Best of Bulgaria in 12 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I found Bulgaria interesting, but really not enough to see for two weeks. Tour guides ( Yuri and Toni) were absolutely great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were no wow moments. The food always stood out as fresh. The poverty and antiquated industries, ie. Carpet making, glass making, was surprising and a little disturbing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The places and the people made it a great experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman mosaics"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We took this back to back with the tour of Turkey. The contrast of the countries was pronounced. Bulgaria has never really recovered from the negative impact of communism, and although the country is lush and beautiful, we shared our guide's sadness over some of the deterioration in his beloved native country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The city of Plovdiv in general, and the Bishop's Basilica of Philoppolis in particular."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a great time on the tour. While Bulgaria doesn’t have as many must see sights as Italy or France, I really connected with my guides Yuri and especially his assistant Toni. They made the trip special in many ways. Toni will be a great guide. She stepped up when Yuri had a family emergency and ran several city walks. She also gave great tips on how to spend free time. I also made two new friends on the tour. We already have plans to travel again together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wandering around Plovdiv in our free time, we first visited an art museum and then bumped into Toni, our guide in training. She took us to her favorite mid 19th century home the Hindliyan Home. She talked the curator into giving us a personal tour which was fabulous. As we left we “ crashed” a graduation party that was being held in the courtyard of the home. Congratulations Vanessa!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I have travelled a lot using Rick's books, but this was my first tour of any kind. The travel experience is easier if less spontaneous. There is the group tour benefit of meeting other people and our guide, Kamen, was an extraordinary resource because of his history knowledge. A significant benefit of this tour is that public transportation in Bulgaria is not like Western Europe, so having a bus is a lot more efficient.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My tour highlight is Rila Monastary. Ironically, foggy and crummy weather made visiting this place a more evocative experience like you are going somewhere far, far off the beaten tourist trail. I agree with the RS guidebook comment that Plovdiv is the best place to visit in Bulgaria. The walking tour and old town were very interesting."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 6th RSE trip. RSE tours have always been a great travel value and the tours pack allot in. While we enjoyed the tour, and our guide was great (as was the bus driver), Bulgaria just did not have the WOW moments of other tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The group lunch at "Maria's" home with the town Mayor. A true back door experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 6th RSE tour, so we obviously like the style, pace and value. This tour lived up to expectations on all counts - interesting, diverse, enlightening, engaging. My favorite thing on a trip is to feel things clicking into place - the dots of history connecting, the things I learned in school, or books I read, or movies I've seen, all coming to life or making sense because of new things I learned or saw. This trip definitely gave me that. I feel I "know" another part of the world!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't a single, stand-out "wow", like walking into Hagia Sofia in Istanbul or the feeling of strolling through the grounds of the ancient Olympic games in Greece. It was more an accumulation of smaller wows. But if I had to pick one, I'd say it was seeing the oldest gold objects in the world, in the archeology museum in Varna. We saw more jaw-dropping gold objects in Sofia. But seeing and learning about the ones in Varna was like peeling back whole unknown layers of history. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was very well run. Tour guide was exceptionally well qualified.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A couple: the artifacts in the Varna archeology museum, and the scenery around Veliko Tarnovo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Kamen was outstanding. Incredibly knowledgeable as well as very organized and helpful.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group was led by Kamen who was outstanding in his knowledge about -- and his enthusiasm for -- Bulgaria, its history, & its people. We began knowing very little about this area of the world; after 12 days, we are ready to return and learn even more about this rich and diverse crossroads. Hotels, food, transportation were all great--especially appreciated each hotel's central location. Good balance of orientation walks, planned events & lots of independent time to explore on our own. Thanks!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bulgaria didn't have huge "wow" moments like I'd experienced in some other places, but instead, there were many smaller "wonderful" moments -- a school visit, folk-dancing on a pedestrian street, Rila Monastery in the mist, Roman and Greek ruins amidst Revival & Communist era architecture, cooking lesson in a Banat woman's home, delicious multi-course meals, master craftspersons in Veliko Turnovo, room-sized rug weaving, the Madara horseman, Thracian tombs, amazing archeological museums...& more"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything excellent! The guide, tour participants, bus driver, itinerary, hotels and meals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The church in Arbanassi. Unassuming from the outside. Stunningly gorgeous inside. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very efficient. I liked the balance of scheduled activities versus free time. Flexibility was good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I like nature and picturesque areas. The whole town of Veliko Tarnovo was beautiful and I enjoyed exploring it. Also the Madera Horseman carving was definitely a wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience. It was what I had hoped it to be. To see what I can in the short time I was there, see the country and learn. I was excited that I was able experience more than the typical tourist sites and see things like neighborhoods schools, places of work and a local community center where people danced traditional dances just for the fun of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The many literal layers of civilizations that make up Bulgaria. The people of Bulgaria have built on top of civilizations after civilizations more than any I experienced in Europe, from the Thracians to modern times. This became apparent very early on in the tour when we toured the basement of St. Sofia church during our free time where there were centuries of tombs and crypts. This theme of living along side of structures from the past was constant during the whole trip. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall a very good tour. Lots of surprises in Bulgaria for us, especially the extensive accomplishments in unearthing and displaying of ancient Roman (and other) historical remains. Great museums througout.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not a particular moment, but the city of Plovdiv throughout was an eyeopener. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Many highlights, many of them unanticipated and fascinating. The sites and the history are truly phenomenal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The icons in the churches and the schoolchildren's impromptu performance."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What set this tour apart from others we have taken was the spirit of adventure and serendipity of our guide, Yuri. Some tours stress the de rigueur highlights. With Yuri there were several deviations from the written itinerary and they were unfailingly special and illuminating. Twice we were able to hop on a train -- where we spoke with locals and enjoyed the romance of the rail.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After Tuscan Plovdiv, we crossed the Thracian Valley to the mysterious 2500 year old Thracian tombs, the spectacular 19c Russian church at Shipka, then an ascent of the Balkan range to the weirdly compelling monument to Communism at Bulzundja of 1980s, thousands of feet up. Remarkable time travel. At Shumen: a serene mosque and a mountaintop monument to the Founders of the Bulgarian State, hearing our bus driver's bagpipes drone amid its open air, spooky, paranoid, and monumental sculpture. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great! Well organized ! An amazing tour guide, Yuri.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting a school -the kids were ‘ rehearsing ‘ for the 1st day of school. Flag parade, singing and a recorder performance. We also had a great tour of the school and were able to visit the classrooms and talk to the teachers. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is the first organized tour we've been on. Prior to this, we've traveled on our own throughout Europe using RS guidebooks but we thought it would be easier to travel in Bulgaria with a RS tour. The tour conducted by Yuri was excellent. He made every effort to give us the best experiences, including the unscheduled train rides and the impromptu visit to the Trabant collectors car lot complete with rides in a Trabant! It was a fast paced 12 days and somewhat exhausting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but we especially enjoyed the visit to Borovets & the countryside royal residence (we would like to have stayed there 2 days and done some walks in the beautiful forests), Rela Monastery, the Church of the Nativity in Arbanasi, and the folk dancing at the Gorna Oryahovitsa Culture House. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very happy with the the tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch at the mayor’s home cooked by his wife. Ate in the courtyard. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There was so much packed into a relatively short time. It was our first Rick Steves' tour, first organized tour of any kind so I was apprehensive. We tend to be independent travelers. Yet, our guide (Yuri) and the other tour members made the experience memorable. The activities and sites selected for this tour were quite varied. We saw religious sites, Roman sites, Medieval sites, and Communist-era sites as well as experiencing the Black Sea coast and the beautiful Bulgarian countryside.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As a former history teacher, my "wow" moments centered on the Roman ruins we visited with the mosaics at the Bishop's Basilica in Plovdiv as the highlight. The other "wow" moments were visiting old Communist-era sites: The photo opportunity at Buzludzha (the abandoned monument to the Bulgarian Communist Party), the in-depth tour of the Soviet-made submarine near Varna, and experiencing a gaida solo by our bus driver at the Founders of the Bulgarian State Communist-era memorial near Shumen."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good group of people, interesting, easily accessible and not over-crowded sights. Beautiful country with lovely and numerous green areas.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Beautiful gardens "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There was so much to learn. Bulgaria is a fascinating place with an important history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. The Bishop’s Basilica in Plovdiv was one WOW moment. The mosaic tile floors were amazing. And the history of the basilica was fascinating. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing I’m always fascinated by the history of European countries and their cultural heritage is

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably when the hotel owner and our guide sang a duet during a cooking demonstration "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an excellent tour to Bulgaria. A country I knew little about previously. Our guide, Stefan, did a great job showing us his country and explaining the culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cathedral at Veliko Tarnovo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding!! From the organization to execution, everything was so carefully planned. Our tour guide, Stefan, did an amazing job monitoring the needs of the group. Everyday we knew what we were doing for the day and what to expect the next day. Our guide was so knowledgeable about every site we visited. Often we had time on the bus to talk about Bulgaria and ask many questions about the country’s culture and current challenges. Our accommodations were wonderful and the food was incredible

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Church of the Nativity in Arbanasi. We had already seen many churches and frescos on the tour. This church was truly special. This was my first Rick Steves tour. I’ve created several of my own vacations with Rick’s books. I’m not sure if I would have driven to this little town to see this church if I was on my own. I’m so glad the tour took us there. The beautiful frescos are so colorful and impressive. It is an experience I will treasure."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

loved Bulgaria and Stefan he is awesome

Favorite "WOW" moment

"too many to pick one really"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good trip. I really appreciated the knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide. Itinerary had nice variety.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tie - stepping into Rila Monastery and Church of the Nativity in Arbanasi"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We selected this tour sort of randomly, as it was one of the only ones left with space. I am SO GLAD we did. Bulgaria is pretty amazing! Our tour guide, Stefan, was top notch. A real ambassador for his country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rila Monastery is an obvious wow moment. Additional wow moments came from side conversations with Stefan about what it was like, growing up in n communist Bulgaria, and the mind blowing changes that have occurred during his lifetime. It’s hard for us to imagine, as Americans."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very knowledgeable guide. No hassles. Great group of tour companions. What a beautiful country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rila monastery and the 7000 year old jewelry in Varna"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was pleasantly surprised by every aspect of Bulgaria. After listening to the Rick Steves Audios with Stefan Bozadzhiev, I remarked- I would give anything to have him as my guide. So happy he was our guide! Stefan brought Bulgaria to life for us and our group of friendly travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rila Monastery,and the Black Sea"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We knew virtually nothing about Bulgaria when we booked this tour. Our tour guide was AMAZING. We learned so much about the country - history, religion, important sites to see, cultural experiences, etc. Our group was small and comfortable. Hotels were great, food was wonderful, and we came away feeling like it was well worth our time and money!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the carpet weaving factory tour, Plovdiv (and the Bishop's Basillica), and wandering the streets of Nessebar."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had no expectations about this tour. Everything about it was an unexpected delight, from the things we were supposed to see, to the special places that no visitor would experience without being on this tour and having such a guide that knows every inch of the country. The lodging was great and the food was incredible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were the special guest of a folk dance performance that went nonstop for nearly an hour. The musicians played and played as one folk dance after another was performed. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Bulgaria tour is the perfect blend of larger cities and small villages. Our guide Stefan brought his country to life through his seemingly unending knowledge of Bulgarian culture, art, and history. The food we had on this tour was amazing, as was the Rakia. Our accommodations were all very nice and conveniently located in each city we stayed in. I would recommend this tour to anyone, as it is an awesome way to explore this beautiful and unique part of Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "Wow" moment was on the last day of our tour on our way back to Sofia, we stopped in the small village of Asenovo where we ate lunch at the mayor's house, cooked by his wife. Their hospitality and generosity were truly incredible, as was the food. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wonderful tour group to learn about the ancient history of Bulgaria, to explore its many monuments and cities, and to meet its wonderful, fun-loving people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rila Monastery was my first but not my last "wow" moment. Its setting in the mountains was awesome, the richness of its accommodations impressive, and the artistry of its decorations was purposeful (designed to keep people from straying into evil ways). "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good guides and a good itinerary

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Riding the old Soviet era trains"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were the first tour in 2 1/2 years. Our guide, Yuri, made this trip great, because he was so flexible and able to provide the best overall experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn’t one particular wow moment, since our activities were so diverse. Rila Monastery was spectacularly beautiful as well as the Church of the Nativity. The folk dance presentation, the school children’s presentation as well as having lunch with the priest were also high points. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guides were very informative and fun. They had or would find answers to your questions. Beautiful Country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking the communist train, visiting Russian Sub and Glass manufacturing "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I did not know what to expect from Bulgaria, so was very pleasantly surprised at all I saw and experienced. It is a beautiful country, and each day just got better and better as we progressed through the tour. The topography includes mountains covered in gorgeous deciduous forests, vast areas for agriculture, vineyards, Damask rose fields, the Baltic coastline, large cities and small villages, and very rough roads!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The evening of superb folk music and dance and costumes; walking in the deciduous forests; sampling a Bulgarian train ride; exploring a Russian submarine; visiting a school on awards day when the students put on a musical program for their parents; homemade lunch with a priest in a picturesque little village; Veliko Ternovo, Rila Monastery... every day had it's wows"