Monastero di Rila e chiesa di Bojana con pranzo leggero

La nostra guida Denita e l'autista Evan erano molto puntuali. Anche Denita era molto articolata e ci ha dato un'ottima panoramica della storia dietro il monastero di Rila e come è cresciuta. Tuttavia non si è unita a noi all'interno del museo per darci ulteriori approfondimenti. Forse perché anche lei avrebbe dovuto acquistare un biglietto. Ci ha anche portato fino alla grotta che non faceva parte del programma originale. Evan l'autista era attento e guidava in modo molto professionale. Il pranzo è stato buono e in realtà non leggero per i nostri standard. Era quasi un pasto completo! L'unica cosa strana era la guida e l'autista seduto con noi e aveva la zuppa ma non un intero pasto, il che era un po 'imbarazzante. Viator dovrebbe coprire un pasto per loro. Certamente noi. non voglio che l'autista sia così pieno che si addormenta. Questa è la prima volta che abbiamo una guida e un autista seduti con noi (e abbiamo fatto molti di questi viaggi), quindi era insolito. Sarebbe stato molto comodo se avessero mangiato bene con noi. Nel complesso un buon affare.

Abbiamo prenotato questo tour mesi in anticipo e pagato per questo. La mattina del tour stavamo aspettando che la guida del tour venisse a prenderci alle 9 in hotel e dato che alle 9:20 non si erano presentati, abbiamo chiesto al concierge di chiamarli. Hanno detto di averci inviato una e-mail di annullamento il giorno prima, che non abbiamo mai ricevuto. Hanno detto che il rimborso è stato elaborato immediatamente ma dopo due settimane abbiamo dovuto chiedere a Viator di chiedere loro il rimborso e quindi l'abbiamo ottenuto. Vorremmo suggerire a questa compagnia turistica che invece di annullare per qualsiasi motivo valido possano avere, di trasferire i loro clienti a un'altra compagnia turistica che si prenderà cura dei loro clienti, non lasciarli lì. Eravamo così grati che il concierge dell'Intercontinental Sofia trovò immediatamente un'altra compagnia turistica e il proprietario venne a prenderci e ci guidò per incontrare il loro autobus che era già sulla strada per il Monastero di Rila. Questa è un'azienda che si prende davvero cura delle persone e ovviamente dei loro clienti!

Rila is awesome but the guide on our particular day got in the way. He had us stand in one place and listen to a long winded, tedious history of Bulgaria. It would have been better to walk us around, break up the lecturing into absorbable chunks, and even stay silent some of the time. We were too polite to break off and leave him. He left us only 30 minutes at the end on our own. Not enough time to check out the icons for sale, go to the separate museums within the Rila complex, or buy the famous snack they sell at a restaurant behind the complex. The tour with Light Lunch goes to the Gorski Kut restaurant a few minutes away from the monastery. It includes a chicken lunch but their specialty is the trout caught in the stream you can see from their windows, so we upgraded and it was wonderful. There were only 4 of us in the mini van and 2 had actually bought a different tour that does not include lunch. They had to go to Gorski Kut too. Then we went on to Boyana Church, which is really small and very special. You are allowed only 10 minutes inside and that guide again talked the entire time. He was expert like a university lecturer but not a helpful guide. For instance, there are western toilets at Rila and he knew where they were but sent 70 year old ladies to the Turkish floor toilets instead.

Danica was a really good guide. Very friendly and knowledgable. We had a lovely interesting and fun day. The picked us up from hotel and took us home.

Great tour. Loved the monasteries, specially Boyana. Our guide Chimi was great, a bit talkative, but that is also what made her so interesting. Lunch was nice with soup, and chicken.

Our guides were delightful and well-informed. The day went smoothly and we enjoyed the sights and commentary. This is a winner.

The tour started well with being picked up at our hotel on time by our guide and driver George. The drive out of Sofia on new highways into the countryside was very interesting and George gave us a brief account of Bulgaria's recent history. The drive from the village of Rila was up a narrow river valley with the road ending at the monastery George gave us a talk about the monastery then left us to look around on our own. The monastery is amazing, and quite extensive though only a handful of monks still remain there. There is a lot to see in the lovely church and museum, and even time for a coffee in a restaurant just outside one of the gates. The whole setting is magical, being surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The next stop was for a very nice lunch at a riverside restaurant on the way back down the valley, then on to Boyana Church on the southern outskirts of Sofia. This really is a little gem, having been built and painted inside with fescoes over a number of centuries. It is still possible to see the different layers of plaster and paintwork. Overall this was a brilliant cultural experience and one not to be missed on even a short visit to Sofia.

Very good private day trip. Driver and guide arrived at time stated and we headed off. First stop was the Boyana church then off to Rila monastery. Both locations well worth a visit and with a simple light lunch also supplied it's a fun day. Although it states it's an eight hour trip ours lasted about six and a half. Guide Matt was very good as was his English and knowledge, Thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The tour was awesome.. the guide and driver were very friendly and helpful.. as it was Autumn the mountains looked lovely and we had a very nice time and also very good veg food

This tour was a highlight of our time in Sofia, partly as our guide and driver were great people. We learnt a lot at the Monastery and climbed up to the cave well worth packing sensible shoes for. The light lunch was massive and filling. They also kindly stopped and translated at a roadside ceramics stall. Having someone explain Boyana Church meant we were able to appreciate this art treasure more. We are not religious people but would highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Sofia.