A HAPPY Weekend!

Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Sofia, the charming capital city of Bulgaria, a fine blend of the fading Soviet era and an emerging European - Balcan metropolis, home to numerous historical and cultural sites, from the Roman, Ottoman and Byzantine empires that can be discovered and explored, perfectly well and mainly on foot!

Wander around the wonderful Christmas Market with a local flare, explore the massive iconic cathedral in the heart of the city and Sofia's main open market for authentic local vibes, indulge in traditional Bulgarian cuisine, shop unique hand crafted gifts.

Treat yourself to a lovely 4* SPA HOTEL, recharge and combine relaxation with Christmas weekend break vibes, while exploring and discovering so many hidden gems!

Come solo or with friends, enjoy travelling with other friendly travel companions or / and take some precious 'me' time as well and catch up later for dinner! Create connections, make festive memories!

Indicative itinerary :

Saturday, 13th December : Meeting-up and stroll around Vitosha Boulevard right in the city centre. Enjoy a delicious dinner with a local flare and traditional Bulgarian music.

Sunday, 14th December : Starting with a guided walking tour to find out about the secrets and gems of Sofia first hand by our local professional guide. Amongst them one of the most beautiful and largest Orthodox churches in the world, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St Sofia church, from which the city was named after, an interesting covered food market with a local flair. Hot mule wine and local delicacies at the Christmas markets, also some free time to enjoy the SPA and indoor heated pool, why not, a massage too, in our wonderful hotel!

Monday, 15th December : Optional day trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana church, UNESCO Heritage sites, ones of the most important landmarks of the country.
Alternatively have fun discovering the bohemian cafes, bars and restaurants in Kvartal Art district, the old Jewish quarter of Sofia, the Museum of Socialist Art, the remarkable ancient Service complex.

You may choose to stay for an extra day and enjoy an optional day trip to the beautiful and historical town of Plovdiv with its ancient theatre and the authentic traditional Bulgarian photogenic old town.

Please note that the order of the above itinerary may slightly change for an optimal experience, once there.

Your investment of :

£389 in a 4*Spa Hotel including :

-3 nights in a DOUBLE ROOM for SINGLE OCCUPANCY (you have your own room) in a large 4* SPA HOTEL, very centrally located hotel.

- A rich breakfast buffet with a variety of local specialities each morning.

-Access to the SPA with a large indoor heated swimming pool of the hotel with massage options available (on an additional cost)

-An optional walking tour in Sofia city centre with a local guide (tip based)

-ELENI being with the group throughout the trip, ensuring the necessary arrangements for an optimal experience.

-Organisation, hosting & meet-up fees

Be in touch as soon as you're ready to confirm so the payment details will be sent to you. Be prompt to ensure your choice of hotel in this price.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE and are quite affordable as we speak, the sooner you book the better! It's Christmas time, the most wonderful time of the year !

YOU NEED TO BOOK YOUR OWN FLIGHTS TO SOFIA, BULGARIA

Recommended flight that ELENI is taking :

FR1730 13 Dec - London Stansted - Sofia 08:05 - 13:30
FR9962 16 Dec - Sofia - London Stansted 19:50 - 21:15

IF YOU HAVE A PLUS ONE AND WISH TO SHARE A ROOM, BE IN TOUCH THE SOONEST FOR EXACT PRICE.

If you wish to extend your stay and take your time, explore better, enjoy further, arrangements can be made so you can stay in the same hotel room all the way!

The trip is confirmed and is going ahead.

Check for availability first with the organiser before you book flights.

By attending this meet-up trip you are fully responsible for your own personal safety.

YOU MUST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR OWN TRAVEL INSURANCE AND ENSURE YOUR PASSPORT ALLOWS TRAVEL TO BULGARIA.

Treat yourself to a Christmas 🎄 experience with sparkles of joy and dare to dream!

Experience and enjoy an amazing Christmassy long weekend in Thessaloniki! The second capital city of Greece, which has been recently awarded with a 'best city break' destination in Europe for 2025, in the World Travel Market. Known for its innate hospitality, party vibe and food culture, all dressed up in its own glam and glory, awaiting to be explored and celebrated!

Enjoy the local Christmas market, spectacular winter sunsets right at the seafront, even more colourful than summer time perhaps, local street bands, mulled wine with souvlaki, the renown local Greek Christmas sweet delicacies and so much more to discover, perfectly well on leisure strolls.

It hosts over 13 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE monuments, numerous early Christian churches and precious museums with timeless treasures.

But what Thessaloniki is MOSTLY famous about, are the countless cafes, the vibrant bars and restaurants, the mouthwatering gastronomical experiences, the late night life, the joy and the bliss every one feels after a walk by the sea, making the most of a well-deserved Christmas break.

If you happen to have a sweet tooth, Heaven is a place on Earth indeed and you have just transported yourself there! Melomakarona, kourabiedes and baklava will be your new favourite words during these days and you'll get to experience everything as a local throughout this most wonderful time of the year!

Come solo or with friends, make connections and memories, spending time with other friendly travel companions or take some precious 'me' time as well and catch up later for dinner, the Greek way!

Indicative itinerary :

Thursday, 18th December : Arrival & meeting up with all participants, getting to know each other, having dinner with local cuisine specialties and live music enjoying Thessaloniki by night.

Friday, 19th December : A walk around the historical city centre by Eleni 'as a local' to explore its sites, scents and colours during the day.
We are visiting, among others, the Kapani open market, Aristotle Sq, Ladadika, the patron st Demetrios Byzantine cathedral & crypt, the Rotonda, the Arch of Gallerius, the open air museum street type Navarinou sq and so on.

Visiting also the upper byzantine town, Ano Poli, where the views are unforgettable.

We are having meals in authentic taverns and modern restaurants, indulging in local flavours, numerous mezedes - local specialities, cause cause food tastes best when shared!

Sneak peek into the the emblematic White Tower, the major landmark of the city and take magnificent photos from the very top!

Saturday, 20th December : Optional day trip to a beautiful mountainous traditional village with natural hot springs and an authentic Christmas Market with local delicacies, adding extra sparkles of magic to the scenery

Alternatively take the time to visit the very important Archaeological and Byzantine museums with ever lasting treasures - world heritage sites, perhaps the newer Jewish museum or chill out around the city's festive cafes, bars and the vibrant seafront.

Thessaloniki is named after the sister of Alexander the Great in ancient Greece.

Sunday 22nd, December : Departure date and / or make the most of Thessaloniki before your flight.

Your investment of £389 includes :

-3 nights in a DOUBLE ROOM for SINGLE OCCUPANCY (you have your own room) in a 3* well presented, centrally located hotel (4* hotel options are also available so far, be touch if interested)

-Delicious breakfast buffet with local flavours and produce each morning.

-A sightseeing walk around the city by ELENI 'as a local' around the historical centre.

-A TREAT of sweet gourmet Greek delicacies during our sightseeing walk so you can taste first hand the flavours and scents of Christmas in Greece.

-A ‘pirates boat’ cruise along the waterfront, for about 40 mins, weather permitting, excluding drinks, admiring the city from another perspective.

-ELENI being with the group throughout the trip, ensuring necessary arrangements for an optimal experience.

-Organisation, hosting & meet-up fees

Would you like to stay longer and / or bring you plus one and share a room? Be in touch the sooner for the exact price. Arrangements can be made so you can stay in the same hotel room all the way!

As it's Christmas time, the sooner you book the better to ensure availability in accommodation and flights.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE, YOU NEED TO BOOK YOUR OWN FLIGHTS TO THESSALONIKI, GREECE, (the airport code is SKG)

If you'd like flight recommendations or assistance to book, please be in touch.

The trip is confirmed and is going ahead.

Check for availability first with the organiser before you book flights. and BE PROMPT PLEASE.

By attending this meet-up trip you are fully responsible for your own safety.

YOU MUST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR OWN TRAVEL INSURANCE AND ENSURE YOUR PASSPORT ALLOWS TRAVEL TO GREECE.

It's Christmas time after all! Let there be joy!