Description
Summary
The tour will take you to 4 highly awarded wine cellars: Yustina Winery, Zagreus Winery, Mezek Winery, Stema Winery, etc. The fabulous city of Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe, is a remarkable part of the trip. It is valued for its numerous heritage sites from Roman Antiquity and Byzantium to Ottomans and present times, and the famous Thracian heritage at Kazanlak Necropolis (UNESCO World Heritage), Alexandrovo Thracian Tomb and Mezzek Tomb. The tour ends with the majestic architecture from the Bulgarian National Revival period in Koprivshtitsa. You will also be able to see the eclectic mix of influences from Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian art and culture in the Bachkovo monastery.
The terroir in these parts of the country is more suitable for red wines but you will definitely try excellent white sorts. For this journey we have selected wines with a powerful and memorable, yet elegant flavor, that go beyond simple pleasure and capture the character of the land. The “King” is MAVRUD, made of the oldest autochthonic red wine grape variety. It is characterized by intense ruby color, a lot of tannin, distinctive pleasant aroma with hints of blackberry and mulberry and a full-bodied flavor. It is a wine aging very well in oak barrels which makes it complex and well-balanced.
Tour highlights
- 4 wine-tastings in highly awarded wine cellars
- Traditional cuisine and gourmet meals
- Meet the ancient Thracian civilization: tombs and golden treasures
- Visit Medieval Monasteries and painted Orthodox churches
Tour information
Price per person: 825 € (valid for a group of 6 people)
Price for private tour: 955 € (valid for a group of 4 people)
Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Best period: all year round
Type : guided culture & wine tour
Level: easy
Guided: yes
Transport: transfers by a private bus
Other dates:
Other dates available upon request.
Day by day itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Bulgaria!
Meet and assist at the airport and transfer to the city center. In the afternoon (depending on arrival time) we will explore the historic center of Sofia on foot. Rotunda Sveti Georgi,; Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral; St. Sofia Church; the National Theatre and the Russian Church “St. Nicolas”. Welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant with rich wine collection.
Day 2: Plovdiv Old Town & Bachkovo Monastery
Today we head to the Thracian Lowland and Rodopi Mountains.
First 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 Ottoman period-style Houses.
Wine-tasting in Villa Yustina Winery: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mavrud grape sorts are the dominant to be tasted in this region.
In the late afternoon: transfer to the small mountain village of Kosovo.
Day 3: Aleksandrovo Thracian Tomb (UNESCO) & Zagreus Organic Winer
In the morning: visit to Bachkovo Orthodox Monastery: the second biggest and most important monastery in Bulgaria.
Wine-tasting in Zagreus Winery. “Zagrei” was “The Thracian God of Wine” and a kind of a symbol of all Bulgarian wines.
Next: visit to the Thracian tomb of Alexandrovo, dated at early 4th century BC.
In the late afternoon: transfer to Haskovo.
Day 4: Kazanlak Thracian Tombs & Visit to the Rose Valley
In the morning, we will visit Mezzek Thracian Tomb, dating back to the 4th century BC.
Right next to the tomb is situated the small boutique Mezek Winery, where we will stop for wine tasting.
Later we will have a two-hour drive to reach the heart of the Thracian Valley: Kazanlak. We will visit Kazanluk Tomb – UNESCO World Heritage Site and Goliama Kosmatka Tomb.
On the way to our hotel we will make a short stop at ‘Enio Bonchev’ Rose Distillery, where we can buy some rose-oil products and learn more about the roses.
Day 5: Starosel Thracian Temple & Koprivshtitsa Town Museum
Today we will ride to the Thracian Temple of Starosel, dating as far back as the 5-6 millenniums BC.
At lunch time we will stop at “Stema” Winery for a traditional lunch, accompanied with wine-tasting.
Later we head to Koprivshtitsa Town-Museum: with cobbled streets, stone bridges and traditional architecture from Ottoman period and the colorful Orthodox Church “The Dormition of Theotokos”.
Day 6: Departure
Transfer to Sofia or Sofia airport.
The price includes:
- 5 overnights in excellent 3-4* hotels and authentic boutique accommodations
- Professional English-speaking tour guide and wine expert
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Wine-tasting in 5 highly awarded wine cellars (Yustina Winery, Zagreus Winery, Mezek Winery, Stema Winery)
- Transportation from the meeting to the departure point
- All museum entrance fees
The price excludes:
- meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- personal expenses
- flights and taxes
- Operator Remarks: