Ruse

Your adventure begins in the morning, crossing the Danube on the Friendship Bridge to reach Ruse, Bulgaria's "Little Vienna." Its elegant Baroque and Neoclassical architecture contrasts sharply with the Soviet style that so dramatically marked Eastern Europe. Unlike other Balkan cities, the historic center of Ruse was designed by European architects (Italian, Austrian, German) in the late 1800s. The focal point is Freedom Square, one of the few squares in Europe where seven streets meet at a single point. The iconic buildings are true neo-baroque gems that look as if they were transported directly from the streets of Vienna. Ruse is Bulgaria's largest port on the Danube and has been a cultural and economic hub for centuries. The Danube waterfront offers a stunning natural contrast to the urban center. A look over Europe's most famous river is an iconic image that every traveler wants to remember.

Rusenski Lom Nature Park

A short distance from Ruse, you will enter the heart of Russian Lom Nature Park, a vast reserve of forests and river valleys, ideal for easy hiking and bird watching. Here, the dramatic landscapes of the canyon are home to a UNESCO treasure: the Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches. Unique experience: You will explore churches, chapels, and monastic cells carved directly into the rock by medieval monks, starting in the 13th century. Impressive frescoes: Inside the caves, you will admire well-preserved medieval frescoes of remarkable artistic value, some of them painted even before Leonardo da Vinci's famous "Last Supper." The panoramic view of the Rusenski Lom River valley from the church balcony is absolutely stunning.