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HISTORIC BULGARIA Bulgarian history can be traced back to the Neolithic period. Its’ progress through history was influenced by the Thracians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. The first Bulgarian Empire, 681 A.D., dominated most of the Balkans during the middle ages but fell to the Ottomans who then ruled for over five centuries. During the wars of the 20th century it was aligned with Germany but became a part of the Communist Bloc until, like most of its neighbors, in 1989 began its change into the wonderful democracy it is today. This beautiful exotic nation boasts mountains and sublime beaches, winter sports, historic cities and monuments, and wonderful warm and helpful people. OUR CLASSIC GOLF COURSES St. Sofia Golf Club This modern Paul McGinley-signature course near Sofia offers breathtaking mountain views and challenges to all levels of golfers.   Pravets Golf Course This park land course, located near the popular lake town of Pravets, is a Peter Harradene championship design. In addition to its spectacular mountain views it boasts an island green and a double green- a feature often attributed to St. Andrews. This course, renowned for its condition of play, has hosted the European PGA Championship three times, The Bulgarian Open, and many EGA tournaments.   Thracian Cliffs Golf Course Framed by rugged coastal cliffs and the vast blue of the “Black Sea” this 18 hole Gary Player-Signature course is one of the most dramatic golf courses on earth. Multiple tees allow players of all levels to be both challenged in their play and inspired by the incredible views bestowing a truly exhilarating golf experience.   Black Sea Rama Golf Club This is a special golf course that you have to see to believe-a links course with endless sea views. Gary Player created this magnificent classic course with the player in mind to provide a fair test of high class golf, and the course was voted the best new International course in 2009. The wind may blow but the sun shines 280+ days per year and the stunning design provides for a wonderful round of golf.   DAY 1 Arriving at Sofia airport in the morning you will be met by your guide and taken to check in at your hotel the 4* Best Western Premier Thracia Hotel (or similar). In the afternoon you will be taken on a walking tour in in the city center of Sofia. This will include a visit to St. Nedelya Church dating to the 10th Century, the Presidential Administration building, St. George Rotunda and more. You will then return to your hotel for an evening at leisure to rest up from your journey and have dinner on your own. DAY 2 (B,D) After breakfast in the hotel: Golfers: You will be taken to play 18 holes at St. Sofia Golf Club & SPA a short drive from the city center. Non-golfers: This morning you will be taken on a guided visit of the Sofia city center; here you will see the Cathedral of Alexander Nevski, the Archeological Museum and much more. Golfers and Non – golfers: In the afternoon both groups will join back together in the southern part of Sofia near to the beautiful mountain Vitosha. Here you will visit two cultural treasures: The National History Museum, one of the largest and richest history museums on the Balkan Peninsula, houses more than 700,000 cultural monuments representing the history of the present Bulgarian lands from the period 8,000 years ago to the present day. The main museum exhibition is presented in five halls: Prehistory, Ancient Thrace, and the middle Ages – First (7th-11th century) and Second Bulgarian Empire (12th - 14th century), the Bulgarian lands in the 15th - 19th century and the Third Bulgarian Empire (1878 to the present day).   Boyana Church of St. Nicholas and St. Pantaleimon situated at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, it is one of the few medieval monuments of Christian art that have survived until the present day. The church was built in three stages: first stage – 11th century, second stage – mid-13th century, and third stage - mid-19th century. This church owes its global fame mainly to the wall paintings of 1259, which demonstrate the exceptional achievements of the Bulgarian medieval culture. Each of more than 240 figures depicted in the church has unique individuality and high artistic value. After these cultural visits you will be taken for dinner to a restaurant in the nearby mountains that features great native Bulgarian food dishes and a folklore show featuring dancers who dance on fiery coals. DAY 3 (B) This morning, after breakfast you will check out of the hotel for a one hour drive to Pravets Golf Resort. Golfers: You will play a round of golf at Pravets Golf Resort- a Peter Harradine design. Non – golfers: You will be given a ticket for entrance to the thermal zone of the SPA center of the hotel RIU Pravets for use of: Saunas - Finnish, Russian, Herbal, the steam bath, salted and aroma steam bath relaxing area, the warm room for aqua-relaxation, and use of hot indoor swimming pool. (Changing area, lockers and towels available) Golfers and Non – golfers: After completion of your golf round your group will depart to Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria. On the way you will stop for a visit of the Troyan Monastery “The Assumption of Mary”. The Troyan Monastery, as a monastery complex, is the third largest in Bulgaria, and a national remarkable and significant monument of culture. Situated in the beautiful valley of the river Cherni Osam, according to the historical documents, the monastery was first founded in 1600 and reconstructed in the period 1830 – 1865 in its present architectural style that is associated with the School of Revival. In the evening you will arrive in Veliko Tarno, to check in at the 4* Hotel Yantra (or similar) and be free for dinner on your own.   The town, Veliko Tarno dating back more than five thousand years, is one of the oldest in the country. The most significant monument of culture in Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval fortress Tsarevets, is situated on the homonymous peak surrounded on three sides by the river Yantra. Archaeological excavations show that although Tsarevets is surrounded by a fortified wall, it was not a closed fortress, but a real medieval town, in the center of which are found: the Palace, the church “St. Petka”, and multiple interesting residential and economic buildings, water reservoirs and battle towers. The Patriarch’s residence was situated on the highest part of Tsarevets, with the Patriarch’s church- “The Ascension of Christ” in close proximity. DAY 4 (B L) Golfers and Non - Golfers: Today you will be treated to a day of adventure. After breakfast in the hotel your group will depart on an excursion to the Architectural and Ethnographic complex Etara, travel on to the heart of the “Rose” to visit a distiller of famous rose oils, and then visit the Kazanlak Tomb. Located on the edge of the town of Gabrovo lies the Architectural and Ethnographic Complex Etar, an open air museum that presents the architecture and the style of life in Gabrovo and the region during the second half of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. We will stop for lunch (included) after the visit to a distillery for rose oils. After this tour you will return to your hotel for dinner on your own. DAY 5 (B) Today you will again as a group be immersed in the Bulgarian culture while touring Veliko Tarnovo and the Sveshtarska Thracian Royal Tomb. In Veliko Tarnovo you will be taken on a guided tour of the city center, visit the medieval fortress Tsarevets, the Multimedia visitor center "Tsarevgrad Tarnovo" (Notable sculptures and paintings present historical figures and events from the period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom ) and if time permits a visit to one of the medieval churches. Your group will then depart for the journey to the Black sea coast. On the way you will stop to visit another famous tomb-the Sveshtarska Thracian Royal Tomb. This is in a unique complex consisting of settlements, temples and necropolises dating back to antiquity. The royal tomb is the most significant archaeological find on the historical and archaeological reservation of Sboryanovo. You will then on to Balchik to check in at the 4* Hotel Regina Maria (or similar) Day 6 (B D) Golfers: Today you will play a round of Golf at Thracian Cliffs Golf Club-a Gary Player design and one of the most dramatic on earth. "You will not find a golf course like this anywhere else on the planet."   Non – golfers: Today you will visit an area of small villages, and have time to explore either the town of Kavarna or Balchik. before being taken to lunch in a typical local restaurant (3-course meal without drinks-included). Golfers and Non-golfers: After golf and lunch your group will visit Varna the sea capital of Bulgaria and have a guided tour of the city center including the cathedral “The Assumption of Holy Mother”, Clock tower, the Sea Garden and much more before being taken to dinner in a great traditional restaurant. DAY 7 (B, L) Breakfast in the morning. Golfers: Today you will have an early round of golf at Black Sea Rama Golf Club-a Gary Player design. Non – golfers: You will be taken to see Cape Kaliakra-a natural and archaeological reserve where dolphins often can be spotted in the surrounding sea. The name Kaliakra, meaning “beautiful cape”, was first mentioned in the 13th –14th centuries during which the Bulgarian state was divided into three parts and Kaliakra became centre of the eastern-most and established itself as a big international harbour. There are many legends related to Cape Kaliakra - the most famous tells the story of 40 Bulgarian girls, led by the beautiful Kaliakra, who jumped from the rocks and into the sea to escape from the Ottomans after braiding their hair together to make sure no one would back away. In one of the caves of Cape Kaliakra is a museum that preserves many of the archaeological finds discovered on the territory of the reserve. A model demonstrating how the ancient fortress looked in the past is one of the most attractive exhibits in the museum. Golfers and Non- golfers: After picking up the golfers your group will have lunch (included) in a typical local restaurant. After lunch you will visit a must see- The University Botanical garden of Balchik and the residence of the Romanian Queen Mary. What makes it special is not just the variations of flora but the concept behind the whole complex. The botanical garden was created as a park - part of the palace, which was constructed between 1926 and 1937, during the Romanian control of the region, for the needs of Queen Marie of Romania. The Palace consists, among many other buildings, of a number of residential villas, a smoking hall, wine cellar, power station, monastery, holy spring, and a chapel. After this visit you will travel for a late arrival back to Sofia and check back in at the BEST Western Premier Thracia Hotel. Day 8 (B) Today after breakfast checkout, gather up your memories and you will be taken to the Sofia airport for your departure back home or to continue on your journeys. We will be happy to arrange extra nights in Sofia or have to continue on to enjoy one of our other wonderful tours. Please contact us for more information.