When: August 3 - 15, 2010

Led by: Jim Gold

Featuring:

• The exciting Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival held high in the Balkan Mountains
• Colorful performing groups traveling in full costume with their musicians and dancers. Dance and sing with them.
  Travel by bus with Bulgarian musicians and folk dance teacher
• The ruins and monuments of ancient Thrace, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, and medieval Bulgaria
• Sofia, scenic Bansko and its majestic Pirin Mountain region
• A drive through the romantic Rhodope mountains to the resort of Pamporovo
• The artistic capital of Plovdiv, 10th-century Rila Monastery with icons and murals, dramatic Veliko Turnovo, medieval capital and birthplace of the Second Bulgarian Empire
• The architectural gem of Koprivshtitsa

Land only: $3195
Land and air: $3995 approx.

Bulgarian Folk Dancers Meet with Members of Our Group

Performers Warm Up at the Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival

Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival

Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival Parade

Read Carol Karels Bulgaria Journal from 2007

Day 1: Tuesday, August 3:
Depart on Air France Air from JFK airport in New York City.

Day 2: Wednesday, August 4:
Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to 5-star Radisson SAS located in the heart of the city. Short tour in vicinity of our hotel, ending up with a welcome dinner at Victoria Restaurant. Overnight at the Radisson.

Day 3: Thursday, August 5:
Sightseeing tour of Sofia: Alexander Nevski Cathedral, National Parliament, Saint Sofia Basilica, 4th century Saint George Rotunda, and the ruins of Roman Serdica. Optional visit to the Sephardic Synagogue, largest of its kind in Eastern Europe. Afternoon free for individual sightseeing and shopping. Vitosha Mountain dinner at traditional restaurant with live folklore.

Day 4: Friday, August 6:
After breakfast depart for the village of Kovachevitsi for half a day singing workshop at the Summer School of Kremena Stancheva , a world famous Bulgarian folk singer. After a delicious traditional lunch, we continue on the scenic Rila Mountain circular road to one of our tour's highlights, the 10th-century Rila Monastery.

After this, we’ll take a mountainous drive through the Rila and Pirin mountains, the two highest ranges in the Balkans, to the town of Bansko. Upon arrival, we’ll settle in the luxurious Hotel Orphey. Light dinner provided.

Day 5: Saturday, August 7:
Morning walking tour through Bansko, a stronghold of Bulgarian culture and tradition. Then we head for the mysterious village of Dobarsko, where the unique local choir Dobarski Babi will give us a private performance followed by a traditional Bulgarian banistsa and yogurt snack. In late afternoon, we have a picnic dinner at Chalin's Farm including a horse cart ride, wine, and live music.

Day 6: Sunday, August 8:
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head east across the Rhodope mountains (birthplace of mythological Orpheus). Dinner and overnight at 5-star Orlovetz Hotel in the world-famous Pamporovo Resort . Fresh mountain air and primeval pine forests; deep breathing strongly recommended.

Day 7: Monday, August 9:
Morning free to relax and take advantage of the Orlovetz's spa facilities. Noon departure to visit the 11th-century Bachkovo Monastery with its exquisite murals and icons. Meet the monks. Then we’ll stop at the 13th-century Assenova Fortress and enjoy panoramic views of the Thracian Plain and city of Plovdiv. In the afternoon, we’ll check in to the 4-star Trimontium Princess Hotel in Plovdiv. Dinner and overnight in this artistic capital of Bulgaria.

Day 8: Tuesday, August 10:
Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv's Old Quarter, known as Bulgaria's Montmartre for its dozens of art galleries and antique shops. View masterpieces of 17th to 19th century Bulgarian architecture, a 2nd century Roman Theater, and the country's richest Ethnographic Museum. Afternoon free. Visit Plovdiv's modern section. Dinner at famous Alafrangi Restaurant which provided the lunch for Pope John Paul 2nd during his visit in 2001. Second overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 9: Wednesday, August 11:
Morning drive through the Valley of the Roses to the Valley of Thracian Kings (UNESCO's site). We'll visit the newly discovered Kosmatka Tomb. After another short stop at the gold-domed Shipka Memorial Church, we'll cross the Balkan Mountains through the Shipka Pass, decorated by the granite Liberty Monument commemorating Bulgaria's Liberation from Turkey in 1878.

Continuing our drive, we'll visit the Etura Open Air Crafts Museum displaying two centuries of country houses and crafts. Late afternoon arrival in the city of Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital, where we’ll check into our 4-star spa hotel, the Grand Yantra. Dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Thursday, August 12 :
Morning sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo. We’ll visit the dramatic Tsarevets Royal Hill with palaces and churches perched on cliffs of Yantra River gorge. In the afternoon drive to the charming village of Arbanassi, summer residence of medieval royalty where we’ll take a waling tour. Dinner served at a stylish local restaurant. Optional Sound & Light Show at the Tsarevets Royal Hill.

Day 11, Friday , August 13:
Morning drive to Museum Town of Koprivshtitsa. En route, we’ll stop at the 14th century Troyan Monastery and the Oreshaka Crafts Center.with late afternoon arrival in Koprivshtitsa. Check into Hotel Bashtina Kashta and Hotel Dahlia in time to attend the official opening of the Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival. Dinner and overnight in Koprivshtitsa.

Day 11-13, Friday-Sunday, August 13-15:
KOPRIVSHTITSA FOLK FESTIVAL!
Held once every five years, the Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival brings together over 12,000 performers from all over Bulgaria, making it one of the biggest festivals in Europe! Three days of unforgettable folk dancing, singing, ethnic costumes, performing groups, and photo opportunities! Our morning walking tour will include the official Festival opening with Bulgaria's President or Prime Minister. Overnights in our country hotel in Koprivshtitsa.

Day 13, Sunday, August 15:
Transfer to Sofia Airport for return flight to JFK airport in the USA.