If you enjoy hiking, then the Preobrazhenski (Transfiguration) Monastery, is a good hour and a half hike (about 7 km) north of Veliko Turnovo. Alternatively you can go by car or taxi along the main road to Russe, turning off after 6km.
Originally dating back to the 14th century, the beginnings of the present day monastery date back to 1825 and eventually brought together two of Bulgaria's most gifted artisans from the Revival period; Kolyo Ficheto and Zahari Zograf. Most remarkable among the frescoes is the depiction  of the 'wheel of life' on the southern outer wall of the church. Set among the forests on the hill overlooking the Yantra Gorge, one can enjoy the tranquility and beautiful views or let the mind wander to those turbulent years in the second half of the 19th century when many a revolutionary, including Vassil Levski, found refuge here.