Go Local: Best of Bulgaria, Self-Drive

Take this self-drive tour and discover this beautiful country at your own pace. Start your trip exploring the capital of Bulgaria, a modern and buzzing town which keeps impressive history from Antiquity to nowadays. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo and be fascinated by the magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill. Have a walk through the tiny cobblestones streets to find out how did wealthy merchants live in the Bulgarian Medieval ages. Spend several days exploring the romantic Black sea coast, the Sea Capital Varna and the old aged towns of Nessebar and Sozopol. Explore the countryside, the culture and traditions of rural Bulgaria. Stop in the European city of Culture, Plovdiv, and be a guest of a granny in a village, close to the famous ski resort Bansko. End your inspiring trip in Sofia and be sure that you will come again to visit this interesting land. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Sofia: the capital and largest city of Bulgaria will offer you a great variety of attractions: from ancient remains, rich museums and typical architecture to pedestrian zone with numerous cafes, restaurants and fashion boutiques. 

Veliko Tarnovo: the former Bulgarian capital will fascinate you with its magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill, the cobbled street of Samovodska charshia and the mastership of the local craftsmen. 

Varna: the Bulgarian Black sea capital is a must-see. Enjoy the picturesque views from one of the numerous beach restaurants, relax in the Sea Garden or discover the oldest processed gold in the world in the Archaeological museum in the town. 

Nessebar: the “Pearl” of the Black Sea Coast. The Old town of Nessebar will fascinate you with the numerous churches from the 13th century and the breathtaking sea views. 

The rose Valley: breathe the aroma of the famous Bulgarian Rose and understand why it is called “Liquid Gold”.

Plovdiv: heir of great civilizations, Plovdiv has a lot to offer, from ancient sites to bohemian quarters with great artistic cafes and ateliers. Immerse in the atmosphere of this Town of Culture.  

Bansko: feel the hospitality of the Bulgarian mountains and the special people that live there. Be welcomed in their houses and learn more about the folklore and the traditions of Bulgaria first-hand. 

Day 1: ARRIVAL SOFIA / CAR HIRE PICK-UP (10km – 30min)

Welcome to Bulgaria! Arrive at Sofia Airport, take your car and drive to your accommodation hotel. Check-in and receive the special package that we have prepared just for you, including a map of Bulgaria, a rich program with all the possible sights that you can visit en route, vouchers and other useful information. Have your time to explore the city centre of the Bulgarian Capital on your own. Be impressed by the gold-plated cupola and the rich interior of the biggest Orthodox Cathedral in the country, St. Alexander Nevski. Continue with a stroll around the most significant sights in the centre, St.George Rotonda, the Russian church St. Nikolay, and the National Theatre Ivan Vazov. Have a cup of coffee on the pedestrian street Vitoshka and feel the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Alternatively, you can choose to end the day with the following Optional Tour (not included):

Dinner with Folklore and Nestinari Dances: celebrate the start of the trip by being part of a typical Bulgarian night with a delicious welcome dinner and folklore program. Songs, dances… what a magical night full of unforgettable moments. The Nestinari dances, a barefoot dance on smouldering embers, part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage will leave you speechless. This ritual will lead you back to the mystery of the Eastern Orthodox beliefs together with the older pagan traditions from the Strandza Mountains. Included: Dinner in a typical restaurant four-course menu, including a glass of wine; folklore program and Nestinari Dance* (*performed only if the weather conditions allow). Dinner starts at 20:00h and ends at 23:00h. Not included: guide, transfers.

Overnight in Sofia.

Day 2: SOFIA

Enjoy your delicious breakfast in the hotel before you start exploring the capital of Bulgaria at your own pace. Start with a visit to the National History Museum, housing the whole Bulgarian History at one place. The large collection of the museum will give you a great starting overview of the country and its history. The next stop could be one of the most remarkable medieval monuments in the world, the Boyana church, a UNESCO designated monument with, especially fine wall paintings. As Sofia is conveniently located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, the nature seekers have an easy way to escape from the busy life of the capital. Follow the mountain treks, have your time and immerse yourself in the silence of the picturesque nature. If you wish to know more about the secrets of the Bulgarian capital, you can book our optional private tour guide for up to 4 hours (not included):

Sofia city tour (English, French, German or Spanish): Duration 4 hours. Included: private tour guide. Not included: transfers, entrance fees.

Overnight in Sofia.

Day 3: SOFIA – VELIKO TARNOVO (270km – 4hrs)

Start your day with a nice breakfast at the hotel and prepare to drive deep into the Balkan Mountain. If you are interested in the Orthodox beliefs, you must stop at the Troyan Monastery, the third largest monastery in Bulgaria, isolated in the idyllic skirts of the mountain. Continue your trip to the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo that will fascinate you with its magnificent views from the top of Tzarevetz hill. Stroll down the cobbled street of Samovodska charshia to find out more about the mastership of the local craftsmen. Alternatively, you can choose to go on the following Optional Tour (not included): 

Old crafts demonstration: Old crafts demonstration at the Samovodska Charshia Street, choice of one of the following: pottery workshop or wood-carving presentation. No guidance included.

Continue to the small village of Arbanassi where you will discover how wealthy merchants lived in the Bulgarian Medieval ages.

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 4: VELIKO TARNOVO – VARNA (310km – 4.5h)

After your leisure breakfast, check out from your hotel and dedicate this day to a picturesque drive through the country to reach the sandy beaches of the Black Sea coast. On the way, you can take the chance to visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari will impress you with its unique polychrome half-human, half-plant caryatids and painted murals. The Madara Rider is the only relief of this kind, carved high in the rocks in the plateau of Shumen. Find out more about the legends and mysteries of these sacred places before you head off to the Bulgarian Sea capital, Varna. Check-in in your hotel and enjoy a walk in the pedestrian centre, to find out more about the town and its most significant sites.

Overnight in Varna.

Day 5: VARNA

Give yourself enough time to enjoy the delicious breakfast in your hotel, before you explore the Sea Capital. Varna is a city with many faces. Beautiful promenades crowded with enthusiastic tourists, romantic Sea garden with lots of idyllic places to hide from the crowd, interesting museums housing the history and traditions from the ancient times to nowadays. Do not miss entering the Cathedral of Varna, one of the symbols of the town. In the Archaeological Museum, you will discover the oldest Gold Treasure in the World. 

Or just take your swimsuit and relax at one of the numerous beaches of Varna and its surroundings. Alternatively, you can choose to go on the following Optional Tour (not included):

Varna city tour (English, French, German or Spanish): Duration 4 hours. Included: private tour guide. Not included: transfers, entrance fees.

At the end of the day, we will welcome you to a tasty dinner in one of the fanciest restaurants in the town (4-course dinner included, no transfers nor guidance included).

Overnight in Varna.

Day 6: VARNA – BALCHIK – KALIAKRA – VARNA (160km – 2.5hrs)

After your lovely breakfast at the hotel, be ready to drive your rent-a-car to the North Black Sea coast with spectacular sheer, rocky beaches, chalky cliffs and white waters. Our professional guide will join you on this trip to explore the most beautiful Bulgarian cape on the seaside, Kaliakra with its ancient and medieval fortresses, ruins of churches and legends of the forty maidens. Then share your travel to the romantic town of Balchik, the summer residence of the Romanian queen Maria. The castle will impress you with its botanical garden, housing one of the richest cactus collections in Europe (Guidance and entrance fees included).

Overnight in Varna.

Day 7: VARNA – NESSEBAR – BURGAS (140km – 2.5hrs)

Indulge your pleasant breakfast in the hotel in Varna and take a drive to the South. Reach the “Pearl” of the Black Sea Coast and your UNESCO site for today - the Old town of Nessebar. Stroll through the romantic cobbled streets, exploring the numerous churches from the 13th century and feel the time turning back to the days of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. Absorb the local ambience and get lost in the labyrinth of tiny streets and wooden houses. Then, swing along the romantic roads leading to the South of Burgas, admiring the green forest to the right and the amazing sea to the left. Leave some time to explore the town of Sozopol, where modern meets ancient. Smell the spirit of this amazing fishing town and art centre with its romantic atmosphere. Your final destination for today is Burgas, check-in at the hotel and have a pleasant night walk on the promenade to some of the beach restaurants and clubs.

Overnight in Burgas.

Day 8: BURGAS – KAZANLAK – PLOVDIV (300km – 4hrs)

Depart early today, after your rich breakfast, as you have a very intriguing program ahead. After a picturesque drive through the country, you will reach the town of Kazanlak where you can visit the UNESCO designated monument, the Thracian Tomb dating back to 310 BC. It will impress you with its well-preserved artworks from the Hellenistic world. As you are in the Rose valley, it is a must to witness the unique rose production and experience the spirit and fragrance of the Bulgarian Rose in the Rose Museum. If you are lucky to be in Bulgaria in May or June, you may have the chance to pick yourself a rose from the field! Breathing the aroma of the Rose will leave vivid memories that you will need to share! Continue to Plovdiv, the European City of Culture for 2019 and part of the UNESCO tentative list. Wander in the Old town and emerge in the unique atmosphere of this ancient place. Explore the Roman Amphitheatre, built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD and visit the Hindlyan House, one of the most richly decorated houses in Plovdiv from the Bulgarian Revival. Check-in in your hotel in Plovdiv. 

Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 9: PLOVDIV – BANSKO (160km – 3hrs)

Begin your day with a tasty breakfast in the hotel and get ready to meet the locals in the mountain villages of Rila and Pirin. Today you will pass through one of the most picturesque passes in Bulgaria, Yundola. Hidden deeply in the mountain, the villages next to it are home to some of the best honey and milk products in the country. While passing, do not miss the chance to stop on your way and buy straight from the producers local honey, fruit jelly or cheese. In the village of Dobarsko, you can visit a famous church with its unique mural of Jesus Christ in a “rocket”. Be welcomed in the home of granny Deshka, where you will have to give a hand in the household work (included). Find out more about the rural lifestyle, learn some dialect Bulgarian words, hard to pronounce even for the Bulgarians while preparing your lunch together with Deshka (included). The hard work always pays off, so it is time to taste the local delicacies and take part in the folklore dances and songs performed by Deshka and her fellow grannies. After these memorable moments you will head off to the famous ski resort Bansko, where is your accommodation for today. 

Overnight in Bansko.

Day 10: BANSKO – RILA – SOFIA (210km – 3.5hrs)

Enjoy your delightful breakfast and breathe the fresh mountain air on the terrace of your hotel. Then have a picturesque drive to the Rila Monastery, also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Hidden deep in the mountain, the monastery and its premises keep stories and legends tightly connected with Bulgarian history and the Revival period. Imposing, the monastery creates a great impression on the visitors with its renaissance architecture and frescoes. Drive back to Sofia for your last overnight in Bulgaria.  

Overnight in Sofia.

Day 11: CAR HIRE DROP-OFF / DEPARTURE SOFIA (10km – 30min)

Enjoy a tasty breakfast before you check out from the hotel and drive to the airport to catch your return flight home after you deliver your car hire. 

Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes (including also swimsuit, hat) for the beach stay. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.