Day 1: Sofia
Fly from London direct to Sofia, where you check into a four-star hotel. This afternoon, there will be a city tour and tram ride. Dinner is at the hotel. (D) Day 2: Steam Train to Velingrad
Depart Sofia hauled by steam locomotive 2-8-2 (01.23) and head for Septemvri. A light lunch will be served in the train’s restaurant car. At Septemvri, transfer to a special narrow-gauge train hauled by a very large tank (class 609.76 2-10-4). The climb into the mountains takes you through dramatic gorges with fast-flowing rivers, before arriving at Velingrad, a winter sports resort high in the mountains. On arrival, transfer to the Hotel Velingrad for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D) Day 3: Dobrinishte
Rejoin the steam-hauled train at Velingrad station. On departure No. 609.76 will be working hard as you climb through the magnificent scenery of the Rila Mountains, eventually arriving at Bansko and then Dobrinishte later in the afternoon. Youe will have a picnic lunch en route. Bansko, a major tourist resort, stands in a beautiful spot in the Piril Mountains. Return by coach to the Velingrad hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D) Day 4: Steam to Dimitrovgrad and Podkova
After breakfast, return to Septemvri by coach to join a special steam charter hauled by locomotive 01.23. The train departs for Dimitrovgrad via Plovdiv, with lunch served en-route. At Dimitrovgrad, change locomotives to a 16 class 2-10-0 and continue from Dimitrovgrad to Podkova via Kardzali and Momchilgrad. This spectacular line weaves its way past lakes and through mountain gorges to Kardzhali and, eventually, Momchilgrad. Proceed from Momchilgrad to Podkova, where you transfer to Haskovo and the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D) Day 5: To Stara Zagora
After breakfast, transfer back to Momchilgrad by coach and travel by steam charter, again through the majestic scenery to Dimitrovgrad. From Dimitrovgrad, continue with locomotive 01.23 for the magnificent run through Bulgarian countryside to Simeonovgrad and Nova Zagora where the locomotive takes water. Continue on to Stara Zagora, where you stay overnight in Hotel Vereya. (B,L,D) Day 6: Steam to Veliko Tarnovo
After an early visit to the steam locomotive reserve at Kaloianovets, depart Stara Zagora with locomotive 03.12, a Henchel 4-8-2, to Tulovo and onward. The route north from Dabovo climbs up through a massive canyon by means of spirals and high embankments, often clinging precariously to its sides. The train steams into the medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo. Dinner and overnight accommodations are in the Yantra Grand Hotel, a four-star hotel recently refurbished and named after the local river that winds its way gracefully through a sheer tree-lined gorge. (B,L,D) Day 7: Veliko Tarnovo
One of Bulgaria’s primary tourist destinations, Veliko Tarnovo boasts many historical monuments and landmarks such as its fortress ruins on a hill overlooking the town. This morning you’ll enjoy a visit to the nearby steam locomotive reserve at Assenovo, which still contains a wide range of steam locomotive types. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Veliko Tarnovo. Again, dinner and overnight accommodations are atthe hotel. (B,L,D) Day 8: Steam Train to Rousse
Depart Veliko Tarnovo hauled by steam locomotive 03.12 via Gorna Oriahovitsa through the rolling Bulgarian countryside to Rousse, with plenty of photo runbys and lunch enroute. On arrival at Rousse, transfer to the hotel, the Danube Plaza, for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D) Day 9: Rousse and the Danube
Rousse is the fifth-largest city in Bulgaria, located on the south bank of the Danube, the most significant Bulgarian river port. The Rousse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge is a two-level bridge for rail and road crossing the Danube into Romania, a simple matter to walk across. Rousse is known as ‘Little Vienna’ because of its location on the Danube and for its beautiful old buildings. In the morning, enjoy a tour of the town, including a visit to the National Transport Museum. The museum is situated in the first railway station in Bulgaria and divided into three sections: railway transport, river shipping and communications. Afterward, enjoy a boat cruise on the Danube with lunch served on board. Return to the hotel for dinner. (B,L,D) Day 10: Steam Train to Varna
Today you complete the journey through Bulgaria with a sensational 140-mile (226 km) trip on the British-built, first railway line in Bulgaria between Rousse and Varna. IRT has arranged photo stops enroute and lunch will be served during the day. On arrival in Varna, transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D) Day 11: Varna
Varna is the most popular resort on the Black Sea, where ancient, medieval, renaissance and modern cultures coexist. After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, taking in major attractions like the towering Cathedral, Maritime Museum and Roman baths. Afterward, enjoy a farewell lunch in a restaurant near the Black Sea before departing for the airport for a late evening direct British Airways flight to London. (B,L) |
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