Northern Greece and the Bulgarian Triangle

Welcome to Europamundo! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.

Important:

Check-in: Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at 02:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.

Additional Nights: If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. At the reception, you will find an information board with our staff’s telephone number and hours of assistance. Until then, you have free time to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel staff can assist you with any information you need.

Optional Activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. If these activities are available on the Europamundo app or through your "My Trip" link, we strongly recommend booking them as early as possible to ensure availability. Waiting until the last minute may result in missed opportunities due to limited tickets, bus seats, or other factors.

Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

Athens, city tour and evening transfer.


We´ll embark on a city tour guided by a local expert, covering prominent sites such as the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held, the National Library, and the bustling squares of the city center. We´ll also explore the newer neighborhoods that developed after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour will conclude at the Acropolis (admission not included).


In the evening, we´ll provide a transfer to the historical neighborhood of Plaka, renowned for its charming Greek tavernas and vibrant atmosphere where you can experience the rich folklore of this country.

Total distance covered: 410 km.


Scenery: Sea views and fantastic landscapes of the Meteora and Orthodox monasteries.


Note: Wear appropriate clothing (women will be provided with skirts upon arrival at the monastery). Also, wear comfortable footwear as you will need to climb many steps!


08:00 a.m. Departure from Athens. We’ll head north and travel through pleasant Mediterranean landscapes.
10:15 a.m. Kamena Vourla. This charming seaside tourist center offers magnificent scenery. You´ll have time for a stroll and a coffee.


11:15 a.m. Departure from Kamena Vourla. Continuing through the Greek hinterland, we’ll make a brief stop at the mountain pass where the Battle of Thermopylae took place.
01:45 p.m. Kastraki. We´ll stop for lunch in this picturesque town at the foot of the Meteora, where the views are magnificent! After lunch, we´ll visit the Meteora, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site with monasteries that seem to "hang" from the rocks. We´ll stop to visit one of the monasteries (admission included) and see the remaining ones perched atop immense rock formations.


Accommodation will be in Kalabaka, a small town in the center of the Meteora region. Dinner will be included.

Total distance: 395 km.

Scenery: Beautiful landscapes of northern Greece and on the way to Bulgaria, featuring mountains, secluded areas, and lush forests.

Note: Remember to have your passport ready; you´ll need it to enter Bulgaria.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Kalabaka. We’ll travel through northern Greece, enjoying pleasant landscapes, including agricultural regions and high mountain areas.
11:15 a.m. - Thessaloniki. You´ll have time for a walk and lunch in Greece’s second-largest city.

02:00 p.m. – Departure from Thessaloniki. We’ll make our way towards the Pirin Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site historically contested by regions influenced by Greek, Slavic, and Turkish cultures. We’ll then cross the border into Bulgaria. Please note that this part of the journey may experience delays due to border procedures.
04:45 p.m. - Melnik. We’ll visit this picturesque museum-town, set in a beautiful wine-producing region. We’ll explore the traditional Balkan way of life.

05:45 p.m. – Departure from Melnik.
06:15 p.m. - Sandanski - Arrival in this charming spa town, known as the birthplace of Spartacus. Dinner and accommodation will be provided.

Total distance covered: 225 km.

Scenery: Mountains and forests as we approach Rila.

Note: Wear appropriate clothing for visiting the Rila Monastery.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Sandanski.
10:30 a.m. - Rila Monastery – You’ll have time to visit this beautiful walled Orthodox monastery nestled among forests and mountains within a National Park.

11:45 a.m. – Departure from Rila Monastery.
03:00 p.m. - Sofia. After lunch, we’ll include a city tour of Bulgaria´s capital, featuring St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city´s squares and avenues showcasing Stalinist architecture. Free time follows.

Total distance covered: 205 km.

Scenery: Expansive agricultural plains.

Note: Wear appropriate clothing for visiting the Bachkovo Monastery.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Sofia.
11:00 a.m. - Bachkovo Monastery - Arrival at Bulgaria’s second most important monastery, founded in the 11th century. This site, with its three churches, offers a peaceful atmosphere where you can observe the monks´ way of life.

12:00 p.m. – Departure from Bachkovo Monastery.
12:45 p.m. - Plovdiv - After lunch (included), we’ll go on a panoramic tour of this city, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Our tour includes admission to the Roman Amphitheatre, the Old Pharmacy, and the Armenian House. You´ll then have free time to explore the beautiful historic streets and charming small shops.

Total distance covered: 230 km.

Scenery: Rose Valley, which bursts with vibrant colors during the flowering season (May and June), and the beautiful Balkan Mountains.

Note: Occasionally, the visit to Arbanasi may take place on Sunday morning.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Plovdiv. We’ll travel along charming small roads through the interior of Bulgaria, reaching the Rose Valley.
10:00 a.m. – Kazanlak. Admission is included to see the replica of the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also learn about the local production of rose-based products.

11:30 a.m. – Departure from Kazanlak. Amidst the mountains, we’ll visit the Russian Shipka Memorial Church, a reminder of the strong ties between Bulgarians and Russians, and the support Bulgaria received from Russia during its war for independence against the Ottomans.
01:15 p.m. - Etar - Arrival at this charming village and ethnographic museum. We’ll stroll among its traditional houses and artisan workshops. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

03:30 p.m. – Departure from Etar.
04:45 p.m. - Arbanasi - Arrival in this ancient trading city known for its fortress-houses. We’ll visit the Nativity Church (admission included).

05:45 p.m. Departure from Arbanasi.
06:00 p.m. - Arrival in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former capital, featuring a picturesque medieval center and historic hilltop sites. You’ll have time to explore.

Total distance covered: 288 km
Scenery: The route runs through the mountains and valleys of the Balkan heartland, with lush forests and picturesque villages that reflect the most traditional side of Bulgaria.

08:00 a.m. Veliko Tarnovo – Departure. We leave the former medieval capital and head into the mountain region toward Tryavna.

09:00 a.m. Tryavna – Arrival. This small town has preserved its center with great authenticity. We will visit the Museum of the Old School (admission included), where we’ll discover how classes were conducted in the 19th century, and the Daskalov House (admission included), famous for its Bulgarian National Revival architecture and intricately carved wooden ceilings. We’ll also stroll through the Clock Tower Square and across the Stone Bridge, landmarks of the town.

11:00 a.m. Tryavna – Departure.
01:00 p.m. Troyan Monastery – Arrival. In a beautiful natural setting, we will visit this 16th-century monastery, the third largest in Bulgaria, renowned for its frescoes, carved iconostasis, and spiritual atmosphere. After the visit, we’ll enjoy an included lunch.

03:00 p.m. Troyan Monastery – Departure. We cross mountains and valleys on our way to the Bulgarian capital.

05:30 p.m. Sofia – Arrival. Accommodation and free time to explore the city at your own pace.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.