The Black Sea Express

The Black Sea Express gives engine lovers the opportunity to wander by steam train through the most scenic areas of Bulgaria. Starting in Sofia, we head for the Rhodop Mountains for a spectacular narrow gauge steam hauled journey to Vellingrad, Bansko and Dobrinste. We visit the spectacular city of Veliko Tamover, a very important and historic city, and beautiful Russe before concluding our journey at Varna on the Black Sea coast.

Wednesday 15th September

Sofia

Our flight with British Airways takes us direct to Sofia, where we check into our 4-star hotel.
In the afternoon, we have arranged a city tour and a tram ride. Dinner is at our hotel. (D)

Thursday 16th September

Steam Train to Velingrad

We depart Sofia hauled by steam locomotive 2-8-2 (01.23) and head for Septemvri. A light lunch will be served in the restaurant car on the train. At Septemvri we transfer to our special narrow gauge train hauled by a very large tank (class 609.76 2-10-4). Our climb into the mountains takes us through dramatic gorges with fast flowing rivers, before arriving at Velingrad, a winter sports resort high in the mountains.
On arrival we transfer to the Hotel Velingrad for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Friday 17th September

To Dobriniste

We rejoin our steam hauled train at Velingrad station. On departure No. 609.76 will be working hard as we climb through the magnificent scenery of the Rila Mountains eventually arriving at Bansko and then Dobriniste later in the afternoon. We will have a picnic lunch en route. Bansko, a major tourist resort, stands in a beautiful spot in the Piril Mountains. We return to Velingrad by coach to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) 

Saturday 18th September

Steam to Dimitrovgrad and Podkova

After breakfast we return to Septemvri by coach to join our special steam charter hauled by locomotive 01.23. Our train departs for Dimitrovgrad via Plovdiv, with lunch served en route. At Dimitrovgrad we change locomotive to a 16 class 2-10-0 and continue from Dimitrovgrad to Podkova via Kardzali and Momchilgrad. This spectacular line weaves its way past lakes and through mountain gorges to Kardzhali and, eventually, Momchilgrad.
We proceed from Momchilgrad to Podkova, from where we transfer back to Haskovo and our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Sunday 19th September

To Stara Zagora

After breakfast we transfer back to Momchilgrad by coach and travel by steam charter, again through the majestic scenery to Dimitrovgrad. From Dimitrovgrad we continue with locomotive 01.23 for the magnificent run through Bulgarian countryside to Simeonovgrad and Nova Zagora where our locomotive takes water. We continue on to Stara Zagora, where we stay overnight in Hotel Vereya. (B L D)

Monday 20th September

Steam to Veliko Tarnovo

After an early visit to the steam locomotive reserve at Kaloianovets, we depart Stara Zagora with locomotive 03.12 a Henchel 4-8-2 to Tulovo and onwards. Our route north from Dabovo climbs up through a massive canyon by means of spirals and high embankments, often clinging precariously to its sides. Our train steams into the medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo which delights visitors with its wonderful views. Dinner and overnight accommodation is in the Jantra Grand Hotel, a 4-star hotel recently refurbished and named after the local river that winds its way gracefully through a sheer tree lined gorge. (B L D)

Tuesday 21st September

Veliko Tarnovo

One of Bulgaria’s primary tourist destinations, Veliko Tarnovo boasts many historical monuments and landmarks such as the ruins of its fortress on a hill overlooking the town. This morning you’ll enjoy a visit to the nearby steam locomotive reserve at Assenovo, which still contains a wide range of steam locomotive types. Afterwards the rest of the day is free to enjoy Veliko Tarnovo. Again, dinner and overnight accommodation is at our hotel. (B L D)

Wednesday 22nd September

Steam Train to Rousse

We depart Veliko Tarnovo hauled by steam locomotive 03.12 via Gorna Oriahovitsa through the rolling Bulgarian countryside to Russe, with plenty of photo runpasts en route and lunch during the day. On arrival at Russe we transfer to our hotel, the Danube Plaza, for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Thursday 23rd September

Rousse and the Danube

Rousse is the fifth-largest city in Bulgaria on the south bank of the Danube, the most significant Bulgarian river port. The Rousse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge is a two level bridge for rail and road crossing the Danube into Romania, a simple matter to walk across. Rousse is known as ‘Little Vienna’ both because it is on the Danube and for its beautiful selection of old buildings.
In the morning we have a tour of the town including a visit to the national museum of transport. The museum is situated in the first railway station in Bulgaria and divided into three sections; railway transport, river shipping and communications. We have arranged a boat cruise on the Danube after this with lunch served on board, before returning to our hotel for dinner.
(B L D)

Friday 24th September

Steam train to Varna

Today we complete our journey through Bulgaria with a sensational 226 km trip on the British built first railway line in Bulgaria between Russe and Varna. We have arranged photostops enroute and lunch will be served during the day. On arrival in Varna we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Saturday 25th September

Varna

Varna is the most popular resort on the Black Sea where ancient, medieval, renaissance and modern cultures mingle and coexist. After breakfast we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, taking in major attractions like the towering Cathedral, Maritime Museum and Roman baths.
Afterwards we enjoy a farewell lunch in a restaurant near the Black Sea before departing for the airport for our late evening direct British Airways flight to London Gatwick. (B L)

 

Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner