Private Eco Tour, 10 Hours

Overview

This is a long day built around a three-hour transfer each way to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's medieval capital, with the whole journey run in hybrid or electric vehicles. Privatour BG runs it as a private tour, so only your group travels. The drive time is already counted inside the total duration, so the day is exactly as long as it looks in the tour details.

Once in town, the day splits into three parts. First comes a guided walking tour of Tsarevets fortress, taking in the Patriarchate complex, restored in 1981, and Baldwin's Tower, where the Latin Emperor Baldwin of Constantinople, the first of that name, died as a prisoner of Tzar Kaloyan. After that the route continues to the Samovodska Charshiya Complex in the Old Town, a historic marketplace where local artisans demonstrate pottery throwing, blacksmithing and weaving.

It suits travellers who want history explained properly rather than just shown. One reviewer singled out an educated guide, holding a PhD in history, who provided plenty of information and called the trip interesting and memorable. Bring patience for the drive, since a fair share of the day is spent getting there and back. Note that lunch is not included, so plan for a meal stop of your own arrangement.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet your guideMeet at the stated meeting point. Confirmation arrives at time of booking unless you book within 12 hours of travel, in which case it comes as soon as possible, subject to availability.
2. Drive to Veliko TarnovoA three-hour journey in a hybrid or electric vehicle. The travel time is included in the total duration of the product.
3. Veliko TarnovoThree hours in the medieval capital. Admission is free at this stop.
4. Tsarevets fortressTwo hours on a guided walking tour covering the Patriarchate complex, restored in 1981, and Baldwin's Tower. Admission ticket included.
5. Samovodska Charshiya ComplexFive hours at this stop, the longest block of the day. Admission is free, and artisans demonstrate traditional crafts such as pottery throwing, blacksmithing and weaving.
6. Return transferTravel back is included in the total duration. The vehicle has air conditioning and WiFi on board.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what helps before booking, based on the tour details and on what travellers have said after taking the tour.

• Only your group. This is a private tour, so nobody outside your party joins. The vehicle, driver and guide are exclusively for your booking.
• Long drives. Expect a three-hour transfer each way, already counted inside the ten-hour total. The vehicle is air conditioned and has WiFi, which helps on the road.
• Walking at Tsarevets. The fortress visit is a guided walking tour lasting two hours. Reasonable mobility helps, since the tour is not wheelchair accessible.
• Food planning. Lunch is not included, so budget for a meal during the day. All fees and taxes, transport and Tsarevets admission are covered.
• Good weather needed. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, a different date or a full refund is offered.
• Guides with depth. One reviewer described an educated guide with a PhD in history who provided lots of information. The tour centres on a guided walking route with commentary rather than a simple shuttle.

Common issues. The day is dominated by transfer time, with three hours each way inside the ten-hour total, so the actual time on site is more limited than the duration suggests. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. Lunch is excluded, which is an extra cost to plan for. Poor weather can end in cancellation, though a new date or full refund is offered in that case.

Common Questions