Sofia - Veliko Tarnovo - Varna (Self Drive)

One of the oldest capital cities in Europe, Sofia dates back to the 8th century BCE. Its landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupations. Sofia houses numerous museums, notably the National Historical Museum which has a vast collection of more than 650,000 historical items. Sofia is one of the hippest cities in Bulgaria, boasting a lively nightlife scene with many different nightclubs, live venues, pubs, mehani (Bulgarian traditional taverns), and restaurants. The city also offers large green spaces and manicured gardens, and the ski slopes and hiking trails of mighty Mount Vitosha are just a short bus ride away.

Visit and discover the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, National Historical Museum, Banya Bashi Mosque, Church of St. George, Vitosha Boulevard, Mount Vitosha, National Palace of Culture, St. Sophia Church, St. Nedelya Church, National Art Gallery, Central Sofia Market Hall, Cherni Vrah, Sofia Synagogue, Church of St. Petka of the Saddlers, Museum of Socialist Art, and so much more.

Veliko Tarnovo is a cozy town that is integral to Bulgarian history. The tsars of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, who ruled from the late 12th century to the turn of the 15th century, made Veliko Tarnovo their capital and lived inside the mammoth fortress named for the hill on which it was built, Tsarevets. The rest of the town is built on surrounding hills, and in the Old Town you will find many churches as well as examples of religious and everyday architecture built in the distinct Tarnovo Artistic School style.

Discover and explore the great Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God, Monument of Mother Bulgaria, ruins of Nicopolis ad Istrum, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, Holy Forty Martyrs Church, Samovodska Charshiya Ethnographic Complex, Baldwin's Tower, and so much more.

Varna is the largest of the Black Sea resort towns. Varna is well-known for its archaeological sites and finds, such as the 6,000-year-old Gold of Varna, the oldest gold treasure in the world, and the Roman Baths which is the largest of its kind in the Balkans. Many people use Varna as a jumping-off point to explore the rest of the Black Sea Coast, but it is a popular tourist destination in its own right. It is one of the cultural centers of Bulgaria, and it is also home to one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the country. Be sure to visit one of the hot thermal spring 'sea baths' which dot the coast.

Visit and discover the Dolphinarium Varna, Sea Garden, Varna Archaeological Museum, Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Roman Thermae of Odessos, Retro Museum, Butterfly House, National Maritime Museum, History of Varna Museum, Varna Eye, Monument of Tsar Kaloyan, and so much more.