Légendes des empereurs et des croisés, vins, cuisine traditionnelle. Villes et villages- musées

Transfert privé à l'arrivée et enregistrement à l'hôtel.

Visite matinale de Sofia - la capitale de la Bulgarie est l'une des villes les plus anciennes d'Europe, que Constantin le Grand appelait autrefois "Ma Rome". Fondée il y a 7 000 ans, elle a reçu plusieurs noms au cours de l'histoire et les vestiges des anciennes villes sont encore visibles aujourd'hui, associés à des sites modernes. L'après-midi, vous vous rendrez à Veliko Turnovo, la capitale médiévale de la Bulgarie, pittoresquement située sur quatre collines au-dessus de la rivière Yantra. Installation à l'hôtel. Visite de Tsarevets - une réserve architecturale et muséale, la "citadelle" et la "colline royale" de Veliko Turnovo, autrefois dotée de solides murs de pierre, de portes et de tourelles. La tour de Baldwin, dans la partie sud-est, commémore la victoire du tsar bulgare Kaloyan sur les chevaliers de la quatrième croisade en 1205. Baldwin, le chef des chevaliers, y fut capturé et emprisonné.

Le matin, visite à pied de la vieille ville de Veliko Turnovo, avec ses rues pavées et escarpées, qui ont conservé le charme de l'époque du renouveau national. Dégustez les vins locaux à Samovodska Charshia - le vieux marché.

Départ pour la mer Noire et Varna - communément appelée la capitale maritime de la Bulgarie et la perle de la côte bulgare de la mer Noire, Varna est l'une des plus anciennes villes d'Europe. Les Milésiens ont fondé la colonie commerciale d'Odessos en 570 avant J.-C., sur le site d'une ancienne colonie thrace. Bien avant que les Thraces ne peuplent la région vers 1200 avant notre ère, plusieurs établissements préhistoriques existaient, laissant la plus ancienne découverte d'artefacts en or au monde (milieu du 5e millénaire avant J.-C.), que l'on peut voir aujourd'hui au musée de Varna. Les monuments de la ville comprennent les bains romains, le jardin de la mer, la cathédrale, etc. Nuit à l'hôtel.

After breakfast we will depart along the Black Sea coast to Nessebur UNESCO town.  According to Strabo, the town was named Messambria ( later altered to the Slavonic Nessebur ), after the legendary founder – a Thracian by the name of Melsa and the Thracian name for city “bria”. It exists since the 2nd millennium BC, the Hellenic colony on this site was founded in 510 BC by Dorian settlers. Having captured Messambria in 72 – 71 BC, the Romans preserved the city intact, leaving there a permanent garrison. During the Roman epoch, new temples dedicated to Demeter, Asclepiad, Hecate, Isis, etc. were erected. On the northern shore of the peninsula rose the Temple of Zeus. At the big local theatre, drama, music performances and poetry readings were arranged. Since the 4th c AD, Messambria maintained close links with Constantinople, during the 7th c it became one of the “special” locations where out of favour politicians and courtiers were exiled from Constantinople. Time for independent lunch at a restaurant in the Old Nessebur and proceed to Pomorie spa town for wine tasting. Pomorie was founded in the 4th – 5th c BC by Greek colonists and was a salt and wine producing region since then. 

Overnight at the hotel in Pomorie, Nesebur or Burgas / depends on the season and availabilities/.

From the Black Sea, we will return to central Bulgaria, this time to the region below the Balkan mountains range. Our first stop will be Stara Zagora - we will visit the Neolotic dwellings museum of Stara Zagora ( the best preserved in Europe ) and the central part of the town with the Roman forum.  

Late afternoon departure to the nearby town of Kazanluk. It is regarded as the centre of the Valley of Roses, known as well as the Valley of the Thracian kings.  Some say that to visit Bulgaria and not to go to the Valley of Roses is to go to Egypt and not see the pyramids. For a period of more than 330 years, Bulgaria won recognition as the country of roses and the rose flower has rightfully become one of its symbols. Statistics show that once about 75% of the world rose oil was produced in Bulgaria. Today a kilo costs almost two kilos of gold on the world markets…  

Visit of Kazanluk Thracian tomb ( UNESCO site, copy ). Overnight at the hotel.

Morning  visit the church of Shipka in the suburbs of Kazanluk. Departure to Skobelevo village and visit Damascena Ethnographic complex with its rose distillery, exposition, and park. Taste rose liquor and rose, honey. Proceed to Plovdiv - the 2nd largest city in Bulgaria, once the capital city of Philip the 2nd of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. The city is contemporary of Troy, and is much older than Athens and Rome. 

Daily Telegraph in its research “the World`s Oldest 20 continually-inhabited cities” declared Plovdiv the oldest continually-inhabited city in Europe and the 6th oldest in the world. Plovdiv has been selected European Capital of Culture for 2019. Best Cultural Destination in Europe for 2022. We will have a walking tour of the Old Plovdiv architectural reserve, awarded Golden medal for architecture by UNESCO. Check in at your hotel in Plovdiv. Time for dinner and overnight.

Morning tour to Bachkovo Monastery – the 2nd largest monastery in Bulgaria, built in the 11th c and connected with the history of the 3rd Crusade. En route you will see the remains of Assenova Fortress – the gateway to the Rhodope mountains, the homeland of Orpheus – the first singer from the Greek mythology, as well as a divine hero. Return to Plovdiv for second overnight.

Free morning in Plovdiv. In the afternoon - proceed to Bansko museum town, located at the foothills of Pirin Mountain National Park ( UNESCO site ). Tour of the old town of Bansko and visit St. Trinity Church. "Taste of Bansko experience" - dinner at traditional Bansko mehana to taste some local specialties.   

Morning departure along Struma river valley to Melnik – the smallest Bulgarian town, declared museum and located at the foothills of sandstone pyramids, where wine cellars were dug in the past.  In bygone days, the caravans departed from here to Venice, Vienna and Egypt as far as Madrid along the wine routes. Visit Villa Melnik in the nearby village of Hursovo and tasting of some local wines - the wine from the varietal Broad Leave Melnik Vine was reportedly a favourite of Winston Churchill's.  Visit of Kordopulov House ( the largest residential building on the Balkans from the 19th c ) and its wine cellar. 

Afternoon departure to Rila Monastery UNESCO site, located 1100 m above sea level in Rila Mountain National Park. Afternoon to visit the monastery complex - admire wooden balconies, azure fretwork, collonades, facades and colourful frescoes, silhouetted against a fantastic panorama of mountain peaks. 

Transfer to Sofia, check in at your hotel and relax. 

Petit déjeuner, temps libre et départ.