Bulgaria and Northern Greece Byzantine Heritage Tour

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1 Bulgaria and Northern Greece Byzantine Heritage Tour Dates: 10 June July August September 2011 Or any other date at your convenience throughout the year Trip Highlights: City of Sofia and Boyana Church (UNESCO) Plovdiv and Batchkovo Monastery Rila Monastery (UNESCO) Melnik town and Rojen Monastery Meteora Monasteries (UNESCO) Old City of Thessaloniki (UNESCO)

2 Trip Summary Magnificent architectural ensembles, ancient icons and detailed murals are part of the Byzantine Heritage to be found in Bulgaria and Greece. The Byzantine heritage is part of the religious, historic and cultural wealth of the two countries. We will start our journey back to the Byzantine times by visiting Sofia. Later on we will move to Bachkovo monastery and Asenova Fortress, great examples of the Byznatine architecture in Bulgaria. On our way South to Greece we will visit also the Rila Monastery Orthodox symbol of Bulgaria and Melnik town. The highlight of the trip will be the Meteora monasteries and Thessaloniki Byzantine Museum. DAY 1 WELCOME TO BULGARIA Arrival in Sofia and transfer to the city center. Night stop: Sofia (capital of Bulgaria) Day 2: Sofia and Boyana Church (UNESCO) Morning tour of Sofia including the Church of St George Rotunda, St Sofia Basilika, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Crypt (a unique collection of icons), Boyana Church (frescoes dated 1295). Afternoon visit: to the National Museum of History. Transfer to the city of Plovdiv. Optional visit: Kremikovtsi Monastery 15th century monastery Night stop: Plovdiv and Dinner

3 Day 3: Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery Plovdiv is known as the former Philipopolis, founded by Philp ІІ of Macedonia. We will visit the Architectural complex The Old Town: the Roman stadium, the Roman Amphitheatre, The Mosque Djumaia Djamia one of the three examples of the oldest type of Ottoman worship buildings still preserved on the Balkan Peninsula Around the city one can admire several medieval monasteries; among them is Batchkovo Monastery (10 th ). It is the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria. Visit: The church of the Assumption with murals, dating from17th c. and the monastery refectory and its unique medieval frescos of the Genealogical Tree of Jesus Christ. On our way back to Plovdiv, we will visit Assenova Fortress a medieval church perched on the rocks. Night stop: Plovdiv Day 4: Rila Monastery (UNESCO) - Blagoevgrad Morning transfer (3 hours) and visit to the most famous landmark of Bulgaria the Great Rila Monastery. Rila Monastery is the biggest orthodox sanctuary in Bulgaria and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded in the 10 th century by the saint hermit Ivan Rilski. Visit: the church of the Holy Virgin its painted frescos (dated 1847) and the wooden iconostasis are among the most impressive ones in Bulgaria. Later: hike to the hermitage of St. Ivan Rilski. Next stop nearby is the Varosha Old city-center of Blagoevgrad with a wonderful Archbishop s church (frescoes and altar). Overnight in Blagoevgrad. Night stop: Blagoevgrad Accommodation: 3* Hotel and Dinner Day 5: Melnik and Rojen Monastery

4 The town of Melnik is an architectural reserve and 96 of its buildings are cultural monuments. With a population of 285, it is the smallest town in Bulgaria, retaining its city status today for historical reasons ( inhabitants in 1912). The town is famous for its wine producing traditions, authentic architecture and sandstone pyramids, surrounding the area. We will visit the Byzantine s Kordopulova House, built in 18 th c. and known as the biggest Revival Architecture House. Walk around the town and admire the unique architecture of the place. Later, visit of the nearby Rozhen Monastery (located 6 km southeast of Melnik). Dinner: in traditional restaurant type Mehana. Night stop: Melnik Accommodation: 3* Hotel and Dinner Day 6: Melnik Seres- Kalambaka After breakfast, transfer from Melnik to Seres (1h15) to admire one of the outstanding monasteries in the upper mountain. Then transfer to Kalambaka and free evening. We enjoy the night lightening of the Meteora (Distance between Melnik Kalambaka: 360 Km, estimated driving time 4.30 hours) Night stop: Kastraki Day 7: Meteora (UNESCO) The Metéora is one of the largest and most important and outstanding complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the world. Meteora means in the heavens above and they are six monasteries built on

5 natural sandstone rock pillars. The place is declared UNESCO World Heritage site. Six monasteries from, medieval times are still in operation, each of them is of great interest. We will visit two of these hidden monasteries with professional local guide. Later we will make a walk on the trail that was once used by the monks. Night stop: Kastraki Day 8: Thessaloniki Old Town (UNESCO) Transfer to Thessaloniki (220km, estimated driving time 2.30 hours). Enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of the city with local guide. Later, we will visit of the Museum of Byzantine culture and the Saint Demetrius Church (UNESCO Heritage Site) and St. Sophia. Later in the evening, we will enjoy a walk along the waterfront from the port to beyond the Aspros Pirgos (White Tower). Night stop: Thessaloniki Day 9: Departure from Thessaloniki Transfer to Airport PRICES: 1050 Euro (for a group of 6 people) *All prices indicated are per person in double room Price includes: Accommodation in 4-3*hotels Breakfasts at all hotels Dinners on days: 2, 4, 5 English speaking guide Transfers by private bus Entrance fees for: The Crypt in Sofia, Boyana Church (UNESCO), Bachkovo Monastery, Byzantine Culture Museum in Thessaloniki, 2 Meteora Monasteries Local guiding at 2 of the Meteora Monasteries, the Byzantine Culture Museum and in the city of Thessaloniki Not Included: Personal expenses Flights and taxes Drinks and beverages Meals: dinners on days 1, 3, 6, 7, 8 and all lunches Optional gratuities to leader, guides and local staff