Day-by-day itinerary
IMPORTANT: The table is for 13–14.03.2027, but the text contains the dates 16–17.03.2024 and an old price of BGN 169. The route, departure and current price must be confirmed by the office.
Originally published description (conflicting information is subject to confirmation):
Programme
Xanthi Carnival with a visit to Kavala
2 days / 1 night
Plovdiv – Sofia – Kavala – Xanthi
16.03 – 17.03.2024
Price: BGN 169 per person
Day 1 — Departure from Plovdiv at 05:30 from the Boris Hristov House of Culture (supplement payable), and from the Vasil Levski Stadium car park in Sofia at 07:30. Arrival in Kavala. Walking tour: the Church of the Mother of God, the harbour, the birthplace of Mehmed Ali Pasha, who carried out major reforms in the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century; the aqueduct, built on the orders of Suleiman the Magnificent in 1550; the 16th-century fortress built by the Turks on Panagia (Mother of God) Hill, now the city’s symbol, offering magnificent panoramic views of the sea and Kavala’s surroundings spread out below. Free time for a waterfront walk, coffee and shopping. Opportunity to enjoy delicious food in one of the city’s seaside tavernas. Hotel check-in. Overnight stay.
Day 2
After breakfast, departure for Xanthi at 09:00. The city is famous for its annual festival of masks, held since 1966 and lasting four weeks, with cultural events including concerts and film and theatre premieres. The carnival culminates in the procession on the last day, the Sunday before the start of Lent, when masked participants parade along the central streets to music. The procession ends with the ritual burning of the effigy of Tzaros, following an old tradition believed to protect people from disease. Participation in the carnival procession. Departure back to Bulgaria around 15:30. Arrival in Plovdiv and Sofia late in the evening.
Other
Useful information:
Kavala lies in northern Greece, just 350 km southeast of Sofia. The town is situated along the Aegean coast at the foot of low hills, some descending almost to the water’s edge. It attracts visitors with its emerald sea, lush vegetation and bearable summer temperatures.
The narrow cobbled streets of its old town are especially beautiful, with houses in bright pink, yellow and blue. Other buildings rise like dazzling white ships, with spacious terraces where children ride bicycles. Pretty balconies are adorned with flowers, while wooden window shutters lend the streets an old-world atmosphere. Kavala has 100,000 inhabitants, but in summer the number triples. The city was founded in the 8th–7th century BC, when it was called Neapoli. It was later renamed Christoupoli (City of Christ) in honour of the Apostle Paul. According to legend, he baptised the first Christian woman, Lada, at Philippi, 17 km northwest of the city. Remains of an ancient Roman settlement can still be seen there today. Kavala’s sights include its fortress walls, Byzantine remains and aqueduct — a bridge from Roman times. Fishing remains the main livelihood of local people. The lights of boats departing in the evening are a real attraction for visitors to the resort.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF TOURISTS:
40 people
NOTIFICATION PERIOD IF THE MINIMUM NUMBER IS NOT REACHED:
7 days before departure.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Valid identity document: international passport. For children
under 18 travelling with one parent or without parents — a NOTARISED DECLARATION that the parents consent to the child travelling outside BULGARIA, original + copy.
PAYMENT:
Deposit of 30% of the package price, with the balance payable 20 days before departure.
The customer declares that they have been shown a certificate of the tour operator’s insurance under Article 97 of the Tourism Act, with Generali Zastrahovane AD, Sofia, 68 Knyaz Dondukov Boulevard, policy number 1329190051000004/2019, valid from 00:00 on 06.05.2023 until 24:00 on 05.05.2024.
We offer optional “Trip Cancellation” insurance under Article 80(1)(14) of the Tourism Act, covering the costs of cancellation, shortening or interruption of the trip due to health reasons affecting the traveller, close relatives, etc. The premium is calculated on the final amount payable under the contract and also depends on the customer’s age. Depending on the traveller’s age, the premium is between 2.8% and 5% of the final amount payable under the package travel contract. Insurance must be requested on the day the package travel contract is concluded.
NOTE:
The tour operator reserves the right to change the order of the itinerary. Prices for optional activities and museums are indicative; the agency accepts no liability for changes to them.
Useful information:
Kavala lies in northern Greece, just 350 km southeast of Sofia. The town is situated along the Aegean coast at the foot of low hills, some descending almost to the water’s edge. It attracts visitors with its emerald sea, lush vegetation and bearable summer temperatures.
The narrow cobbled streets of its old town are especially beautiful, with houses in bright pink, yellow and blue. Other buildings rise like dazzling white ships, with spacious terraces where children ride bicycles. Pretty balconies are adorned with flowers, while wooden window shutters lend the streets an old-world atmosphere. Kavala has 100,000 inhabitants, but in summer the number triples. The city was founded in the 8th–7th century BC, when it was called Neapoli. It was later renamed Christoupoli (City of Christ) in honour of the Apostle Paul. According to legend, he baptised the first Christian woman, Lada, at Philippi, 17 km northwest of the city. Remains of an ancient Roman settlement can still be seen there today. Kavala’s sights include its fortress walls, Byzantine remains and aqueduct — a bridge from Roman times. Fishing remains the main livelihood of local people. The lights of boats departing in the evening are a real attraction for visitors to the resort.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF TOURISTS:
40 people
NOTIFICATION PERIOD IF THE MINIMUM NUMBER IS NOT REACHED:
7 days before departure.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Valid identity document: international passport. For children
under 18 travelling with one parent or without parents — a NOTARISED DECLARATION that the parents consent to the child travelling outside BULGARIA, original + copy.
PAYMENT:
Deposit of 30% of the package price, with the balance payable 20 days before departure.
The customer declares that they have been shown a certificate of the tour operator’s insurance under Article 97 of the Tourism Act, with Generali Zastrahovane AD, Sofia, 68 Knyaz Dondukov Boulevard, policy number 1329190051000004/2019, valid from 00:00 on 06.05.2023 until 24:00 on 05.05.2024.
We offer optional “Trip Cancellation” insurance under Article 80(1)(14) of the Tourism Act, covering the costs of cancellation, shortening or interruption of the trip due to health reasons affecting the traveller, close relatives, etc. The premium is calculated on the final amount payable under the contract and also depends on the customer’s age. Depending on the traveller’s age, the premium is between 2.8% and 5% of the final amount payable under the package travel contract. Insurance must be requested on the day the package travel contract is concluded.
NOTE:
The tour operator reserves the right to change the order of the itinerary. Prices for optional activities and museums are indicative; the agency accepts no liability for changes to them.