May 2010 Trip to Bulgaria

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Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 24, 25, 26, 2010

http://www.vjv.co.uk/destinations/europe/bulgaria/

Monday arrive in Sofia and transfer to Plovdiv. Tuesday walk through the old city of Plovdiv. Visit the Roman Amphitheatre, Ethnographic Museum and St. Konstantine Church. Drive to the Bachkovo Monastery (2nd largest in Bulgaria). Wednesday leave Plovdiv and drive to Kazaniak and visit UNESCO listed Thracian Tomb dated to 3rd century BC. Pass through the Rose Valley and view rose oil production. Visit the Shipka Memorial Church and Etara open-air museum displaying the architecture, life-style and economics of the Gabrovo region during the Revival period.  Then drive to Veliko Tarnovo.

Roman Amphitheatre

Bachkovo Monastery

Bachkovo Monastery

Thracen tomb

Thracen tomb entrance

Thracen tomb - top

Thursday and Friday, May 27 & 28, 2010

Thursday start with walking tour of of Tsaverets Hill on which the King's palace once stood, and visited a church at the top of the hill. Then visited Arbanassi village followed by visit to Konstancalieva house (The village was declared a 'historical settlement'. A private performance in a Church where singers performed church psalms in old Slavonic language. Friday depart and visit the Troyan Monastery. Continued to Koprisvitsa.

Church at top of Tsaverets Hill

Home-hosted lunch

Koprisvitsa scene

tour group

Saturday and Sunday, May 29 & 30, 2010

Saturday a full day at Rila Monastery (10th century). Sunday visit to Boyana Church, National History Museum, Alexander Nevski Church, Cathedral and walking tour of Sofia.

Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery

Monks residence

Rila Monastery

Sofia Cathedral

Roman ruins in Sofia