Sofia’s Choice
Beautiful Bulgaria
May 22 – June 1, 2008
AN EASY CHOICE!
As the title character in William Styron’s novel (and the Oscar-winning
film) Sophie’s Choice discovered, life is full of impossible
decisions. While most of our conundrums cannot begin to compare with
what Sophie faced, sometimes we too must make difficult choices, whether
buying a car, ending a relationship, moving to a new home, or changing
jobs. Even vacation planning offers a maddening array of enticing destinations.
Seasoned world travelers are always on the lookout for something new,
while those new to international jaunts won’t want to miss the
iconic places they’ve heard about all their lives.
The fall of the Iron Curtain in the early
1990’s opened up vast new territories to discover in Eastern Europe.
Bulgaria is one of the Balkan countries tucked away at the southeastern
extremity of Europe. Despite a turbulent history, it is the continent’s
oldest surviving state to have kept its original name (since A. D. 681),
and most of its populace are direct descendants of the Bulgar invasion
of the south Danube around that time.
Bulgaria’s crowning jewel, no doubt,
is the capital city of Sofia. Although it might seem like any other
big city around the world, especially along the route from airport to
city center, Sofia reveals its charm and character upon closer inspection.
The modern city is young and lively with plenty of entertainment and
social opportunities, while its history resides in graceful old homes,
onion-domed churches, leafy parks and Communist era monuments.
The past aside, Bulgaria has a lot to
offer in terms of natural beauty and historical significance. The Balkan
Mountains cross the country reaching to the edge of the Black Sea and
its golden beaches. The land is heavily cultivated, covered with forests
and crossed by rivers. For seasoned travelers, the country is an undiscovered
treasure trove of cultural artifacts, and this tour visits no less than
five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Beginning and ending in Sofia, our tour
makes an oval circuit of some of Bulgaria’s most impressive sites.
Travel through spectacular mountains to a remote monastery and imagine
yourself a thespian upon the stage of an ancient Roman amphitheatre.
Stroll along the beautiful Black Sea coastline, and marvel at the antiquities
dotting the landscape nearly everywhere you go.
Experience the wealth of beauty to be
found in Bulgaria, which is especially proud of its rich folklore and
traditions. The name Sofia means “wisdom” in Greek, and
the capital city was given that name in 1376 by its rulers. You will
indeed be choosing wisely if you decide to explore beautiful Bulgaria
with Toto Tours. We see the most wonderful sights, stay in top-of-the-line
hotels, and almost every meal is included. The choice is easy!
ITINERARY
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Travel Day
Arrange your international flight to leave your home city sometime
today, arriving in Sofia, Bulgaria tomorrow morning. (Search for flights
using the airport code: SOF) As with most of our international tours,
we recommend that you consider arriving one day early to get over the
jet lag. We will be happy to help you reserve an additional night at
our group hotel if you decide to arrive in Sofia early.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Arrival in Sofia
Try to schedule a flight that arrives before 1:00pm today so you do
not miss the city sightseeing tour this afternoon. One group transfer
is provided from the airport to the hotel, and it will be timed to accommodate
the greatest number of arriving passengers before 1:00pm.
Our group meets for the first time in the hotel
lobby at 2:00pm this afternoon to commence a half-day sightseeing tour
of Sofia. Dating back to the fourth century BC, the ancient capital
of Sofia is making an attempt to become a modern metropolis, but its
rich heritage prompts the most interest. It has a wealth of different
architectural styles including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and
Turkish. The city boasts many theaters, museums, opera houses, art galleries,
universities, open-air markets, and parks (over 300 of them).
The tour includes a general orientation
and overview of the city center, plus entrance to several of the most
historic churches: Alexander Nevsky, Boyana, St. Petka and St. Sofia.
This evening we celebrate the start of our adventure together with a
cocktail and introductions at the hotel followed by a Welcome Dinner
at a local restaurant. (Welcome Dinner
included)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Rila Monastery / Plovdiv
After a hot buffet breakfast at our hotel, we depart into the countryside,
traveling by motorcoach into the majestic Rila Mountains. Our destination
this morning is the Rila
Monastery, the country’s most famous site, which is
hidden away in a remote forested valley. Founded in the late 13th century,
this complex is no delicate religious structure but an imposing medieval
fortress. UNESCO included the Rila Monastery on its list of World Heritage
Sites in 1983. After lunch, we continue on to the town of Plovdiv, arriving
in late afternoon. Enjoy some free time after hotel check-in, followed
by dinner in the hotel restaurant. (All
Meals)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Plovdiv Sightseeing
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second
largest city. It has a lovely old town, which has been completely restored
to its mid-19th century appearance. Each street is packed with charming
houses, museums, and galleries. Another distinctive feature is one of
the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the Balkans, still used for
performances to this day. We tour the Roman sites, then visit the Ethnographic
National Museum.
After lunch, visit the hilltop of Nebet Tepe,
where the ruins of Eumoplas, a Thracian settlement dating back to 5000
B.C., overlook the town. We also visit the Bachkovski
Monastery which ranks second only after the Rila Monastery
both with regard to size, and to architectural, artistic and literary
significance. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel. (All
Meals)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Kazanlak / Nessebar
Enjoy a morning at leisure today in Plovdiv. Our day of touring begins
with lunch at a local restaurant after we have checked out of our hotel.
After lunch we drive 75 miles to the town of Kazanlak. Tucked between
two mountain ranges, it was originally settled in ancient times as the
Roman city of Sevtopolis. The main attraction is a heavily secured Thracian
Tomb, discovered during the building of a bomb shelter in World War
II and now another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continuing on to the Black Sea, we arrive at
our destination, Nessebar, in the late afternoon. We have sea view rooms
at an all inclusive resort, so we gather this evening for dinner with
all local beverages included! (All
Meals)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Free Day
Nessebar is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one look at
the town will clue you in to the reason. This is one incredibly scenic
spot everywhere you look, with several Byzantine church ruins alongside
narrow cobblestone streets. The entire day is free to explore on your
own. You might stroll into the old town to seek out museums and historical
sites, or stroll along the waterfront. Your Toto host and your tour
guide will be happy to help you set up optional adventures that won’t
duplicate tomorrow’s touring. Our resort is all inclusive, which
means we enjoy all meals, snacks, soft drinks and local alcohol brands
at no additional charge. (All Meals
and Beverages)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Varna
Partake in a guided tour of Nesabar this morning. We see the old town
and visit several old churches. Also included are tours of the Archeological
Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and the New Metropolitan Church (St.
Stephen). Returning to our resort for lunch, we then continue north
along the Black Sea coast to the unusual town of Varna. It is a constantly
surprising place, contrasting cosmopolitan city life and Black Sea gaiety
with hidden side streets and ancient Roman ruins. Enjoy an afternoon
sightseeing tour, visiting the Bogoroditsa Cathedral and the Roman Thermae,
a spa facility built in the 2nd century A.D. Dinner included at our
hotel. (All Meals)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Madara / Arbanasi / Veliko Turnovo
Our day begins with a drive to Madara, an important Thracian town around
5000 B.C. and later during Roman occupation. Today the town is famous
mainly for the Madara Horseman, a series of cliff carvings done in the
8th century and now recognized as another World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
After stopping to view the Horseman we continue on to Arbanasi, one
of Bulgaria’s most lovely historic monastery villages. We stop
for lunch and take an afternoon sightseeing tour, including the Holy
Nativity Church with exquisite frescoes, and the gorgeous 17th century
Konstantsalieva House.
Our final destination today is Veliko
Turnovo. After settling into our rooms, we visit the Lyaskovets
Winery to taste several regional wines, cheese and bread with dinner. (All
Meals)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Veliko Turnovo Sightseeing / Return to Sofia
Veliko Turnovo is perhaps unrivaled in all of Europe for its spectacular
and romantic setting. The Yantra River winds its way through a tree-lined
gorge, atop which sits the ancient capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire
from the 12th to 14th centuries. On Tsaravets Hill, the ruins of a massive
fortress overlook the old town and dominate the skyline. Archaeologists
have found the remains of 400 houses , 18 churches, many monasteries,
shops, gates and watchtowers.
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of the
main sights, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Digest and relax
during the three hour drive back to Sofia, arriving in the late afternoon.
Dinner is included at our hotel. (All
Meals)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is entirely free to explore Sofia in more depth and do some last-minute
souvenir shopping. Tonight we celebrate the choices we made throughout
the tour during a Farewell Dinner at one of Sofia’s lovely restaurants. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast. Arrange your international
flight to depart any time today. We provide one group transfer to the
airport, timed to accommodate the greatest number of departing tour
participants. If this transfer does not meet your needs, we will assist
you in arranging a private transfer to the airport. Let us know if you
would like to extend your stay at our hotel in Sofia. (Breakfast)
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