Day-by-day itinerary
IMPORTANT — confirmation required: The source lists overlapping age groups with different optional-service prices. The office confirms the applicable child fares.
Day 1
Departure from Sofia, Serdika Bus Station, at 6.00; OMV in Mladost by the Regional Hospital at 6.10; Ihtiman Motel at 6.40; Shell Pazardzhik at 7.10; Plovdiv, OMV beside St Petersburg Hotel, at 8.00; Haskovo, OMV at the city entrance, at 09.30. Travel via Edirne to Istanbul. Free time for lunch at Margi Outlet in Edirne. Evening arrival in Istanbul, check-in and overnight stay.
Day 2
Breakfast. Visit Emirgan Park, Istanbul's largest park, transformed in April by the scent of millions of tulips. Guided walk in the old European quarter, ancient Constantinople: the Hippodrome, centre of city life, with the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column and Fountain of Wilhelm II; the Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul's most imposing buildings and the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. View Hagia Sophia from outside and the first courtyard of Topkapı. Free time for the covered Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar. Optional Istanbul by Night panoramic coach tour. Overnight stay.
Day 3
Breakfast. Free day in Istanbul. Optional programme: 1. Yıldız Palace, a vast 19th-century complex and the empire's last Ottoman palace, with beautiful gardens and Bosphorus views, followed by a short walk in Taksim Square. 2. Visit a leather factory, Aqua Florya shopping mall and aquarium. Free time. Overnight stay.
Day 4
Breakfast. Free day in Istanbul. Optional programme: 1. Bulgarian Church of St Stephen and panoramic Bosphorus cruise: Dolmabahçe, the new sultan's palace; Çırağan Palace, a former sultan's residence now one of the world's most prestigious hotels; Ortaköy, popular with Istanbul's young people and artists; Rumeli Hisarı and Anadolu Hisarı defensive fortresses; Beylerbeyi summer palace; and the Maiden's Tower. 2. Asian Fairy Tale: coach trip to Asian Istanbul and photo stop outside Beylerbeyi Palace, a baroque palace used mainly for receiving foreign visitors during the Ottoman Empire, with gardens, pool and sculpture collection. Continue by coach past Kuzguncuk, known for colourful streets, cafés and houses from Turkish TV series, and Üsküdar; photo stop at the Maiden's Tower and visit to Kadıköy with free time. Return to the hotel by ferry. 3. Turkish evening aboard a panoramic Bosphorus restaurant boat with entertainment. 4. Turkish evening at Gar Gazino restaurant. Overnight stay.
Day 5
Breakfast. Departure for Bulgaria. Evening arrival in Haskovo and Plovdiv; late-evening arrival in Sofia at Shell, 113 Tsarigradsko Shose Boulevard beside Sofia Press, and Serdika Bus Station.
Programme duration: 5 days
Travel type: organised tour
Transport: coach
Accommodation / validity (from–to) / price:
Twin room, not guaranteed / – / included in the base price
Double room with one double bed, not guaranteed / – / included in the base price
Extra bed in a double room / – / included in the base price
Additional services / age groups and prices:
Aqua Florya mall and aquarium plus leather shop, admission excluded: ages 7–99, EUR 10; ages 3–6, EUR 5.
Istanbul by Night with local guide, minimum 15 participants: ages 7–99, EUR 13; ages 3–6, EUR 0.
Bosphorus cruise and Bulgarian Church of St Stephen, 1 hour 45 minutes, minimum 20 participants: ages 3–6, EUR 30; ages 3–6, EUR 15.
Asian Fairy Tale: coach tour of Asian Istanbul, photo stop at Beylerbeyi Palace, coastal coach tour and Kadıköy visit, returning to Europe by ferry, minimum 15 participants: ages 3–6, EUR 25; ages 3–6, EUR 10.
Dinner and entertainment aboard a Bosphorus restaurant boat: hotel transfer, welcome cocktail, traditional Turkish meze, seasonal salad, grilled fish or chicken steak, dessert, 2 local alcoholic and soft drinks, Turkish coffee: ages 7–100, EUR 60; ages 3–6, EUR 30.
Yıldız Palace and Taksim Square walking tour, admission excluded, minimum 15 participants: ages 7–99, EUR 15; ages 3–6, EUR 5.
Dinner and entertainment at Gar Gazino: salad starters, hot starter, mixed grill of Adana kebab and chicken skewer, fruit, 2 drinks; free for children up to 6: ages 7–100, EUR 40; ages 3–6, EUR 20.
Two coach seats for one traveller: up to 100 years, EUR 76.6.
Discounts / age groups and amounts:
School pupils and university students up to 26: ages 3–26, EUR 4.6.
Children under 12 sharing their parents' room: ages 3–11, EUR 10.7.
Notes:
The agency is not responsible for changes to museum admission fees or opening hours. Listed fees follow the attractions' websites and may change. The agency may change the order of the itinerary.
Fuel surcharge: the diesel-price base is BGN 2.50 per 1 litre. An increase up to 9.99% is absorbed by the company. For increases of 10% or more, the company may introduce a fuel surcharge. An increase of 10%–19.99% over the base results in BGN 10.00 per traveller on this programme. For each further 10% increase, that amount is multiplied accordingly.
The tour operates with a minimum of 24 participants.
No medical or health requirements apply to this trip.
Bulgarian citizens must hold a valid passport or identity card valid for at least 6 months after entry into the country.