When:
August 3 - 15, 2010
Pre-tour Hungary Extension:
July 27 - August 4
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
-
Our traveling staff includes our guide, Stefan Gendjov, driver, Pero
Simov, gaida player, Ventsi Andonov, Bulgarian folk dance teacher,
Iglika Andonova, Balkan singing teacher, Toba Goddard.
- 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
Price includes:
- Round
trip jet from New York
-
Transfers
- Hotels
- Two
meals daily
- An
English speaking guide
- All
entrance and performance fees.
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Price:
Land only:
$2495
Land and air: $3395.

Bulgarian Folk Dancers Meet with Members of Our Group

Performers Warm Up at the Koprivshtitsa
Folk Festival

Koprivshtitsa
Folk Festival

Koprivshtitsa
Folk Festival Parade
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Read
Carol Karels Bulgaria Journal from 2007
Day
1: Tuesday, August 3:
Depart on British Airways 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. Welcome dinner at Victoria Restaurant. Overnights at Radisson Hotel.
Day
3: Thursday,
August 5:
Sightseeing tour of Sofia: Alexander Nevski Cathedral, National
Parliament, Saint Sofia Basilica, 4th century Saint George Rotunda, ruins of Roman Serdica,
and the National Museum of History. Optional visit to the Sephardic Synagogue, largest in
Eastern Europe. Afternoon free. Dinner at traditional Chevermeto restaurant with live folklore.
Day
4-6: Friday, August 6-8:
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! Overnights in our country hotel in Koprivshtitsa.
Day
7: Monday, August 9:
Depart for the village of Kovachevitsi. Singing workshop at the Summer School
of Kremena Stancheva , world famous Bulgarian folk singer. After a traditional lunch, we
continue on the scenic Rila Mountain circular road to the 10th-century Rila Monastery. Ee’ll take a
drive through the Rila and Pirin mountains, highest ranges in the Balkans, to the town of Bansko.
Upon arrival, we’ll settle in the luxurious Hotel Kempinski Grand Arena. Light dinner provided.
Day
8: Tuesday, August 10:
Walking tour through Bansko, a stronghold of Bulgarian culture and tradition.
Then we head for the mysterious village of Dobarsko, where the local choir Dobarski Babi will
give us a private performance followed by a traditional Bulgarian banistsa and yogurt snack. In late
afternoon, we have picnic dinner at Chalin's Farm including horse cart ride, wine, and live music.
Day
9: Wednesday, August 11:
After breakfast, we'll head east across the Rhodope Mountains, birthplace of
mythological Orpheus. Many folk secrets wait for us here. 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
10: Thursday, August 12 :
Morning free to relax and take advantage of the Orlovetz's spa facilities. Late
morning 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.
Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv's Old Quarter, known as
Bulgaria's Montmartre for its 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. Dinner at famous Alafrangi Restaurant where Pope John Paul 2nd
lunched during his visit in 2001. Live chamber music. Overnight in the 4-star Trimontium
Princess Hotel in Plovdiv.
Day
11, Friday ,
August 13:
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
12, Saturday, August 14:
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 walking tour. Dinner served at a stylish local restaurant with live music, show, and folk
dancing!. Optional Sound & Light Show at the Tsarevets Royal Hill.
Day
13, Sunday, August 15:
Transfer to Sofia Airport along the scenic Hemus highway for return flight to
JFK airport in the USA.
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