Join us on CG Journey’s exclusive FAM tour to Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece. Discover Sofia and Plovdiv in Bulgaria, Skopje and Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, and magical Meteora in Greece.
International flights, premium hotels, an interactive program, transportation, and most meals are included.
Hotels:
SOFIA: InterContinental Sofia
BANSKO: SPA Resort Saint Ivan Rilski
SKOPJE: Holiday Inn 5 * completely renovated in 2022
OHRID: Royal View 4* (or similar)
KALAMBAKA: Hotel Meteora 4 *
THESSALONIKI: Ad Imperial Palace 4* (or similar)
For more information, please contact the CG Journeys team at tours@canadiangateway.com.
Day 1 (Bulgaria) ISTANBUL – SOFIA 12.09
Arrival in Sofia at 20:25, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Dinner in hotel.
Day 2 SOFIA 13.09
Tour of the capital Sofia that will take you to the Church of St Sofia, the Church of St George and the Aleksandar Nevski Memorial Cathedral. The latter was officially opened in 1912, in honor of the 200,000 Russian warriors that died in the liberation war. The pedestrianized center of Sofia is full of emblematic and interesting buildings such as the National Drama Theater, the former King’s Palace, several churches, parks and historical sites. Visit Sofia’s early-Christian Church of St. George, also known as the St. George Rotunda, was originally built by Romans during the 4th century, making it one of Bulgaria’s oldest buildings. Today, the church attracts visitors with its medieval frescoes, varied architecture, and Roman-era ruins that surround it. Free afternoon. Dinner in hotel.
Day 3 SOFIA – PLOVDIV – BANSKO (300 km) 14.09
Depart to visit Plovdiv, a town that was built around seven hills, which is a feature that is a distinct part of the city’s history. The beginning of its history dates back to 4,000 years BC making it one of the oldest cities in Europe. In the 4th century BC it was conquered by Phillip of Macedonia. Visit the old town situated on Nebet Tepe hill to see the Ethnographic Museum, the roman Theater and the Church of SS Kostantino and Elena. Drive to Bansko. Dinner in hotel.
Day 4 BANSKO – RILA – (Macedonia) SKOPJE (340 km) 15.09
Departure to the magnificent Rila Monastery, the most important monument of the Orthodox faith in the Balkans (UNESCO). Rila holy cloister was founded in the first half of the 10th century. Its history is directly related to St Ivan of Rila, a Bulgarian hermit who settled in the region and devoted his life to fasting and prayers. The monastery was initially situated near the cave where the saint dwelled. After he passed away in 946, St Ivan was buried in the cave in which he found solitude. Throughout the centuries Rila Monastery has always been the spiritual, educational and cultural center of Bulgaria. Continue to North Macedonia. Transfer to Skopje. Dinner in hotel.
Day 5 SKOPJE – OHRID (180 km) 16.09
Visit the capital Skopje, the Old Bazaar made of narrow streets. The pedestrian walk is comprised of similar, one floor structures that house shops containing jewels, carpets, clothes, books, etc. See the Mustafa Pasa Mosque (16th century) and the Church of St. Spas. Visit the Cathedral Kliment Ohridski, the Feudal Tower and the memorial dedicated to Mother Teresa. Transfer to Ohrid. Dinner in hotel.
Day 6 OHRID 17.09
Visit of the old center of Ohrid. It is the most beautiful cities of Macedonia and one of the most fascinating of the Balkan Peninsula. It was declared as a world heritage by UNESCO. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid is known for its pretty white houses, winding streets and the prestige of art treasures. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sophia, built in 1037-1056 with interesting frescoes of the 14th century, the Church of S. Bogorodica Perivlepta of 1259 with Byzantine forms, the Roman theatre, the Samuil fortress, the Plaosnik, the Church of St. Kaneo (one of the symbols of Ohrid). Free afternoon. Dinner in hotel.
Day 7 OHRID – HERAKLEA – (Greece) KALAMBAKA (300 km) 18.09
Departure to the ancient Roman city of Heraklea, founded by Philip II (4th century BC). Among the most interesting remains of the site, you can admire: the baths, the colonnade, the amphitheatre, the remains of the two basilicas. Both are decorated with splendid and colourful mosaics depicting geometric figures, trees, birds, flowers and animals. Continue to Greece to the city of Kalambaka located near the imposing rocks of Meteora. Dinner in hotel.
Day 8 KALAMBAKA – METEORA – VERGINA – THESSALONIKI (240 km) 19.09
Visit the Meteora monasteries: a unique experience of nature’s grandeur in conjunction with history, architecture and man’s everlasting desire to connect with the Divine. Inside visit of two monasteries. Head to the UNESCO site of Vergina to see the royal necropolis, believed to be the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia. The museum houses material found in the area that is considered to be one of the greatest archaeological collections in all of Greece. Arrive in Thessaloniki. Dinner in hotel.
Day 9 THESSALONIKI 20.09
Visit Thessaloniki, the second biggest city in Greece, after Athens! Nestled in the heart of the Thermaic Gulf, Thessaloniki Greece serves as a commercial, business, and transportation hub for the northern side of Greece. A city with a long history and rich culture, it is a very interesting place to visit. Founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, Thessaloniki’s history spans over 2,300 years. An important metropolis by the Roman period, it was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to numerous, notable Byzantine and Paleochristian monuments. The tour begins with the Arch of Galerius in the lower town. Visit Agios Georgios and Agia Sofia whose interiors are preserved precious mosaics. Free afternoon. Dinner in hotel.
Day 10 THESSALONIKI – MOUNTH ATHOS – THESSALONIKI (280 km) 21.09
Departure for the port of Ouranoupoli for a mini cruise* around Mount Athos, a fifty kilometres long cape, located in the eastern part of the Halkidiki peninsula. During the cruise, you can admire eight of the twenty monasteries, which surprisingly adhere to the spurs on the shore. Return to Thessaloniki. Dinner in hotel.
*In case of bad weather an excursion will be to Kavala and the archaeological sites of Amphipolis and Filippi
Day 11 THESSALONIKI 22.09
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure at 9:45.