Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1: Pick up from Sofia Airport and transfer to the town of Hissar, located 180 km South-east from the capital. You will be accommodated in the SPA hotel with swimming pool, sauna, massage centre and fitness. Meeting the horses and adjusting the saddles&equipment. Welcome dinner and night at the hotel.

Highlights:
Hissar health resort is situated almost in the center of Bulgaria, on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora Mountain, 336 m above sea level. The first settlers of the small valley where the town is situated were Thracians from the Bessi tribe. Eventually, the area was reached by Macedonians, but it was not until Roman times when Hissar developed into a large town and resort, called Dioclecianopolis, after the Roman emperor Dioclecian /284 - 305 AD/. The town was built according to all requirements of Roman town planning - with wide, straight streets, decorated with statues of gods and goddesses, with marble baths, beautiful palaces and villas for Roman aristocracy. To protect the town from enemy invasions, it was surrounded with a wall raised by the skilful hands of Thracian master-builders.

Day 2: Breakfast in the hotel. Panoramic tour of the town of Hissar. You will be escorted to visit the remains of fortress wall of ancient roman town Dioclecianopolis, the third largest town in the ancient province of Thrace, after Philipopolis /Plovdiv/ and Beroe /Stara Zagora/. The wall is one of the best preserved of its kind not only in Bulgaria, but also on the entire Balkan Peninsula! Saddling the horses and preparing for start. Ride among beautiful nature around the village of Starosel. Picnic next to the Starosel village. In the afternoon you will ride to the village of Belovitsa, situated on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora Mountain next to the big dam. Accommodation and dinner in a family hotel.
   
Day 3: Breakfast at the hotel. Start from Belovitsa village and ride through hills and oak forests to the village Starosel, which made a sensation in the year 2000 when the archaeological expedition lead by Dr. George Kitov found for the world "the largest preserved Thracian king complex with a temple-mausoleum in Southeast Europe". Your guide will escort you to visit the recently found Thracian cult complex, still in excavations. Learn about the mysterious Thracians and their amazing cultural heritage and historic significance. Picnic on the beautiful meadow next to the temple. In the afternoon you will ride to Belo Kamene hotel with a large swimming pool and whirlpool. You will be accommodated in the hotel with cosy rooms in the middle of the forest. Dinner with local meals and wine.

Highlights:
The Thracian cult complex in Starosel.
The suppositions are that the temple is from the time of the Thracian King Sitalk, even his own. The rich findings in the stone-built tomb date from the end of the fifth and the beginning of the fourth century BC. A main staircase with monumental corridor, ritual landing and two chambers, leads to the temple. The entrance is outlined with slabs with plastic and colour decoration. The inside area is a round, domed chamber with semi-columns and colour ornaments, where the initiated established connection with gods.
It is surrounded by a 263 yard long wall made out of some 4000 stone blocks and was hidden under a 20 m high mound of earth.

Day 4: Breakfast in the hut. You will ride trough the forest via foot of Bogdan peak (1603m.) to the wilderness  of Sredna Gora mountain.Picnic at the beautiful meadow next to the mountain river. In the afternoon riding continues to the Koprivshtitsa town of Bulgarian Revival, which is a unique architectural reservation.  Dinner in the restaurant in the town of Koprivshtitsa.

Highlights:
The town of Koprivshtitsa is situated near to the Topolnitsa River at 1060 meters above the sea level.
It is a town - museum and unique settlement in Bulgaria, which has preserved in compactness over 250 patterns of the Bulgarian Revival Period architecture. The greatest wealth of Koprivshtitsa are its Revival Period houses with colorful courtyards, surrounded with high stone walls and gates, the disorderly built curved and narrow cobblestone little streets and plots, the numerous stone fountain contributes to the attractiveness of the little town. Part of these houses was turned into museums. (6,5 hours) riding

Day 5: Breakfast at the house. You will be taken on a guided tour of the old town of Koprivshtitsa. You will visit some of the most interesting Museums in the town. Lunch at a restaurant in the town. After a refreshing break in the afternoon, prepare for two-hour ride in the neighborhood of Koprivshtitsa. Enjoy some free time for shopping and exploring the charming galleries, craftsman shops and coffee retreats. Dinner and night in the town of Koprivshtitsa. (1.5 hour) riding.

Day 6: Breakfast at the house. You will ride trough the untouched forest to the spa resort Strelcha. Picnic next to the beautiful pick “Wolf”-1240m, with an amazing view to the plane and the fore mountains. Overnight the SPA hotel with swimming pool with warm water and massage center. Before dinner you could try the aquatic relaxation procedures or massages and swim in the mineral water pool. Dinner in the local pub in national style. (6 hours) riding.

Day 7: Breakfast in the hotel. You will ride trough the rose fields and nice vineyards, oak forests and fields. Picnic at the middle. You will be accommodated in a beautiful vinery complex in Starosel, Copy of the Starosel Thracian Temple is made in the cellar of the complex. When you stand in its center your voice sounds like coming from the Cosmos, but only you hear it. This is a part of the Thracian mysteries. In the evening enjoy a Farewell dinner. (4-5 hours) riding.

Day 8: After breakfast you could say good-bye to your horse. Visit to the ancient town of Plovdiv and start to Sofia. Depart for the Sofia Airport in time for your flight.

-Subject to changes!

Marked by four distinct seasons, Bulgaria enjoys a generally favorable climate that is one of the country's best features. Although located at the same latitude as southern New England, Bulgaria's climate is noticeably more temperate. Summers are typically hot and dry, but rarely oppressive, with moderate relative humidity. Always lit by the sun Bulgaria has between 2200 and 2500 hours of sunlight per year. Average temperature (April - September): + 23 °C. The average yearly temperature is 14.7 °C. The climate is exceptionally favourable for growing vines, fruits and vegetables, and oil yielding rose for which Bulgaria has been renowned in Europe for centuries.

Winters are cold but not bitterly so. In the south and Black Sea coastal regions, Mediterranean influences temper the harsher continental climate of the interior. The country's half-dozen mountain groups also play a significant part in determining regional variances.  Temperatures average around 32°F (0°C) in the winter months. Along the Black Sea Coast the climate is maritime, the Mediterranean Sea cooling summer temperatures compared to the interior of the country.

In authentic rural houses with unique atmosphere and in cozy family hotels.
Meals: ecologically clean food prepared from wholesome local produce; international and Bulgarian cuisine; drinks included (except hard drinks).

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

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).