8-Day Highlights of Bulgaria with a Local

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After breakfast, you will head to the famous Rila Monastery which is located not very far from Sofia. Featuring Baroque arcaded balconies and standing 1,147 metres up in the mountains, the Rila Monastery was the first and largest monastery in Bulgaria. From here, you will continue on to Sapareva Banya, where you will stay overnight. The little town is known for its hot mineral water with healing properties. It has the only active hot geiser in the Balkans.

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This is a huge highlight for every traveller and is a must when visiting Bulgaria. Today after breakfast, you will head off for a hike around the mountains and Seven Rila Lakes. This is a beautiful spot, with stunning views and the perfect way to spend your day. You will spend the full day outdoors, the hike takes around five hours and is moderately difficult. You'll begin at the bottom lake and work your way up to the seventh one. En-route, you will stop for a picnic lunch.

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After breakfast, you'll check out of the hotel and head off to your next destination, Trigrad, where you will stay in a local homestay. Here, you can expect a fascinating and very enjoyable cultural experience. En-route, you will stop at Lake Dospat and Yagodina cave. Lake Dospat is one of the most magnificent places in Bulgaria, it's water beautifully reflects the pine-covered Rhodope mountains which surround it. Yagodina Cave is the third-longest cave in the country.

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After breakfast, you'll head out for a scenic hike in the Rhodope Mountains. Make sure you have your hiking boots with you, this walk is steep in a few places and challenging in others! After hiking the Devil's Path, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch before heading to the Eagle's Eye Viewpoint for a panoramic view over the Pirin, Rila and Rodopi Mountains. The viewpoint sits at 1,563 metres above sea level. Your late afternoon and evening are free to enjoy as you wish.

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After breakfast, you will depart for Plovdiv, your next destination on this journey. En route, you will make two fantastic stops: the first is at the very popular Bachkovo Monastery. There is a great market just beside the monastery so you can also get a little shopping done. From there, you will head to the well-preserved ruins of Asen's Fortress which is perched in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains on a high rocky ridge. In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Plovdiv.

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This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, you'll go on a special guided tour of Plovdiv Old Town. You will learn about Bulgarian traditions, hear some amazing stories and will pick up some interesting facts. Plovdiv's cobbled streets will take you on a journey back in time to the Roman era. You will then travel back to Sofia, where you will spend your final night. Upon arriving at your hotel, you'll have the rest of the evening to explore Sofia.