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Jim Gold International

Bulgaria
 Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival Tour
Sofia, Bansko,  Plovdiv, 
Veliko Turnovo,
Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival  

Folk Culture, Folk Dancing, History, Art, Music, Adventure

                           Bulgarian folk dancers: Koprivshtitsa folk festival

When:  July 29-August 11, 2025 
Led by Ventsi Milev  
with Bulgarian folk dance teacher Niki Enchev,
and musician (gaida) Ventsi Andonov
Featuring
● Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival! Dance Kopanitsa and more!
● Meet and dance with local Bulgarian folkdance groups
● Daily folk dancing with Bulgarian folkdance teacher, Niki Enchev, 
    music with gaida player, Ventsi Andronov
● Enjoy traditional cuisine and wines
● Visit traditional villages, historic homes and sites
● Visit 10th century Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site
● Price includes city tours, transfers, hotels, two meals daily, and our private bus

THE MAGIC AND ADVENTURE OF BULGARIA! 
Join us as we travel with local musicians and Bulgarian folk dance teacher to attend the Gela Folk Festival and Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival.  We’ll explore monuments of ancient Thrace, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, and medieval Bulgaria, visit Sofia, scenic Bansko in the Pirin Mountains, artistic Plovdiv, and the 10th-century Rila Monastery with its icons and murals.  We’ll conclude with a dramatic visit to Veliko Turnovo, medieval capital and birthplace of the Second Bulgarian Empire, and then extend our tour to the Black Sea. 

I can’t wait to go!  Reserve my place with my $200 deposit per person.

REGISTER NOW

Price:  $4995 

(To see our 3 choices of payment method, click here.)

Visit our Bulgaria Learning Center
You’ll find Bulgarian travel tips, history, language, culture, videos, and more.
It’s where the fun begins. 

Download Bulgaria 2025 tour itinerary pdf 

OUR ITINERARY:
Day 0: Tuesday, July 29
Depart for Bulgaria on airline of your choice.
 
Day 1: Wednesday, July 20: Sofia 
The magic adventure in Bulgaria begins: (As a prelude, watch some Bulgarian dances.) Your guide will meet you at the airport and then escort you to your central Sofia hotel. Check in, orientation and meet-and-greet welcome dinner. (D)
Overnight at 5***** Grand Hotel Sofia.

Day 2: Thursday, July 31: Sofia
A guided walking tour of ancient and contemporary Sofia. In the midst of busy cafés and imposing socialist buildings from the past century, you will come upon tranquil green squares and still active churches from Roman and Byzantine time. St. George Rotunda (a fully preserved structure from the 4th cent.) blends elegantly in the courtyard of the Presidency and the 5th cent. St. Sofia Basilica (which inspired city’s coat of arms) lies next to Sofia’s greatest sight – St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Opera and a quaint Flea market. Sofia’s unique yellow-brick road, paved in 1907 with Austro-Hungarian cobblestone, runs along Capital’s most important landmarks – it starts with Sofia University, National Library, the Parliament and art galleries in the east; goes by the ex-Royal Palace, Russian Church and National theater, and reaches the recently excavated Roman Forum and “St. Nedelya” Church in the west. The latter, along with the nearby “Banya Bashi” Mosque built in 1576, Sofia Synagogue (the largest Sephardic Temple in Europe) and “St. Joseph” Catholic Cathedral are spoken of as the “square of tolerance” among faiths! Afternoon free for individual activities or visit at the National History Museum in the outskirts of the capital. Dinner with live Bulgarian folk dancing in “Chevermeto” (the Spit roast). (B, D) . Overnight at 5***** Grand Hotel Sofia.

Bulgarian dancers

Day 3: August 1, Friday: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Bansko
Travel south to the 10th century Rila Monastery. UNESCO listed, It is one of the most impressive religious sites on the continent with its size, abundance of frescoes and unique architecture. Dine on a local specialty for lunch -fresh river trout and traditional Bulgarian bean soup – then continue south to the town of Bansko, a stronghold of Bulgarian revival architecture, culture and traditions. In winter the town is a busy ski resort and in summer, a home to a popular International Jazz Festival. A brief evening drive to the nearby village of Gorno Draglishte where baba grandma Deshka will welcome us in her house and to a homemade dinner which she herself and with the help of other local women has cooked during the day. Expect to be invited to some authentic for the region folk dancing and rituals. (B, L, D). Overnight at 4**** 4 Points by Sheraton.

Day 4: August 2, Saturday: Bansko – Melnik – Bansko
After breakfast enjoy a leisurely sightseeing walk in Bansko’s cobbled-stone alleys and panoramic mountain views of the slopes of Pirin National Park – also in UNESCO’s world heritage list (of natural sites). In an hour and half drive south you will be walking in the quietude of the smallest Bulgarian town – Melnik – inhabited by only 230 permanent residents. Tucked beneath scenic sandstone cliffs, this quaint place is famous for its dark red wine, reportedly a favorite of Winston Churchill’s, and also for some of the best-preserved revival architecture in the country. A walking tour, including a visit to Kordopulov’s House (built in 1754 by rich wine producing family), will end with lunch at a typical local Mehana. Return to Bansko for an afternoon and evening free for individual activities. (B, L). Overnight at 4**** Sheraton.

Day 5: August 3, Sunday: Bansko – Dobursko – Batak – Plovdiv
Day in the deep countryside. After breakfast visit the mysterious village of Dobursko, where the local choir “Doburski Babi” (Grandmas from Dobursko) will give us a private performance followed by a traditional homemade (by the grandmas) Bulgarian “Banitsa” pastry and yogurt snack. Continue east through some “Pumak” villages and stop for another fresh fish lunch on the bank of the picturesque Batak Lake. Then visit the nearby town of Batak. One of the darkest events in Bulgarian history took place here in 1876. Ironically, it marked the beginning of the end of the 500-year Ottoman Rule in Bulgaria. Afternoon arrival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city and its artistic capital. In 2019 Plovdiv was granted the title “European capital of culture”. Plovdiv is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Europe! In the late afternoon come to the main square for tradition Sunday folk dancing or “Sunday horo” (B, Snack, L).
Overnight at 4**** Hill House Hotel
 
Day 6: August 4, Monday: Plovdiv – Bachkovo Monastery – Plovdiv
Morning sightseeing tour of Plovdiv Old Town, often compared to Montmartre Hill in Paris for its art galleries and antique shops. View masterpieces of 18-19th century Bulgarian Renaissance architecture, Thracian and Roman remains, orthodox churches and its highlight – a 2nd century Roman Amphitheater. We will visit the country’s richest Ethnographic Museum set in a gorgeous baroque house from 1847 and then stroll down Plovdiv’s lively pedestrian street offering more historic attractions and lovely cafés and restaurants. We will see a Roman Stadium, a Roman Forum, a 15th century Mosque and the newly opened Bishop’s Basilica – in UNESCO’s tentative list. Late morning departure to 11th-century Bachkovo Monastery with its exquisite murals and icons. Lunch will be at an old traditional restaurant overlooking a scenic mountain river. A short drive to Plovdiv and an afternoon at leisure. (B, L). Overnight at 4**** Hill House Hotel.

Day 7: August 5, Tuesday: Plovdiv – Kazanluk – Shipka Pass & Etara – Veliko Turnovo
This morning we travel north through the world-famous Valley of Roses (fields in full blossom May 25-June 20) and Valley of the Thracian Kings (in UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 1979). After visiting one of the richest and best-preserved Thracian Tombs in the area and the exquisite gold-domed Shipka Memorial Church, we will cross the Balkan range through the scenic Shipka Pass and stop again at Etur. A beautifully set open-air live Village Museum depicting authentic housing and crafts traditions from the past centuries. Meet local craftsmen. Lunch en route. Afternoon arrival in Veliko Turnovo, built on the steep cliffs of the meandering Yantra river gorge. We’ll walk aroundremains of fortress walls, palaces and churches on the emblematic Tsarevets Hill, visit the famous Samovodska Street, where in the beautifully lined-up little shops, we will meet pastry cooks, master goldsmiths, potters and wood carvers willing to talk and sell their articles! Today Veliko Turnovo is a fusion of romantic scenery, its distinctive historical ambience and vibrant student life. (B, L). Overnight at family-owned Gurko Boutique Hotel.

Day 8: August 6, Wednesday: Veliko Turnovo, Nikopolis ad Istrum and Arbanassi Village 
Morning trip to Nikopolis ad Istrum, a Roman city founded in 106 AD by Marcus Ulpius Traianus (98 – 117 AD). An archeological gem for the fact that unlike places like Sofia and Plovdiv, and Varna where the roman city has long been buried and then built over, here the Roman city never became a modern city and was never “lost” underground. Return to Veliko Turnovo and leisure time. Afternoon visit to the charming village of Arbanassi, situated a short drive away on a high plateau above the city of Turnovo. It’s famous for its traditional 18th cent. architecture and beautifully decorated churches. One of them, the Church of Nativity, although extremely modest on the outside, has a most extraordinary interior and unique collection of 16-17th century frescoes. Bulgarian folk dancing with Niki and Ventzi, dinner and return to Veliko Turnovo. Overnight boutique Gurko Hotel (B, D).

Days 9-12: August 7-10, Thursday to Sunday: Veliko Turnovo – Troyan – Koprivshtitsa
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! Plus visit preserved houses from the Bulgarian revival period. Dinners and overnights in our country hotel in Koprivshtitsa. (Breakfasts and 2x Dinners).

Day 12: August 10, Sunday: KOPRIVSHTITSA-SOFIA
Collect your last glimpses of the Festival finale and depart to Sofia. More sightseeing on the way and free time in the Capital. Farewell dinner! (B, D). Overnight at 5***** Grand Hotel Sofia.

Day 13: August 11, Monday: SOFIA, Departure
Transfer to Sofia Airport for your flight home (B).
 
Expand your knowledge of Bulgaria
Explore history, language, culture, and more at our Bulgarian Learning Center
See folk dance and tour videos at Jim Gold International YouTube Channel
 
Land Only: $4995   
 
REGISTRATION FORM: Enclosed is my registration deposit of $200 per person. 
Single supplement: $795.  Additional charges: $145 hotel taxes and service.  Gratuities and drinks during meals not included.   Program subject to change without notice. Cancellations 90 days prior to departure: Total refund: Less than 60 days: No refund. Travel insurance always recommended  Total balance due May 1, 2025.
 
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Phone: (201) 836-0362    www.jimgold.com    e-mail: jimgold@jimgold.com