INAA Intermediate Members Meeting 2026

Optional City Tour: Discover Sofia: A Walk Through 7,000 Years of History

During this half-day walking tour, you will step straight from the Grand Hotel Millennium into the heart of Sofia, one of Europe’s oldest capitals.

You will walk along Vitosha Boulevard, pass the National Palace of Culture, and stop at St. Nedelya Church, where your guide will introduce Sofia’s layered history.

You will descend underground to explore Ancient Serdica, where Roman streets lie beneath the modern city, and view Banya Bashi Mosque rising above the ruins.

A short coffee break will give you time to relax and connect with fellow participants. You will continue through Sofia’s political and historical centre, including the Presidency and Largo, St. George Rotunda, and photo stops at the National Theatre Ivan Vazov, the Royal Palace, and the Russian Church.

You will finish with visits to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Sveta Sofia Church, before returning comfortably to the hotel by shuttle.

Life Behind the Iron Curtain: Sofia’s Communist Era

During this full-day tour, you will explore Sofia’s recent history through the lens of its Communist past, combined with authentic cultural experiences.

You will depart the hotel by coach to Knyazheska Garden, the former site of the Monument to the Soviet Army, before continuing on foot to the Sofia University and Eagle Bridge area, including a stop near the former State Security headquarters.

These sites offer insight into Bulgaria’s political history during the Cold War. You will then visit the Red Flat, a preserved Communist-era apartment that brings everyday life under socialism vividly to life.

The experience continues with a visit to the Rakia Museum, followed by a rakia tasting and traditional Bulgarian lunch in a garden setting.

Bus departure for Networking Dinner

Sacred Bulgaria: A Journey Through Faith & Heritage

This half-day cultural tour offers a fascinating insight into Bulgaria’s rich spiritual and historical diversity, through visits to some of Sofia’s most emblematic sacred and cultural landmarks.

The tour begins with a bus transfer to Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional medieval frescoes.

Due to strict preservation regulations, visits are organised in two time slots of 10 minutes, allowing groups of 10 participants to enter at a time. The journey continues in the city centre with an interior visit of the Sofia Synagogue, one of the largest in Europe, reflecting the city’s long-standing multicultural and religious heritage.

Participants will then enjoy an interior visit of the National Gallery of Foreign Arts, offering a complementary perspective on Bulgaria’s artistic identity through international collections.

The experience concludes with a lunch at a local restaurant.

Bus Departure to Vitosha Mountain

Expected return time to the hotel

Optional tour: Excursion to Plovdiv 150 KM

This full-day excursion takes participants to Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and a cultural jewel of Bulgaria. The tour departs from the hotel at 9:30 AM for a scenic journey of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes (150 km). The group is expected to return to the hotel around 5:15 PM. With a history spanning over 8,000 years, Plovdiv is contemporary to ancient Troy and Mycenae. It developed into a city around 3,000 years ago during the time of the Trojan War. In 342 BC, it was conquered by Philip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great, who renamed it Philippopolis in his honour.

More recently, Plovdiv was designated European Capital of Culture in 2019, highlighting its vibrant artistic and cultural life. The visit focuses on the charming Old Town of Plovdiv, known for its cobblestone streets, historic houses and rich architectural heritage. Key highlights include the Roman Amphitheatre, the Bishop’s Basilica, the Hindliyan House, the historic Hippocrates Pharmacy, as well as a walking tour past many beautifully preserved Revival-period houses. The excursion concludes with a lunch in the Kapana district, a lively creative quarter known for its artists, musicians and contemporary cultural scene.