Balkan Tour: Bulgaria - Greece - Turkey

12 Days, Multiple Departures

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Balkan Tour: Bulgaria - Greece - Turkey
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This 12 days Balkan tour: Bulgaria – Greece – Turkey will take you on a journey through Centuries. You will discover the charm of the Balkan peninsula with unique traditions and customs in combination of great local cuisine with delicious traditional food.

Experience the rich tapestry of history and culture as you journey through the Balkans on this 12-day tour. From the ancient ruins of Bulgaria to the vibrant streets of Greece and the exotic allure of Turkey, each destination offers a glimpse into the region's diverse heritage. Explore centuries-old landmarks, wander through bustling bazaars, and indulge in the flavors of traditional cuisine, immersing yourself in the unique customs and traditions of each country along the way.

About

Small group departure with up to 18 participants.

Returning transport will be by coach from pick up point and drop off point.

Ferry - return tickets, road, highway, ferry, border taxes, and parking lots.

11 x nights in a 3-star hotel HB.

Breakfast.

Dinner.

Visit to the Thassos island.
Visit the natural phenomenon of Gyola beach.
Visit the monastery of St. Archangel Michael, the protector of the island.
Visit the o Aliki Beach.
Visit the ancient city of Agora.
Visit to the Panagia (old capital of Thassos).
Visit to the church in Panagia.
Visit a refinery for the production of olive oil and olive products.

Visit the royal tombs of Philip II of Macedon in Vergina.
Walking tour in the town of Thessaloniki, Journey through Centuries.
Visit to the Ano Poli, the walls of Thessaloniki.
Visit to the Aristotelous Square.
Visit to the Agios Dimitrios Church.
Visit to the White Tower.
Visit to the ladadika.

Town of Kavala. The city of Kavala is built on a hillside along the coast of the Aegean sea, a cultural crossroad between the East and West.
Discover the town of Canakkale. 
– Visit to the ancient city of Troy.
– Visit museume of Troy.
– Visit the Trojan horse used in the movie with Brad Pitt.
– Visit the ancian city of Assos.

Visit to the town of Sofia - Sofia tour.
Visit to the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Rotunda Saint George.
Discover Complex Ancient Serdica.
Unravel National Institute of Archaeology.

Discover to the Town of Plovdiv.
Ancient Forum and the Odeon.
Ancient Roman Stadium.
Archaeological and Historical Complex of Old town of Plovdiv.
Ancient Theatre.
Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum.
Archaeological complex on the Nebet Tepe (one of the hills of Plovdiv).The earliest settlements on Nebet Tepe are dated back to 4000 BC.
Kapana District - Craft street.
Discover the ancient Asen’s Fortress.
Visit to the Bachkovo Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

Visit to the Rila Monasetry – one of the symbols of Bulgaria.

Architectural and Ethnographic Town of Melnik.

Visit to the monument of the Holy Mother of God. The biggest Virgin Mary statue in the world.

Visit to the Rupite. Natural springs with thermal water.

Discover the antique town of Heraclea Sintica. 

Discover the Rozhen Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God.

Profesional local guide included.

Personal expenses.

Flights.

Insurance.

Food:

Our guests can choose from different diets, including vegetarian, Jain or non-vegetarian (Halal will not always be available) meals. Passengers should advise the tour representative of their preferred diet on day one. The meals are pre-set buffet, and a choice of menu is not available.

Dinners are usually provided within the hotel or restaurant. You should always consult member of our staff if you have any allergy to the ingredients of the dishes or you not sure of what ingredients a dish contains.

Accommodation

Spa and wellness:
- Guest can enjoy thermal mineral water, unique style and first class facilities. Among the offered therapies you can try between classic and wine treatment. Each is offering one of a kind pleasure for the senses as well as heath benefits.

Selected hotels

Please wear comfortable hiking boots, warm clothes, dry food, water, raincoat.

Windproof and waterproof jacket.

Extra garment (fleece).

Water bottle at least 1 liter.

Hat/towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, raincoat.

Insole (optional).

In bad weather conditions the program can be shortened or replaced.

Travelers should have a moderate to good level of physical fitness.

In case of medical issues or allergies you should always consult your tour representative if you are not sure of what ingredients a dish contains.

Mandatory requirement for tourists – Before the start of each mountain hike, clients receive instruction from a licensed mountain guide and undertake to comply with the instructions given to them.

Changes in the program are possible, based on objective factors, mostly of meteorological nature.

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About The Host

We are happy to offer you high-quality tours and holiday packages. As experts in sightseeing and driven by quality services, our tours and holiday packages are the best ways to immerse you in the traditions of Bulgarian land.

Itinerary

Day 1

From Sofia – our team will be waiting to greet you at the Airport or the parking lot behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Alternatively, you can arrange your pick up point in advance with a member of our booking team.

Sofia tour. Visit the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Rotunda Saint George, Discover Complex Ancient Serdica, and Unravel the National Institute of Archaeology.

Transfer to the hotel in the town of Sofia.

Check-in at the hotel and free time.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 2

Today after breakfast we depart towards Rila Monastery.

Visit to the Rila Monasetry – one of the symbols of Bulgaria and a popular tourist destination. The monastery lies in the recesses of Rila Mountain between Rilska and Drushlyavitsa Rivers, at 1147 m above mean sea level. Throughout the centuries Rila Monastery has always been the spiritual, educational and cultural centre of Bulgaria. The monastery is a part of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.

Departing towards town of Melnik.

Tour in town of Melnik – Architectural and Ethnographic Town of Melnik

Keeps more then 5,000 years tradition and history of producing wine. The locals (Thracian) the legends say: that Melnik were the Thracian city, and more particularly the Thracian tribe Maedi, of which the legendary rebel Spartacus originated. Also famous in entire Europe for its finest wine, since with which it is famous even nowadays.

Check in at the hotel, free time.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 3

Today after the breakfast we will continue our adventure in the area, departing towards Rupite.

Visit Rupite – the memorial temple “St. Petka of Bulgaria”. The Bulgarian mystic Baba Vanga lived and was buried here.

Discover the antique town of Heraclea Sintica. There are ruins of representative buildings of the ancient city were built with great grace, the city layout was constructed in accordance with the principles of the Hippodamian Plan. A part of the city basilica was also preserved, where various litigation were resolved.

Coins and two votive tablets of Heracles and Artemis were discovered. Heraclea Sintica was an ancient Greek polis built by Philip II of Macedon.

Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant in the town of Melnik while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.

Short transfer to the Rozhen Monastery.

Discover the Rozhen Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God – it is the biggest monastery in Pirin Mountain.

Short transfer to the town of Melnik.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 4

Today after breakfast we check out from the hotel and depart towards town of Vegrina, Greece.
Transfer to town of Vegrina, Greece.
Visit to the royal tombs of Philip II of Macedon in Vergina.
Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant in the town of Melnik while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.
Tranfer to the town of Thessaloniki.
Walking tour in town of Thessaloniki, Journey through Centuries.
Visit to the Ano Poli, the walls of Thessaloniki.
Visit to the Aristotelous Square.
Visit to the Agios Dimitrios Church.
Visit to the White Tower.
Visit to the ladadika.
Check in at the hotel, free time.
Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 5

Today after breakfast we check out from the hotel and depart towards town of Kavala.

Transfer to the town of Kavala.

Walking tour on town of Kavala. The city of Kavala is built on a hillside along the coast of the Aegean sea, a cultural crossroad between the East and West.
Visit to the Panagia neighbourhood (Palia Poli – Old Town).

Visit to the 15th c. Castle.

Visit to the historical Imaret building (1817), donated by Mehmet Ali.

Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant in the town of Melnik while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.

Visit to the Eleftheria Square, follow Megalou Alexandrou (Alexander the Great) pedestrian street, which ends up at Kapnergati square, where you will come across a large number of cafes and bars, and Omonia Street where you will enjoy shopping.

Boarding the ferry to Thassos island.

Check in at the hotel in Thassos island, free time.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 6

Today after breakfast we head out for our first adventure on the island.

We will visit the natural phenomenon Gyola beach. It’s not exactly a beach, it’s a naturally carved pool from the sea in the rocky shore.

Transfer to the monastery of St. Archangel Michael, protector of the island.

Visit to the monastery.

Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant in the town of Melnik while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.

Transfer to Aliki Beach – Mermaid Bay, free time.

Transfer back to hotel.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 7

Today after breakfast we will continue our adventure in the region.

Short transfer to the ancient Agora in the town of Limenas. The Archaeological Museum, the Amphitheater.

Visit to the ancient city of Agora.

Short transfer to the Panagia (old capital of Thassos).

Walking tour in a city, visit  to the church in Panagia.

Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant in the town of Melnik while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.

Visit to a refinery for the production of olive oil and olive products.

Short transfer to the near beach, free time.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 8

Today after breakfast we check out from the hotel and depart towards town of Canakkale (Turkey).

Short transfer to the ferry.

Boarding the ferry and departure to the town of Keramoti.

Departing towards Canakkale (Turkey).

Walking tour with discussion at the town of Canakkale. 

Visit the Trojan horse used in the movie with Brad Pitt.

Transfer to the hotel.

Check in at the hotel in Canakkale, free time.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 9

Today after breakfast we will continue our adventure in the region.

Depart towards the ancient city of Troy.

Discover the ancient city of Troy. Tour and discussion in a ancient city.

Visit museume of Troy. 

Lunch amidst the captivating tranquility in the area.

Visit the ancian city of Assos.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 10

Today after breakfast we check out from the hotel and depart towards town of Haskovo (Bulgaria).

Departure towards Bulgaria.

Crossing the Kapitan Andreevo – Kapakule border checkpoint and departure for Bulgaria.

Arrived at the town of Haskovo.

Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant in the town of Melnik while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.

Visit to the monument of the Holy Mother of God. The biggest Virgin Mary statue in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. It is part of the 100 national tourist sites in Bulgaria.

Transfer to the town of Plovdiv.

Check in at the hotel in town of Plovdiv, free time.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 11

Today after breakfast we will discover the Town of Plovdiv – Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe – the beginning of its history dates back to 6,000 BC. In ancient times Thracians inhabited the Three Hills and built a fortified settlement, which was the largest city in Thrace. During the 4th century BC Plovdiv was conquered by Phillip of Macedonia.

Sightseeing tour with discusion includes:
Ancient Forum and the Odeon.
Ancient Roman Stadium.
Archaeological and Historical Complex of Old town of Plovdiv.
Ancient Theatre.
Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum.
Archaeological complex on the Nebet Tepe (one of the hills of Plovdiv).The earliest settlements on Nebet Tepe are dated back to 4000 BC.
Kapana District – Craft street.

Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.
Discover the ancient Asen’s Fortress, amongst the most notable examples of Medieval Christian Architecture with frescoes dating back to the 13th c. The church is one of the oldest in all of Eastern Orthodoxy and has a tower once used as a belfry and watchtower.

Visit to the Bachkovo Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos. You will learn about the creativity of Zahary Zograf (1810-1853), a famous Bulgarian painter of the Bulgarian National Revival, noted for his church mural paintings and icons and often regarded as the founder of secular art in Bulgaria due to the introduction of everyday life elements in his work.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Day 12

Today after breakfast, check out from the hotel.
Transfer to the Airport or you can  arranged your Drop off point in advance with member of our booking team.

We are glad that we spent memorable moments together and we will be happy to meet you soon!

Things to keep in mind

Cancellation and Refunds for scheduled tours:

When a passenger wishes to make a cancellation of a 1-day scheduled tour the following charges apply:

Within 48 hours of the 1 day tours departure, no refund will be given.
- Up to 48 hours before the 1 day tours departure, a 75% refund of the tour price will be given.

When a passenger wishes to make a cancellation of a multi-day, and holiday scheduled tour the following charges apply:
- From 7 to 14 days of the tour departure, no refund will be given.
- From 14 to 30 days before the tour departure, a 25% refund of the tour price will be given.
- From 30 to 45 days before the tour departure, a 50% refund of the tour price will be given.

We reserve the right to cancel trips under exceptional circumstances such as those out with of our control. In such cases clients will be promptly informed and offered:
- Transfer to a substitute trip or tour, or an alternative trip or if the tour is a lower cash value clients will receive a cash adjustment refund.

Cancellation and Refunds for private tours:

The 20% deposit is forfeited on any cancellation, which must be notified to the company in writing by e-mail or post, and sent via recorded delivery.
Where the balance owing on a tour is not paid prior to the two week deadline then the company reserves the right to cancel the tour and forfeit the deposit.
Where notification of cancellation has been received less than two weeks prior to the commencement of a tour the following schedule of refunds will apply:
- 14 days before start – 75% of balance
- 14-10 days before start – 50% of balance
- 10-0 days before start – NIL

Activ Retreats reserves the right to cancel trips under exceptional circumstances. In such cases clients will be promptly informed and offered :
- Transfer to a substitute trip or tour.
- An alternative trip or tour which if a lower cash value will include a cash adjustment refund.

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