100% customisable travel idea
Road trip through Bulgaria’s interior Sofia: nature and history
Bulgaria - Sofia - Melnik - Trigrad - Veliko Tarnovo - Koprivshtitsa
100% customisable travel idea
Bulgaria - Sofia - Melnik - Trigrad - Veliko Tarnovo - Koprivshtitsa
100% customisable for you
Transfer. Overnight stay in the city centre. A view of Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral from the rooftop bar. The glass façade of the building reflects its contemporary style, which you can see inside in the white, grey, anthracite and wood with pop accents here and there. The rooms have a clean, uncluttered design, without frills, but are still comfortable. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in light and views of the cityscape. Swimming pool, spa service and gym are available for fitness. The cuisine is also pleasant.
Already on your itinerary - Boyana Church. Visit one of the most authentic medieval monuments in Europe with a private guide. The Greek cross-shaped church was built in the 10th century and expanded in the 13th century. Inside, there is a dazzling array of ancient frescoes, the best of which was made by anonymous painters from the Tarnovo school and dates from the period of expansion. The artistic quality and integrity of these paintings cannot fail to impress. Accompanied by a private guide, you will set off on a tour to discover other highlights. The Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky was built between 1882 and 1912 in a muscular neo-Byzantine style to celebrate the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the role played by the Russians in this decline. The National Assembly is from the same period, as are the Ivan Vazov Theatre and the university from the 1920s. The architecture of these buildings reflects the European aspirations of the time. Finally, dinner is planned at the Moma restaurant, which skilfully revamps Bulgarian culinary and decorative traditions.
Pick up your rental car and drive to Melnik. One night in a splendid traditional house (built against one side of the famous pyramids). The stone base and corbelled superstructure of the building make it extremely impressive. The interior has been restored with inspired precision. Paintings, stained glass windows and fabrics burst with colour against the white walls. The furniture is in harmony with the surroundings. Comfort is a given. In the mehana, a large brick fireplace stands out against the stone and mortar of the walls. Bulgarian cuisine is at home in such a setting.
The sandy pyramids of Melnik are a spectacular geological phenomenon, making Pirin Macedonia look like a piece of Cappadocia in Bulgaria. They are located right behind the hotel. The small town itself has a rich architectural heritage. It is a real pleasure to walk around. The Kordopoulov and Pachova houses are famous. At Rojen Monastery, don't miss the 16th, 17th and 18th century frescoes and the unrivalled view of the pyramids.
Drive to Trigrad. Upon arriving in the Rhodope Mountains, take the time to climb up to the villages of Lechten and Kovatchevitsa, where you’ll see stone walls, slate roofs, whitewashed walls and cobbled alleys full of vernacular charm. One night at the top of the village of Trigrad, in a modern hotel with a chalet feel. The decor retains something of its socialist past as instead of removing it, they have given it a stylish makeover. This contrasts with the ordinary and somewhat lazy neo-rustic style. The rooms are comfortable and not very large but are extended by a terrace. A sauna, hammam and jacuzzi provide a welcome relaxation area. The restaurant serves professional Bulgarian cuisine.
The Trigrad flows at the bottom of vertiginous green marble gorges. This vertical, green landscape exudes a powerful romanticism. All the more so as the river plunges into the Devil's Gorge, through which Orpheus is said to have descended into the underworld. After going through the caves, the river resurfaces as a spring 500 metres below.
Optional - Hiking around Trigrad.
Head north-east. On the way, stop at the Wonderful Bridges, which are 50 miles (80 kilometres) before Plovdiv, near the village of Zabardo. These three karst tunnels over the Aidarsko Dere river are a striking reminder of the power of erosion! Stay for two nights in the historic centre of Plovdiv, north of the Roman theatre. The house's raspberry-coloured façade is a pretty 19th-century feature. Inside, while preserving the structure, we opted for contemporary simplicity. The rooms are immaculate. They share shades of white, grey and yellow, wood and brick. Breakfast is served in the dining room.
Optional - Wine tasting in Brestovitsa.
Already on your itinerary - Multicultural Plovdiv in private. Plovdiv is believed to have been continuously occupied since the 2nd millennium BC. European champion. It was a Thracian city that became the capital of Thracia, a praetorian province, during the Roman era as it was a regional hub crossed by an important military road. The remains of this period, such as the theatre and the odeon, are among the highlights. Plovdiv then became Bulgarian in the 9th century. Byzantium took control of it. Then the Ottoman Empire. Minarets and Turkish baths were added to the Orthodox churches, and the Djumaya Mosque dates from the 14th century. In the 19th century, the national revival movement built beautiful Bulgarian houses. The Sephardic synagogue also reflects the community's past with its Moorish style. All this constitutes a diverse and coherent whole that has borne witness to a long, eventful and, ultimately, shared history. Tour with a guide.
Optional - Kapana, Plovdiv’s colourful neighbourhood.
Drive to Arbanassi. Stay for two nights in the village. The two houses that make up the hotel are Ottoman in style, with one of them dating back to the 17th century. They are surrounded by a pleasant garden with a gazebo. The interior design gives pride of place to wood, which is also a prominent feature of the décor, along with carpets and a few mosaics. The rooms are charmingly rustic, offering space and comfort. There is also an inn where grilled meats are the highlights of the traditional dishes. The spa is well equipped and staffed by qualified personnel. The hammam is a must, but there is also a sauna.
Optional - Dryanovo valley.
Already on your itinerary - Veliko Tarnovo and the surrounding areas. Arbanassi is only 2.5 miles (4 km) from Veliko Tarnovo. So, let's start there. The village has a few wonders, such as the Church of the Nativity of Christ (15th-17th centuries), the Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (16th-18th centuries), the Konstantsaliev House (17th century) and fortified farms. Then, in Veliko Tarnovo itself, the great Tsarevets Fortress was the political centre of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The restorations undertaken in the 20th century demonstrate the continuity of the state. We visit this to contribute, in a way, to the symbolic monument that doubles as the venerable castle. There are also frescoes in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (13th and 15th centuries) and picturesque old shopping streets. Five hours in the company of a private guide.
Drive to Koprivshtitsa. One night in a revival family house with a pretty flower garden in the town. Once again, carved wood is the main feature of the decoration, with soft coloured accents. Your room is simple and comfortable. Breakfast is served on site.
Koprivshtitsa, in the Sredna Gora, has been classified as a national architectural reserve for its collection of national Renaissance houses. It is an open-air museum that also preserves the memory of many revolutionary intellectuals who lived there. These include linguist Nayden Gerov, poet Dimcho Debelyanov and anti-Ottoman leader Georgi Benkovski. The memory of the patriotic uprising of April 1876 is very much alive here.
Sights along the way - Troyan Monastery (17th century), which is surrounded by a fabulous forest setting and considered the largest Orthodox monastery in the Balkans. It is a highlight in the region as it houses some beautiful religious works, including frescoes by Zakhari Zograf, the most famous Bulgarian painter.
Drive to Sofia Airport. Car drop-off and return flight.
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