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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 h Visit 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 Monday, Wednesday and Saturday: 33€ 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 drop off from your hotel from 49€ per person. Online and children discounts apply during the booking process.

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 discount applies to some options and dates.


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

Departure point every Monday, 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  I want to say thank you for all the efforts of 3 different drivers and 3 different transport.
Everything was smoothly and very professional.
Well worth the money but not... read more

sagiadistern
27.01.2020

star rating  Took the tour to Veliko Tarnovo in mid-December 2019. It's about a 3 hour drive. The city is absolutely beautiful and pictures really do not do it justice. On top... read more

Stumodernart
19.12.2019

star rating  This is a place not to be missed. It has a certain about of charm and the artistry on the wall is immense/ strikingly beautiful. We went to the Rila... read more

JehanCarew
28.02.2020

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Highlights

Explore the Rila Monastery.

Relax in an indoor or outdoor mineral water spa complex.

Enjoy free time for walking and lunch.

Towel rent and swimsuit/flip-flops available to buy

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Prices

Mon, Wed & Sat 33€ per person

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