Brill Travel

6 days/ 5 nights tour. You will get acquainted with the history of Bulgarian Jews, with the religious tolerance of the people here and find out why Bulgaria is proud with saving its Jewish population from extinction during World War II.
Highlights include visits to the largest Sepharadic Synagogue on the Balkan Peninsula, to Arie's House in the small town of Samokov and to the synagogue in Plovdiv.

1 day    SOFIA
Arrival at Sofia airport. Our guide will meet you and assists for a transfer to hotel. Check in, followed by short familiarisation tour of hotel’s vicinity, showing the places of interest – bank, post office, and shops. Afternon at leisure after the long transatlantic flight.
Overnight at hotel in Sofia.

2 day    SOFIA
After breakfast, start the sightseeing tour of Sofia. In the city centre, three splendid buildings – a cathedral, a mosques and a synagogue – form a triangle that helps explain why Bulgaria became the only     European country, apart from Denmark, to save its Jews. Visit the Synagogue and its museum. Bulgarian Jews like to point out that Jews arrived in the country as early as the second century C.E., long before the heathen Bulgars. Although small, this museum will tell you the long history of Bulgarian Jews. Proceed with a visit to the impressive Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, panoramic sightseeing of  the     University, the National Assembly, the Banya Bashi Mosque, the Rotunda of St. George, Roman ruins, National Palace of Culture. In the afternoon proceed with the tour and visit the National History Museum en route to Vitosha Mountain and take a bird’s eye view over the capital. Only few European capital cities can boast the proximity of the high mountain. Sofia is at the foothills and the most exclusive residential areas are slowly creeping uphill. Return to the hotel. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at hotel in Sofia.

3 day        SOFIA – Samokov – Borovets - PLOVDIV
After breakfast drive to PLOVDIV via the town of SAMOKOV - Since the arrival of the rich Arie family in 1793, the Jewish community in Samokov gained great importance. Visit the Arie's House, see the wonderful 19th century architecture and feel the atmosphere of every-day life of a rich Jewish family. Stop over in Borovets mountain resort. Proceed to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city and one of the oldest in Europe. Dinner in a local restaurant in the Old Town and overnight at the hotel.

4 day    PLOVDIV
You will enjoy a morning city tour (partly on foot), including a visit to the Plovdiv's Synagogue. Some 300 Ladino-speaking families expelled from Spain, settled here in the 16th century. The Plovdiv community was the first to form a Zionist association. Proceed with a tour of the Old Town, the 2000yrs old Roman Theatre; the Byzantine and mediaeval fortifications. Walk along the narrow cobbled streets and admire the silence and tranquillity of this historic town.
In the afternoon drive to the Batchkovo Monastery, founded in the 11th century. Every March 9, Jews perform a most unorthodox ceremony. Here the Patriarchs Cyril and Stefan lie buried. After a Bulgarian Orthodox mass for the souls of the two clerics, the Jews say Kaddish for them, paying tribute to their countrymen for saving Bulgaria’s Jewish population from the Nazi camps during World War II. En route back to Plovdiv visit a local winery for a wine tasting session. Overnight at the hotel.

5 day        PLOVDIV - SOFIA
Enjoy this morning at leisure, wandaring around the narrow streets of Old Plovdiv. Plovdiv’s main pedestrian street is famous for the best shopping in Bulgaria. In the early afternoon drive to Sofia.
Farewell dinner with folklore show and wine. Overnight in Sofia.

6 day    SOFIA - departure
After breakfast drop off transfer to Sofia airport for your connecting flight back home.
End of services.

2007 TOUR PRICE IN EUR:  
770  EUR per person for a group of two to three people. Price based on double occupancy. Single supplement is 90 EUR.
590  EUR per person for a party of four people.

RATES INCLUDE:

• 3 overnights in Sofia at the 4-star Sofia Rodina Hotel, or similar,
• 2 overnights in Plovdiv at the 4-star St. Petersburg Hotel, or Trimonzium Princess;
• Buffet breakfast,
• 3 dinners, incl. 1 dinner with folklore show and wine,
• 1 wine-tasting session,
• transfers upon arrival and departure,
• transportation by private a/c coach , according to above  programme,
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour,
• entrance fees according to above programme,

    
RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
air fare, airport tax, additional meals, insurance, tips for guide, driver, hotel and restaurant staff, items not specially mentioned above and/or in itinerary, porterage at the airport and hotels (0,50EUR per piece per lift)

Recommended period:	From March to October
Supplement:	For accommodation in Plovdiv (2B&B) during the periods of the Trade Fair: May 06 – 13,2007 and September 23 – September 30,2007 : Per person in SNG – 70, -EUR Per person in DBL -  30, -EUR