Description
Summary
The “Roses & Wine” Trip reveals the long-kept traditions of rose growing and rose picking in the Valley of the Thracian Kings. While enjoying the rose celebrations and carnivals (if arriving at the right time of the year) we will also get in touch with the Thracian civilization, we will visit their burial tombs and golden treasures. In May and June the air fills in rose aroma and all the villages from the Rose Valley start their rose celebrations.
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: 970 € (valid for a group of 6 people)
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Best period: May and June
Type : guided culture & wine tour
Level: easy
Guided: yes
Transport: transfers by a private 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 &Koprivshtitsa Authentic Village
The tour starts with a Sofia Walking City Tour: we will visit the famous Rotunda Sveti Georgi; Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral – the symbol of the capital; St. Sofia Church; the National Theatre and the Russian Church. Later we can stroll along the yellow-paved central boulevard, marveling at the architectural mix of this compact modern city. Transfer to Koprivhstitsa – an authentic architectural village from the Bulgarian Revival and Ottoman-times. Time for welcome dinner with renowned traditional home-made Bulgarian dishes and local wines!
Night stop: Koprivshtitsa
Day 3: Koprivshtitsa Old Houses & Panagyurishte Golden Treasure
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 and a traditional cooking lesson!
Night stop: Panagyurishte
Wine-tasting: Rumelia Winery
Day 4: Starosel Thracian Temple & Rose Jam and Rose Brandy Workshop
Today we will visit Starosel Thracian Sanctuary, dating back to the 5-4th century BC and we will learn more about the famous Thracian Civilization. Later, we will pick up roses with our own hands and feel their gentle leaves and aroma. After the rose collection we will have the opportunity to produce the most delicious home-made rose marmalade. Our hosts will show us the process of jam-making and you can produce your own home-made rose jam and take it home for the next pancake breakfast. In the afternoon, we will visit and wine-taste in the nearby award-winning Sopot Winery.
Night stop: Anevo Village
Wine-tasting: Sopot Winery
Day 5: Kazanlak Thracian Tombs & Shipka Russian Church
On the way to the “Mekka” of the roses , Kazanlak (the cultural center of the Rose Valley, where the world-wide famous Rose Festival takes place), we will make a short stop at ‘Enio Bonchev’ Rose Distillery, where we can learn more about the rose distillation process and buy some rose-oil products. Next we will visit one of the most famous tourist sites in the country: Kazanluk Tomb – UNESCO World Heritage Site; dates back from 4th century B.C.; decorated with unique murals representing a couple at a ritual funeral feast. Next visits are: Goliama Kosmatka Tomb and Shipka Russian Church. In the afternoon we will stop for wine-tasting at Midalidare Winery.
Night stop: Plovdiv
Wine-tasting: Midalidare Winey
Day 6: Plovdiv Old Town & Bucolic Mountain Villages
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. After lunch we will stop at Zagreus Organic Winery for wine –tasting in one of the most renowned cellars in the countries. At the end of the day we will arrive in Rhodope Mountains., where we will spend the night in the 19th-century Restored Authentic Houses “Kosovski kashti”.
Night stop: Kosovo Village
Wine tasting: Zagreus Winery
Day 7: Bachkovo Monastery
Bachkovo Monastery is the second biggest and most important Orthodox sanctuary in Bulgaria. First we will make an easy pilgrimage walk to the holy spring and rock chapel in the surroundings of the monastery. We will pass through “The Red Wall” Biosphere Reserve, protected by UNESCO for its rare flowers and rich wild life. At the end of our walk we will reach the monastery and its oldest buildings dating back to the 11c. In the main church we will see the Miraculous Icon of Virgin Mary which brings health to everyone who touches it. At the end of our tour in the monastery we will have a special visit to the monastic dining room famous for its peculiar frescoes of Jesus Christ’s tree of life.
Night stop: Sofia
Wine-tasting: Yustina Winery
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Sofia airport.
The price includes:
- Accommodation in 3* boutique hotels and 4* hotel in Sofia
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
- 4 wine-tasting in Rumelia Winery, Chateau Copsa Winery, Zagreus Winery, Yustina 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