Self-drive weelend tour in Central Bulgaria

Arrive in Sofia, pickup the rental car, transfer to your hotel. You can spend the day visiting the city, overnight in the hotel.

Distance:220 km.

Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the second Bulgarian kingdom in the 13th and 14th centuries. The meandering Yantra River divides picturesque Tsarevets medieval fortress from the ancient houses perched on the opposite sides of the hills. But besides being a royal city, Veliko Tarnovo was the most important spiritual center of the time. Proof of this are the numerous monasteries of the area, such as the Monastery of Transfiguration which certainly deserves your attention, whose church was painted by the Renaissance painter Zahari Zograf.

Near Veliko Tarnovo lies Arbanasi which, with its center made up of wooden houses, represents the typical Bulgarian Renaissance architecture of the rich artisan and commercial village of the 17th and 18th centuries. There are many churches in the village, the most important is the Nativity Church because of its precious frescoes of the 17th centuries. Possible detours for tourist optional visits include:

Etropolski Monastery founded in the 12th century. Its activity decayed after the conquer of Bulgaria by the Turks, but at the end of the 16th century it was rebuilt and became one of the most important spiritual centers of the Bulgarian territory. The monastery and surrounds offer a pleasant bucolic sight and right below the waterfall lies beautiful Varovitets fall.

Glozhenski Monastery founded during the second Bulgarian kingdom. Built on top of an inaccessible cliff, it looks like a fortress in the distance. It played an important educational role over the centuries, here the Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski found refuge. From the terrace of the monastery you can enjoy a splendid panorama on the valley of Vit River and picturesque Teteven mountain.

Saeva Dupka Cave is one of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria. 205 m long and over 1 million years old. Its five halls and many galleries are full of bizarre rock formations, it is lit and easy to visit. Opening hours: from 9 am to 6 pm.

Lovech town has preserved the atmosphere of the Bulgarian Renaissance in one of its central districts: Varosha architectural reserve. Kolyu Ficheto built a covered bridge above Osam River dividing the town in two in 1874 and on one of its hills you can see the towering ruins of the old Lovech fortress.

Troyan Monastery is the third largest monastery in Bulgaria, it was founded around 1600 and the relic of the monastery is the miraculous icon of Troerouchitsa Virgin (meaning "three-handed"). The villages around Troyan town are famous for the numerous ceramic shops.

The road between Gabrovo and Kazanlak crosses Stara Planina, rising and falling with many turns. The route crosses the Rose Valley, where the famous Bulgarian rose oil is produced. The surrounding area is known as Valley of the Kings, with graves and ancient treasures which are among the most precious archaeological findings of the Bulgarian territory. One of these graves, open to visitor, is Kazanlak's grave which is the largest and best preserved in Thrace, with frescoes from the 4th-3rd century BC. Kazanlak is also known as a city of artists, since here many of the best Bulgarian artists were born and you can admire their paintings in the city's museums.

Possible detours for optional tourist visits:

Dryanovo Monasetry is located in the deep canyon of Dryanovo River. Under its rocks, during the April Uprising in 1876, the rebels fought againts the Turkish Army. Near the monastery lies "Bacho Kiro" cave, bearing the name of one of the leaders of the revolt in Turnovo area.

Bozhentsite is a small village, declared architectural and historic reserve because of its multi-floor wooden houses with large verandahs, roofs with stone slabs and carved wooden ceilings. Pleasant facilities for relaxing in this area include the restaurants offering traditional Bulgarian dishes.

Gabrovo is famous for the role played as an industrial center in Bulgaria in the mid 19th century, but even more for the supposed greed of its inhabitants and their sense of humour. The city hosts the annual Festival of Humor and Satire. In the suburbs of Gabrovo lies an ethnographic complex, a sort of "outdoor museum" which presents the traditional artisan shops of the past. Opening times are from 9 am to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays.

At Shipka Pass one of the most decisive battles of the Russian- Turkish war took place in 1878, which brought to the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman rule. The heroism of the Russian soldiers and the Bulgarian volunteers who defeated enemies that were more numerous and stronger is celebrated in the monument temple on Stolotev mountain. Near the city, at the foot of the mountain, lies the beautiful Nativity Church, built in memory of the deceased.

In spite of the short transfers, the road is quite winding since it passes between to mountains: Stara Planina and Sredna Gora.

Detours for optional tourist visits are possible. Following this itinerary you can visit three picturesque towns which have become part of Bulgarian history as birthplaces of three of the greates men of the Bulgarian Renaissance in the 19th century. In Kalofer Hristo Botev was born, a poet and a revolutionary, in Karlovo Vasil Levski the Apostle of Freedom and organizer of the revolution network was born and in Sopot Ivzan Vazov, the patriarch of Bulgarian literature was born. The three towns are located in a marvellous scenery at the foot of the highest part of Stara Planina.

Not far is also Klisura, another town which was active in the April Uprising against the Ottoman empire. In the centers of these towns you can find small neighbourhoods and districts with traditional old houses, community centers and religious buildings. But the most interesting, beautiful and important city of the Renaissance is Koprivshtitsa. Its peculiar architecture, its colorful houses, the paved raods and ancient churches supported the national spirit during the economic and spiritual renaissance of the country. Koprivshtitsa thus became the symbol of the reviving nation. Here revolutionaries such as Todor Kableshkov and G. Benkovski were born, as well as writers Gerov and Lyuben Karavelov, or the poet Dimcho Debelyanov. Their native houses are open to the public.

Arrive at Sofia airport at least 150 minutes before the flight. Car delivery and departure.