Bulgaria is a treasure of the Balkan Peninsula, offering far more than just long beaches of golden sand. To prove it, we've put together a sightseeing tour that will take you not only to its capital, Sofia, but also to the area to the south of it. One of Bulgaria's most famous monuments, the Rila Monastery, will not escape our attention, nor will the town of Melnik, promised to wine. At altitudes of up to 2,000 m above sea level, we will be on an easy hike in the Pirin Mountains. Together we will discover the famous ski town of Bansko at its northern foot. A possible encounter with bears can be a bonus experience. Enjoy a well-deserved rest thanks to accommodation in a modern four-star hotel, where breakfast and dinner are included in the price 🌍
Basic Information
- We leave from Prague on Tuesday "after work" at 6.00 pm and from Brno at 8.45 pm .
- We sleep in the same hotel all four nights - thanks to the "star" style of trips, we will use the same facilities over and over again without the stressful marathon of packing and unpacking
- Breakfast and dinner are included in the tour price while staying at the hotel
- You will always be accompanied by a Czech guide with basic knowledge of Bulgarian or a Bulgarian guide with knowledge of Czech
- Child category - up to the age of 11,99 years
Tour includes
- Transportation by air-conditioned bus with TV, WC
- 4× accommodation in a double room at Hotel Casa Karina
- 4× breakfast
- 4× dinner
- Services of an experienced guide throughout the tour
- Trip insurance against bankruptcy
Trip not included
- Travel insurance (we can arrange)
- Admission tickets to the sites visited, lift tickets. Prices of admissions are up to 900 CZK.
- Fee for an unoccupied bed in a double room 2490 CZK
Accommodation
Casa Karina offers comfortable accommodation in the pleasant surroundings of the mountain resort of Bansko, where we have been organizing trips for several years. Guests are invited to relax in the local SPA, which includes an indoor pool surrounded by sun loungers, sauna and steam room. There are also buffet breakfasts and dinners and the surrounding area where "foxes say goodnight".
Hotel Casa Carina is located in the famous winter sports resort of Bansko at an altitude of approximately 1000 m above sea level. The main advantage of this hotel is its location. It is located approximately 300 metres from the cable car and you will be approximately 1200 metres from the centre of Bansko. From many of the rooms you will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It is its strategic location that makes it an ideal candidate for undertaking so-called "star trips". Their principle is simple - we don't change accommodation, but we start from the same hotel every morning, where we are happy to return again in the evening. The stress of daily packing, unpacking and lengthy transfers to new hotels is eliminated.
The double rooms are 28-32 square metres. There are 2 beds (2 single beds or one double bed) and one extra bed. You will also find a table with one or two chairs, a fridge with mini bar, a wardrobe, heating, LED TV. Most of the rooms have a balcony with mountain or city view. Private bathroom as well as Wi-Fi is a matter of course.
Diet
Breakfast and dinner are included in the price and are served buffet style. In the event of less than 20 guests staying at the hotel, the hotel reserves the right to substitute the buffet format for a plated meal. Thereafter, these are 3-course lunches and dinners.
Transport
Bus transport is provided by modern comfortable buses. These are air-conditioned, equipped with toilet and TV. You can buy hot and chilled drinks during the journey, including beer. Experienced drivers ensure a pleasant and hassle-free journey. The route leads from the Czech Republic through Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to our destination, Bulgaria.
The starting points are as follows - Bratislava, Brno, Breclav, HUmpolec, Jihlava, Prague, Velké Meziříčí. If you need to leave from Olomouc or Ostrava, please contact us.
Depending on weather or traffic there may be changes in the program. A change in the program means that we may not visit some of the above mentioned places at all. However, our team will do their best to ensure that you do not miss anything.
Tuesday at 18.00 we leave Prague towards the next boarding points. During your sleep we will cross Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia.
In the morning we will arrive in the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. We will walk around the city centre and see several important buildings from the outside - the Parliament, the President's residence, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and others. We spend more time at the city's main landmark, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. If our schedule permits, we will also find some time for individual free time in Sofia. Afterwards, we will move on to one of the most important monuments of Bulgaria, which is Rila Monastery. The history of the complex, whose powerful atmosphere will immediately engulf you, dates back to the 10th century. After the tour, we move on to the famous winter sports resort of Bansko. It is here that we will find our refuge for the days to come. A well-deserved dinner awaits you at the hotel immediately after check-in.
After a hearty breakfast, we head south together, almost to the Greek border. Here, among the "sandstone pyramids", lies the town of Melnik, promised to wine and its cultivation. Here we take a tour of the historic town and the mysterious corridors of the house where wine has been made for centuries and where we also taste a few samples. During individual free time, we definitely recommend buying these liquid souvenirs. From Melnik we will go to a place called Rupite, where we will visit the late 20th century church of St. Pete. This is associated with the famous Bulgarian figure, Baba Vanga (1911-1996). The blind fortune teller, whose life is shrouded in many myths, according to some sources predicted the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Stalin's death and even a series of terrorist attacks during September 11, 2001. The real basis for this information is debatable, but it is without doubt an interesting cultural phenomenon. Next to the village of Rupite, thermal springs up to 70 °C spring from the ground. These are rather wilder in appearance, which only adds to their authenticity and uniqueness. If you wish, you can bathe in them and let your body and mind relax. Especially the latter will appreciate it in the wake of the new information from Baby Vangy. Afterwards, return to the hotel and dinner.
On this day, we'll swap the bus for the train. At least partly. In the morning or in the morning we will take the local narrow gauge railway - gauge 760 mm. During the approximately two-hour ride we will see the Pirin Mountains, Rila, but also Rodopi, we will pass the highest railway station on the Balkan Peninsula, located at 1267 m above sea level. Around this place you will have beautiful views of the surrounding area. You might even say that you feel like you are on a Swiss train overlooking the Alps. But you certainly won't think that if you go and buy a ticket - a ticket in this direction costs around 54 crowns! Although this train is still part of the public train service, it would be more of a tourist attraction elsewhere. And that adds to its beauty and authenticity! PS: Bring snacks and drinks on the train.
Our destination will be the spa town of Velingrad. If time permits, we will visit one of the local terminal baths. And if you are not a SPA lover, we will recommend a local excellent restaurant.
In Velingrad, we will be picked up by bus and transferred back to the Rila Mountains. At its foot you will observe bears during an approximately 4 km long walk through the forest. We won't say where or how - but they will be there. Afterwards, we will move to the hotel for a buffet dinner. Possibly including all inclusive drinks.
On the fifth day we will reserve to visit the Bulgarian Pirin Mountains. Directly from Bansko we will take the lanovo road to 1600 m above sea level, from where we will continue to the Vichren hut (1955 m above sea level). In good weather we will go to the nearby lakes to an altitude of approximately 2200-2400 m above sea level. This is a physically undemanding walk that will please all those who appreciate exercise in the fresh air. The fittest can then venture individually and at their own risk up to the peak Vichren (2914 m above sea level), the second highest mountain in Bulgaria. In this case, it is a more demanding hike, so we recommend it only to more experienced mountaineers with the appropriate clothing and equipment for this purpose. An experienced guide will of course recommend the best route and let you consult the hiking maps. In the evening we will return to the hotel for dinner.
(The trip to the mountains will only take place in good weather. If the weather is not favourable, we will choose an alternative programme - a visit to the thermal baths, the historical centre of Bansko etc.)
On this day we will say goodbye to Bansko and after breakfast we will head towards the Czech Republic. It is possible that on the way we will still visit some places from the previous program, if for any reason we missed them. In any case, we will leave Bulgaria in the afternoon and we will travel back to the Czech Republic for the night via Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia.
We will return to the Czech Republic in the morning. A return in the afternoon cannot be ruled out, but we do not anticipate it.
Bulgaria is a treasure of the Balkan Peninsula, offering far more than just long beaches of golden sand. To prove it, we've put together a sightseeing tour that will take you not only to its capital, Sofia, but also to the area to the south of it. One of Bulgaria's most famous monuments, the Rila Monastery, will not escape our attention, nor will the town of Melnik, promised to wine. At altitudes of up to 2,000 m above sea level, we will be on an easy hike in the Pirin Mountains. Together we will discover the famous ski town of Bansko at its northern foot. A possible encounter with bears can be a bonus experience. Enjoy a well-deserved rest thanks to accommodation in a modern four-star hotel, where breakfast and dinner are included in the price 🌍
Basic Information
- We leave from Prague on Tuesday "after work" at 6.00 pm and from Brno at 8.45 pm .
- We sleep in the same hotel all four nights - thanks to the "star" style of trips, we will use the same facilities over and over again without the stressful marathon of packing and unpacking
- Breakfast and dinner are included in the tour price while staying at the hotel
- You will always be accompanied by a Czech guide with basic knowledge of Bulgarian or a Bulgarian guide with knowledge of Czech
- Child category - up to the age of 11,99 years
Tour includes
- Transportation by air-conditioned bus with TV, WC
- 4× accommodation in a double room at Hotel Casa Karina
- 4× breakfast
- 4× dinner
- Services of an experienced guide throughout the tour
- Trip insurance against bankruptcy
Trip not included
- Travel insurance (we can arrange)
- Admission tickets to the sites visited, lift tickets. Prices of admissions are up to 900 CZK.
- Fee for an unoccupied bed in a double room 2490 CZK
Accommodation
Casa Karina offers comfortable accommodation in the pleasant surroundings of the mountain resort of Bansko, where we have been organizing trips for several years. Guests are invited to relax in the local SPA, which includes an indoor pool surrounded by sun loungers, sauna and steam room. There are also buffet breakfasts and dinners and the surrounding area where "foxes say goodnight".
Hotel Casa Carina is located in the famous winter sports resort of Bansko at an altitude of approximately 1000 m above sea level. The main advantage of this hotel is its location. It is located approximately 300 metres from the cable car and you will be approximately 1200 metres from the centre of Bansko. From many of the rooms you will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It is its strategic location that makes it an ideal candidate for undertaking so-called "star trips". Their principle is simple - we don't change accommodation, but we start from the same hotel every morning, where we are happy to return again in the evening. The stress of daily packing, unpacking and lengthy transfers to new hotels is eliminated.
The double rooms are 28-32 square metres. There are 2 beds (2 single beds or one double bed) and one extra bed. You will also find a table with one or two chairs, a fridge with mini bar, a wardrobe, heating, LED TV. Most of the rooms have a balcony with mountain or city view. Private bathroom as well as Wi-Fi is a matter of course.
Diet
Breakfast and dinner are included in the price and are served buffet style. In the event of less than 20 guests staying at the hotel, the hotel reserves the right to substitute the buffet format for a plated meal. Thereafter, these are 3-course lunches and dinners.
Transport
Bus transport is provided by modern comfortable buses. These are air-conditioned, equipped with toilet and TV. You can buy hot and chilled drinks during the journey, including beer. Experienced drivers ensure a pleasant and hassle-free journey. The route leads from the Czech Republic through Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to our destination, Bulgaria.
The starting points are as follows - Bratislava, Brno, Breclav, HUmpolec, Jihlava, Prague, Velké Meziříčí. If you need to leave from Olomouc or Ostrava, please contact us.
Depending on weather or traffic there may be changes in the program. A change in the program means that we may not visit some of the above mentioned places at all. However, our team will do their best to ensure that you do not miss anything.
Tuesday at 18.00 we leave Prague towards the next boarding points. During your sleep we will cross Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia.
In the morning we will arrive in the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. We will walk around the city centre and see several important buildings from the outside - the Parliament, the President's residence, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and others. We spend more time at the city's main landmark, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. If our schedule permits, we will also find some time for individual free time in Sofia. Afterwards, we will move on to one of the most important monuments of Bulgaria, which is Rila Monastery. The history of the complex, whose powerful atmosphere will immediately engulf you, dates back to the 10th century. After the tour, we move on to the famous winter sports resort of Bansko. It is here that we will find our refuge for the days to come. A well-deserved dinner awaits you at the hotel immediately after check-in.
After a hearty breakfast, we head south together, almost to the Greek border. Here, among the "sandstone pyramids", lies the town of Melnik, promised to wine and its cultivation. Here we take a tour of the historic town and the mysterious corridors of the house where wine has been made for centuries and where we also taste a few samples. During individual free time, we definitely recommend buying these liquid souvenirs. From Melnik we will go to a place called Rupite, where we will visit the late 20th century church of St. Pete. This is associated with the famous Bulgarian figure, Baba Vanga (1911-1996). The blind fortune teller, whose life is shrouded in many myths, according to some sources predicted the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Stalin's death and even a series of terrorist attacks during September 11, 2001. The real basis for this information is debatable, but it is without doubt an interesting cultural phenomenon. Next to the village of Rupite, thermal springs up to 70 °C spring from the ground. These are rather wilder in appearance, which only adds to their authenticity and uniqueness. If you wish, you can bathe in them and let your body and mind relax. Especially the latter will appreciate it in the wake of the new information from Baby Vangy. Afterwards, return to the hotel and dinner.
On this day, we'll swap the bus for the train. At least partly. In the morning or in the morning we will take the local narrow gauge railway - gauge 760 mm. During the approximately two-hour ride we will see the Pirin Mountains, Rila, but also Rodopi, we will pass the highest railway station on the Balkan Peninsula, located at 1267 m above sea level. Around this place you will have beautiful views of the surrounding area. You might even say that you feel like you are on a Swiss train overlooking the Alps. But you certainly won't think that if you go and buy a ticket - a ticket in this direction costs around 54 crowns! Although this train is still part of the public train service, it would be more of a tourist attraction elsewhere. And that adds to its beauty and authenticity! PS: Bring snacks and drinks on the train.
Our destination will be the spa town of Velingrad. If time permits, we will visit one of the local terminal baths. And if you are not a SPA lover, we will recommend a local excellent restaurant.
In Velingrad, we will be picked up by bus and transferred back to the Rila Mountains. At its foot you will observe bears during an approximately 4 km long walk through the forest. We won't say where or how - but they will be there. Afterwards, we will move to the hotel for a buffet dinner. Possibly including all inclusive drinks.
On the fifth day we will reserve to visit the Bulgarian Pirin Mountains. Directly from Bansko we will take the lanovo road to 1600 m above sea level, from where we will continue to the Vichren hut (1955 m above sea level). In good weather we will go to the nearby lakes to an altitude of approximately 2200-2400 m above sea level. This is a physically undemanding walk that will please all those who appreciate exercise in the fresh air. The fittest can then venture individually and at their own risk up to the peak Vichren (2914 m above sea level), the second highest mountain in Bulgaria. In this case, it is a more demanding hike, so we recommend it only to more experienced mountaineers with the appropriate clothing and equipment for this purpose. An experienced guide will of course recommend the best route and let you consult the hiking maps. In the evening we will return to the hotel for dinner.
(The trip to the mountains will only take place in good weather. If the weather is not favourable, we will choose an alternative programme - a visit to the thermal baths, the historical centre of Bansko etc.)
On this day we will say goodbye to Bansko and after breakfast we will head towards the Czech Republic. It is possible that on the way we will still visit some places from the previous program, if for any reason we missed them. In any case, we will leave Bulgaria in the afternoon and we will travel back to the Czech Republic for the night via Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia.
We will return to the Czech Republic in the morning. A return in the afternoon cannot be ruled out, but we do not anticipate it.
itinerary by CK Experitour Test
Bulgaria is a treasure of the Balkan Peninsula, offering far more than just long beaches of golden sand. To prove it, we've put together a sightseeing tour that will take you not only to its capital, Sofia, but also to the area to the south of it. One of Bulgaria's most famous monuments, the Rila Monastery, will not escape our attention, nor will the town of Melnik, promised to wine. At altitudes of up to 2,000 m above sea level, we will be on an easy hike in the Pirin Mountains. Together we will discover the famous ski town of Bansko at its northern foot. A possible encounter with bears can be a bonus experience. Enjoy a well-deserved rest thanks to accommodation in a modern four-star hotel, where breakfast and dinner are included in the price 🌍
Basic Information
- We leave from Prague on Tuesday "after work" at 6.00 pm and from Brno at 8.45 pm .
- We sleep in the same hotel all four nights - thanks to the "star" style of trips, we will use the same facilities over and over again without the stressful marathon of packing and unpacking
- Breakfast and dinner are included in the tour price while staying at the hotel
- You will always be accompanied by a Czech guide with basic knowledge of Bulgarian or a Bulgarian guide with knowledge of Czech
- Child category - up to the age of 11,99 years
Tour includes
- Transportation by air-conditioned bus with TV, WC
- 4× accommodation in a double room at Hotel Casa Karina
- 4× breakfast
- 4× dinner
- Services of an experienced guide throughout the tour
- Trip insurance against bankruptcy
Trip not included
- Travel insurance (we can arrange)
- Admission tickets to the sites visited, lift tickets. Prices of admissions are up to 900 CZK.
- Fee for an unoccupied bed in a double room 2490 CZK
Accommodation
Casa Karina offers comfortable accommodation in the pleasant surroundings of the mountain resort of Bansko, where we have been organizing trips for several years. Guests are invited to relax in the local SPA, which includes an indoor pool surrounded by sun loungers, sauna and steam room. There are also buffet breakfasts and dinners and the surrounding area where "foxes say goodnight".
Hotel Casa Carina is located in the famous winter sports resort of Bansko at an altitude of approximately 1000 m above sea level. The main advantage of this hotel is its location. It is located approximately 300 metres from the cable car and you will be approximately 1200 metres from the centre of Bansko. From many of the rooms you will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It is its strategic location that makes it an ideal candidate for undertaking so-called "star trips". Their principle is simple - we don't change accommodation, but we start from the same hotel every morning, where we are happy to return again in the evening. The stress of daily packing, unpacking and lengthy transfers to new hotels is eliminated.
The double rooms are 28-32 square metres. There are 2 beds (2 single beds or one double bed) and one extra bed. You will also find a table with one or two chairs, a fridge with mini bar, a wardrobe, heating, LED TV. Most of the rooms have a balcony with mountain or city view. Private bathroom as well as Wi-Fi is a matter of course.
Diet
Breakfast and dinner are included in the price and are served buffet style. In the event of less than 20 guests staying at the hotel, the hotel reserves the right to substitute the buffet format for a plated meal. Thereafter, these are 3-course lunches and dinners.
Transport
Bus transport is provided by modern comfortable buses. These are air-conditioned, equipped with toilet and TV. You can buy hot and chilled drinks during the journey, including beer. Experienced drivers ensure a pleasant and hassle-free journey. The route leads from the Czech Republic through Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to our destination, Bulgaria.
The starting points are as follows - Bratislava, Brno, Breclav, HUmpolec, Jihlava, Prague, Velké Meziříčí. If you need to leave from Olomouc or Ostrava, please contact us.
Depending on weather or traffic there may be changes in the program. A change in the program means that we may not visit some of the above mentioned places at all. However, our team will do their best to ensure that you do not miss anything.
Tuesday at 18.00 we leave Prague towards the next boarding points. During your sleep we will cross Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia.
In the morning we will arrive in the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. We will walk around the city centre and see several important buildings from the outside - the Parliament, the President's residence, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and others. We spend more time at the city's main landmark, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. If our schedule permits, we will also find some time for individual free time in Sofia. Afterwards, we will move on to one of the most important monuments of Bulgaria, which is Rila Monastery. The history of the complex, whose powerful atmosphere will immediately engulf you, dates back to the 10th century. After the tour, we move on to the famous winter sports resort of Bansko. It is here that we will find our refuge for the days to come. A well-deserved dinner awaits you at the hotel immediately after check-in.
After a hearty breakfast, we head south together, almost to the Greek border. Here, among the "sandstone pyramids", lies the town of Melnik, promised to wine and its cultivation. Here we take a tour of the historic town and the mysterious corridors of the house where wine has been made for centuries and where we also taste a few samples. During individual free time, we definitely recommend buying these liquid souvenirs. From Melnik we will go to a place called Rupite, where we will visit the late 20th century church of St. Pete. This is associated with the famous Bulgarian figure, Baba Vanga (1911-1996). The blind fortune teller, whose life is shrouded in many myths, according to some sources predicted the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Stalin's death and even a series of terrorist attacks during September 11, 2001. The real basis for this information is debatable, but it is without doubt an interesting cultural phenomenon. Next to the village of Rupite, thermal springs up to 70 °C spring from the ground. These are rather wilder in appearance, which only adds to their authenticity and uniqueness. If you wish, you can bathe in them and let your body and mind relax. Especially the latter will appreciate it in the wake of the new information from Baby Vangy. Afterwards, return to the hotel and dinner.
On this day, we'll swap the bus for the train. At least partly. In the morning or in the morning we will take the local narrow gauge railway - gauge 760 mm. During the approximately two-hour ride we will see the Pirin Mountains, Rila, but also Rodopi, we will pass the highest railway station on the Balkan Peninsula, located at 1267 m above sea level. Around this place you will have beautiful views of the surrounding area. You might even say that you feel like you are on a Swiss train overlooking the Alps. But you certainly won't think that if you go and buy a ticket - a ticket in this direction costs around 54 crowns! Although this train is still part of the public train service, it would be more of a tourist attraction elsewhere. And that adds to its beauty and authenticity! PS: Bring snacks and drinks on the train.
Our destination will be the spa town of Velingrad. If time permits, we will visit one of the local terminal baths. And if you are not a SPA lover, we will recommend a local excellent restaurant.
In Velingrad, we will be picked up by bus and transferred back to the Rila Mountains. At its foot you will observe bears during an approximately 4 km long walk through the forest. We won't say where or how - but they will be there. Afterwards, we will move to the hotel for a buffet dinner. Possibly including all inclusive drinks.
On the fifth day we will reserve to visit the Bulgarian Pirin Mountains. Directly from Bansko we will take the lanovo road to 1600 m above sea level, from where we will continue to the Vichren hut (1955 m above sea level). In good weather we will go to the nearby lakes to an altitude of approximately 2200-2400 m above sea level. This is a physically undemanding walk that will please all those who appreciate exercise in the fresh air. The fittest can then venture individually and at their own risk up to the peak Vichren (2914 m above sea level), the second highest mountain in Bulgaria. In this case, it is a more demanding hike, so we recommend it only to more experienced mountaineers with the appropriate clothing and equipment for this purpose. An experienced guide will of course recommend the best route and let you consult the hiking maps. In the evening we will return to the hotel for dinner.
(The trip to the mountains will only take place in good weather. If the weather is not favourable, we will choose an alternative programme - a visit to the thermal baths, the historical centre of Bansko etc.)
On this day we will say goodbye to Bansko and after breakfast we will head towards the Czech Republic. It is possible that on the way we will still visit some places from the previous program, if for any reason we missed them. In any case, we will leave Bulgaria in the afternoon and we will travel back to the Czech Republic for the night via Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia.
We will return to the Czech Republic in the morning. A return in the afternoon cannot be ruled out, but we do not anticipate it.
Bulgaria is a treasure of the Balkan Peninsula, offering far more than just long beaches of golden sand. To prove it, we've put together a sightseeing tour that will take you not only to its capital, Sofia, but also to the area to the south of it. One of Bulgaria's most famous monuments, the Rila Monastery, will not escape our attention, nor will the town of Melnik, promised to wine. At altitudes of up to 2,000 m above sea level, we will be on an easy hike in the Pirin Mountains. Together we will discover the famous ski town of Bansko at its northern foot. A possible encounter with bears can be a bonus experience. Enjoy a well-deserved rest thanks to accommodation in a modern four-star hotel, where breakfast and dinner are included in the price 🌍
Basic Information
- We leave from Prague on Tuesday "after work" at 6.00 pm and from Brno at 8.45 pm .
- We sleep in the same hotel all four nights - thanks to the "star" style of trips, we will use the same facilities over and over again without the stressful marathon of packing and unpacking
- Breakfast and dinner are included in the tour price while staying at the hotel
- You will always be accompanied by a Czech guide with basic knowledge of Bulgarian or a Bulgarian guide with knowledge of Czech
- Child category - up to the age of 11,99 years
Tour includes
- Transportation by air-conditioned bus with TV, WC
- 4× accommodation in a double room at Hotel Casa Karina
- 4× breakfast
- 4× dinner
- Services of an experienced guide throughout the tour
- Trip insurance against bankruptcy
Trip not included
- Travel insurance (we can arrange)
- Admission tickets to the sites visited, lift tickets. Prices of admissions are up to 900 CZK.
- Fee for an unoccupied bed in a double room 2490 CZK
Accommodation
Casa Karina offers comfortable accommodation in the pleasant surroundings of the mountain resort of Bansko, where we have been organizing trips for several years. Guests are invited to relax in the local SPA, which includes an indoor pool surrounded by sun loungers, sauna and steam room. There are also buffet breakfasts and dinners and the surrounding area where "foxes say goodnight".
Hotel Casa Carina is located in the famous winter sports resort of Bansko at an altitude of approximately 1000 m above sea level. The main advantage of this hotel is its location. It is located approximately 300 metres from the cable car and you will be approximately 1200 metres from the centre of Bansko. From many of the rooms you will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It is its strategic location that makes it an ideal candidate for undertaking so-called "star trips". Their principle is simple - we don't change accommodation, but we start from the same hotel every morning, where we are happy to return again in the evening. The stress of daily packing, unpacking and lengthy transfers to new hotels is eliminated.
The double rooms are 28-32 square metres. There are 2 beds (2 single beds or one double bed) and one extra bed. You will also find a table with one or two chairs, a fridge with mini bar, a wardrobe, heating, LED TV. Most of the rooms have a balcony with mountain or city view. Private bathroom as well as Wi-Fi is a matter of course.
Diet
Breakfast and dinner are included in the price and are served buffet style. In the event of less than 20 guests staying at the hotel, the hotel reserves the right to substitute the buffet format for a plated meal. Thereafter, these are 3-course lunches and dinners.
Transport
Bus transport is provided by modern comfortable buses. These are air-conditioned, equipped with toilet and TV. You can buy hot and chilled drinks during the journey, including beer. Experienced drivers ensure a pleasant and hassle-free journey. The route leads from the Czech Republic through Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to our destination, Bulgaria.
The starting points are as follows - Bratislava, Brno, Breclav, HUmpolec, Jihlava, Prague, Velké Meziříčí. If you need to leave from Olomouc or Ostrava, please contact us.
Depending on weather or traffic there may be changes in the program. A change in the program means that we may not visit some of the above mentioned places at all. However, our team will do their best to ensure that you do not miss anything.
Tuesday at 18.00 we leave Prague towards the next boarding points. During your sleep we will cross Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia.
In the morning we will arrive in the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. We will walk around the city centre and see several important buildings from the outside - the Parliament, the President's residence, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and others. We spend more time at the city's main landmark, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. If our schedule permits, we will also find some time for individual free time in Sofia. Afterwards, we will move on to one of the most important monuments of Bulgaria, which is Rila Monastery. The history of the complex, whose powerful atmosphere will immediately engulf you, dates back to the 10th century. After the tour, we move on to the famous winter sports resort of Bansko. It is here that we will find our refuge for the days to come. A well-deserved dinner awaits you at the hotel immediately after check-in.
After a hearty breakfast, we head south together, almost to the Greek border. Here, among the "sandstone pyramids", lies the town of Melnik, promised to wine and its cultivation. Here we take a tour of the historic town and the mysterious corridors of the house where wine has been made for centuries and where we also taste a few samples. During individual free time, we definitely recommend buying these liquid souvenirs. From Melnik we will go to a place called Rupite, where we will visit the late 20th century church of St. Pete. This is associated with the famous Bulgarian figure, Baba Vanga (1911-1996). The blind fortune teller, whose life is shrouded in many myths, according to some sources predicted the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Stalin's death and even a series of terrorist attacks during September 11, 2001. The real basis for this information is debatable, but it is without doubt an interesting cultural phenomenon. Next to the village of Rupite, thermal springs up to 70 °C spring from the ground. These are rather wilder in appearance, which only adds to their authenticity and uniqueness. If you wish, you can bathe in them and let your body and mind relax. Especially the latter will appreciate it in the wake of the new information from Baby Vangy. Afterwards, return to the hotel and dinner.
On this day, we'll swap the bus for the train. At least partly. In the morning or in the morning we will take the local narrow gauge railway - gauge 760 mm. During the approximately two-hour ride we will see the Pirin Mountains, Rila, but also Rodopi, we will pass the highest railway station on the Balkan Peninsula, located at 1267 m above sea level. Around this place you will have beautiful views of the surrounding area. You might even say that you feel like you are on a Swiss train overlooking the Alps. But you certainly won't think that if you go and buy a ticket - a ticket in this direction costs around 54 crowns! Although this train is still part of the public train service, it would be more of a tourist attraction elsewhere. And that adds to its beauty and authenticity! PS: Bring snacks and drinks on the train.
Our destination will be the spa town of Velingrad. If time permits, we will visit one of the local terminal baths. And if you are not a SPA lover, we will recommend a local excellent restaurant.
In Velingrad, we will be picked up by bus and transferred back to the Rila Mountains. At its foot you will observe bears during an approximately 4 km long walk through the forest. We won't say where or how - but they will be there. Afterwards, we will move to the hotel for a buffet dinner. Possibly including all inclusive drinks.
On the fifth day we will reserve to visit the Bulgarian Pirin Mountains. Directly from Bansko we will take the lanovo road to 1600 m above sea level, from where we will continue to the Vichren hut (1955 m above sea level). In good weather we will go to the nearby lakes to an altitude of approximately 2200-2400 m above sea level. This is a physically undemanding walk that will please all those who appreciate exercise in the fresh air. The fittest can then venture individually and at their own risk up to the peak Vichren (2914 m above sea level), the second highest mountain in Bulgaria. In this case, it is a more demanding hike, so we recommend it only to more experienced mountaineers with the appropriate clothing and equipment for this purpose. An experienced guide will of course recommend the best route and let you consult the hiking maps. In the evening we will return to the hotel for dinner.
(The trip to the mountains will only take place in good weather. If the weather is not favourable, we will choose an alternative programme - a visit to the thermal baths, the historical centre of Bansko etc.)
On this day we will say goodbye to Bansko and after breakfast we will head towards the Czech Republic. It is possible that on the way we will still visit some places from the previous program, if for any reason we missed them. In any case, we will leave Bulgaria in the afternoon and we will travel back to the Czech Republic for the night via Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia.
We will return to the Czech Republic in the morning. A return in the afternoon cannot be ruled out, but we do not anticipate it.
