Bulgaria

One of the Balkans’ larger countries, BULGARIA makes an excellent place for road tripping. Despite now being an EU member, enough of Bulgaria’s wildness (literal and figurative) remains to guarantee that travellers have their own unique experiences while exploring the country. For most foreign holidaymakers, Bulgaria’s main lure is its long and sandy Black Sea Coast, which still boasts swaths of stunning beaches and picturesque bays. But there is so much more to this country, and so much of it remains largely untouched and unvisited by overseas tourists.

Networks of well maintained hiking trails and horse riding routes allow you to discover Bulgaria’s lush, mountainous and forested landscapes.

BEWITCHING BULGARIA : 6 NIGHTS-7 DAYS

DAY 01
ARRIVE IN SOFIA

On arrival, spend the afternoon resting. Have an espresso in one of the open air bars near the City Garden and book a table for dinner at 'Beyond the Alley'. if you still have some energy left, tackle the walking tour or at least visit the Russian churches. Get to bed early so you’re ready to rise at dawn.

DAY 02
MELNIK

Have your driver meet you at your hotel at 5:30am (an hour later in winter) to catch the morning service at Rila Monastery - the best way to experience this UNESCO listed site, with no tourists to detract from its spirituality. Snack on doughnuts and yogurt from the monk run bakery outside the gates or take an early lunch at Drushliavitsa (above the monastery). Then head south to the tiny winegrowing village of Melnik. Visit Kordopulov’s house, sample wine with Six Fingers, and dine at Mencheva Kushta.

DAY 03
LESHTEN/KOVACHEVITSA

Visit Rozhen Monastery, then - conditions allowing - head to Leshten via the mountain road that leads to Gotse Delchev, or travel via Bansko. Stop for lunch in Leshten. Stay in one of the Leshten cottages, or head deeper into the mountains to overnight stay at Kovachevitsa (note that it’s worth exploring this heritage village, about a 20 min. drive from Leshten, even if you’re not spending the night there).

DAY 04
PLOVDIV

Travel to Plovdiv, stopping to explore the village of Dolen and Bachkovo Monastery along the way. Break for late lunch at Vodopada or push on to Plovdiv. That evening, stroll the cobbled streets of Old Plovdiv. Dine and stay at Hebros.

DAY 05
VELIKO TARNOVO

Set off early for the Kazanluk tomb (make prior arrangements to view the original), then head over the Shipka pass to visit the Icon and Woodcarving museums in Tryavna. If you have time, visit Etura, the open-air ethnographic museum nearby. Spend the night at Gurko in Veliko Tarnovo.

DAY 06
VARNA

Travel to Varna (about 4 hours away), via the Madara Horseman. Varna is a party city, so once you’ve checked out the Thracian treasures in the Archaeological Museum, blow off some steam at one of the many clubs and bars that line the beachfront.

DAY 07
KOPRIVISHTITSA / SOFIA

If you’re up for a drive, take the coastal road south (just under 3 hours) to lunch at a sea-facing restaurant in the fishing port of Sozopol, then head west to overnight at Koprivishtitsa (about 4 hours from Sozopol), one of the country’s prettiest heritage villages. Enjoy your last Bulgarian meal at Bashtina Kushta. Ask your driver to drop you off at the airport the following day, allowing around 90 minutes traveling time, plus check-in time. Alternatively, spend your final night in Sofia and do some last minute shopping before your flight home the next morning.

Contact Info - Chennai Office

Address: MKM Chambers, No.42, Kodambakkam High Road, Chennai - 600 034

Phone: 044 - 4299 3452 / 3333

Mobile: +91 88253 53535

Contact Info - Bangalore Office

Address: 23 Coles Road, Ground Floor, Frazer Town, Bangalore - 560 005

Phone: 080 - 2549 9628, 080-2549 9620

Mobile: +91 99010 88952, +91 99003 02321

Contact Info - Hyderabad Office

Address:G1-1187, Srinivasa Towers, 6-3-1187, Begumpet, Hyderabad, India 500 016

Phone: 040-6699 4600, 040 - 6699 4646

Mobile: +91 99484 38983, +91 92463 64108

Contact Info - Visakhapatnam Office

Address: Ardee Complex, Ground Floor, Plot #1, Balaji Nagar, Siripuram, Visakhapatnam - 530 003

Phone: 0891 - 6459666 / 0891 6636633

Mobile: +91 99488 91500

Contact Info - Madurai Office

Address:182 Vakkil New Street, Madurai - 625 001

Phone: 0452 - 4375841 / 0452 - 4375842

Mobile: +91 98946 50843