Diving Into Thracian Past of Bulgaria

Early start for today, but it will be well worth it!

Stop by the ancient fortress Veliki Preslav to view this majestic site that was previously the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire, ruled by Boris and Simeon. The fortress is situated among a lush green forest and mountain, an absolute beauty and serenity to experience while there.
Preslava Fortress was also a medieval town, but it was destroyed during the Ottoman Empire rule. The huge white arches provide some wonderful photos opportunities. Spend some time walking around and diving into the ancient past. There is also a small museum that you can visit, which provides additional information about the history of this place.
Open Hours: April - October Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
November Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00
December - March Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00 Saturday - Sunday: on request 0538 43243 / 0538 42025

Stop off at this wonderful, traditional Bulgarian restaurant in the middle of the forest for a lunch and a rest. It's a great place to cool of traveling during the summer. They serve great typical Bulgarian dishes, homemade and with fresh local ingredients.

The Rose museum is one of the most important places to visit in the town of Kazanlak. Rose oil production is one of the prides of Bulgaria, being an incredibly important part of the Bulgarian culture and export commodity.
Visit the Rose museum to learn all about the history and process behind rose oil making and how this came to be the industry it is today. At the end, stop off by the gift shop which provides an incredible array of organic rose oil products, that you would not get anywhere else… all of which smell absolutely divine.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 17:30
For more information, visit the official website.

The valley of roses is also known as the valley of the Thracian Kings. At the same location as the rose valleys, the tombs of the Thracian rulers dating back to the 3rd century are situated. There are about 1200 tombs in total in the area of the Valley of Thracian Kings.
Shushmanets is one of the main tombs of the area. With Greek style decor, it is incredibly beautiful, with detailed art paintings describing the scenes of the burial of the royals that took place here, you can dive into the ancient past and see just how sophisticated the Thracians really were.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00

Known as the resting place of Thracian King Seuthes III, this site provides a great overview of the history of the Thracians in ancient Bulgaria. With angular-shaped corridors that take you into the main chamber, the decor of this tomb also strongly resembles the Greek style. You can see carved out images of Medusa on the door, as well as gold objects and armors inside the tomb.
An amazing place to visit and feel into the ancient atmosphere going back thousands of years.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00
For more information on the tombs in the area, visit the official website.

Located on top of a hill, this previously Russian church is one of the most beautiful churches you will ever visit. Covered by golden domes on the top, the decor inside is just as impressive and vibrant. With incredibly detailed sacred paintings covering the ceilings and walls, you will be amazed by the level of craftsmanship that such places could offer. Spend some time soaking up the beauty and incredibly high energy of this place, before moving onto the next site.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 18:30

Park your car here to walk up to the monument of Freedom.

One of the most important monuments of Bulgaria, the Freedom monument, refers to the Independence war against the Ottoman Empire. This is a very important part of Bulgarian history, and most of the history schoolbooks teach about this period, as well as the many people who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
After climbing the 894 steps leading to the top, you feel a sense of exhalation and can feel the patriotic spirit so strongly. This site also provides an impressive view of this region from the top. There’s also a small gallery inside that you can visit to learn more of the history of Bulgaria.
Gallery Open Hours: May 1 – October 15 Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00 Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.
October 16 – April 30 Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 16:30 Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.

Collect your car and head over to your last destination for today.

Dine in at this great restaurant that offers delicious Bulgarian food and amazing views of the mountains. The restaurant is situated in a large complex that also has a hotel and spa facilities.

Check in at this wonderful hotel close to the mountains, where you can enjoy the fresh mountain air and incredible views of the region. The hotel also offers spa facilities, perfect if you wish to unwind after today's explorations.