ROMANTIC BULGARIA BY TRAIN
Day 1: Sofia
Arrival in Sofia. Tranfer to the hotel and check in. Depending on the time of arrival city tour. Visit Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, the Basilica St. Sofia (6th century), St George Rotunda (4th century), Presidency, the Roman Walls, the City Garden and the National Theatre.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.aria rail tours, steam rail tours, bulgaria steam rail tours
Day 2: Sofia – Mezdra – Veliko Tarnovo
Breakfast and boarding the special train, composed of a restored original steam locomotive one Crown Express saloon carriage and one panoramic carriage. The tour will take you through the picturesque gorge of the Iskar River along to Mezdra with the steam locomotive.
In Mezdra the locomotive is changing with a standard electric one.
Arrival and tour of Veliko Turnovo, including Tsarevets Royal Hill with Baldwin Tower (the leader of the 4th Crusade), Samovodska Charshia (street of crafts).
Accommodation in the hotel and dinner with wine tasting in a near located monastery.
Day 3: Veliko Tarnovo – Trjawna - Kasanlak
Breakfast and departure by train with steam locomotive to the town of Tryavna, the Revival appearance of which has been preserved. Short tour of Tryavna, including a visit to Daskalov House, which houses the Museum of Wood Carving and Icon Painting. Departure by our train with electric locomotive to Kasanlak, located in the heart of the Valley of Roses. Here we will visit one of the Thracian tombs in the region and taste the rose products in the complex.
Accommodation and dinner in a rustically restaurant.
Day 4: Kasanlak – Stara Zagora - Plovdiv
Breakfast and departure by train with electric locomotive to Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria. Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv. Plovdiv – more ancient than Bulgaria itself. Its indelible marks are still to be seen today: the marble – tiled Forum, the Roman Stadium, the Ancient Theatre, rising above the Old Plovdiv is an original heritage park that lives on, an architectural phenomenon combining the splendor of stately homes with the modesty of cobblestone lanes. Every single house here has its own allure and fascination. The Ethnographic Museum, the art galleries, churches and street of folk arts and crafts are major landmarks of Old Plovdiv.
city.
Day 5: Plovdiv – Spetemvri – Velingrad - Bansko
Breakfast and departure by train with electric locomotive to the town of Septemvri, where we will change trains and continue by a narrow-gauge line with a steam locomotive to the town of Velingrad, crossing one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhodopes Mountains.
On the train station in Velingrad (during the train is changing the locomotive with a diesel) you will enjoy a folklore show and taste the Bulgarian “Banitsa” and “Yoghurt”.
Continue by train to Bansko. Accommodation and dinner in the hotel.
Day 6: Bansko
Breakfast. Tour of the mountain small city of Bansko. For lunch excursion in to the mountain, where you will enjoy a picnic with local dishes and wine.In the afetrnoon free time (possibility to use the SPA center of the hotel).
Day 7: Basnko – Rila monastery - Sofia
Breakfast and departure with bus to the Rila monastery– one of the Europe’s largest monasteries. Sightseeing of the monastery, featuring the unsurpassed frescoes of the main church, the monastery museum and its exquisite architecture. Arrival in Sofia – part of the city tour from the first day.
Accommodation and farewell dinner.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
Key words: railway tours, narrow gauge in Bulgaria
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