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

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

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.