What you can expect
Epic NYE Celebration
New Year’s Eve dinner & traditional folklore evening
Unique Architecture
Delve into history with a visit to the Rila Monastery
Guided Tours
Explore the sights of Plovdiv & Sofia
About this trip...
Ever celebrated New Year in Bulgaria? Their festivities are like nothing you’ve ever experienced! Known for keeping their folklore traditions beautifully alive, the Bulgarians love nothing more than welcoming travellers with open arms, and sharing everything they’ve learnt for generations with warm local hospitality. This short, jam-packed city break invites you to soak up the festive mood of Sofia and feel the spirit of New Year in a place that’s got all those wintery feels.
Activity Level:
What's this?What's included?
Return flights & transfers-
Airport taxes & charges
Twin/Double room for sole use
Full Board: breakfast daily at the hotel, 3 dinners + 2 lunches
Welcome drink
Sofia and Plovdiv city walks-
Visit to Rila Monastery
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully Financially Protected
What's extra:
- Insurance click here
Itinerary
- Arrive in Sofia
- Rila Monastery - New Year Eve Celebration
- Plovdiv
- Departure day
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Sofia
After landing at Sofia Airport, meet your Solos Tour Leader and local guide before heading straight to a local modern restaurant. Here, you'll enjoy a delightful dinner featuring contemporary dishes with a traditional twist. Following the meal, transfer to our centrally located hotel to check in and settle into your room. Later in the evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink, setting the tone for the exciting days ahead.
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Rila Monastery - New Year's Eve Celebration
After breakfast, we visit the UNESCO listed Rila monastery – one of the cultural-historical highlights of Bulgaria. Its 11 centuries of rich history and its unique architecture and arts are unmatched. Our guide will tell us about the development of the holy monastery through the ages. Next is light lunch in a nearby tavern and we return back to Sofia. In the afternoon, we have some free time to prepare for the welcoming of the New Year. We head to a local restaurant, where we will participate in a beautiful folklore evening with a traditional dinner and, of course, a party.
There will be a traditional New Year’s Eve dinner (always with 'sarmi', pork chops and sweets), there will be a Banitsa (traditional pastry) with fortunes and dogwood branches with buds, which we throw into the fireplace. There will be a live folklore show (dancing and singing) and, of course, champagne. Late return to our hotel.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Three: Sightseeing in Plovdiv
Today we enjoy a late start, allowing time to rest after last night's festivities. In the early afternoon, we transfer to Plovdiv, the second city of Bulgaria, to visit the most remarkable landmarks from the antiquity. Before the tour of the city, we visit a local family and their restaurant, where we enjoy lunch. Our hosts will tell us more about the traditions of the first day of the New Year. Next is the tour of Plovdiv! The oldest city of Europe offers amazing cultural-historical monuments, including a visit to the Ancient Roman Theatre, Stadium and Odeon, a stop-off at the Old Town (a UNESCO site), and we also explore 'The Trap' - a vibrant little district with the best cafés and art shops). In the late afternoon, we return to Sofia and to our hotel. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner together.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Four: Departure day
After breakfast we join the walking tour of the historical centre of the city: visit to the Alexander Nevski cathedral, Basillica St. Sofia, Parliament square, National Theatre, Royal Palace, Rotunda St. George, Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue and more. After the walking tour we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
- Breakfast Included
Accommodation
COOP Hotel Four-star
Located in the heart of Sofia, COOP Hotel offers modern elegance and easy access to the city's historic landmarks and vibrant shopping areas. Combining stylish design with exceptional service, it’s the ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers.
Facilities include
- Restaurant & Bar
- Conference Rooms
- Wellness Center: Includes a sauna, fitness center, and massage services.
- Free Wi-Fi
- 24/7 Reception
Room includes
Comfortable and stylish, the Standard Rooms feature modern décor, premium bedding, ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and workspaces.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Transfer Time
The transfer time from Sofia Airport to our hotel takes approximately 25 min, depending on weather and traffic.
Currency
Bulgarian Lev
Dress Code
The dress code for during the day is casual. In the evenings the dress code is smart casual. Comfortable warm shoes for walking and sightseeing are recommended. Winters in Bulgaria can be extra chilly, so be sure to bring layers that will keep you cozy and warm. Bring a comfortable coat, thick scarf, hat and gloves. Insulated boots and thermal tops are also good idea.
Gratuities
We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €15.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate percentage on.
Passports and visas
A full 10-year passport is required, valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday.
All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Bulgaria Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Health requirements
Compulsory vaccinations: None
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Bulgaria
Important Information
We take part in the hotels festivities and events may be subject to change.
