SPA getaway to Bulgaria – 9 days

SPA in Velingrad (Bulgaria) overlooking the green mountains

Cultural circuit through thermal Bulgaria with SPA treatments.

Duration: 9 days, to choose throughout the year.

Why take a SPA getaway to Bulgaria ?:

Bulgaria is one of the best countries in the world in terms of mineral water resources and offers a wide variety of mineral waters, as well as fields of healing mud. In its territory there are more than 600 active mineral water sources with a flow of more than 5.000 liters / seg. Most of the mineral water stations are located in areas of high ecological and landscape value, within natural parks such as the majestic Rhodope Mountains, Pirin y Rila. This is a journey of discovery of a country that is culturally very different from the rest of Europe, You will be surprised by its fusion of Slavic customs and architecture, Mediterranean and Turkish. This trip allows you to combine SPA treatments with cultural visits that will provide a supplement of fun and enrichment of the mind, not only of the body. In addition to views of wonderful natural landscapes, we will do rural tourism in Bulgaria: typical towns, ancient cities like Plovdiv,… , we are going to listen to the famous bagpipes and try different typical dishes ...

If you want more information about the thermal waters of Bulgaria you can read this article in our blog: “Health and wellness tourism”

Itinerary:

This is a typical Itinerary, for this specific offer, but if you want other dates or duration, please make us your inquiry through Custom budget request.

Day 1: Sofia
Flight city of origin – Sofia. Pick up at Sofia airport, transfer and accommodation at the hotel 4****. Price. Brief presentation of the program and guides. Depending on the arrival time of the flight, you can take advantage of the day to visit the city.

Day 2: Sofía - Koprivshtitsa - Hisarya / SPA
In the morning we visit the city of Koprivshtitsa. Koprivshtitsa is one of the most spectacular and authentic Bulgarian cities, preserving the atmosphere of the Bulgarian National Renaissance of the 19th century period. The city is located between mountains just 120 km east of Sofia and features a large number of period buildings and architectural monuments, 383 total, most of which have been restored to their original appearance. Eat in the city and continue to Hisarya.

House-museum of Koprivshtitsa

Thermal spring fountain in a public park in Hisaria

Hisarya, also called Hissar, it is an important spa center, is located in the center of Bulgaria, a 40 km north of Plovdiv and 180 km east of Sofia. Hissar is known for its mineral healing waters: 16 natural mineral springs and 5 polled. The city is one of the oldest and most popular SPA centers in Bulgaria. The climate is mild and pleasant, a curious phenomenon is the lack of fog, for this reason, the city is known as one of the sunniest places in Bulgaria. The average temperature in July is very pleasant: of 21,4 Celsius degrees.

Natural thermal water SPA

The favorable climate and mineral waters attracted people to these places since very ancient times. Here there was a prehistoric town in the 5th century BC.. and later a Thracian settlement from the 4th-3rd century BC. The town experienced its greatest prosperity in Roman times, a great wall remains from this stage, one of the best preserved in Europe, that in some sections reaches 11 meters high.

This day there will be SPA treatments at the Hisarya hotel, benefiting from natural hot springs, the type of treatment is determined according to each traveler, Consult.

Day 3: Hisarya / SPA
You can take advantage of the day to continue the SPA treatments in Hisarya and in the afternoon visit the famous winery and the Thracian tomb near the village of Starosel. The Thracian cult complex of "Chetinyova Moguila", located at 4 km from the village of Starosel, it was discovered in the year 2000. This is the largest Thracian royal mausoleum that has been found so far. It dates from the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 4th century BC. It is half-buried and its main room has 10 granite columns. They are not the pyramids of Egypt but entering this mausoleum is a small adventure within your reach without leaving Europe that is worth it if you like Ancient History.

Entrance to the Thracian mausoleum, siglo V a.C.

Wine tasting room in the Starosel winery, with folk dance.

Day 4: Hisarya - Plovdiv - Velingrad / SPA
Departure and transfer to pass through Plovdiv. City tour. Food in the city, and then the road continues to Velingrad.
The city of Plovdiv - is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It is declared European Capital of Culture 2019. Walking tour to enjoy its peculiar architecture including the 1st century Roman amphitheater , the church "Saint Constantine and Helena", the roman stadium; also other monuments from the Roman and Ottoman period, then walk through Old Plovdiv to see the houses of wealthy merchants from the Bulgarian Renaissance period. Upon arrival in Velingrad you can start with a visit to the SPA to rest from the visit to Plovdiv.

Plovdiv, ethnographic museum

Plovdiv Old Quarter

Day 5: Velingrad / SPA.

Dedicated to continuing hot spring treatments in Velingrad. The city of Velingrad is located 130 km from Sofia and 80 km from Plovdiv, in the western part of the Rhodope Mountains. The beautiful landscapes and mineral water deposits make Velingrad one of the most famous seaside resorts in the Balkans.

Velingrad ranks first in Bulgaria for abundance and diversity of mineral waters, whose temperature varies between 28 ° C and 91 ° C. The diversity of mineral waters has facilitated a great variety of options for the use of mineral water: for recreation, rehabilitation and recovery. There are thermal baths available to tourists, swimming pools, Beaches, SPA hotels and spas. The warmest waters are in the Kamenitza neighborhood: the temperature reaches 91ºC. The mineral water and the treatments offered in Velingrad have a favorable impact on the musculoskeletal system, cause improvements in neurological diseases, gynecological, urologists, kidney, respiratory, gastrointestinal and hypertension. Another interesting place in the city of Velingrad is the History Museum. In it you can visit one of the richest exhibitions of painted Easter eggs in Bulgaria.

Velingrad hotel spa

History Museum in Velingrad with exhibition of Painted Easter Eggs

Day 6: Velingrad - Bansko.
It is crossed towards the Rodopes massif through the beautiful port of Yundola.
Yundola Pass is at 16 km de Velingrad. The pass is located at 1.400 meters above sea level between the Rila and Rhodope Mountains.
Clean air and a favorable climate offer perfect conditions for the application of climato-therapeutic procedures. They affect diseases of the respiratory system very well (including asthma), kidney diseases of the circulatory system, nervous system disorders, allergic and endocrine diseases.
Bansko is a city of 6.000 inhabitants famous for the hospitality of local people, traditional cuisine, its traditional style taverns and folk music. It is a strategic point for the start of any hiking route in the Pirin National Park.

Thermal water pool in Winter in Bansko

Bansko old town

Day 7: Bansko / SPA in the village of Banya.

Morning of SPA treatments in Banya village, contiguo in Bansko, taking advantage of the natural thermal water springs in the area.

Indoor pool of natural thermal mineral water in Banya.

This day can also be extended with the following: Cultural visit to the Dobarsko village (20 km) and the old church. Dobarsko Church was built during 1614, and it is famous for being the only fresco in the world that represents Jesus Christ as arriving in a spaceship, which has generated a lot of controversy according to the interpretations… The local folk group from Dobarsko will represent various traditions and songs to our group.. We had lunch in the garden of a local house, where the owners prepare food with vegetables from their own garden.

Traditional tavern in Bansko

Vuelta in Bansko, free time for walks, visits to the house-museums, etc. Then go to dinner and with the expert opinion of our guide, travelers can choose the tavern (there they call them “table”) where do you want to dine, with or without live music.

Day 8: Bansko - Rila Monastery - Sapareva Banya - Sofia.

Snowy Rila Monastery

Rila Orthodox Monastery and Sapareva Banya Thermal Baths are visited.
Rila Monastery is the pearl of the Orthodox monasteries in Bulgaria. For several centuries it preserved the Christian spirit in the lands conquered by the Turkish Empire. The place most appreciated and respected by Bulgarians, it gives us an extraordinary image of medieval culture and traditions..

The city of Sapareva Banya is located in western Bulgaria, a 70 km south of Sofia. The symbol of the city of Sapareva Banya is the geyser-fountain that is located in the center of the city. In 1957, a 73 meters deep, hot water and vapors with temperatures of more than 102 ° C were discovered. The pressure of the water column periodically pushes the boiling water over the surface to a height of 18 m.

Sapareva Banya mineral water is clear, colorless, smelling of hydrogen sulfide. Water cures diseases of the musculoskeletal system, peripheral nervous system, gynecological diseases, acute and chronic poisoning with heavy metal salts, skin diseases, upper respiratory tract and other.
As a culmination of this SPA trip through thermal Bulgaria we moved to know the capital, Sofia.

Day 9: Sofia - Spain

The capital of Bulgaria - Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Depending on the flight departure time dWe take time to visit the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the russian church, the modern center, go shopping or take a leisurely stroll through the green streets of Sofia. Transfer to the airport and farewell.

Catedral ortodoxa Alexander Nevsky

Prices of the SPA Trip through Thermal Bulgaria.

Prices including VAT (with Spanish speaking driver-guide, transfers, hotel and breakfast): 1.546 € / person (2 double rooms) for group of 4 persons. For another group size, check the price please.

Optional: Self-guided trip with rental car: since 677 € / person for group of 2 persons.

What does this spa getaway to Bulgaria include:

• Reception at Sofia airport upon arrival. • Guide service / driver throughout the program. • Transfers according to itinerary in a vehicle with air conditioning and driver throughout the program. • SPA according to the special needs of each client: this may require additional expense, will be offered at the request of each client. What the program includes at the start are the hotel pools, jacuzzi, gym and a swim in a special thermal pool • Fuel costs, parking and tolls. • Accommodation in hotels 3*** and 4****, in double use room, (individual, supplement of 180 € on the total price) • Breakfasts. • Transfer to Sofia airport on the day of departure. • Administration fees.

What is not included:

• Plane tickets. • Footwear and personal clothing for activities. • Because they are optional for each traveler: Entrance fees to museums, monasteries, attractions, strengths,… • Optional excursions. • Optional SPA treatments • Travel assistance insurance, with own coverage for the activity, nor rescue, nor doctors, nor any other. • Tips and personal expenses. • Drinks of all kinds, lunches or dinners.