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7days/6 nights
Specific Tour
16 people
English
With that promise begins your train tour adventure on the most scenic railway lines across Bulgaria.
There are different ways to explore Bulgaria but travelling by train is undoubtedly the most exciting one. If you want to see the landscape of the country, meet friendly people, and feel the wind in your hair through an open window, then this train tour will definitely fascinate you.
This slow-ride train tour is the best way to discover Bulgaria’s painted monasteries, traditional villages, cultural landmarks and picturesque nature. And all that, independently and car-free, enjoying the railways of Bulgaria. You will explore Europe’s oldest city, the medieval capital Veliko Tarnovo and feel the spirit of the past in the museum town Tryavna. From the lively capital city of Sofia to small charming villages, we guarantee that Bulgaria will easily amaze you. You will immerse in the scenic lands of the most beautiful mountain ranges: the Rhodope, Rila and Pirin.
Join a small private guided group starting from 4 people with an English speaking guide all year round.
Hurry up! Book now and experience the best of Bulgaria in a 7-day Train Tour. Special rates are available by 29th February 2020.
You will embark on a magical train journey through one of the most romantic and beautiful railways in Europe. Known as the Alpine railway on the Balkans, the Septemvri–Dobrinishte line is the only operating narrow-gauge railway in Bulgaria. The combination of unique nature and technical decisions in the building of the railways makes Rhodope narrow-gauge railway a masterpiece and one of a kind tourist destination in Europe. The European Railway Guide ranks it as one of the “Most interesting railway routes in Europe”.
Bulgaria on a train tour brings unforgettable memories and charges you with emotions that make you appreciate the little things in life.
This will be a 7-day guided tour where your tour guide will arrange the purchase of tickets, pick-up, drop-off and all grand transfers for your convenience. All you need is to relax and enjoy your train journey.
On arrival at Sofia Airport, a company representative will greet you and take you to your accommodation in the city centre of Sofia.
Tonight, you dine on your own, before the drink meet up.
At 21:00, the group will meet up in the hotel lobby and go for a welcome drink with the tour leader. This is a perfect occasion to meet up with your tour guide and fellow travel companions for the next 6 days.
Included:
• Travel by car: 30 minutes
• Overnight stay: Rosslyn Central Park Hotel 4* or similar, Sofia
• Meals included: N/A
At 09:15, your guide will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer you to the railway station. Travel by train to Veliko Tarnovo - the medieval capital of Bulgaria. It is often referred as the "City of Tsars". Your guide will pick you up to presents you one of the most picturesque historical settlements in Europe. You will enjoy a great view from the hill-fortress of Tsarevets and take some great photos before you move on to Baldwin's Tower. Take a stroll through Samovodska Charshia marketplace, with its narrow winding cobbled streets, where you will encounter various craft workshops.
Included:
• Travel by train: 4 hours and 30 minutes
• Overnight stay: Grand Hotel Yantra 4* or similar, Veliko Tarnovo
• Meals included: breakfast
Today your journey starts at 08:00, when your guide will pick you up after breakfast. Special train on the route Veliko Tarnovo – Tryavna – Kazanlak. It crosses the Balkan Mountain range at one of its highest and beautiful parts. You will explore the small picturesque town of Tryavna with your tour guide. Hidden in the Balkan Mountains and famous for its woodcarving traditions and authentic Revival architecture, Tryavna will impress you. Feel the spirit of the past and visit the wood-carved sun-ceilings of "Daskalova" house. The Clock Tower – one of the symbols of Tryavna, stands in the centre of the town. The Old Bridge is another interesting monument you will visit.
Your journey continues to Kazanlak, famous as the Rose Valley and Thracian kings. Your guide will pick you up from the train station to visit the Rose Museum. This the only museum in the world, dedicated to the oil-yielding plant – rose. You may learn interesting facts about the cultivation of Rosa Damascena, the rose harvest and the rose distillation process itself.
Included:
• Travel by train: 2 hours and 41 minutes
• Overnight stay: Hotel Palas 4*or similar, Kazanlak
• Meals: breakfast
On this day, your guide will pick you up at 08:00. The route Kazanlak - Plovdiv is exciting and beautiful. One of the great things about travelling by train in Bulgaria is the landscape, which is different from the one you will see if you are travelling by car. During this journey, you will enjoy huge valleys and fields that gradually turn into hills, before taking you to another fantastic city - Plovdiv.
After lunch you will enjoy a walking tour along the longest pedestrian street in Europe. Known as the City of the seven hills, it is one of the oldest cities in Europe, founded about 8 000 years ago. Today’s Plovdiv is a cultural centre of Bulgaria and European Capital of Culture in 2019. Plovdiv’s appeal derives mainly from its lovely Old town, largely restored to its mid-19th century appearance. You will take a photo with the Ancient Amphitheatre, the Ethnographic Museum and you will end up visiting the fashionable Kapana art district. You will also enjoy the stunning views from the top of Archaeological Complex Nebet Tepe.
Included:
• Travel by train: 4 hours and 21 minutes
• Overnight stay: Clepsydra Residence 4* or similar, Plovdiv
• Meals: breakfast
Today will be a special day for all nature lovers. You will experience one of the most romantic journeys not only in Bulgaria but also in Europe. You will embark on a magical time travel through the wonderland of Bulgaria’s wild nature, 35 tunnels, precipices, and valleys. The Rhodope narrow-gauge railway is passing through the three most beautiful mountains – the Rhodope, Rila, and Pirin. You will immerse in breathtaking scenery while being on board a comfy and warm Little train saloon.
You will be picked up at Костандово (Kostandovo) station to visit a workshop for hand-woven carpets making their way on the scene of Harry Poter movie. The next stop is a step back in time with the largest paleontological site in the Balkans. In the centre of the exhibition hall, you can see the towering life-sized model of a mammoth – a truly impressive sight! Finally, you will visit the medieval fortress Tsepina, which was a famous Thracian settlement during the Middle Ages.
The rest of the day you will relax and indulge in pure pampering spa at your hotel in Dobrinishte.
Included:
• Travel by train: 5 hours and 27 minutes
• Overnight stay: Ruskovets Thermal SPA & Ski Resort 4* or similar, Dobrinishte
• Meals: breakfast
On this day you will explore the most famous winter resort in Bulgaria – Bansko. You will visit the Bansko Permanent Icon Exhibition housed in the oldest preserved buildings in the town. Next stop is the Holy Trinity church, which is a symbol of Bansko and brightest achievement of the Renaissance culture.
You will head towards Rila Monastery (UNESCO site), the largest monastery in Bulgaria, located at 1150m. Admire arcaded balconies, unique frescoes, azure fretwork, colonnades, facades combined with a fantastic panorama of mountain peaks.
You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore Sofia at your leisure. You can do some shopping, relax at a café on Vitosha street or buy souvenirs.
Then, in the evening, you will gather for a wine tasting in the city centre. This is a wonderful chance to share your favourite memories from this amazing tour.
Included:
• Travel by car: 3 hours and 30 minutes
• Overnight stay: Rosslyn Central Park Hotel 4* or similar, Sofia
• Meals: breakfast
When it is finally time for your trip to end, you will be transferred to Sofia Airport, about three hours before your flight.
Included:
• Travel by car: 30 minutes
• Overnight stay: N/A
• Meals included: breakfast
• Single room use for 155 EUR per person (If you are a single traveller and do not wish to share a double room with another traveller of the same gender, select Single room use available on our Extras)
• Add 6 dinners (three-course meal: salad, main dish and dessert) - 99 EUR per person
• Snacks (sandwich, water and fruits) - 5 EUR per package
• Personal medical insurance for 10 EUR per adult up to 65 years (available on our Extras). For adults aged 65 and above, please contact us by email
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