My friend Oriana has been backpacking Europe for about a month now, read her blog here. Today, she is coming to Sofia, and I have prepared for her an epic 10-day trip in Bulgaria full of cultural, natural, historic, and party destinations. I’m uploading our itinerary here and hope that it will give you ideas for your own journey. Check back for updates and photos from our adventure!
Thursday
Oriana arrives. Evening sightseeing in Sofia.
Friday
Seven Rila Lakes – day of hiking (read my previous post about this magical place and my post about the White Brotherhood that convenes there). Evening sightseeing in Sofia.
Saturday
International bagpipe festival in Gela Village, near Shiroka Luka, Smolyan. Night in Gela visitor’s house.
Sunday
May stay for the second day of the festival in the morning. Visiting nearby Trigrad Gorge, Yagodinska cave, Dyavolsko Gurlo Cave (Devil’s Throat) – read my previous post about it, and Chudnite Mostove rock formation. Night in Plovdiv.
Monday
Morning sightseeing inPlovdiv: Renaissance town and ancient Roman amphitheatre. Traditional arts and crafts at Etar village. Night in Veliko Turnovo in the most beautiful old house in town.
Tuesday
A day in Veliko Turnovo, the ancient Bulgarian capital: the castle, the river, the market. The Preobrazhen monastery. Maybe visit nearby Arbanasi and Bozhentsi, two villages of rich architectural heritage.
Wednesday
A day at Sunny Beach sea resort, the Ibiza of the Balkans! 
Thursday
Second day at Sunny Beach and the near-by town of Sozopol. At night, an Armin Van Bruuen concert at Cacao Beach– the gran finale of the Solar Summer Fest!
Friday
Morning in the port city of Burgas (unfortunately a day ahead of the Spirit of Burgas festival) – the sand figures exhibition. Night at Hisarya – visiting the mineral springs Roman Baths and the Roman ruins.
Saturday
Visiting Starosel near Hisarya in the morning – the Starosel Winery and the Thracian temple ruins. Back in Sofia.
Sunday
Sofia by day. Oriana doesn’t want to leave in the afternoon.
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December 28, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Bulgarian Excursions
Looks a nice program. The country has old and very rich culture. The nature is varoius and wonderful, a lot of historical sites. One can really combine a holiday with some cutural trips and excursions.