KEI organizes weekend and day trips during the program. Transportation, lodging and group activities are included. Students must budget for meals and personal expenses.

Typical excursions include:

• Varna
• Plovdiv or Sofia
• Banite Village
• Veliko Tarnovo

KEI reserves the right to change planned excursions for destinations of equal value and interest. Excursions may change based on availability, local festivals and interest. Academic year and multiple term students participate on planned excursions during one of their terms.

VARNA
Varna is the commercial hub for the Balkan region and a cultural center for Bulgaria, with more than 2000 years of history, art and architecture. Amongst its notable sites are the Roman Baths, Euxinograd Palace, Pobiti Kamani, Aladzha Monastery, Archaeological Museum, Natural Science Museum, Varna Museum, Museum of the Newest History, National Theater, Dolphinaruim, Aquarium and Planetarium. In addition to a city tour, the Onsite Director will plan cultural activities to some of these sites throughout the program.

PLOVDIV
Plovdiv is located in the South-Central Bulgaria along the Maritza River. Plovdiv is a city upon layers of cities and an epoch upon layers of epochs. Dating back to 4000 BC, the city had many names - Kendros, Eumolpia, Philippopolis, Pulpudeva, Thrimonzium, Pulden, Populdin, Ploudin, Filibe. The name Plovdiv first appeared in 15 century and has remained till today. A long its amazing history, Plovdiv served as a Thracian and classical Greek polis, the pride of Philip of Macedon, the capital of Thrace under the Roman Empire, a center of Byzantinism, a stronghold of the Bulgarians and a rallying point for the crusaders.

SOFIA
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and its largest city. Sofia’s city center stands upon the foundations of the original Roman settlement, Serdica, although the remains of this city are several meters below ground level. Amongst its most notable sites are the Banya Bashi Mosque, Central Baths, Synagogue, Central Station, Women’s Market, St Nicholas Russian Church, St. Alexander Nevski Memorial Church, Byzantine Church of St. Sofia, Ethnographic Museum, Archaeological Museum and National Art Gallery.

BANITE VILLAGE
The village of Banite is situated in the Central Rhodope Mountains. The village is known for its mineral springs and traditional lifestyle. It is an excellent example of rural life in Bulgaria.

VELIKO TARNOVO
Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Turnovo is located on the Yantra River in North-central Bulgaria. Veliko Turnovo was the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and among the main European centers of culture in the Middle Ages. The old city is situated on three hills - Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora. Tsarevets housed the palaces of the Bulgarian Emperors and the Patriarchate. Trapezitsa was known for its many churches and as the main residence of the nobility. Sveta Gora was mostly occupied by city administrators and skilled laborers. Its most notable sites include the Castle Tsarevets, Church of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, St. Forty Martyrs Church, Church of St. Peter and Paul, and numerous Bulgarian National Revival buildings.