Passport to the World: A BBYO Travel Experience

Ambassador to Bulgaria

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Length: 10 Days
2009-2010 Grades: 9,10,11,12
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About the Experience

Be a part of a close-knit group of teens instilling hope in a Jewish community with a remarkable past. Join the 10-day Ambassador to Bulgaria experience, and take part in community service projects, build lasting friendships with local Jewish teens from Eastern Europe, and tour a beautiful land that is one of Europe's best kept secrets.

Why Bulgaria?

For over a decade, BBYO has a tradition of organizing groups of North American teens on missions to Bulgaria. BBYO is proud to have a thriving local chapter in Bulgaria and regularly invites Jewish teens from Bulgaria to international events in North American and Israel. The Ambassador to Bulgaria experience is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this tradition, view what it means to be Jewish from a different perspective, and form lasting friendships with Jewish teens abroad.

Elements of the Program

  • A Mission of Service. The Ambassador to Bulgaria is primarily a service experience in a community in need of our support. Travel from city to city and village to village and leave your mark through projects such as restoring local synagogues, cheering up orphans, volunteering at a Jewish seniors home, and helping to feed the hungry.

  • Building Bridges with Local Jewish Teens. What sets the Ambassador to Bulgaria experience apart from all other BBYO Passport programs is that our teens from North America are paired up for the entire ten day program with local Jewish teens from Bulgaria and Serbia. Experience Bulgaria through their eyes and learn what it means to be a Jewish teen today in a very different culture. Ambassador to Bulgaria is a cross-cultural experience with opportunities for real bonding and lasting friendships abroad.
  • A Unique Teen Travel Experience. Ambassador to Bulgaria is also an opportunity to learn about a country with a remarkable past and to tour its beautiful countryside. Go hiking in the Balkan Mountains, relax on the shores of the Black Sea, and explore ancient monasteries and ornate synagogues.

“Within the first few days of being in Bulgaria, I had toured the capitol, been allured by ancient Byzantine buildings, and been impressed by memorials paying tribute to Bulgarian figureheads. I had heard stories from my tour-guides about communist times in their country, and how during the Holocaust their leaders managed to save the Bulgarian Jewish population from the wrath of Hitler. By the end of the trip, I had hiked through Ottoman fortresses and climbed through lush forests to reach a rushing river at what must be one of the most serene locations on Earth. Ultimately, every day was an adventure. We simply woke up and lived.” - Lauren Shenfeld

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Questions about Ambassador to Bulgaria?

For questions about registration, payment and forms, contact the Program Registrar: Alisha Hess-Haber. For general questions about the program, contact the Trip Director: Amanda Marcus

Summer of Exploration / Connected Experiences

The Ambassador to Bulgaria experience can be connected seamlessly with BBYO Passport programs in Israel for a full summer of eye-opening travel. Learn more...

Trip Profile

Trip Dates & Costs

  • June 27 - July 06 / $2,950

Trip Connections

Connect two different core trips together for a full summer of travel.

What's Included

  • Round-trip group flights from NYC
  • Accommodations
  • All meals (kosher or vegetarian/allowance)
  • Activities & entrance fees
  • Professional guide educator
  • Deluxe motorcoach
  • Medical insurance (non pre-existing conditions)

Program Highlights

  • Learn the rich history of Sofia and experience local customs
  • Explore the small towns and beautiful countryside with fellow Bulgarian teens
  • Hike in the Balkan Mountains and swim in the Black Sea
  • Enjoy the warmth of Shabbat in a small European Jewish community
  • Contribute to the upkeep and well-being of Sofia's Jewish residents and their communal institutions
  • Build lifelong friendships with teens from around the world

Sample Itinerary

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you an idea of what this travel experience is all about. Keep in mind that the actual itinerary may vary from the schedule below. That said, this sample itinerary is meant to give you a taste of the overall program. A formal itinerary, including a list of accommodations and phone numbers, will be sent to you 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the program.

DAY #1 / Sunday, June 27 / Departure!
• Arrive to JFK Airport for ice-breakers & orientation
• Depart for Bulgaria and spend the night in the sky en route to Europe

DAY #2 / Monday, June 28 / Arrival to Sofia
• Arrive to Sofia in the afternoon
• Meet Bulgarian staff and travel to Sofia
• Introductory tour of Sofia and tour of the Rila Monestary
• Welcome dinner with Bulgarian & Serbian teens at the JCC
• Orientation program & icebreakers with local teens
• Overnight: Club Vladaya – Sofia, Bulgaria

DAY #3 / Tuesday, June 29 / Plovdiv
• Travel to Plovdiv
• Walking tour in the old city of Plovdiv
• Service program with Holocaust Survivors at Jewish seniors home
• Travel to Bojenci
• Overnight: Hotel St Kirik – Bojenci, Bulgaria

DAY #4 / Wednesday, June 30 / Veliko Turnovo
• Travel to Etura
• Program with local craftsmen
• Sightseeing tour of the old city of Veliko Turnovo
• Light show in Veliko Turnovo
• Returnto Bojenci
• Overnight: Hotel St Kirik – Bojenci, Bulgaria

DAY #5 / Thursday, July 1 / Black Sea
• Travel eastwards to the Black Sea
• Relaxed afternoon of swimming & water sports in the Black Sea
• Overnight: Varna Hotel – Varna, Bulgaria

DAY #6 / Friday, July 2 / Return to Sofia
• Travel back to Sofia
• Visit to the Sofia Synagogue
• Service project in the synagogue
• Return to hotel to prepare for Shabbat
• Kabbalat Shabbat service in the synagogue
• Home hospitality Shabbat
• Overnight: Hotel Dolni Lozen, Sofia – Sofia, Bulgaria

DAY #7 / Saturday, July 3 / Shabbat in Sofia
• Shabbat program in Sofia
• Havdalah ceremony – end of Shabbat
• Closing dinner at local Bulgarian restaurant
• Overnight: Hotel Dolni Lozen – Sofia, Bulgaria

DAY #8 / Sunday, July 4 / Bulgaria Outdoors
• Travel northwards to the Balkan Mountains
• Explore the Lukovit Caves
• Nature walk into the Balkan Mountains
• Closing dinner with Sofia Community
• Overnight: Hotel Dolni Lozen – Sofia, Bulgaria

DAY #9 / Monday, July 5 / Blagoevgrat
• Travel to Blagoevgrad
• Service program at local orphanage
• Overnight: Hotel Maliovica – Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

DAY #10 / Tuesday, July 6 / Farewell
• Return to airport for early morning flight
• Arrive back to New York in the afternoon

Trip Q & A

This page contains trip-specific FAQ's. For program-wide info, check out http://passport.bbyo.org/about/faq/

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