Bulgaria - Europe - Voyages Jules Verne World of Wonders - January 2012

�x ne w pr ic 7 nights from �855 Plovdiv - 2 nights Veliko Tarnovo - 2 nights Sofia - 3 nights key vJv features � VJV Exclusive Event � VJV Sightseeing Programme � Upgraded Flight Option � Walking Content: 2 (see page 145) � Group Size: 7 � 25 per person in a twin room british airways from heathrow 2012 � Mondays Apr 16 ........�855 Sep 10 ........�895 May 21 .......�895 Sep 24 ........�875 Jun 18 ........�875 Oct 15 .........�855 Aug 6 ..........�875 es sh ow xx n in re BULGARIA P s re ri a d c v u e e c s u e P d to d plovdiv old town Supplements per person Single supplement .....................�145 British Airways Club Europe .....�385 Private Journey this tour may be taken as a Private Journey (see page 144) based on 2 persons on the above dates. add �595 per person DisCOVeR BUlGaRia Explore the undiscovered monuments, monasteries and churches of Bulgaria or many, the image of Bulgaria has changed from the repressed Communist regime of 20 years ago to a busy Black Sea leisure area but, a world away from this, we have been pleasantly surprised by a rewarding array of monuments, monasteries, museums and landscapes. In the current economic climate, this relatively inexpensive destination offers good value outside the `Euro zone'. Bordering five countries, Bulgaria has a diverse landscape ranging from the snow-covered Rila Mountains in the southwest to the river valleys and hills of the Danubian plain in the north. Many ancient civilisations have left their mark in history, most notably the Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs and Bulgars. The town of Plovdiv has remains preserved from antiquity, a fine example being Bulgaria's largest surviving Roman construction, the Roman theatre in the old town, built in the 2nd century AD but only discovered 40 years ago due to a landslide. After a major excavation the site is used, during the summer months, for theatrical plays and concerts. Bachkovo Monastery was founded in 1083 by a Georgian Byzantine military commander, and until the 14th century, Georgian traditions were preserved even after their loss of power. The monastery was later destroyed but restoration started in the 15th century. To the northwest of the Rila Mountains lies the UNESCO World Heritage site, Rila Monastery, regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important historical architectural monuments with a remarkable interior displaying painted murals and woodcarvings. F Price includes Air travel, UK departure taxes, overseas airport taxes, transfers, 7 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, two lunches, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. Not included Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping (see page 145), any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication. Independent Arrival (see page 144) Price reduction .............. deduct �200 bachkovo monastery Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Sofia and transfer to Plovdiv for two nights at the 4-star Novotel Plovdiv Hotel. Day 2 Morning walking tour of the old town of Plovdiv including a visit to the Roman theatre, Ethnographic Museum and St. Konstantine & Elena Church. Later visit Bachkovo Monastery. Day 3 Visit Thracian Tomb in Kazanlak, the famous Rose Valley where Bulgarian rose oil is produced, Shipka Memorial Church and the Etara open-air museum. Stay two nights at the 4-star Hotel Yantra in Veliko Tarnovo. Day 4 Walk the Tsarevets Hill and later visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Arbanassi village, which includes Konstancalieva house, a home hosted lunch and `Church Psalms in Arbanassi'. Day 5 Travel to Sofia stopping at Troyan, to visit its monastery, and the small town of Koprivshtitsa. VJV Exclusive Event Spend three nights in Sofia at the 5-star Radisson CHURCH PSALMS Blu Grand Hotel. Day 6 City tour of Sofia visiting Alexander Nevsky IN ARBANASSI Cathedral, Russian Church and St. George's Rotunda. Later travel south to visit Rila Monastery. Day 7 Visit Boyana Church and the National History Museum. Optional dinner and folklore show - �28. Day 8 Return flight. ItInerary rila monastery troyan Enjoy a short private performance at the Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Arbanassi. Singers in cassocks perform church psalms in old Slavonic language. roman theatre, plovdiv sofia � rila � monastery � � veliko tarnova � kazanlak � plovdiv BULGARIA 34 0845 166 7008 www.vjv.com

Europe contd… Bulgaria