops are breathtaking.

Bulgaria has some of the most well-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy or Greece. The government has made an effort to restore these monuments, but they are so numerous it can't seem to keep up. The Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis is a notable exception. In 1982, roadwork accidentally unearthed stunning Late Antique mosaics dating back to the fourth through sixth centuries. They once covered the floor of this early Christian church — which was probably demolished in the Middle Ages — and were later hidden away under a parking garage. After years of restoration, a new museum built around the ruins of the Basilica opened to the public in 2021. We padded into the structure wearing protective slippers; an elevated glass walkway allowed us to roam without damaging anything. Exquisite geometric patterns and birds unfolded underfoot. The site is still being excavated — one bespectacled archaeologist sat in the middle of the floor, methodically sweeping dust with an almost religious devotion.

What to do in the face of so much beauty? I was reminded of something Kirov had explained to me back at Zornitza: Thracian people believed the person who got drunk first was the closest to the gods. I headed to Bandida, a hole-in-the-wall wine bar serving regional varieties, like Mavrud, for a quick aperitif before properly indulging in a full rakia-addled meal at Pavaj , where chef-owner Raycho Markov serves up Bulgarian comfort food with a modern twist. His dishes use traditional recipes and organic vegetables from his family garden: duck-stuffed grape leaves, local sausage, and tangy, crunchy salads.

But the real star was the rakia list, which features 50 varieties from across the Balkans, from a Serbian one made with raspberry to a Bulgarian one made from quince. It's something new for Plovdiv, but the nightly crowds would indicate that people can't get enough. "I'm just so glad to see all these people appreciating rakia and learning that this is a special Balkan drink," Markov told me over dinner. "You feel very proud, you know?" By that point, we had lost count of how many times we'd cheers-ed each other, but we raised our thimble-size glasses once more.

Plovdiv is the frontier between more densely populated Bulgaria and the country's famed Rose Valley, a fragrant expanse of rolling hills that's home to the flower-growing industry. The following morning, our heads only slightly pounding from an excess of rakia, Nikos and I drove on to Kazanlak, the area's main town and a center for rose-oil production. Colors flashed from pink to red, and the smell drifting through the car windows was intoxicating. We made it just in time for Kazanlak's ceremonial rose-picking festival , held each year in early summer, complete with Bulgarian folk music and village girls dancing in traditional outfits. No one spoke English, but that didn't impact their generosity. One woman handed me a bag of rose petals with a smile, while another passed me a jar of rose-petal jam.

"Dionysus was Thracian," said Peyto Nikolov as he poured yet another glass of homemade natural wine. We had stopped at Hotel Gela , the inn Nikolov owns in the village of Gela, for lunch at its standout restaurant. The liquid sparkled in my glass like a ruby. "I'm sorry to say that, since you are coming from Greece, but it's true." He smiled and shrugged good-naturedly. We had left the Rose Valley and were now deep in the Rhodope Mountains — an unspoiled range that felt so mystical and timeless that the idea that Greek gods could have settled there didn't seem far-fetched. Behind us, fog rolled over the pine-covered mountains; the daily drizzles during our stay also yielded daily rainbows.

More Trip Ideas : 25 Under-the-radar European Villages

We polished off our plates of boiled nettle, soft cheeses, and roasted pork with perfectly caramelized skin. The last sips of wine were drunk at a speed that would have made Dionysus proud. We had important business to attend to after lunch: a trip to the entrance of Hades, otherwise known as Devil's Throat Cave. As we drove through the Gorge of Trigrad, steep walls of rock loomed above us and the forest seemed to shake its leaves with anger. The weather was mythologically on point — thunder rumbled in the distance, and the sky turned a steely gray. Our encyclopedic host, Alexander Bachvarov, deftly shifted gears through the switchbacks as conversation flowed from the Bulgarian economy and pre-Egyptian alphabets to psychotherapy.

Devil's Throat is known locally as a portal to the underworld: the Trigradska River rushes through the cave, but no object that floats in ever seems to float back out. Bachvarov warned that the place has a particularly deadly allure. In the 1970s, two Bulgarian divers set out to solve the mystery of the river's course. Their bodies were found days later, along with their still-functional scuba tanks. The coroner determined they had both suffered heart attacks. (They may have been lovers, a slightly reassuring point — at least they died together.) Since then, no one has properly spelunked the cave's full depth. As we entered through a damp tunnel and were greeted by a roar of water, Bachvarov and I agreed that some mysteries are better left unexamined.

This place is also associated with another doomed couple: Orpheus, who made an infamous descent into the underworld, and his dead lover, Eurydice, whom he tried and failed to retrieve. Orpheus was given permission by Hades to lead Eurydice back to the mortal world, provided he not look back until they were out of the cave. But unable to control himself, he turned around to catch a glimpse of his beloved, only to lose her forever. The spot where this happened, according to Bulgarian legend, is marked with a small statue, and a lump formed in my throat as we ascended a terrifyingly steep stone staircase and re-emerged into the lichen-filled forest.

When he's not taking guests to the edge of the underworld, Bachvarov runs the mountaintop Villa Gella , a bright and airy restored farmhouse exquisitely decorated with his personal art collection. "We don't want a hotel atmosphere," he told me as we relaxed on a cream-colored sofa in the living room with a glass of Bulgarian wine. "We want people to have this home-away-from-home feeling." There are six rooms and a small health center with an indoor pool; Bachvarov's mother, Dimka, cooks two or three meals a day, flavored with herbs her husband, Ivan, picks from the garden. Within just a few hours, I felt like I had moved in.

The walls of the chapel were covered in iconography, the colors astonishingly bright, almost psychedelic.

Villa Gella also operates as a bespoke travel agency, able to curate whatever Bulgarian experience your heart desires. A pancake breakfast on Thracian ruins? A six-hour tasting of Bulgarian wine varieties? It's all possible.

I had written to Bachvarov expressing my desire to experience "Rhodopean spirituality," an annoyingly open-ended request that turned out to yield the most magical moments of my stay. Bachvarov, keen to show off the beauty of the area, took us on a hike to visit the 19th-century Chapel of St. Ilya perched on the mountainside. A thin man, his cheekbones carved inward and his hands clasped, was waiting for us on the porch. He introduced himself as Nikola Beevski before quietly opening the door and inviting us inside.

The walls of the chapel were covered in iconography, the colors astonishingly bright, almost psychedelic. Beevski, the artist, told us he had lived in the village of Gela his whole life. He explained that he had never been particularly religious and had never created art, until one day a deep gentle voice told him, "Do you see this chapel? It is waiting for your hands." He felt an otherworldly urge to rebuild the crumbling structure and later painted the icons with professional precision. No one in the village questioned his devotion. "This kind of spirituality is accepted here," Bachvarov told me as we continued walking.

Back at Villa Gella, there was a fire in the hearth and another glass of rakia in my hand. The conversation turned to music — did I know that the bagpipe was originally from the Rhodopes? I didn't ?! Then in walked Dimitar, a local musician and friend of Bachvarov, resplendent in his traditional clothes and blowing into his gaida, a Balkan bagpipe made of a goatskin. A deep, warm sound emerged: OMMM.

Dimitar took the reed out of his mouth and smiled at me. "This is the sound of the universe." All I could do was nod my head in agreement.

Road-Tripping in the Balkans

Zornitza Family Estate : This Relais & Châteaux hotel, spa, vineyard, and farm has its own wine label (plus golf).

Rozhenski Han : A rustic spot for Bulgarian farm cooking — and plenty of rounds of rakia. Call 359-89-827-2757 to book.

Hyatt Regency Sofia : This modern hotel is already a favorite for its stylish rooftop lounge.

Raketa Rakia Bar : Communist-era toys, televisions, and other artifacts make this space memorable.

365 Association Tours : Walking tours in the capital with themes like Communist history or Jewish heritage.

Plovdiv and The Rose Valley

Hotel Evmolpia : Comfortable rooms inside an Ottoman-style building in the old town.

Pavaj : Locals love this cozy spot for its updates on traditional recipes and impressive rakia list. entrées

Bendida : A bottle shop and tasting room that focuses on wines from the region.

Kazanlak Rose Festival : The center of Bulgaria's rose industry is in full bloom over several weeks in May or June, depending on the harvest.

The Rhodope Mountains

Villa Gella : A sleek six-bedroom chalet near the hamlet of Gela with luxe amenities, home-cooked meals, and unbeatable views.

Hotel Gela : Rhodopean culinary traditions are the focus of this small hotel's stellar restaurant.

How to Book

Jay Ternavan : An Eastern Europe specialist on the T+L A-List, Ternavan can curate a countrywide itinerary similar to the writer's, with visits to museums and monasteries — plus the option to extend into Romania or Serbia. [email protected]; 914-500-8984.

A version of this story first appeared in the July 2022 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline Days of Wine & Roses.

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Bulgaria and Romania Tours & Trips

Find the right adventure for you through Bulgaria and Romania. We've got 46 tours going to Bulgaria and Romania, starting from just one day in length, and the longest tour is 18 days. The most popular month to go is September, which has the highest number of tour departures.

46 Bulgaria and Romania tour packages with 149 reviews

• In-depth Cultural

Budapest to Sofia Adventure

A great tour that lived up to expectations and covered a lot of ground in a short space of time.

Budapest to Istanbul

I would have wanted the Rila Monastery included in the itinerary. Our tour leader, Vlad, was everything (and more) that one can ask for in a guide.It was evident that he was well-read about the history of the places we saw. He even included images to show in his talks. On a personal note, he made every effort to address each group member's questions and concerns in a friendly yet professional manner and go out of the way, if necessary, to attend to them. The local guides, Peter and Ibrahim, were likewise very knowledgeable in their particular areas.

Eastern Europe Express

Had a wonderful trip. Highlights was the burgaria people. Home stay was great. Tour leader George avram was very helpful and very friendly. The group were fantastic. Had a pleasant trip.. thank you ☺

• Sightseeing

Eastern Europe Explorer

From Sofia to Belgrade

Nadia was an excellent guide very knowledgeable and always very calm to handle any situation.

Treasures of Transylvania (4 Star Hotels)

Great tour, 2 very different tour guides! Saw lots learnt alot ! Would go back to see other parts of Romania and Bulgaria

• €150 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Coach / Bus

Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania

This was a really good tour. We stayed at really nice central hotels including 2 nights at the 5 star Sheraton in Bucharest. There are also lots of included dinners and included sightseeing by Cosmos standards. I don't recommend the optional dinners as they are expensive and poor quality for what you pay.

Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria

The bus was unacceptably small and the times spent driving way too much

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• River Cruise

Active & Discovery on the Danube from Serbia to Romania with 2 Nights in Transylvania

From Sofia to Dubrovnik

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

• Christmas & New Year

15 Days trips in Romania, Moldavia, Bulgaria

Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us too many wonderful sights, some of which would be hard to find on our own. He was very responsive to our needs as older travelers and exceedingly helpful when my wife was injured and required emergency medical help in Romania and also Moldova. My wife felt that he treated her as if he was helping his own mother - so we give him (Nicolas Miriou and his associates) the highest possible recommendation!!!

9 days Tour from Budapest to Sofia with Transylvania

This was a great tour. We knew this tour would be small but did not realize that it would only be the 2 of us and we always enjoy a few more people to travel with (fun to meet new people). With that said, our guide, Alex, was accommodating and personalized the trip which was a nice touch. If you want to see Romanian highlights, this a good tour.

Eastern European Delights: Enchanting Balkans and Transylvania - guaranteed departures

Two of the oldest civilizations in Europe Romania & Bulgaria

Private tour: A taste of Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria

What people love about bulgaria and romania tours.

I would have wanted the Rila Monastery included in the itinerary. Our tour leader, Vlad, was everything (and more) that one can ask for in a guide.It was evident that he was well-read about the history of the places we saw. He even included images to show in his talks. On a personal note, he made every effort to address each group member's questions and concerns in a friendly yet professional manner and go out of the way, if necessary, to attend to them. The local guides, Peter and Ibrahim, were likewise very knowledgeable in their particular areas.

The itinerary was excellent to travel through Bulgaria. We enjoyed the local guides as our tour leader was not a guide, just a leader and not a Bulgarian local. It was the first Intrepid Tour that my husband and I had taken. We would prefer a better standard of hotels as it is not a budget tour. Being a group of only 9 made it easy to get around.

• Fully Guided (38)
• In-depth Cultural (30)
• Family (20)
• River Cruise (12)
• Personalized (10)
• Private (5)

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12 Days/11 Nights Tour of Bulgaria and Istanbul

Sample Tour Itinerary: Sofia (2 nights) – Veliko Tarnovo (2 nights) – Plovdiv (2 nights) - Sofia (1 night) – Istanbul (4 nights)

This tour is operated by Magic Tours based in Bulgaria ( www.magictours-bg.com ) and Baltac Tours based in Istanbul ( http://baltactours.com ) We are the travel experts for Bulgaria and Turkey.

This tour is a source of ideas, this is a sample itinerary for a combined Bulgaria- Istanbul tour just to give you an idea how it looks, what are the prices. We will create a unique itinerary to fit the time and money you can spend in these fabulous Balkan countries. Let us customize your journey to Bulgaria and Turkey – Europe’s most ancient civilizations!  The offered prices are for individual travelers. The accommodation in both countries is in 4 stars hotels centrally located.

We can to customize the tour for you for 3 stars hotels or 5 stars hotels. We can offer itinerary for luxury travel too. You are the client! We are here to help.

Our two companies Magic Tours (Bulgaria ) and Baltac Tours (Turkey) specialize in small group travelers. We can offer private tours, where we will design a custom itinerary tailor-made according to the travel plan and budget of the individual and group travelers.

Tour Cost for the Bulgarian portion:

2 – 3 guests:                € 1 950 per person

4 – 5 guests:                € 1 550 per person

6 – 7 guests:                 €  1 335 per person

Per person single supplement    € 290

Tour Cost for the Istanbul portion

Per person in dbl/twn standard room sharing

2 – 3 guests:                   € 1 500 per person

4 – 5 guests:                   € 1 340 per person

6 – 7 guests:                   € 1 1 80 per person

Per person single supplement     € 390

The price includes:

Accommodation  for 11 nights at centrally located 3-star hotels (VAT and local city tax included) ( 7 nights in Bulgaria and 4 nights at Istanbul )

Meals: all breakfasts at hotels.

Transfer from the airport or bus/train station to your hotel in Sofia transportation by private A/C car/van during the journey in Bulgaria, transfer from the airport or bus/train station to your hotel in Istanbul, transportation in Istanbul for two days, one transfer from the hotel to the airport at the end of the program.  

Bilingual local private tour guide throughout.

Entrance fees to museums and sites as per itinerary

The Bosphorus cruise  included  / the public boat that departs every day at 10:35 a.m./

Comprehensive information package about Bulgarian history, culture and language.

Excludes: transfer from Bulgaria to Istanbul , lunches, dinners, personal expenses, visa for Turkey and Bulgaria. Please not there is a daily Turkish Airlines flight Sofia - Istanbul.  There are also very convenient day time and night time bus and train connections departing from Sofia and Plovdiv to Istanbul.

Arrive at Sofia Airport. Meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel in Sofia (4* category), located in downtown area. Settle in at the hotel and time to refresh and take some rest after the  journey. Orientation for the entire tour and, if time allows, we’ll take a brief walking sightseeing tour in the area.

Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

All day in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.

Founded more than 7 000 years ago, it has long been an important crossroads between Asia Minor and Europe. Situated in the foot of Mt Vitosha by curing mineral springs, the city is one of the oldest in Europe. Called Serdica in the age of the Thracians, Triaditsa under the Byzantines and Sredets under the Slavs, Sofia attracted ancient and later civilizations. 

"Serdica is my Rome!" By the early 4th century, chroniclers already described the settlement of the Thracian tribe Serdi as 'a splendid and noble city'. This was in the days of Emperor Constantine the Great. Strongly attached to Serdica, the Emperor often called the city his Rome and even intended to proclaim it capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. Ultimately, he did not - but he nevertheless built magnificent edifices for the grand ceremonies during his visits.

Sofia was proclaimed capital of Bulgaria in 1879, just a year after the Russian-Turkish War of Liberation of 1877-1878. It is the fourth Bulgarian capital after Pliska, Preslav and Veliko Tarnovo.

In the morning we’ll drive to the outskirts of the city to visit the National Museum of History, where the magnificent Thracian treasures of ancient gold are on display. We'll also visit the famed Boyana Church, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site with fascinating frescoes from the 13th century, reflecting both Byzantine and local Christian art traditions.  They impress with the humanistic trends, which were unusual for the medieval period. The frescoes were painted by an unknown Bulgarian painter in the style of the Tarnovo School of Painting and are considered the finest examples of Bulgarian medieval art.

In the afternoon we’ll continue our exploration through the downtown area to see some of the most characteristic historical, architectural and cultural landmarks of Bulgaria’s capital. We will see the Roman Serdica Fortifications (3rd-5th centuries) and St. George's Rotunda (4th century), which is the only building to survive completely, famous for its original architecture and unique frescoes. Painted several times in different ages (4th, 10th - 12th and 14th centuries), the majestic figures illustrate the development of monumental painting over several centuries, making the Rotunda one of the gems of Bulgarian and East European culture.

Other highlights this afternoon will be St. Sofia Basilica (6th century), which is one of the most valuable pieces of early Christian architecture in the Balkans, and the magnificent St. Alexander Nevski Memorial Church, built to the designs of the Russian architect Pomerantsev from 1904 to 1912. The church is a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture, splendidly decorated. The underground crypt is a renowned Orthodox icon museum, which houses an impressive collection of icons from the 9th to 18th centuries. Some of these icons match the best works of Constantinople studios.

Free time in downtown area to explore on your own. Overnight in Sofia.

Transfer Day: Travel from Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo.

We’ll take a scenic drive in the countryside and will stop en route to spend most of the day in the delightful ethnographic village of Koprivshtitsa. Located 120 km east of Sofia and huddled in the mountain folds, the village is especially famous for its beautiful National Revival houses of the 18th – 19th centuries, as well as for the important role it played in 19th century Bulgaria’s history.

Koprivshtitsa style house is characterised by exquisite painted facades and sunny verandas, with carved ceilings and stylish European furnishings.  There is no other Bulgarian town that boasts such a large number of museum houses and monuments, nearly 400 in number, most of which have been restored to their original appearance. A unique collection of ethnographical treasures, old weapons, National Revival works of art, fine fretwork, household weaves and embroidery, national costumes and typical Bulgarian jewellery has also been preserved.

Since 1965 the National Festival of authentic Bulgarian Folklore has taken place every five years in Koprivshtitsa, gathering amateur musicians, artists and craftsmen from all over Bulgaria.

Late afternoon arrival in Veliko Tarnovo and settle in at your hotel (4* category), located in downtown area. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

All day in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's medieval capital city.

The regal city of Veliko Tarnovo with its famed archeological sites was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1396), when Bulgaria was one of the largest states in Europe, until the Ottoman Empire captured it. The city has been at the center of many important historical events and was the birthplace of the first Bulgarian constitution. Perched on steep hills overlooking the Yantra River, the Old Town’s narrow, lantern-lit streets wind past ancient ruins and unique architecture.  The Tsarevets Hill is a natural inaccessible fortress perched on a steep hill where the Royal Palace and the Patriarch Church once stood. There are also remarkable 12th–14th century medieval churches and monasteries, and also many historical buildings like the Town Hall (1872), where in 1879 the First Constitution of Bulgaria was proclaimed. Nowadays it houses the National Revival Museum. The Samovodene Market Street has been revived with its small workshops where master goldsmiths, potters, carvers, weavers and pastry cooks keep busy with their crafts. The nearby historical village of Arbanassi was known as the Royal residence of the Second Bulgarian Empire. It holds fast to the traditions of the Old Bulgarian architecture and its oldest stone buildings resemble inaccessible fortresses with their tiny windows like embrasures, but with richly decorated interiors of carvings and wrought iron, recalling the wealthy life of their former inhabitants. Of the 80 preserved houses, 36 have been declared national monuments of culture.

In the morning we’ll take a sightseeing walk in the Fortress at Tsarevets Hill and will visit the Museum of the National Revival, where the first Bulgarian Constitution was adopted in 1879. Afterwards we’ll take a short drive to the village-museum of Arbanassi, famous for its traditional architecture and the beautifully decorated Nativity church, dating from the 16th – 17th centuries. Dug into the ground with austere exterior, hidden domes and without a belfry, it is a genuine art gallery containing 3,500 figures painted by unknown masters of different periods. Our sightseeing tour continues in the afternoon viewing the architectural landmarks of the Old Town and in the Samovodene Market Street, a traditional 19th century artisan and shopping area. There are plenty of free time opportunities for enjoyable individual activities in the area.

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Transfer Day: Travel from Veliko Tarnovo to Plovdiv.

In the morning we’ll stop en route to see the Etara Museum of Architecture and Ethnography. This is an open-air village museum with numerous artisan workshops, the only one of its kind in Southeastern Europe. It displays the authentic atmosphere of a typical Bulgarian town from the period of the National Revival in the 18th – 19th centuries. In the authentic workshops of the museum more than 20 traditional Bulgarian crafts are being practiced in their traditional technological cycle.

We’ll continue our scenic drive through the historical Shipka Pass in the Balkan Mountains, which is one of the most important roads connecting the South and the North part of Bulgaria. It is a famous historical site, due to the dramatic events during the War of Liberation (1877-1878). On top of the peak is the Monument of Freedom (over 30 m high), which was built in the period of 1926-1934 honoring to the soldiers who fell in the fierce battle to defend the peak. 894 steps lead up to the monument.

Later we’ll stop in the town of Kazanlak to visit the world-famous Thracian tomb (4th century BCE), a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area around Kazanlak became particularly popular in the last two decades, as many new Thracian tombs were unearthed there, presenting the evolution of the Thracian culture in the 5th-4th century BCE. Bulgaria and the world started to speak about the Valley of the Thracian kings. The Kazanlak Thracian Tomb was the first cultural site in Bulgaria which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This mausoleum of 4th century BCE was discovered in 1944. The style is typical for Thracian tombs from the 5th to 4th century BCE, with a vaulted entrance corridor and a chamber topped by a beehive dome. The dome frescoes paintings are the greatest treasure of the tomb. They are a masterpiece of Hellenistic art and depict the civil and military life of a Thracian noble who was buried there. The original site is located inside a protected building, and the replica is right next to it and is open to visitors.

In the afternoon we’ll take a scenic drive through the famous Valley of Roses. This is the home of Bulgarian Rosa Damascena, which is the source for the production of the exquisite and rare Bulgarian rose oil, also known as “attar of roses”, used as a key source for many of world’s finest perfumes. May and June are the most majestic months for visiting the Valley of Roses, as then the rose fields are blossoming and the whole valley is absorbed with rose fragrance. We’ll visit a rose oil distillery and plantation en route to learn about rose-growing and rose oil production in Bulgaria.

Rose picking lasts for about a month, from around May 20 to June 20, however this depends on the actual weather conditions. Rose picking is done early in the morning, from 5 a.m. till not later than 9-10 a.m. The process is very labor-consuming, for example a kilogram of rose oil requires about 300 kilograms of rose blossoms. A kilogram of rose oil costs about 5500 euros on the international markets.

Every first Saturday and Sunday of June the traditional Rose Festival takes place, which is unforgettable experience of Bulgarian beauty, merriment and hospitality.

Late afternoon arrival in Plovdiv and settle in at your hotel (4* category), located in downtown area. Overnight in Plovdiv.

All day in Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city.

The ancient and picturesque city of Plovdiv has a history that dates back thousands of years, traces of which have survived to the present day. Recently, British archaeologists proclaimed Plovdiv to be the sixth oldest city in the world.

It was founded by the Thracians in the 2nd millennium BCE and called Eumolpia, and has had several names since then, like Philipopolis after Philip II of Macedon (342 BCE); Trimontium, i.e. ‘the City on Three Hills’ during the Roman times when it was the major city of the Roman province of Thrace (1st century CE).

The Old Town was built in the 18th-19th centuries as the center of the Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Along steep cobblestone lanes, behind stone walls and iron-studded heavy oak gates, one could glimpse at verdure and flowers, surrounding the typical Plovdiv symmetrical houses with their painted facades, oriels and jetties and grid windows. Every house here has its own style and atmosphere, its intimate world with carved ceilings and bright murals, window seats and fine furniture from Venice, Vienna and London.

During the day we’ll explore the historical, architectural and cultural landmarks of ancient Plovdiv.

In the morning we’ll see the 2nd century Roman forum and stadium, the fabulous Roman amphitheater, which was built during the time of Emperor Trajan (98-117), and the fortress walls of ancient Trimontium. We’ll also see Dzhumaya mosque which was built as an imperial mosque by Sultan Murad II in about year 1423. It is said to be one of the three examples of the oldest type of the Ottoman worship buildings still preserved on the Balkan Peninsula.

In the afternoon our walking sightseeing tour continues in the fascinating Old Town. We'll see the charming Ethnographical museum and some of the museum-houses of prominent 19th-century Plovdiv citizens; the art gallery-museum of one of the most famous modern Bulgarian painters of the 20th century, and the beautiful St Constantine and St Helena church, completed in 1832, which contains murals painted by Zakhari Zograph, who was the best known Bulgarian artist during the period of the National Revival. After the tour, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to stroll in the Old Town or in the High Street on our own, and to enjoy the artistic manner of life, which is so typical for this charming city.

Overnight in Plovdiv .

Transfer Day: Travel from Plovdiv to Sofia via Rila Monastery.

We’ll drive through the gorgeous scenery of the Rila Mountains, passing via the famous Borovets mountain ski resort, and will visit Rila Monastery, the most impressive of all Bulgarian monasteries, an original national museum with a century-old history. The monastery dates back to the 10th century, but has been plundered and burned down several times. The present building was built in mid-19th century (1816–1848). Located in the gorgeous mountain scenery of the mountains, it is considered the highest achievement of Bulgarian monumental architecture of the National Revival period (18th-19th centuries). It is also a monument of international significance and a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Late afternoon arrival in Sofia and settle in at your hotel (4* category), located in downtown area. Overnight in Sofia.

The BG portion concludes after breakfast. Participants may choose to continue for Istanbul (Turkey) by bus, train or air (not included in the price).

Arrive in Istanbul.

Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul (4* category), located in downtown area.  

Overnight in Istanbul.

Visit Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture from the 6th century with its impressive dome, and Chora Church, which exemplifies the best of Byzantine mosaic and fresco art from the 14th century. In addition, we will also see the Underground Cisterns, built by Justinian in the 6th century to store water underground.

Our morning excursion brings us to the Topkapi Palace, the seat of the Ottoman Sultans between the 15th to 19th centuries. The Topkapi Palace exemplifies Turkish palatial architecture and the artifacts on display demonstrate the incredible wealth and power that the Ottoman Empire controlled for more than 600 years. We also visit the Harem to gain insight into life in this intriguing palace 400 years ago. An excursion to this palace helps one understand the Ottoman Empire better.

Suleyman the magnificent ordered a mosque appropriate to his title to be built by the architect Sinan, which resulted in the beautiful and breathtaking Suleymaniye Mosque. We explore this beautiful mosque to learn more about the epitome of Ottoman architecture reflected in this building. Later on we will visit the Spice Bazaar, where spices have been traded since the 16th century, and the Grand Bazaar with its 4,000 shops and countless alleys and streets.

In the evening, attend the ritual of the Whirling Dervishes of the Sufi sect, a mystical branch of the Islam religion.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room. 

We start the day by cruising the Bosphorus, the beautiful waterway that separates Istanbul into two, Asia and Europe, thus making Istanbul the only city in the world that is situated on two continents. As we cruise slowly on this wonderful waterway, you will see the magnificent waterfront palaces, fortresses, mansions, and the coastline that are among the symbols of this fabled city.   In the afternoon, we will explore the wonderful Archeological Museum. The Archeological Museum of Istanbul displays remarkable works of art from various periods, manifesting the rich historical legacy of Turkey.  In the afternoon, we will take a short stroll on Taksim Square and the pedestrian Istiklal Street to see the young and dynamic face of Turkey.

Upon request we can offer two extensions: 

-   Ephesus by plane – 2 nights

- Cappadocia by plane – 2 nights.

Bulgaria’s Tour Highlights:

-         Visit three outstanding UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites

-         The National Museum of History in Sofia

-         Explore in the city of Plovdiv, considered 6th oldest city in the world, and in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital city (12th – 14th centuries)

-         Exciting journey through the famous Valley of Roses

Istanbul’s Tour Highlights:

-         Visit Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture from the 6th century  and Chora Church   

-         Topkapi Palace

-         Suleymaniye Mosque

-         Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar

-         cruising the Bosphorus, the beautiful waterway that separates Istanbul into two, Asia and Europe

-         The Archeological Museum

• Bulgaria Tourism, Istanbul Tourism
• Bulgaria Tours, 2022
• Archaelogical Tours of Bulgaria
• Special Interest Tours
• Bulgaria Rose Festival, 2022
• Music Tours of Bulgaria
• Day Tours From Sofia
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