Sofia to Plovdiv and Bachkovo monastery: Private day trip

Continuously inhabited since 6000 BC, the ancient city of Plovdiv is a living record of Bulgaria's history. Here visitors can see remnants of Roman rule in an archaeological complex containing possibly the best-known antiquity in Bulgaria - the ancient theatre. Other eras are being represented as well through the gorgeous churches, cathedrals, synagogues, and mosques which each tell a tale of the different stages of Plovdiv's history, while the striking architecture of the old town comes from the Bulgarian national revival.

Bachkovo Monastery's foundations were first laid in 1083, though it experienced its fair share of ups and downs over the course of its history. While it flourished during the 12th century, it was destroyed by the Turks in the 15th and 16th centuries, after which it was lovingly restored. This is when the first frescoes were painted, depicting the impressive history of the monastery. More murals and frescoes were added over time, with an absolutely superb "Last Judgement" inside the chapel. Nearby the monastery, there is also an ossuary from the 11th century, a relic of the original structure, with jaw-dropping murals.