3 Days Best of Plovdiv and the magic of the Rhodope mountain

At 09:00 your guide will pick you up in Sofia and your adventure will start. After an hour and a half drive, you will reach the amazing city of Plovdiv. We will park at the hotel and the expiration will start. The first stage of the tour will be a walking tour of the ancient ruins of Plovdiv. First, you will visit one of the most impressive archeological sites in Bulgaria- The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis. The basilica is impressive with its size but also with the preserved mosaics which are some of the finest examples of Late Roman art and early Christian traditions. The IV century Christian church replaced the earlier temple dedicated to the cult of the Emperor. You will see and learn how the Christians have implemented and adopted the Classical styles and motives and created something one of the sort. The exposition of this impressive site is very interactive and includes digital 3D reconstructions of the ancient building. Our walk will continue and will lead us to the ancient Forum of Philipopolis and the South Gate. Next to the Forum used to be one of the sides of an impressive Roman stadium. We will see the remains of this amazing sports facility which had a capacity of 30,000 spectators who were watching the chariot races. There we not so many of those buildings in the Empire which can give you a better idea what was the status of the city in the II and the III century AD. The Stadium was constructed during the reign of Emperor Hadrian who actually stayed in the city for a few months. Next to the Roman ruins is standing one of the most beautiful and old medieval mosques- Djumaya Mosque. As Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman Empire for around 5 centuries its heritage has a very strong impact. We can make a visit inside and admire the Ottoman art and the mixture of architectural styles between the Byzantine and Ottoman traditions. When we finish our lunch break, we will continue with our exploration of this amazing city. We will enter the Old Town where you will learn about the Revival period of Bulgaria and the late Ottoman rule. We will see the architecture of the XIX-century upper-class citizens of Plovdiv. We can enter some of those homes. We will see some medieval ruins and the fortification that was built after the Hunic invasion. We will reach the top of the hill where the first prehistorical settlement was established which makes Plovdiv one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Our next stop will bring us back to the Roman Empire and the period after the Dacian wars, during the reign of Emperor Trajan. We will visit the Theatre of the ancient Trimoncium which is still an active theatre where performances are still happening. During the II century AD, the theatre was used to entertain the citizens with gladiator fights. When we finish with this spectacular site we will head toward your hotel where you can rest before exploring Plovdiv's vivid nightlife and its amazing restaurants. 

At 08:30 your guide will pick you up from your hotel The driving time will be around 2 hours and a half, filled with stunning views and scenery. You will drive on one of the most beautiful roads in Bulgaria next to Vacha reservoir and Devin. The road will lead you into the mystical and impressive Trigrad Gorge.

Our first adventure will be to hike the Eagle's Eye Mount and admire the stunning 360 view. Behold the magnificent views of the Buynovsko Gorge and the vast expanse of the Rhodope Mountains, allowing the serenity of nature to inspire your innermost thoughts. It is definitely one of the best views in Bulgaria. The hike to the top is around an hour and it can be classified as moderate hiking. After the hike, we will continue our drive deeper into the Trigrad Gorge. We will reach the town Trigrad where you will have the chance to enjoy one of the best and most authentic cuisines in Bulgaria - the traditional Rhodope cuisine. After regaining strength with the excellent lunch we will head toward our final adventure - a visit to the Devil's throat cave. It is one of the most mystical, full of legends, and impressive natural sites in Bulgaria. Upon entering the cave, you'll be immediately captivated by the mystical atmosphere. As you venture deeper into the cave, the sound of rushing water grows louder, signaling the presence of the Trigrad River. Prepare to witness the true marvel of the Devil's Throat—a colossal underground waterfall plunging down a 42-meter (138-foot) vertical shaft. The sight of the cascading water, shrouded in mist and echoing through the cavern, is nothing short of breathtaking. You will learn the stories and legends associated with the Devil's Throat, including the mythological tales of Orpheus and his descent into the underworld. Feel the sense of awe and reverence that has inspired generations. After this visit, we will head back to Plovdiv.

At 08:00 your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you will start a beautiful and scenic trip toward the highlight of the day- Marvelous Bridges. The Marvelous Bridges are a set of unique natural bridges formed over millions of years through the process of erosion. These bridges are located in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria and are considered to be some of the most stunning and unusual geological formations in Europe. Each bridge is carved from solid rock and is a result of the relentless action of water over time. The bridges vary in size, shape, and height, but all have a natural beauty that is truly breathtaking. Some of the bridges are over 100 meters in height and span up to 50 meters across. The tallest and most famous bridge, known as the Eye Bridge, is a popular spot for tourists and is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive natural wonders in Bulgaria. After we admire the mighty of Nature we will start our drive deeper into the mountain and our goal is to reach an amazingly beautiful small village where you will taste the culture and the unique cuisine of the Rhodope region. The village is known for its well-preserved historical and cultural heritage, with many of the traditional homes and buildings dating back several hundred years. Visitors to Kosovo can admire the architecture and intricate details of the old homes, which are characterized by their wooden balconies and intricate carvings. After Kosovo, we will start our journey back to Sofia. On the way, we can make a stop and visit the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria- Bachkovo monastery. Its story started in the XI century but is mostly famous for the burial sites of two Bulgarian heroes, responsible for saving the Jews during the Second World War in Bulgaria. Despite the historical value of the place, the monastery is also very beautiful and it is surrounded by picturesque landscapes.