Bulgaria Rowing Tour
Sept 24 - Oct 4, 2025
Bulgaria Rowing Tour
Sept 24 - Oct 4, 2025
Discover Bulgaria
Nestled in Southeastern Europe on the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is a land of contrasts. It borders Romania to the north via the Danube River, Turkey and Greece to the south, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, and the Black Sea to the east. From rugged mountain ranges dotted with ancient monasteries to lively cities and sandy Black Sea beaches, Bulgaria offers endless opportunities for exploration.
Destination highlights:
Our journey will take us to four key locations: Sofia, Plovdiv, Ruse, and Nessebar. Over 10 days, we’ll travel in comfort in a spacious minibus with a professional driver, staying two days in each destination.
Sofia:
Our adventure begins in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. Here, we’ll row on the picturesque Pancharevo Lake and enjoy a guided walking tour through the city’s historic landmarks. A visit to the Natural History Museum will offer a glimpse into Bulgaria’s rich archaeology, art, and ethnography.
Plovdiv:
Next, we head to Plovdiv, a city renowned for hosting World Rowing Championships. We’ll row on the 2,000-meter canal, famous for its perfectly flat water and motorboat-free environment. Our accommodations are conveniently located by the canal, just a short walk from the rowing club. Beyond rowing, we’ll explore Plovdiv’s vibrant city center, its charming Old Town, and 18th-19th century architecture. A day trip will take us to the stunning Asen’s Fortress, the historic Bachkovo Monastery, and the natural wonder of the Wonderful Bridges.
Ruse (Iva’s Hometown):
Our journey continues to Ruse, but not before stopping at Tsarevets, a medieval fortress that served as the Second Bulgarian Empire’s stronghold, and Etara, an open-air ethnographic museum where traditional Bulgarian crafts come alive. In Ruse, we’ll stay in the heart of the city along the lively promenade filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. We’ll row on a scenic lake nearby and later enjoy a wine tasting and dinner in a charming village.
Nessebar:
The final leg of our tour brings us to Nessebar, an ancient town perched on the Black Sea and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll stay in a boutique hotel in the Old Town, surrounded by breathtaking sea views and within walking distance of shops and restaurants. During our time here, we’ll explore the town’s well-preserved ruins of 5th- and 6th-century churches, enjoy relaxing moments by the sea and take a day trip to other places of interest along the coast.
This rejuvenating coastal experience will be the conclusion of our journey. Thank you for choosing Bulgaria and iROW Tours!
Tour Details
Total Cost: $7,650
$6,895 for iRow clients/previous tour participants
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To summarize, the itinerary will be as follows*:
Sept 24 – Arrivals in Sofia, hotel check in, sightseeing tour that will conclude with dinner
Sept 25 – Full Day in Sofia (rowing in the morning, some free time in the afternoon)
Sept 26 – Rowing in the morning, hotel check out, lunch, National History Museum visit on the way to Plovdiv
Sept 27 – Rowing in Plovdiv, guided sightseeing tour in the afternoon
Sept 28 – Rowing in Plovdiv, lovely lunch in a nearby village, back in Plovdiv, free time, dinner on your own
Sept 29 – Long Transfer Day from Plovdiv to Ruse, with stops at Etara where we have lunch and Tsarevets
Sept 30 – Rowing in Ruse followed by a guided tour and dinner + wine tasting
Oct 1 – Rowing in Ruse, lunch and departure for Nesebar
Oct 2 – Full day to explore Nesebar and the surrounding area
Oct 3 – Free time, transfer to Varna and last group dinner
Oct 4 – Departures from Varna Airport
* The itinerary is subject to change prior to or during the trip.
This once in a life time experience is priced at $7,650 ($6,895 for iROW clients/previous tour participants). Included in this price are:
10 nights double occupance accommodations in 4 star hotels (2 nights in Sofia, 3 nights in Plovdiv, 2 nights in Ruse, 2 nights in Nesebar, 1 night in/near Varna). Single Supplement: $1100
All meals and drinks
Six coached rowing sessions of approximately 90min each (weather permitting)
Alternative activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, etc. as a substitute to rowing
Guided tours in Sofia, Plovdiv, Ruse and Nesebar
All fees associated with tour guides, museum visits, boat rentals, etc
Private minibus and driver for the entire duration of the trip
Wine tasting and spa visit
In other words, the trip is priced to include absolutely all costs while you are in Bulgaria (with exception of any personal items you many want to purchase). The only thing you need is your plane ticket and travel insurance.
The capacity is for 6-12 people and your non rowing friends are welcome to join us. We must have 6 people signed up by December 31, 2024, in order to proceed with the trip. To sign up, please send a $1,500 non-refundable security deposit and complete the traveler information and waiver forms. This reserves your spot in the tour. The remaining amount is due on March 1, 2025. Forms of payment accepted: Checks, Zelle and credit cards (for credit cards please add a 3.5% surcharge).
For questions, please contact Iva at iva@larowingcoach.com or 310.895.5506.