Mithra International Foundation's mission is promotion of Bulgarian culture and historical heritage. Thus, we offer you a tour to Bulgaria's most important landmarks. By taking our tour you support Mithra's mission to provide underprivileged Bulgarian children better life chances by empowering them through education, art and culture as well as social integration. 

Just take our tour The Best of Bulgaria!

          Experience the rich cultural heritage, thousands of years of history, and captivating landscapes of Bulgaria! Our 14-day guided The Best of Bulgaria tour offers visits to the megalithic city of Perperikon, ancient Thracian tombs, medieval castles, rock monasteries, spa experience and wine tasting on a territory the size of Tennessee.

          Gain an insider's perspective when you travel to Bulgaria with our expert guides, getting to know the country intimately, visiting cultural monuments, indulging in its cuisine, meeting its people, sampling its wines, experiencing its spa resources.

Trip Highlights

• Explore the Boyana Church, the Rila Monastery, the Madara Horseman and more UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Enjoy the atmosphere of Bulgarian capital Sofia - a city that has been growing over 30 centuries.
• Smell the famous Bulgarian rose oil where it is produced by centuries-old techniques.
• Observe artisans applying their timeless crafts in the workshops of Etara.

Itinerary - 14 Days

Day 1 & 2 — Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria

Arrival in Sofia. After an overnight flight to Sofia relax in your hotel room. The following morning, meet your group for breakfast before sightseeing in Sofia, a city which has been being built for over 30 centuries. Serdica, Sredets, Sofia… Learn why Emperor Constantine the Great exclaimed “Serdica mea Roma!” (Serdica is my Rome!”) Enter the oldest functioning church in the world “St George”. Discover the mesmerizing 12^th-century portraits in the Boyana Church. Marvel at the delicate artwork of ancient Thracian treasuries in the National History Mueseum.

Day 4 — Authentic Villages of Leshten and Kovachevitsa

On your way to the City of Plovdiv, immerse in charming Bulgarian villages and indulge in the local cuisine. Get a restful night in Plovdiv.

Day 5 — A Tour of Plovdiv and the Bachkovo Monastery. Wine Tasting.

Soak in the atmosphere of the ancient City of Plovdiv. Meander the labyrinthine cobble stone streets to one of its seven hills. Then, drive to the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, Bachkovski, established in the 11^th century. See the miraculous icon of St. Mary of Blachernae plated in silver in the 14^th century. Stroll back to the buss by the market stalls and craftspeople of the Rhodope Mountain and buy some organic homemade yogurt and wild fruit preserves for your ride to the wine cellars. While in the cellars, get a taste of wine varieties the ancient Thracians and Greeks might have enjoyed. Back in Plovdiv, dine in Bulgarian style.

Day 6 — Perperikon and Tatul

Day 7 — Thracian Tombs of Starosel, Kazanluk, Zheravna

After touching the megaliths it is time to see the tombs the ancient Thracians built for their aristocracy in 3^rd – 5^th century CE. Then, have a walk in Kazanluk, a city famous for being Bulgarian Rose Capital. If you happen to be there in the first weekend of June, you will be able to participate in the famous Rose Festival. While in Zheravna, learn about the typical Bulgarian Revival architecture from the 18^th century . If you happen to be in Zheravna between Aug. 17-19 you will be captivated by Bulgarian traditional music, arts and costumes during the Bulgarian Folklore Festival. You will end your day at the Black Sea coast in the City of Sozopol.

Day 8 — Sozopol and Nessebar

Day 10 — The Madara Horseman and the ancient capitals of Bulgaria Pliska and Great Preslav. Veliko Turnovo.

Experience the spirit of Bulgaria in the three old Bulgarian capitals. Listen to the story the rocks and open caves of Madara tell about the Madara Horseman, an 8^th-century rock relief manifesting Bulgarian victories over the Eastern Roman Empire. Then, enjoy the light show in the castle of Veliko Tarnovo, the medival capital of Bulgaria. Relax in your hotel in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 11 — Tour of the Old City in Veliko Tarnovo; Etara, Drianovo Monastery, Bacho Kiro Cave, Tryavna.

Learn about the history of the Second Bulgarian Tsardom and its political might. Then, delve into the crafts shops of artisans in Etara and buy your little Bulgarian souvenirs. Continue to the Drianovo monastery in the picturesque gorge of the Drianovo River. Then climb to and descend into the Bacho Kiro cave where human remains of 46,000 years were found. End the day in charming Tryavna in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains.

Day 12 — Tryavna, Sofia

Featuring 140 cultural monuments, museums and expositions the City of Tryavna is itself a monument to the Bulgarian national Revival (18-19 c.). Relish the famous masterpieces of the Tryavna Wood Carving and Icon Painting Schools. Enjoy the colorful textiles and kilims typical for the region. After a stop on Pravets for lunch end your Bulgarian journey right where it started - in the capital city of Sofia.

Day 13 — Sofia

Today you may choose to explore Sofia at your own pace or go to the Vitosha Mountain for a farewell to Sofia and Bulgaria.

Day 14 — Departure from Sofia

This morning, transfer to the Sofia airport for your return flight to the United States.

Fees per person based on double occupancy:

Group of Four      - $ 2,900;
Group of Six         - $ 2,600;
Group of Ten        - $ 2,100;
Group of Sixteen - $ 1,900;
Group of Twenty   - $ 1,850.

What Is Included? Entrance tickets to all museums and attractions; 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners (alcohol beverages not included); hotel accommodations; airport transfers. An English-speaking professional tour guide will be at your side during your whole stay in Bulgaria.