BULGARIA
1–8 September 2012
Bulgaria offers visitors rich insights into its fascinating history and culture. People who travel there are struck by the country’s wealth of historical monuments, the fine mountain scenery and the warm hospitality of the people.
Our very varied tour includes sung mass in the Orthodox cathedral of Alexander Nevski, visits to the National Historical Museum in Sofia where the fabulous prehistoric Thracian treasures are displayed; the church at Boyana outside Sofia and Orthodox monasteries at Rila, Troyan and Bachkovo, all of these mediaeval foundations with wonderfully vivid frescoes and set in attractive wooded landscapes; Veliko Turnovo, the mediaeval capital with its citadel overlooking the gorge of the river Yantra; two of Bulgaria’s conservation villages, Arbanassi and Koprivshtitsa, which have beautifully preserved vernacular architecture, the remarkable Thracian tomb at Kazanluk; and Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second city, where the old town, with its cobbled streets, has a Roman theatre and fine, nineteenth century timbered merchants’ houses. There is a thriving and colourful local culture and an evening of folk music is included. The wines are deservedly well known and we shall visit a winery.
Cost per person £1265 Single room supplement £195 (the tour is costed on 12 people)
The price includes accommodation in luxury hotels in Sofia (3 nights) and Veliko Turnovo (2 nights) and a three-star hotel in Plovdiv (2 nights), ground transport, entries, all visits and guides, 6 dinners and 7 lunches. Flights to Sofia not included (c. £300).
John Osborne taught Classics at Marlborough College for over thirty years and also worked for the British Council in Iran and Turkey. He has developed a special enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, Bulgaria, which he has visited regularly in recent years. He has taught himself Bulgarian and has led numerous special interest tours to the country.
