Discover Veliko Tarnovo at Your Pace: Private or Self-guided tour

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Adrian M.

August 09, 2022

star service and tour guide, could not recommend higher. We visited Krushuna Falls and Devetashka Caves with Drago, who was friendly, welcoming and added his own personal spark to the day and tour. We received detailed explanations and background and approached areas that you wouldn’t on your own. It was a very personalised experience at a fantastic price.

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Nelson F.

September 10, 2021

A fabulous day. The tour began with an unexpected bit of exploration. We went to scout out a place my guide had been curious about: the Kabiuk horse farm. The farm was begun in 1864 to produce horses for the Ottoman army. We met a woman at the farm who first took us through their museum. Though small, the museum, nonetheless, offered fascinating information and artifacts, such as King Ferdinand's carriage. But the real treat was a trip to see the stars of the show: the horses. I couldn't count but it seemed as if a hundred or more horses, unbridled, were brought out for us to see. It was a truly spectacular sight. Next we went to the Madara Horseman, a figure of a horseman, dating back to the 7th or 8th century, carved into a cliff, accompanied by a hunting dog, thrusting a spear into a lion. We climbed the steps to the top (and whoever made those steps had very long legs) where we explored the old fortress. The view was breathtaking. Next we stopped at Pliska, the home of the capital of the first Bulgarian kingdom. Though I had seen pictures online, I wasn't prepared for the scale or sophistication in design of the place. And equally impressive was the nearby basilica. The final stop, like the first, was a bit unplanned. We stopped at the Tombul Mosque, the largest mosque in Bulgaria. Officially, I think we arrived after hours, but the Imam was both delighted and proud to show off his mosque. And well he should be. It is astonishingly beautiful. While this describes the events of the day, it doesn't convey the contribution of the most important factor: my guide. He was amazing. It's so clear that this is not simply his vocation but his avocation. We were just friends having a grand day of touring, and it was extra special seeing two hitherto unexplored areas by my guide. Again, such a wonderful day.

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Elena L.

October 28, 2019

Very nice tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi, with our local guide Drago. He is smart, funny and entertaining. He is a genuine storyteller and transforms the historical texts in something more memorable. I don't remember now any year or king name, but I do remember the story with the plane flying below the bridge :) and many others, which make me want to come back and explore more of the city. Well done, Drago! I loved your enthousiasm, energy and (tons of) patience with us.