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Cycling across the Balkans
Mountains
Bulgaria
On this tour we bike along the north and central parts of the Balkan Mountains, famous for their unspoiled nature - green valleys with sheep peacefully grazing on lush grass, precipitous cliffs and gentle, rolling hills offering plenty of unique biking opportunities. We start the trip from the tiny village Goliam Izvor, pass by the Central Balkan National Park and end up in Veliko Tarnovo – the Old Bulgarian capital and one of the most charming of Bulgarian towns. The narrow roads meander through picturesque villages that look as they have been untouched for the past 200 years. You’ll see wooden carts pulled by horses or donkeys and local villagers making hay the old-fashioned way. During the trip you will visit several of Bulgaria s most important Orthodox monasteries, situated in the dales or woods. Churches with centuries-old icons and colourful murals are spread across a wide range of villages and small towns.
Special highlights:
♦ Glozhene Monastery - built in the 13-th century by the Ukrainian prince Glozh, housing an icon at the age of about 1000 years.
♦ Bozhentsi village - an architectural reserve consisting of some 100 houses from The Bulgarian National Revival Period.
♦ Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum - Master craftsmen fashion beautiful gold, silver, copper, leather and wooden articles right before your eyes from early morning until late at the night.
♦ Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary”, being the 3-th largest in Bulgaria, is built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance.
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Biking Tour
Meeting:
Goliam Izvor
Airport:
Sofia
Transfer:
Included from Sofia Airport
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
7 nights accommodations, meals except all lunches and 1 dinner on Day 7, bike and helmet, English-speaking guide/driver with a support vehicle, map and roadbook, transfers from/to Sofia airport, all local taxes
| A | 2013 | 8 day trip, MAP | 8d / 7n | €495 | $645 |
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Transfer from Sofia or Plovdiv airport is included on Day 1 at set times
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Check here for details and availability
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| A |
2013
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04/20
- 04/27
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Expired
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| A |
2013
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05/11
- 05/18
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Expired
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| A |
2013
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06/01
- 06/08
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Expired
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| A |
2013
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07/13
- 07/20
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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08/10
- 08/17
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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10/05
- 10/12
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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10/12
- 10/19
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
Gratuities, entrance fees, dinner on Day 7 and all lunches, alcoholic drinks
Day 1. Arrive at Sofia Airport and transfer to the village of Goliam Izvor (about 1 hr from Sofia; or 3 hrs from Plovdiv), where we stay overnight. /dinner/
Day 2. Today's cycling starts in Goliam Izvor village (445 m, or 1,459 ft), heading to Yablanitsa town (famous for producing different kinds of “khalva”) and then continue to Malak Izvor village (550m, 1804 ft) . From this point a steep road 4 km long leads you to the Glozhene Monastery (870m, 2854 ft) (you can use the supporting vehicle if you don’t feel like cycling upwards). Having visited the monastery you go back downhill to Malak Izvor village and continue to Ribaritsa village (505 m, or 1,656 ft) via the town of Teteven. In teteven we can make a stop for a short walk and visit of the small but interesting town museum. Option for bike and hike to Koznitsa waterfalls nearby.
The road is idle, passing through woody hilly areas, varied by meadows and pastures. From Glozhene village you cycle upstream Beli Vit River. We stay overnight in Ribaritsa village.
From the beginning of the stage down to Yablanitsa town and Malak izvor village, and then from Glozhene Monastery to Glozhene village, the traffic is slow; from Glozhene village to Ribaritsa the traffic is a little heavier. The road condition is fairly good. There are many spots on the Glozhene-Ribaritsa road where you can find a restaurant/café or grocery store. However, the best place is Teteven. /breakfast, dinner/
Cycling specifics: Distance: 70 km (43.5 miles); uphill cycling: 850 m (2,788 ft); downhill cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft)
Day 3. This morning you face a fairly challenging ascent from Ribaritsa village (630 m, or 2,066 ft) to the highest point of the day – Bogoy pass (1,185 m, or 3,887 ft.) From this pass the road goes all the way down to the town of Troyan. The road passes through the village of Shipkovo (700 m, or 2,296 ft), famous for its mineral water springs and swimming pools. You are welcome to take a break here before heading further on to Troyan and the Troyan Monastery (440 m, or 1,443 ft). A few hundred metres before the monastery, to the right, is the "Oreshaka" pottery and craft exhibition. After visiting the monastery and the exhibition you continue on towards the mountain resort of Apriltsi where you stay overnight. The road weaves among the hills of the Central Fore-Balkan and affords many opportunities for you to witness local life. The traffic should be slow – except in Troyan town and the Troyan Monastery area. The road surface is good, with some exceptions (mostly by Shipkovo). There are several places throughout the stage where you can have something to eat or drink – Shipkovo, Troyan, Troyan Monastery, amongst others. /breakfast, dinner/
Cycling specifics: Distance: 74 km (45.9 miles); uphill cycling: 900 m (2,952 ft); downhill cycling: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)
Day 4. In the morning you start cycling from Apriltsi (550 m, or 1,804 ft). The road undulates throughout this stage. After about 24 km (14.9 miles) you will see the Batoshevo Nunnery on the right-hand side of the road – you are welcome to enjoy a picnic in the garden. The Batoshevo Monastery is also close by. It is a 4 km (2.4 mile) steep climb, so making the journey is entirely your choice. The road passes through some hilly areas, flat cultivated terrains, along the river bed of Rositsa River and amid lush green mixed forest. The next milestone is the town of Gabrovo. There you will meet the guide who can either take you by car or you can keep cycling to Etura, an open-air ethnographic museum. We stay overnight in Etura (465 m, or 1,525 ft). /breakfast, dinner/
Throughout the stage the traffic is very slow. The road condition is good excepting a few places. We will make a picnic for lunch or stop at a local restaurant in Gorna Rositsa village. Cycling specifics:
Distance: 55 km (34.1 miles); uphill cycling: 750 m (2,460 ft); downhill cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft)
Day 5. You can start from the hotel or have a short transfer to Gabrovo and the road to Tryavna. The altitude at this point is 680 m (2,230 ft). After an ascent, immediately followed with a descent, you arrive in Tryavna. There you can spend some time on sightseeing and lunch in the centre of this beautiful town. Further undulations will lead you to the final stop of the day – Bozhentsi (750 m, or 2,460 ft). After a short break you can walk along the picturesque streets and old houses.
The traffic down to Tryavna might be busy, but afterwards the road becomes very peaceful, with almost no cars around. The road surface is good with few exceptions at some parts like Tsareva Livada village. There are a couple of places where you will find something to eat or drink – Tryavna and Tsareva Livada. /breakfast, dinner/
Cycling specifics: Distance: 52 km (32.3 miles); uphill cycling: 950m (3,116 ft); downhill cycling: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)
Day 6. Having visited the Dryanovo Monastery by car that morning, you commence cycling from the Yalovo village turn-off (315 m, or 1,033 ft.). Kilifarevo Monastery is very close . We make a short stop here and continue biking by the blue waters of Iovkovtsi dam and further on to the town of Elena (255 m, or 836 ft) which is some 48 km (29.8 miles) from the start and the final destination for today. Most of the road passes through pastures, cultivated fields and shrubs in the form of low-lying hills, typical of this part of the Fore-Balkan. Throughout the stage the traffic is not heavy and the road is in fairly good condition. There are two places on the stage where you will find a restaurant or café – the Kilefarevo Monastery and Iakovtsi village. /breakfast, dinner/
Cycling specifics: Distance: 48 km (29.8 miles), uphill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft); downhill cycling: 700 m (2,296 ft)
Day 7. From Elena (255 m, or 836 ft) we continue cycling to the last point on the trip – Arbanasi (395 m, or 1,295 ft). The track today is reasonably smooth with long, even terrain, combined with slight undulations. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, farmland, shrub-covered hills and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. A short descent leads to the centre of Arbanasi village, where the cycling for the whole trip ends. There are quite a few things to see here, including 300-year-old houses, monasteries and museums. After this we head off on a sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo, the site of numerous historical events. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Plovdiv for overnight. During the initial 19 km, or 11.8 miles, the main road may feature fairly heavy traffic, but later on it becomes very quiet. Road conditions are generally good, except for a few spots like the road before Dragizhevo village. There are two places on the stage where you can have source something to eat or drink – Tserova Koria village and Dragizhevo village. /breakfast /
Cycling specifics: Distance: 43 km (26.7 miles); uphill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft); downhill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft)
Day 8. After breakfast you will have transfer to Sofia Airport for departure (transfer time: 20 min to Plovdiv Airport or 2 hrs to Sofia Airport) /breakfast/
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Meeting:
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Goliam Izvor
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Airport:
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Sofia
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Transfer:
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Included from Sofia Airport
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Level:
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 Easy to Moderate
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Moderate. For bikers in good phisycal condition.
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Participants:
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Min
4
participants
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Max
12
participants
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Luggage transportation:
Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Additional tour info:
All bikers receive a detailed road book and map. The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, giving them talks by the most interesting sites en-route. The guide is also responsible for the technical support of the bikes. Bikers can always skip some harder stages using the supporting vehicle.
Road conditions: We use mostly two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering (the latter usually not brand new!). The country roads are quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. The road surface in these areas may be not very smooth at some stages. The traffic might be a little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while.
Bicycles: Hybrid or mountain bike is provided by the company. Helmets and handlebar bag with map window are provided free of charge. Saddle bags are provided upon request only.
1. Hybrid bike – Drag Canyon Pro
Built for adventure and comfort they ride lightweight on road while durable for off road as well. Equipped with light aluminum frame, front susupension fork (60 mm travel), 28” rims, 24 gears, Shimano and Suntor components, bottle cage and rear rack upon request.
2. Mountain bike - RAM – HT 1
Lightweight hardtail mountain bike with aluminum frame suitable for off road biking and asphalt cycling. 24 gears, Rox shocks Dirt 1 front suspension (80 mm travel), Avid V-brakes, Truvativ crankset, Sram shifters and derailleur, Mavic 26” rims.
Download PDF brochure on our bikes on the trips: Our Bikes
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Note: EU nationals are on. more
Temperatures expected for this period are between +15 and +35oC. Sometimes noontime could be a little exhausting for cycling on open territories. Rainfalls or short but heavy showers are possible, being a bit prolonged during spring and late autumn.
Equipment and clothing:
Cycling gloves, breathable clothes, waterproof gear, cycling shoes/trainers. No other special equipment needed for this tour (for full list with recommended items see “General”).
Biking without helmet is not advisable. We strongly recommend you to bring your own helmet or use one of ours.
Recommended items:
good quality padded cycling shorts (baggy style); cycling helmet; cycling shoes; fleece headband; fingerless biking gloves; lightweight windproof biking jacket; waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper jacket; sunglasses with UV protection; sunscreen lotion and lip balm.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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Overnights are in family hotels (days 3, 5, 6 ), guesthouses (days 1 and 7) with private facilities and family-run pensions (day 1, 4) with shared facilities on halfboard (breakfast & dinner included, except for dinner on day 7).
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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--
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Horses:
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--
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Pace:
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Moderate. For bikers in good phisycal condition.
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Level:
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(2
to
2.5
out of 5) Moderate
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Riders:
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Min
4
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Max
12
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Luggage transportation:
Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Additional tour info:
All bikers receive a detailed road book and map. The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, giving them talks by the most interesting sites en-route. The guide is also responsible for the technical support of the bikes. Bikers can always skip some harder stages using the supporting vehicle.
Road conditions: We use mostly two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering (the latter usually not brand new!). The country roads are quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. The road surface in these areas may be not very smooth at some stages. The traffic might be a little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while.
Bicycles: Hybrid or mountain bike is provided by the company. Helmets and handlebar bag with map window are provided free of charge. Saddle bags are provided upon request only.
1. Hybrid bike – Drag Canyon Pro
Built for adventure and comfort they ride lightweight on road while durable for off road as well. Equipped with light aluminum frame, front susupension fork (60 mm travel), 28” rims, 24 gears, Shimano and Suntor components, bottle cage and rear rack upon request.
2. Mountain bike - RAM – HT 1
Lightweight hardtail mountain bike with aluminum frame suitable for off road biking and asphalt cycling. 24 gears, Rox shocks Dirt 1 front suspension (80 mm travel), Avid V-brakes, Truvativ crankset, Sram shifters and derailleur, Mavic 26” rims.
Download PDF brochure on our bikes on the trips: Our Bikes
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Please note that validity of the documents - EU passport and/or ID card issued from one of the EU countries, should be at least three months on the day they leave Bulgaria. Possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit is required.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:
(a) nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days; for stays longer than 90 days nationals will need to register with the local police and obtain the appropriate permit;
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada and USA for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
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Cycling across the Balkans
Tour Code:
ZZ-BGBK01
8 days /
7 nights
~$645.00
Dates: April to Oct
Level :
Difficulty Levels Explained
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1. |
Easy
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Easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. You should be in good health and fit enough for full day of normal sightseeing and walking.
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2. |
Easy to Moderate
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An average level of fitness or some experience with the featured
activity is recommended.
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3. |
Moderate
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Requires you to have performed the featured activity regularly, with
some periods on challenging terrain. Activities are mandatory and
you may be traveling at high elevations. You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy these trips, with adequate muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.
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4. |
Demanding
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You must be extremely physically fit and are expected to hike or
ride four to six hours over steep or more rugged terrain. |
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5. |
Strenuous
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Prolonged hiking/biking on moderate to difficult terrain (five to nine hours a day).
May include high altitude, rugged terrain etc.. |
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Airport:
Sofia
Activities:
Cycling, Sightseeing
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF 
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