Mar 9, 2020
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church - Excellent trip well worth while to see outside Sofia. My wife and I were picked up by a great young guide/driver in a yellow taxi and had a great day out.
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Jan 3, 2020
Rila Monastery - We visited the Rila Monastery with Smart Travel and it was very nice. Driver was a very kind Person and very careful on the way, he arrived on time to pick us up and we also come back on time. Super!!!
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Dec 30, 2019
Great trip - The driver could speak multiple languages and was able to tell me and the other travellers lots about life in Bulgaria and the monastery. His English was very good. The monastery is a must-see destination in Bulgaria and I definitely recommend this trip. The driver was experienced and drove safely. There were some lovely views of the mountains along the way.
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Nov 5, 2019
Tour - We went to Rila Monastery with Dennis.He was a really nice and Kind Person.The trip was comfortable and the Rila monastery is beautiful.i recommend to go also to the Hot springs afterwards.
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Oct 29, 2019
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church - We LOVED Rila Monastery! We met our driver Denis after texting with him about where exactly to him at the designated meeting spot (the company offered to pick us up at the hotel for an extra 10 euro). We arrived at the monastery within 2 hours where Denis gave us a very brief overview of its history. Four those wanting more in depth information, I'd recommend reading up on the internet before or after. We had about 1.5 hours to wander the monastery. Inside the church was SPECTACULAR. A church service was going on but you could stand to the side to observe. We could hear a few monks chanting in the upper rafters. No photos are allowed inside. The bell tower appeared to be closed, but we learned from Denis (upon exiting the monastery) that tickets for access could be purchased in the museum. It would have been nice to have been told this at the start of our visit. Denis did tell us about a building behind the monastery that sells mekitsa, a delicious fried dough that you sprinkle with powdered sugar. It's just an unmarked window in a stone wall with a line of customers waiting. We wouldn't have figured that out without Denis showing us, and they're delicious and super cheap (25 cents). There's a path that winds down behind the monastery along a beautiful creek; it was exceptionally lovely in the autumn weather. After the monastery we drove to Boyana church. It's very small, only 8 tourists can enter at a time. The church docent told us nothing inside. She just said, "let me know if you have any questions." Again, read up on the internet before or after on the church's history. I highly recommend the monastery visit. This company was great for transportation, but if you're looking for a guide with deep knowledge of the history of the locations you're visiting, you might have better luck with another company.
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Sep 29, 2019
Perfect day!!!! - It was excellent! We where three and the day before had nade the walking tour 365 in SofÃa, We asked the guide (Boyan) to recomend us how to go to Rila and Boyana.
I contact Smart Trans by WhatsApp and today we went at 9 to the meeting point to take the tour. The car was excellent and the guide (Stoyan) the best!!!! Rila is amazing and Boyana is precious!!!!
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Sep 29, 2019
Great trip - The monastery is stunning so well worth the 90 min drive from Sofia and the Boyana church is a fantastic example of medieval art. Our guide Dennis was great, very knowledgeable and friendly.
Review provided by Viator
Aug 20, 2024
Afternoon trip to Rila Monastery - The driver took us to the Rila Monastery mountains with nice driving, however we would have expected better guide type explanations at the site. It was a very short reading of the monastery architecture and religion.
Review provided by Viator
Jan 6, 2020
Great Tour of Rila Monastery - The tour was great! We were happy to join this tour. Flexible time and private also! The guide also speak in english and explain to us. On time and well prepare.
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Sep 12, 2024
Not a tour, just a shuttle!!! - No onboard wifi, no knowledgeable driver. The guy wasn't even Bulgarian, and knew absolutely NOTHING about the place.
Better book an actual tour with a guide.
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