DEAR VISITOR of WELCOME-TO-BULGARIA

Herewith we would like to introduce you to some interesting tours we suggest. Please do not hesitate to contact us for details and prices

1. MONASTERIES TOUR

In the last few years, Bulgarian monasteries, which are closely connected to the historical fate of the Bulgarian state and nation, have witnessed increasing tourist interest. From the very start, monasteries have gained great importance as centres of the Bulgarian literature and culture and have preserved the nation's values during difficult times. Some of the monasteries, which date back to Byzantine times, have played a key role in keeping up the Bulgarians' spirit and self-consciousness during 5 centuries of Ottoman domination. Others were built in the late 20th century in the place of destroyed cloisters in order to restore past glory and respond to the religious needs of local people. Due to Ottoman invasions or merely to the course of time, only few of the still-functioning monasteries keep their original architecture and interior of the buildings. Nevertheless, the visit of each one of them leaves a lasting memory and a deep impression. Some impose on the visitor with their unique design, others - with their valuable icons and masterly wall paintings, third - with their location in most beautiful and wild parts of the country.  
We as Bulgarians are proud of giving you first-hand information and sharing with you some unique photos of these monasteries. We hope that you will enjoy browsing our site!

A 6-7 days tour can be considered as a short tour; a 10-14 days tour can be discribed as an extended one, where you have the chance to see much more. By all means Rila Monastery and Bachkovo monastery are obligatory stops. Rila Monastery is the biggest  monastery and was founded by the Bulgarian monk Ivan Rilski back in the 10th century, who was later proclaimed a saint by the Church. Bachkovo monastery is the second biggest one in Bulgaria and is an old spiritual place.  
OTHER MONASTERIES

2.WINE AND DINE TOUR
Legend says Dionyssius- the Greek god of wine , was born in Bulgaria!  You can  taste the unique Bulgarian wines and visit centuries - old wine cellars. We will get you acquainted with the process of wine production in cellars situated in picturesque vineyards and you will inevitably become an admirer of the Bulgarian wine. We propose a tour in Southern Bulgaria and while visiting famous cellars you'll also get to know the Bulgarian cuisine as each area offers typical dishes to accompany the tasting of the wines.

3. MOUNTAIN TOURS
Rugged snow-capped peaks and soft green slopes, cool forests carrying the aroma of herbs and wild fruit, quick-flowing rivers and crystal-clear blue lakes, mineral springs,  rare plants and animals, ski resorts and small picturesque villages with living traditions and folklore - every Bulgarian mountain has its own character, fascination and beautiful name.

We propose a tour in some of these attractive mountains, starting with Rila Mountain. Its highest peak Moussala (2,925 m is the highest on the Balkan peninsula. The mountain has 219  lakes, over 2,000 plant varieties and a rich animal world. 
Rila mountain is the   natural setting for Bulgaria's most famous monastery - Rila Monastery, and the country's oldest winter resort - Borovets where we propose a stay.

Then our tour continues to Pirin Mountain - the second highest mountain, highest peak Vihren (2,914 in), 176 mountain lakes and about 100 varieties of rare plants, including the edelweiss and the famous Baikousheva fir, almost 1,300 years old.
Location of the well-known climatic and spa resort of Sandanski and the latest Bulgarian ski center Bansko.

4. FESTIVAL OF ROSES / 27.5. - 3.6. / 
http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy349/MarianaEmil/FESTIVAL%20OF%20ROSES/

   this an unique trip to Bulgaria, which will give you the chance to:

A/ VISIT PLOVDIV for 2-days (second largest town in Bulgaria )
    http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/plovdiv.php

B/ PARTICIPATE AT THE FESTIVAL OF ROSES
     http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/f_roses.htm
- step in the rose fields
- join the carnival and vote for the Queen  of Roses
- visit a rose oil brewery and learn about the rose-oil production
- visit the Museum of Roses
- end the festivities with an interesting folklore evening

C/ CROSS THE BALKANS - THE LARGEST MOUNTAIN IN BULGARIA and admire fantastique views

- visit an open-air crafts museum where you can witness the old way of producing goods where the water is used as a power -  http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/etura.htm

- spend 2 days in the picturesque Veliko Tyrnovo, the old Bulgarian capital
   http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/veliko_turnovo.php

- spend 2 days for shoping and fun in the capital Sofia
   http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/sofia.php

AND ALL THIS... JUST AS LITTLE AS from 355 euros per person ( air tickets not included )

INCLUDED in the price are as well as:
- CITY TOURS IN SOFIA, TYRNOVO, PLOVDIV
- 650-700 KM drive (divided in 4 trips)  in this beatiful country on a private VAN DE LUX 
- tour leader and English speaking guide
- accommodation in 3 star superior hotels on BB, 1 folklore dinner with entertainment
- full 1 1/2 day programme in the valley of roses which also includes visits in museums

5. FASCINATING BULGARIA  / 9 - 16 August /
This short tour will give you the chance to get acquainted with some unique towns and historical sites and to admire the nice nature of Bulgaria :)

flight to Sofia on Air Malta flight KM 784

1st day - arrival in Sofia at about 07.00h
the company's director will welcome you at the airport and we drive to the beautiful town Koprivshtitsa - the so called MUSEUM-TOWN.
pls. enter the link for detailed description:  http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/koprivchica.htm
distance to the site - approx. 120 km (on the highway)
-overnight on a BB in a picturesque hotel in an old Bulgarian style with a nice garden.
-late in the afternoon or on the next morning - English guided tour through the town and its museums

2nd day - the trip continues to Plovdiv (about 70 km), the second largest city in Bulgaria known as the oldest city in Europe.
Your links:  http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/plovdiv.php#
        and    http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/old_plovdiv.htm
Accommodation on BB in a 3-star hotel ( DE LUX ROOM ! ) - very centrally located, just next to a nice pedestrian zone and the main street with a lot of shops, restaurants, bars and cafeterias.
hotel info:  http://www.hotelbulgaria.net/Index.html 
-in the afternoon we shall organize a guided tour in the Old Town. As an option we can offer a dinner in one of the nice restaurants in the vecinity

3rd day - we depart to Borovets (approx.130 km), the oldest and most popular ski-resort in Bulgaria.
for more info: http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/mountain_resorts.php
You will admire the nice nature - large pine tree forests and ski runs.
Accommodation is in a 4**** hotel (on HB basis) situated in the very centre of the resort.
Optional excursion to one of the mountain peaks by cabin lift.

4th day - the trip will continue to Southern Bulgaria where we shall stop for an overnight in the city Blagoevgrad ( about 100 km drive) - in a charming hotel which is situated in the old historical part of the city.
view some pictures: http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy349/MarianaEmil/Blagoevgrad-hotel/
The accommodation is on a BB but the pleasant garden restaurant and the tavern offer 20% discount for hotel guests :)
Blagoevgrad is the city of the young people. It hosts two universities.

5th day - this will be the last part of the tour - to Sofia. On our way to the capital (120 km) we shall stop at Rila Monastery (guided tour) which is a must for all tourists visiting Bulgaria !
For details kindly visit this link: http://www.rilamonastery.pmg-blg.com/Home_page_en.htm
and also: http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/rila_m.htm

Part of the road will pass through picturesque mountains
We reccommend a lunch in one of the restaurants nearby

arrival in Sofia and
3 overnights in a 4**** hotel on BB ( very close to the centre )
6th day - tour in Sofia and free time for shoping and leisure

7th day - free time and optional excursion to Vitosha mountain- next to Sofia

              about the capital Sofia: http://www.welcome-to-bulgaria.com/sofia.php

8th day - Monday the 16th of August - 05.00h airport transfer and departure to Malta

===============================================================

-this trip will be accompanied by company's director ( English speaking ) and includes:
-transport in Bulgaria: 10-18 seater airconditioned bus
-English guided tours where mentioned
-6 BB and 1 HB in 3 & 4-star hotels (sharing in a DBL / TWIN rooms)
-airport transfer on departure

cost of the tour - 288 euros excluding tickets (approx. 250 euros return ticket including taxes) 
EXTRA CHARGES:
- for SGL room occupancy ( from 5 to 10 euro a day )
- you can also opt for rooms comfort  in some of the hotels (in Sofia & Borovets)

BOOK ON TIME TO SECURE YOUR PLACE !!!

MAGNIFICENT BULGARIA :)