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Bulgaria

Mountains & Monasteries: Bulgaria with Revd Alison Newman

Prices from £2,750 pp

Single Supplement £380

Next available tour:

Tour leader: The Revd Alison Newman

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Following saints and frescoes through a land where mountain monasteries have kept the flame of faith burning for more than a thousand years.

From the golden domes of Sofia to the painted arcades of Rila, this eight-day journey travels into the heart of Orthodox Bulgaria — a faith that has endured Byzantine glory, five centuries of Ottoman rule and the silences of the modern age, and emerged still singing.

We begin beneath the great Alexander Nevski Cathedral, then climb into the Rila mountains to Bulgaria's holiest place — the monastery founded by the hermit St Ivan Rilski in the tenth century. In Melnik, the country's smallest town, we taste wine in cellars that have served pilgrims since 1754, and at Dobarsko we find a village church where every inch of wall is alive with fresco.

On to Plovdiv's painted Old Town and the monastery of Bachkovo, before the golden treasures of Thracian Panagyurishte lead us back to Sofia — where a farewell evening of folklore and food gathers the moments of the road.

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Itinerary

  1. Arrival in Sofia

    Fly from London Heathrow to Sofia, where we are met by our local guide and transfer to our city-centre hotel, close to the main sights. Evening arrival, flight times depending; upon arrival we check in, and dinner boxes will be waiting for us.

  2. Sofia — Walking Tour

    A walking tour through Sofia's yellow-cobbled streets, antiques market, churches and Roman ruins — including the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St Sophia Church, the St George Rotunda and the National Archaeological Museum with its Thracian gold. Lunch is included, together with a welcome drink; the evening is free.

  3. Kremikovtsi & the Rila Monastery

    We visit Kremikovtsi Monastery, on its rocky terrace above the Sofia plain, then drive into the Rila mountains — lunch overlooking the river — to Bulgaria's greatest monastery, founded by St Ivan Rilski in the tenth century, with a special visit to its balconies and ethnographic halls. Evening arrival in Bansko for a two-night stay; dinner at a traditional restaurant.

  4. Melnik & the Rozhen Monastery

    To Melnik, Bulgaria's smallest town, for the Kordopulova House — a masterpiece of the National Revival built in 1754 — and a wine tasting in its vast cellars. Lunch is included at a restaurant in Melnik. We continue to the medieval Rozhen Monastery before returning to Bansko for dinner at a local restaurant.

  5. Bansko to Plovdiv

    A morning stroll through Bansko's old town, then to Dobarsko, whose small church is frescoed from floor to ceiling. Lunch at the house of Granny Deshka in Gorno Draglishte — home cooking and home-made rakia — then the Kostandovo rug factory before reaching Plovdiv. Dinner at the hotel.

  6. Bachkovo Monastery & Plovdiv

    To Bachkovo Monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria, where Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian traditions meet. After lunch nearby, we drive back to Plovdiv for a walking tour: the Roman theatre, the painted houses of the Old Town, the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of St Constantine and Helena. Please note the Old Town's streets are steep and cobbled — sturdy footwear is recommended. The evening is free.

  7. Thracian Gold — Starosel & Panagyurishte

    At Starosel we see the largest underground temple in the Balkans and its Thracian mausoleum. Lunch at a traditional house in Panagyurishte, then the History Museum and its gold treasure of the fourth century BC. We return to Sofia for a farewell dinner with folklore performance and a farewell drink.

  8. Boyana Church & Homeward

    We visit the Boyana Church, whose medieval frescoes place it on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Flight times depending, there may be free time for lunch before transferring to the airport for our return flight to London Heathrow.

Essential Information

This tour includes:

  • Return flights from London Heathrow (subject to the airline's 2027 schedule)
  • 7 nights — 3★ & 4★ hotels
  • All breakfasts, 6 lunches & 5 dinners
  • Welcome & farewell drinks
  • All excursions and entrance fees
  • Revd Alison Newman as Tour Leader
  • Local expert guide throughout
  • All transfers as per itinerary
  • Wine tasting at the Kordopulova House
  • Farewell folklore evening in Sofia
  • Audio guide headsets & hotel porterage

Flights from regional airports can be arranged at a supplement subject to availability, you can also book this tour without flights. For more information please ask for details.

A £500 per person non-refundable deposit is payable on confirmation. After which, an instalment payment amounting to 50% of the total cost of your trip is due 26 weeks prior to departure with the final balance due twelve weeks prior to departure.

Special requests
Any special requirements, such as dietary needs, mobility requests, and any other requests should be noted at the time of booking.

Final travel documents
These will be emailed to you two weeks before departure.

Travel insurance
Travel insurance is essential. We require all travellers to have adequate cancellation and medical coverage for their journey. We are partnered with Holiday Extras who offer a comprehensive policy as well as yearly policies that also cover short UK overnight stays.

Mobility
Many of our tours and excursions are designed for those who are able to travel independently, or with the support of a companion who can assist during the trip. We recommend that participants feel comfortable with physical activity and are able to manage longer travel days, which may include early starts and extended periods on the road. We encourage you to consider your personal health and comfort when planning your adventure, and we’re happy to help if you have any specific concerns or questions about the suitability of a tour for your needs.

Practical information

About McCabe Pilgrimages
McCabe has been arranging journeys of faith, culture and spirituality for over 40 years with an unwavering focus on attention to detail and service. With a deep understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of Christian travellers, McCabe strive to make every trip a memorable and meaningful experience.

McCabe Travel Ltd. trades as McCabe Pilgrimages. McCabe Travel Ltd. is registered in England and Wales. Registered No. 2125334. VAT No: 318527355. Registered office address: McCabe Travel, The Square, Basing View, Basingstoke, RG21 4EB.

The McCabe Educational Trust
The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity which was set up in 1991 to support Christian communities. To date the Trust has distributed more than £4 million in grants. McCabe Pilgrimages supports the Trust directly by contributing to the administrative and running
costs, thus ensuring all pilgrim donations are able to go directly to the important projects supported by the MET. In 2026 McCabe Pilgrimages will
once again invite all pilgrims to make a voluntary donation of £20. In addition, McCabe will also donate £20 for every pilgrim who travels with us - regardless of whether they choose to donate - effectively doubling the impact when you do. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Financial and quality assurances
All monies paid are fully protected through McCabe’s membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. In addition, McCabe are also members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abide by the Association’s code of conduct.

Health advice
Please carry an adequate supply of essential medication in your hand luggage in case your checked luggage is lost.

Holiday insurance
Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have partnered with Holiday Extras so you can get a travel insurance quote to protect you before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has been independently rated 5-stars by Defaqto. For more information or to obtain a quote, please go to their website at www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

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Dates

Our Programme Tour Leader Tour Dates Availability
Mountains & Monasteries: Bulgaria Alison Newman Bulgaria Departing From London Prices from £2750 pp The Revd Alison Newman 06/10/2027 for 8 days Download brochure Book now Make an enquiry

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