Sofia City Breaks

Sofia Highlights

If Bulgaria, and in particular the capital city Sofia, have already become a focus of your interest and you are planning to invest in it, the best thing to do is come and visit. It is as simple as that – until we sink into the place’s vibrant life we can’t really say we know it.

Accommodation

To make your business trip successful we can help you find short or long term accommodation in Sofia that fully meets your needs, from hotels to apartments. A meet and greet service is available for only Ђ10 which includes transport to your apartment or hotel.

Day Trips

As one of the most important centers of the Orthodox Church in Bulgaria, Rila Monastery attracts numerous visitors all year round. It is also the most beautiful example of religious architecture with frescoes created by the best artists of the National Revival period. Situated in the heart of the highest mountain – the magnificent Rila, you are going to feel “closer to Gods”.

A must-visit is the monastery museum, housing amazing masterpieces of religious painting frescoes and other artifacts, among them the remarkable double-sided cross, carved by the monk Raphael from a single piece of wood and depicting in miniature 104 religious scenes and 650 figures. The Hrelyo Tower from the 14th century and the five-domed Blessed Virgin Church are the other ‘must visit’ places in the monastery complex.

After a superb lunch in the monastery surroundings having tasted the local mountain trout and sparkling wines from the region we set out on the way back to Sofia.

But before we get back there is another holy place hidden in the woods – St Ivan Rilski’s cave, where we will hear the mystical legend about his life. Ivan Rilski was the monk to found the monastery and give it his name. We walk in the surrounding forests and set off for Sofia.

Tour includes highly qualified guide speaking your language (or English), lunch and drive by bus or car.

Vitosha Mountain Day Trip

Watching over Sofia Vitosha Mountain is the capital’s natural guard. It has always played an important part in Sofia’s life and growth. The citizens of Sofia are happy to have a ski center, a perfect summer hiking spot and a National Park like Vitosha only 15 minutes away from home.

If you haven’t managed to see the golden treasures from Panaqyurishte and the Thracian silver from Rogozen exhibitions in some of the world museums, you have the opportunity to do it during the trip. The National History Museum houses over 22000 exhibits showing the development of social, cultural and political life in Bulgaria, among them the newly-found Thracian treasures dug out in the summer of 2005, silver and bronze jewellery from the Bronze, and masterpieces of early Bulgarian Christian art.

Afterwards we will have lunch in a local restaurant.

A core of our interest during the trip today will also be the Boyana Church and the Dragalevtsi Monastery, which date back to the mid 14th century. Included on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List, the Boyana Church is considered one of Bulgaria’s most significant historical treasures. Built in three stages (11th, 13th and 19th century), the frescoes dating back to 1259 are considered a remarkable example of realistic art from that era, a century earlier than the birth of the Italian renaissance.

A perfect way to finish our trip - surrounded by sweet-smelling pine woods, Boyana Waterfall is our next stop. Afterwards there are two more “natural wonders” to see - the Golden Bridges (Zlatni Mostove) and Stone River (Morenite).

Drive back to Sofia.

Tour includes highly qualified guide speaking your language (or English), lunch and drive by bus or car.

Plovdiv - the eternal city on three hills

Picturesquely situated on three hills, Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. Its unique location on the ancient crossroads has stimulated strong cultural influences from many civilizations, and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, Plovdiv preserves the eternal values of its six-millennia-long history.

All year round the town is unique and fascinating with its romantic atmosphere. Here we will be impressed by the beautiful Old town, the true gem of Plovdiv. Its museum-houses from the National Revival period reveal the remarkable urban culture created by the best artists of the time, as well as their sense of harmony and creative spirit. We suggest you walk through some of the museum-houses and wine-tasting cellars. The Balabanov house would be a perfect start.

A core of our wonderful trip today will also be the dramatic Ancient theatre dating back to 2nd century. Rising above the city, the unique Roman heritage is perhaps the most impressive remnant of the past. During the summer months the town hosts open-air opera performances and classical concerts, giving Plovdiv the name of a cultural capital of Bulgaria.

There are many others ‘must visit’ cultural and historical miracles around the Eternal city like Hissar Kapiya - the eastern gate of the fortress.

We will have a superb lunch in a restaurant in a Renaissance style with traditional Bulgarian dishes and local wines. Afterwards we can enjoy the steep and cobbled streets set with lovely gardens, museums and archeological monuments. We shall visit the Archaeological museum housing amazing collections of unique exhibits from various historical periods. Here we will have the great opportunity to see the golden treasure from Panagyurishte which dates back to 4th-3rd centuries BC.

It’s time to take leave of Plovdiv. On our way back, we can make a short stop to visit Bachkovo monastery - the second in size and importance monastery in our country.

Tour includes highly qualified guide speaking your language (or English), lunch and drive by bus or car.

Koprivshtitsa is one of the few thoroughly preserved architectural town museums of the Revival Period. It boasts the greatest number of houses and monuments in Bulgaria (383), 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 and is well worth seeing.

Koprivshtitsa is rich on various ways to spend some memorable hours. The greatest wealth of this most charming Bulgarian town are its Revival Period houses, a part of which were turned into museums. The Oslekov, Kableshkov and Lyutov houses are the most beautiful examples of the original architectural heritage and also a perfect way to start our trip. Koprivstutsa gave birth to two of Bulgaria’s most respected writers – Lyuben Karavelov and the poet Dimcho Debelyanov. During the trip we should visit the houses they lived in to feel the spirit of their time. Many Bulgarian National Revival figures and revolutionaries grew up in this romantic atmosphere, evidenced by the memorial of Georgi Benkovski and the Todor Kableshkov monument. Our next place of visit is the Assumption Church (Uspenie Borgorodichno Church), which iconostasis and icons were painted by Zakhari Zograph and Ioan Samokovli.

Afterwards we have lunch with local specialties pared by selection of Bulgarian red and white wines.

Free time to wonder around the tiny craft workshops and art galleries. Before we set off to Sofia, we will spend time to share the impressions we have gained here over a cup of Turkish coffee.

Koprivshtitsa may be difficult to pronounce, but is not easily forgotten.

Tour includes highly qualified guide speaking your language (or English), lunch and drive by bus or car.