Opera Tour: the Ring of the Nibelung

Opera Tour: the Ring of the Nibelung

Like a magnet, the Bulgarian “Ring of the Nibelung” attracts fans of the work of Richard Wagner world-wide and has become a symbol of The Sofia Opera. Since 2013 the Sofia Opera successfully offers the unique opportunity to see and hear the opera cycle in Bulgaria and with only Bulgarian singers.

Join us to combine history with the music of Wagner in vibrant Bulgaria!

Day 1 Day 1: 21.05.2016 Saturday: Sofia

Arrival in Sofia. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel.

Dinner.

18.00h Performance in the Opera of Sofia: Das Rheingold

Day 2 Day 2: 22.05.2016 Sunday: Sofia

After breakfast you will have the opportunity to get to know the Bulgarian capital Sofia. During your guided tour in the city centre you will enter the biggest church in Bulgaria-‘St. Alexander Nevski” with its golden domes, the basilica “St. Sofia”, build in 6th century by brick stones, the most important political buildings of the parliament and the presidency, the National Theatre in renaissance style with it`s lovely fountains and garden.

Free time

16.30h Dinner.

18.00h Performance in the Opera of Sofia: Die Walküre

Day 3 Day 3: 23.05.2016 Monday: Sofia – Arbanassi - Veliko Tarnovo

After breakfast departure to Arbanassi. Visit the museum village Arbanassi. Austere houses that resemble minor fortresses on the outside, with high walls and heavy gates, iron grids and secret hiding places. The oldest of the Arbanassi’s five churches is The Birth Christ (1637-1649) – a genuine art gallery with over 3500 stunningly realistic figures and Biblical scenes, painted by unknown artists throughout the ages.

Continiue to the Old Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo. Sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo, including Tsarevets Royal Hill and Samovodska Charshia (street of crafts).

Dinner and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 4 Day 4: 24.05.2016 Tuesday: Veliko Tarnovo – Etara – Kazanlak – Plovdiv

After breakfast departure to open-air ethnographical museum of “Etara”. The purpose of this architectural and ethnographic complex is to present the architecture and the style of life in Gabrovo and the region during the second half of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century.

Continue to “The valley of the Roses and the Thracian rulers” – Kasanlak. You will have the unique opportunity to get to know the region during the rose blossom.

Visit the Thracian tomb in Kaznalak. Its unique architecture and incredible mural paintings help the investigation of the art and culture of Hellenism, because Thracians are not only bearers but also sharers in the formation. Tasting of Rose liquer and Rose honey, produced in an authentic Rose oil factory.

Continue to Plovdiv.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 5 Day 5: 25.05.2016 Wednesday: Plovdiv – Sofia

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture 2019. The city is more ancient than Bulgaria itself. Its indelible marks are still to be seen today: the Roman Stadium, the Ancient Theatre, rising above the Old Plovdiv is an original heritage park that lives on, an architectural phenomenon combining the splendor of stately homes with the modesty of cobblestone lanes. Every single house here has its own allure and fascination. The Ethnographic Museum, the art galleries, churches and street of folk arts and crafts are major landmarks of Old Plovdiv.

13.30h lunch in Plovdiv

17.00h Return to Sofia.

18.00h Performance in the Opera of Sofia: Siegfried

Day 6 Day 6: 26.05.2016 Thursday: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Sofia

After breakfast excursion to the Rila Monastery – the largest monastery in Bulgaria. Sightseeing of the monastery, featuring the unsurpassed frescoes of the main church, the monastery museum and its exquisite architecture.

Return to Sofia.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Day 7: 27.05.2016 Friday: Sofia

After breakfast departure to the beautiful quarter Boyana. The Boyana Church consists of three parts from three different periods. It is in the UNESCO List of World and Cultural Heritage.

Visit the National Historical Museum that includes subjects from different cultures, lived on the territory of the country.

16.30h Dinner.

18.00h Performance in the Opera of Sofia: Götterdämmerung

Day 8 Day 8: 28.05.2016 Saturday: Departure

After breakfast your tour ends with transfer to the airport for your departing flight.