8-Day Bulgaria in Summer

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Leave Sofia behind for Plovdiv. You'll take a tour of the Old Plovdiv Architectural Reserve where you'll visit the Ancient Theatre, St. Constantine and Helena Church, Djumaya mosque square, the Roman Stadium, the Kapana artistic neighbourhood of Plovdiv, and the longest pedestrian street in the world with remains of Roman forum. Late in the afternoon, leave for Brestovitsa, and check in at the Todoroff Residence. Your dinner this evening will be accompanied by a wine tasting.

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In the morning, you'll depart to the Assenova Fortress – the gateway of the Rhodope mountains, located on a high rocky ridge on the left bank of the Asenitsa River. You'll then continue to Bachkovo Monastery – the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, built in the 11th century and connected with the history of the Third Crusade. You arrive at the Pamporovo mountain resort in the afternoon. Take a walk in the area before dinner.

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Leave for Shiroka Laka, famous for its authentic Rhodopean houses set in tiers on the banks of the river. Then, take a jeep tour in the region of Trigrad, Byunovo gorge and Orlovo Oko observation platform. During the tour, we visit Yagodina cave - one of the most famous and most-visited caves in Bulgaria. The cave is a multi-level complex, containing primarily marble and artefacts from the Neolithic Age. Late afternoon, head towards Bansko museum town, following Mesta river valley.

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This day is dedicated to the beauty of Pirin Mountain National Park. Transfer to the nearby town of Dobrinishte, located between the three mountains: Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes. Take the seat lift to go to Bezbog hut for wonderful panoramas of Pirin mountain. Walk in the region of Bezbog lake and possibly further to Popovo lake - the largest lake in Pirin mountain and the second largest on the Balkan peninsula. Return to Dobrinishte and transfer to Bansko for a walking tour.

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Head north to Rila Monastery, the largest monastery in Bulgaria, 1,100 metres above sea level. Visit the monastery's museum, main church and yard. Admire wooden balconies, azure fretwork, facades and colourful frescoes, silhouetted against the mountain peaks. Early afternoon transfer to Borovets. The town was originally established in the 19th century as a hunting place for the Bulgarian Kings. Borovets has developed into a ski resort with a network of slopes and lifts on the Rila Mountains.

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Take a packed lunch from the hotel to Pionerska Hut. Take the chair lift to the Seven Rila Lakes, to climb to the highest lake is at 2,500 metres. Each lake carries a name associated with its most characteristic feature: The Tear, The Eye, The Kidney, The Trefoil, Fish Lake, and The Lower Lake. The lakes are connected by small streams, which form tiny waterfalls and cascades. After a pleasant walk in the region, take the lift back to Pionerska hut and transfer to Sofia.