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Your day in Rila Monastery and Thermal Bath Day Trip


09:00 h After meeting with your local English-speaking guide, you head on a journey south, with various landscapes and great opportunities for road pictures all year long. Continue with a drive on a mountain road, passing through little towns and villages just in the skirts of Rila Mountain while seated in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.

11:00 hVisit one of the Unesco sites in Bulgaria, a monastery established by the first Bulgarian Hermit, A Miracle Worker, The Spiritual Protector of the Balkans- Ioan Rilski.

After having some time of your own, to admire the beauty of the almost 200-year-old frescoes, presented like a comic book by some of that time's best painters like Zahary Zograf, Stanislav Dospevski, together with the beauty of Rila Mountain, we move one. The best way to be able to experience a country is to try local food. Several options are available, depending on group size and food preferences.

13:30 h Next, you will head to the SPA - the hot water in an outdoor complex with several pool areas, hydro jets, jacuzzi a wet bar all year long. Then spend a couple of hours bathing in mineral pools ranging from cool to hot and relax with luxury spa treatments. After soaking in the mineral waters good for skin, bone, and heart, we head back to Sofia.

16:30 h Departure to Sofia via straight highway.

18:00h return to your hotel/accommodation in Sofia.

The itinerary may vary depending on road conditions, weather, traffic or other.

Rila Monastery Overview


The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a must-visit tourist attraction for both Bulgarians and foreign visitors. It was built at its present place in the 14th century. The oldest buildings in the complex date from this period - the Tower of Hrelyu (1334–1335) and a small church just next to it (1343). However, the arrival of the Ottomans in the end of the 14th century was followed by numerous raids and a destruction of the monastery in the middle of the 15th century.

The monastery complex, regarded as one of the most impressive masterpieces of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, was declared a national historical monument in 1976 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. On 25 May 2002, Pope John Paul II visited Rila Monastery during his pilgrimage to Bulgaria. He was greeted by the Monastery's igumen (hiero monk), Bishop Ioan, who had been an observer at the Second Vatican Council.


Where you'll be


Prices


Every Wednesday and Saturday: 49€ per person.(entrance fees are not included) A minimum group of 3 persons is required to run the tour, fully refundable if cancelled. Every other day the price is based on the number of people in your party and includes hotel pick-up and entrance fee for Sapareva Banya:

1 person 2 persons 3 persons 4-8 persons 9-18 persons
149 € per person 99 € per person 69 € per person 59 € per person 49 € per person

Included in the price: transfer to/from the departure point in Sofia, guide in English throughout the whole day, parking fees. Meals, tips, entrance fees and personal expenses are not included. Small group tour. Children (1-16yrs) receive 20% discount.


Check all prices and book online here: V Travel Online Booking

Departure point every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:00 from Serdika meeeting point (2, Maria Luiza boulevard across McDonalds (see map below).

Departure point every other day from your hotel or accommodation.

star rating  Definitely recommend this trip with V Travel as their guides seem to really know the history behind the sites. Ivan was out guide and he had an answer for every... read more

eightynine
21.10.2019

star rating  I was so thankful to this company for running the trip despite the fact that I was the only person going. My guide, Michael, was brilliant. He drove incredibly safely... read more

Jasmine K
30.12.2019

star rating  I would highly recommend V travel, they offer a fantastic service. I normally dread transfers however this time they were a really good start and end to the holiday. We... read more

aleaverland
07.02.2020

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Highlights

Relax in an indoor or outdoor mineral water spa complex.

Explore the Rila Monastery.

Enjoy free time for walking and lunch.

Already been here? Keep exploring

Prices

Wed & Sat 49€ per person

Travel tips

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