THE MYSTERY OF THE THRACIAN KINGS- GOLD, ORACLES AND SACRED CITIES
8 Nights / 9 Days
Arrival in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, a millennia-old city situated at a historic crossroads between Europe and Asia. Meeting with the guide and transfer to the hotel.Accommodation and free time to rest or enjoy an initial walk through the city, where Roman remains, medieval churches and modern boulevards coexist.Overnight in Sofia.
After breakfast, we will begin the day with a panoramic tour of Sofia, ancient Roman Serdica, a city favoured by Emperor Constantine the Great. During the tour we will see some of its most emblematic monuments: the Rotunda of St. George, the Basilica of St. Sofia, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Roman ruins integrated into everyday city life.We will then visit the National Archaeological Museum, which presents Bulgaria’s history from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages.Lunch.In the afternoon, visit to the National Museum of History, where we will explore the halls dedicated to the Thracian treasures-masterfully crafted gold and silver artefacts that testify to the power, spirituality and wealth of the ancient Thracian kings.Return to the hotel.Overnight in Sofia.
After breakfast, we continue our journey into the heart of ancient Thrace, heading towards the village of Starosel, located in the Hisarya region.Here we will visit the Thracian cult complex of Chetinyova Mogila, the largest Thracian temple-tomb discovered in Southeast Europe. Dating from the 5th-4th centuries BC, this impressive monument is believed by many scholars to be associated with the powerful Thracian king Sitalkes. The monumental tumulus, its circular walls, ceremonial staircase and ritual chambers reflect the importance of religious worship and ancestor cults.After the visit, we will enjoy lunch accompanied by a wine tasting, produced in the region, which continues ancient winemaking traditions.In the afternoon, departure for Plovdiv, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (European Capital of Culture 2019). Walking tour of its charming old town.Accommodation and overnight in Plovdiv.
After breakfast, departure towards the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, a region filled with mystery and ancient legends.Our first stop will be Perperikon, the legendary sacred stone city and one of the most monumental archaeological complexes in Bulgaria. An ancient Thracian cult centre dedicated to the god Dionysus, it also served as a residence of Thracian kings from the Bessi tribe. According to ancient sources, an oracle here foretold the future greatness of Alexander the Great.Continuation to Kardzhali for lunch.In the afternoon, visit to the sanctuary of Tatul, a rock-cut temple-tomb associated with the myth of Orpheus, the legendary Thracian poet and musician. The site, set in a dramatic landscape, radiates a strong symbolic and spiritual atmosphere.Accommodation and overnight in Kardzhali.
After breakfast, departure northwards. En route, visit to the Thracian Tomb of Aleksandrovo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its murals depicting hunting scenes and aristocratic rituals.Continuation to Koprinka Lake, where we will enjoy lunch by the water. Beneath the surface of the lake lie the remains of Sevtopolis, the ancient capital of the Thracian Odrysian Kingdom founded by King Seuthes III.Arrival in Kazanlak and visit to the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (replica), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Thracian art from the 4th century BC.Accommodation and overnight in Kazanlak.
After breakfast, departure towards Shipka, a historic mountain pass symbolising Bulgaria’s struggle for liberation.Continuation to Etara, an open-air ethnographic museum, where we will stroll among workshops of artisans who still practice traditional crafts such as pottery, woodworking, metalwork and weaving.Traditional lunch in the area.In the afternoon, departure for Veliko Tarnovo, the former medieval capital of Bulgaria, spectacularly located on hills overlooking the Yantra River.Accommodation and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
After breakfast, visit to Arbanasi, a jewel of Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Here we will enter the Church of the Nativity, renowned for its frescoes covering the entire interior, creating a powerful and unforgettable visual experience.Continuation to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with exceptionally valuable medieval frescoes.Arrival in Ruse. Lunch.In the afternoon, departure for Sveshtari to visit the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This royal tomb from the 4th century BC is unique for its stone caryatids and its astronomical symbolism, reflecting the profound spiritual knowledge of the Thracians.Return and overnight in Ruse.
After breakfast, panoramic tour of Ruse, known as “Little Vienna” for its elegant Central European architecture.Departure towards Lovech, one of the most picturesque towns in Bulgaria. Here we will visit the famous Covered Bridge over the Osam River, built by master builder Kolyo Ficheto and the only one of its kind in the Balkans. Crossing it feels like stepping back in time.Lunch.Continuation towards Sofia.Accommodation and overnight in the capital.
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for departure.End of the journey.
