Undiscovered Bulgaria - Autumn Whispers

DAY 1

UK flight departures direct from UK to Sofia, transfer to your hotel, dinner and overnight. It is possible to reach Sofia by train from the UK with overnight stays in Munich, Budapest and Bucharest. From Birmingham, direct, you need to go out on Monday 5 October for two pre-tour nights in Sofia.

DAY 2

Morning tour of Sofia, free time for lunch. Transfer to the railway station and take the afternoon train from Sofia to Karlukovo (via Iskar gorge). Arrival at Karlukovo train station, transfer to Lukovit. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. If time permits - possible short walk in the 'Golden Park' of Lukovit.

DAY 3

Jeep tour to Prohodna cave (The Eyes of God). Transfer from Lukovit to Lovech. Walking tour in the centre, see the covered bridge - one of Bulgaria's most charming architectural treasures - a rare wooden bridge lined with small artisan shops, stretching gracefully over the Osam River. The only covered bridge of its kind in the Balkans.

Transfer to the train station for train to Troyan. Arrival around 14:10, time in the centre of Troyan for lunch. Afternoon visit of the local factory for production of rakia (a strong fruit brandy popular in many Balkan countries, especially Bulgaria). Transfer to Sevlievo, dinner and overnight at your hotel.

DAY 4

Visit the Pumpkin Festival in Sevlievo which is an annual celebration held every October, blending local agricultural pride with cultural festivities. It centres around the symbolic role of pumpkins in the region, which even earned Sevlievo the playful nickname 'Tikvenburg' ('Pumpkinburg'). Late afternoon visit to Veliko Turnovo - the medieval capital city of Bulgaria, picturesquely located on 4 hills above Yantra river. For those who have visited Veliko before we have a wine-tasting with snacks. Back to Sevlievo, dinner and overnight.

DAY 5

Coach transfer from Sevlievo to Debelets. Take the train to Tryavna museum town, crossing the Balkan Mountain range. Time in Tryavna for sightseeing and visit the museum of woodcarving. In the afternoon - take the train to Stara Zagora. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

DAY 6

Transfer to the train station, take the morning train from Stara Zagora to Dimitrovgrad - and then Podkova, the southernmost train station in Bulgaria, located in the village of Podkova in Kardzhali Province. It serves as the terminus of the Dimitrovgrad-Haskovo-Kardzhali-Podkova line, known affectionately as the 'Rhodope Caterpillar' due to its slow, scenic route through the mountains. Transfer to Zlatograd, the southernmost town in Bulgaria, situated just 2km from the Greek border. Check in at your hotel and relax, time to enjoy the spa complex and swimming pool with mineral water.

DAY 7

Morning visit of Zlatograd Ethnographic Areal Complex, is a unique open-air living museum, blending history, crafts, and local life. It includes classic Revival-style houses, historical exhibits, working workshops (tailor, braider, saddler, blacksmith, goldsmith, copper, woodcraft, pottery, weaving) and active water-powered mills (fulling, tucking, and grain mills). Transfer with the coach to Plovdiv, with stops for sightseeing en route - Smolyan, Assnovgrad, Bachkovo Monastery (TBC). Arrival in Plovdiv. Check in at your hotel. Evening walking tour of Plovdiv or free time if you have visited Plovdiv before.

DAY 8

Transfer from Plovdiv to Koprivshtitsa museum town. Lying on the Topolnitsa River among the Sredna Gora mountains it is known for its authentic Bulgarian architecture and for its folk music festivals. Walking tour and free time for lunch. Train from Koprivshtitsa to Sofia. Farewell dinner with folklore program.

DAY 9

Free time and departure transfers for flights to Stansted, Birmingham and Luton. For Heathrow you have a post-tour night in Sofia and fly back on Friday 16 October. For Liverpool you have two post-tour nights in Sofia and fly back on Saturday 17 October.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner