Highlights of the rural tour

Sofia

Sofia it’s a modern, glorious city, with a lot of historical monuments, churches, surrounded by Roman ruins from 2000 years ago, green parks and gardens, plenty of galleries, restaurants and clubs. Sofia may offers you all you need, one time visited you will be back soon.

Zemen Monastery

The Zemen Monastery is located at 600 m above sea level in a beautiful area at the foot of the Konyavska Mountain in the valley of the Struma River, near the town of Zemen. The monastery is 36 km from Kyustendil and 70 km from Sofia. 

The Zemen Monastery is not inhabited by monks and has been turned into a museum. The complex consists of two interconnected buildings, a small bell tower and a church in the middle of a large yard. 

The church is the oldest building in the Zemen Monastery, dating back to the 11th century. and is one of the few surviving monuments of Bulgarian medieval architecture, construction and murals. 

The frescoes in the church are from the 11th and 14th centuries. and refer to the so-called. folk direction in the art of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and are not included in the official trends in our medieval frescoes. Since the creation of the temple, the only surviving image is of St. Ana. From the later drawings are preserved the donor images of despot Deyan and his wife Doya, of St. Ivan Rilski, on St. Kliment Ohridski, of St. Joachim Osogowski et al. The church has been declared a national cultural monument, and the founder’s portraits in the Zemen Monastery are the oldest and with the greatest artistic value after the valuable images of Kaloyan and Desislava in the Boyana Church.

Kyustendil

Kyustendil is a wonderful town located in the Kyustendil valley. It is surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature, which gives a unique opportunity for route cognitive tourism.

The climate is transitional continental with Mediterranean influence, winters are mild and short, which makes Kyustendil suitable for the treatment and prevention of lung diseases.

With its 40 mineral springs, from which springs healing water from 2500 years ago, the town of Kyustendil is famous as a center for spa treatment. Mineral water cures diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological diseases, neuralgia, diseases of the digestive system, chronic intoxication with heavy metals and more.

Kyustendil – the orchard of Bulgaria. This is often the name of the city famous throughout the country for its cherries, apples and plums. The fertile land, the suitable climate and the lack of heavy industry make the Kyustendil region the orchard of Bulgaria. The fruits are characterized by excellent taste and ecologically pure origin. 

The Fortress of Hisarlaka – The Roman Deity of Kyustendil

Hisarlaka Fortress is located on the highest plain part of the hill of the same name, rising 2 km southeast of Kyustendil. Built at the end of the IV-beginning of the V century. Repaired in the VI century, it survived the First and Second Bulgarian state and was demolished by the Ottoman conquerors in the XV century. The fortress has the shape of an irregular polygon, measuring 117/175 m and area 2 , 12 ha. The location of the fortifications and the shape of the fortified area do not comply with the classical principles of fortification. Rather, they follow the configuration of the terrain. Fourteen round, triangular and rectangular towers, two gates and five pottery towers are located in different sectors of the fortress wall. The main and widest gate is on the east wall and is located near the main road. The gate was originally designed as a double door, later converted into a sliding door and was eventually closed altogether. Pedestrian pots are located next to the towers that guard them. They are narrow, with a granite threshold and a door with a horizontal beam for locking on the inside. 

DAY 1 Welcome in Sofia!

We will wait you at the airport for your private transfer to your hotel. 

Accommodation, optional:

• 5* Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan or similar
• 5* Hotel All Seasons Residence (in the Vitosha Mountain) or similar
• 4* Hotel Downtown or similar
• 3* Hotel Hotel Niky or similar 

An intensive tour of the city will follow during which you will visit Sofia’s main landmarks including the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Holy Sophia Church, The Russian Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle Maker, St. George’s Rotunda, St. Nedelya Church, the Presidential Office Building, Parliament Square, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Borisova Gardens and the National Palace of Culture.

Dinner at typical Bulgarian restaurant and overnight.

 

DAY 2 The secrets of Zemen Monastery and beautiful Kyustendil

Breakfast at your hotel. After that our representative will pick you up from the hotel and with private transfer we will set off on the road to Kyustendil. On your way you will pass through Pernik, Radomir and the unique Konyavska mountain and you will enjoy the beautiful nature of Bulgaria! 

70 km away from Kyustendil you will have the opportunity to visit the Zemen Monastery, which is a quiet, beautiful and friendly heavenly place! You will have enough time to explore the monastery and relax. 

Also you will have a time for lunch near Monastery, fresh food and fish from nearest river. Here you can feel the taste of typical Bulgarian kitchen. 

After lunch our adventure continues to Kyustendil, one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria. The Kyustendil region with its location and natural resources is extremely favorable for the development of tourism. The unique combination of mountains, mineral springs, unique climate and cultural monuments will satisfy even the most demanding tourists. Extremely favorable region for practicing rural tourism. 

Once you arrive in Kyustendil you will take a tour of the city and its main attractions. 

Dinner and overnight in unique Strimon Garden SPA Hotel 5* or similar, where you will have the opportunity to relax in the modern SPA center and feel the beneficial effects of Kyustendil mineral water. 

 

DAY 3 Kyustendil and the unique village of Slokoshtitsa!

Breakfast at your hotel. 

Then you will have an organized visit to the fortress Hisarlaka – the Roman deity of Kyustendil! In the town is also called Hisarlaka the Holy Hill, as it is assumed that once there were 5 temples at its northern foot. Among them was the temple of Zeus and Hera. The first archaeological excavations of the hill were carried out in the early 20th century by Acad. Yordan Ivanov. In the form in which we see it now, the fortress is from 2014. Then it was preserved and restored according to a project of arch. Julius Farkov. The fortress walls and three of the battle towers with a height of 14 meters have been partially restored.

Today Hisarlaka is a favorite place for walks of the inhabitants of the town, as well as one of the most visited by thousands of guests of Kyustendil.

Then you will have a visit to the zoo, which is located at the foot of the hill.

The zoo in the town of Kyustendil was established in 1962 and is located in the picturesque forest park Hisarlaka. There are bred a large number of animals, given its small area, most of which are typical of the Bulgarian lands. It has 15 cages designed for grazing animals, predators and birds. The zoo is one of the favorite places of Kyustendil residents and tourists. 

Accommodation in the hotel “Quiet Corner” included in the top 100 restaurants and hotels to visit throughout Bulgaria! The unique thing about this hotel is that all its rooms are in a themed style, such as – Forest Room, Retro Room, Black Rose, Purple Rain, Beach, Septimius Severus, Forest Kingdom, Frank Sinatra, Roman Room and Bedrock Room! 

Dinner in the hotel restaurant with typical Bulgarian dishes. 

Overnight. 

 

DAY 4 Slokoshtitsa – Sofia

After breakfast with private transfer departure for Sofia. 

Free day in Sofia for optionally – shopping, leisure, walking or other optional activities. 

Dinner to say goodbye in a typical Bulgarian restaurant, and we recommend you to visit “Hadjidraganov’s houses”, where you can have a folklore program. 

Accommodation, optional:

• 5* Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan or similar
• 5* Hotel All Seasons Residence (in the Vitosha Mountain) or similar
• 4* Hotel Downtown or similar
• 3* Hotel Hotel Niky or similar 

Overnight. 

DAY 5 Sofia – Sofia Airport

Breakfast at your hotel. Private transfer to Sofia Airport.