Description
Tour highlights
- Rose collection and workshop of making home-made rose jam
- Picturesque Bulgarian Villages and Painted Monasteries
- Delicious Balkan cuisine and savoring of distinguished Bulgarian wines
- Guided city tours of Sofia and Plovdiv
Tour information
Price per person: 995 € (valid for a group of 6 people)
Price for private tour: 1400 € (valid for a group of 2 people)
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Best period: from May till October
Type : guided culture & wine tour
Level: easy
Guided: yes
Transport: transfers by a private car/bus
Day by day itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Bulgaria!
Arrival at Sofia Airport, Bulgaria. Meet and assist by the Tour Leader.
Free time at your leisure.
Night stop: Sofia Capital
Day 2: Sofia Walking City Tour & Wine-tasting in the Rose Valley
The day starts with an early morning Sofia Walking City Tour: we will visit the famous Rotunda Sveti Georgi, built in the 4th Century as a Roman temple; Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral – the symbol of the capital; St. Sofia Church; the National Theatre and the Russian Church. We can stroll along the yellow-paved central boulevard, marveling at the architectural mix of this compact modern city.
Afterwards we will head to Chateau Copsa in the Rose Valley wine region for exquisite excellent wines.
Next: afternoon walk through the cobbled streets of Koprivshtitsa Revivial Village-Museum.
Welcome dinner with renowned traditional home-made Bulgarian dishes and local wines!
Night stop: Koprivshtitsa
Wine-tasting: Copsa Winery
Day 3: Golden Thracian Тreasures & Cooking a’la Bulgara Workshop
Morning walking and sightseeing tour: Koprivshtitsa is an Ottoman-times village, famous for its painted houses, cobbled streets and stone bridges, all with historical importance. We will also visit a few houses-museums from 18-19th century, presenting the traditional way of life during the Bulgarian Renaissance times.
Later, we will head to Panagyurishte, where we will see the Panagiurishte golden treasure – a Thracian treasure with a total of 6kg of 24 – karat gold dating back to 4th – 3rd century BC.
In the afternoon: winery tour in Rumelia Winery and a traditional cooking lesson!
Night stop: Panagyurishte
Winery tour: in Rumelia Winery
Day 4: Plovdiv Old Town & The Rhodopean Collar Wine Region
In the morning, we will have a transfer to Plovdiv, the second biggest city in the country and its cultural capital. Today we will visit the Old Town of Plovdiv: the Roman Amphitheatre, Djumaya Mosque, Orthodox Church “St Konstantin and Elena” and will enjoy the unique architecture of the Bulgarian Revival-times Houses. Special visit: we will also visit a small pottery craft shop where the craft lady will show us some traditional pottery techniques and patterns.
Later we will head to Villa Yustina, located in a small village at the edge of the Rhodopi Mountains. The energy and enthusiasm of the people working at Villa Yustina provide haunting and memorable tasting experience accompanied by delicious meals.
At the end of the day, we will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Rhodopean villages. We will spend 1 overnight in “Kosovski kashti” 19th-century Restored Authentic Houses, honored with ‘Authentic Bulgaria’ label and famous for its delicious cuisine and superb wine list.
We will have a traditional Rhodopean dinner prepared by our lady host and supported by all the participants in the group. Roll up your sleeves and get ready for action!
Night stop: Kosovo Village
Wine-tasting: Villa Yustina Winery
Day 5: Yagodina Cave in Buinovo River Gorge & Kovachevitsa Architectural Reserve
Today we will visit Shiroka Laka Ottoman-time village, famous for its architecture and Ethnographic Museum! Next we will get on top of the canyon with one of the most stunning Rhodopean views to the gorge. From there we will hike up to the Muslim village of Yagodina. On the way we will stop for a picnic-lunch on the meadows above the village. Later we will descend to Yagodina Cave “The Strawberry” – one of the longest and most beautiful caves in Bulgaria.
Home-made lunch in Borino Village, accompanied with a folklore performance of the local Turkish ethnicity.
On the way we stop at Uva Nestum winery for a wine-tasting break of the long daily transfer.
In the afternoon we will arrive in Kovachevitsa village. Kovachevitsa village is another fine example of Bulgarian Revival-times village, set on a bench above the gorge of the Kanina River. The village has been named an architectural and historical reserve by the Bulgarian government.
Night stop: Kovachevitsa
Wine-tasting: Uva Nestum Winery
Day 6: Melnik Mediterranean Food & Wine Tasting in Villa Melnik Winery
Today we head to Melnik, one of the iconic Bulgarian cities. The area is also known as one of the top wine regions of Bulgaria and as the legend says, Melnik wine was a favorite of Winston Churchill who used to order it by the barrel! So let’s try some exciting wines, made also from indigenous grape varieties!
Villa Melnik Winery (our wine sampling destination) is a family-owned company that continues a tradition of vine-growing and wine-producing with over two centuries of documented history.
Melnik is also famous for its Byzantine architecture and Mediterranean food, and even more, for its beautiful surroundings of sandstone pyramids. On top of the little town is perched a small and coquet Wine Museum.
Night stop: Melnik Town
Wine-tasting: Villa Melnik Winery & Orbelus Winery
Day 7: Pilgrimage to the Sacred Rila Monastery (UNESCO)
We start the day with a transfer to the biggest monastery in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery. The sanctuary was founded in the 10th c. by the saint hermit Ivan Rilski. Nowadays the monastery is UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of church of the Holy Virgin, monastery museum, medieval kitchen, and medieval tower. After lunch, an easy pilgrimage walk will bring us to St. Ivan Rilski’s hermitage cave, situated in the deep forests of Rila Monastery Nature Reserve.
In the afternoon, transfer to Sofia: 1.30 hours
Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Night stop: Sofia Capital
Wine-tasting: “Medi Valley” Winery
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Sofia airport.
Services Included:
- Accommodation in 3* boutique hotels and 4* hotel in Sofia
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
- Wine-tastings in 7 different award winning Bulgarian wineries: Chateau Copsa, Rumelia Winery, Villa Yustina, Uva Nestum Winery, Villa Melnik, Orbelus Winery, Medi Valley Winery
- Professional English-speaking tour guide and wine expert
- Ground transportation throughout the trip
- Museum entrance fees and visits
The price excludes:
- meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- personal expenses
- flights and taxes