Exclusive group (min 10 pax): Bulgarian Culinary Wine Tour

Explore the tasty, fresh and healthy Bulgarian cuisine, famous for its quality vegetables, dairy products and variety of mild spices. Learn more about the millennia-old tradition of wine making in Bulgaria. Start with the capital, modern and buzzing city which keeps impressive history from Antiquity to nowadays. The travel will pass by the Rose Valley, where you can smell the famous liquid gold – the Rose oil. Wine-tastings in several wineries in the mountains will ponder your senses. Meet the hospitality of the locals and be a guest in the house of the most famous granny in the village. She can show you what Bulgarian cuisine means. Taste, smell and feel the beauty of this unknown country and have a lot to share with your friends!  

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Sofia:  the capital and largest city of Bulgaria will offer you a great variety of attractions: from ancient remains, rich museums and typical architecture to pedestrian zone with numerous cafes, restaurants and fashion boutiques

The Rose Valey: breathe the aroma of the famous Bulgarian Rose and understand why it is called “Liquid gold”  

Plovdiv: heir of great civilizations, Plovdiv has a lot to offer, from ancient sites to bohemian quarters with great artistic cafes and ateliers. Immerse in the atmosphere of this Town of Culture.  

Bansko: feel the hospitality of the Bulgarian mountains and the special people that live there. Be welcomed in their houses and learn more about the folklore and the traditions of Bulgaria first hand.   

Day 1: ARRIVAL SOFIA (10km – 30min)

Upon arrival at Sofia Airport transfer to your hotel. Check-in and meet your professional guide, who will escort you through the tour. Have your first impressions of this beautiful country, enjoying a delicious dinner in a typical Bulgarian restaurant, designed in a modern style. Go for an evening panoramic bus drive to gaze at the city’s lights.

Overnight in Sofia

Day 2: SOFIA – STAROSEL – ROSE VALLEY – PLOVDIV (320km – 4.30 hrs)

Depart early today after rich breakfast, as you have a very intriguing program ahead. Follow the wine traces in Bulgaria from the very beginning. Drive deep in the country to reach the Thracian cult temple, opened in 2000 near the village of Starosel. Archaeologists found the enormous temple/grave of what is believed to be a Thracian ruler, possibly Sitakes I, the first king of a combined Thracian empire. Visit the Thracian tomb, dated from the 4-5 centuries B.C. And as everyone knows, the Thracians are the ones, who have left us with a gift of how to make and drink wine. Thus, be welcomed in a newly built, but preserving the old traditions, wine cellar where you will taste 5 types of specially selected bottled wines in the “wine temple". While you are in this region, close to the Rose Valley, it is a must to witness the unique rose production and experience the spirit and fragrance of the Bulgarian Rose in Rose Oil Distillery in a village nearby. Continue to Plovdiv, a colorful town, full of history and art. In the evening, celebrate this lovely day in a local restaurant with typical Bulgarian dishes in the Old Town of Plovdiv. 

Overnight in Plovdiv

Day 3: PLOVDIV – BANSKO (340km – 5 hrs)

Enjoy your delightful breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a day, full of emotions. Have a relaxing walking tour in Plovdiv, the European City of Culture for 2019 and part of the UNESCO tentative list. Wander in the Old town and emerge in its unique atmosphere. Explore the Roman Amphitheatre, built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD during the ruling of Emperor Trayan, one of the best preserved antique theatres in the world. Do not miss to visit the Hindlyan House, a beautiful example of a house from the Bulgarian Revival period, built to the taste of a rich merchant and landowner. Then, depart to the nearby villages to visit one of the best wineries in Bulgaria and taste 5 of their wines. Follow your hosts through the wine route and learn more about the production of wine, visit the park vineyards and the goat farm*, where they produce the delicacies which accompany the winetasting. (*Goat farm will be visited if the regime of the animals allows.). In the afternoon you will reach a small village in Pirin Mountain, where granny Deshka will welcome you in her home. Find out more about the rural lifestyle, learn some dialect Bulgarian words, hard to pronounce even for the Bulgarians while preparing your dinner together with Deshka. The hard work always pays off, so it is time to taste the local delicacies, enjoy and take part in the folklore dances and songs performed by Deshka and her fellow grannies. The evening will be unforgettable! After the delicious dinner, you will reach the famous ski resort Bansko.

Overnight in Sofia

Day 4: BANSKO – RILA MONASTERY – SOFIA (220km – 3.5 hrs)

Start your day with a nice breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a picturesque drive to Rila Monastery, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Hidden deep in the mountain, the monastery and its premises keep stories and legends tightly connected with Bulgarian history and the Revival period. Imposing, the monastery creates a great impression on the visitors with its renaissance architecture and frescoes. Have lunch near the monastery to try the so famous grilled trout that is made only here. Then visit a famous modern wine cellar and taste some of their great wines. Depart to your final destination of the multiday tour, the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia. Celebrate the evening by being part of a typical Bulgarian night with a delicious farewell dinner and folklore program. Songs, dances… what a magical night full of unforgettable moments to share and this will not be the end. Nestinari dances*, part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage will be the cherry of this night! Typical for the Black Sea coast region, this performance involves barefoot dance on smouldering embers. The ritual will lead you to the mystery of the Eastern Orthodox beliefs together with the older pagan traditions from the Strandza Mountains. (*Nestinari dances are weather dependable).

Overnight in Sofia

Day 5: DEPARTURE SOFIA (10km – 30min)

Enjoy a tasty breakfast before you check out from the hotel and catch your return flight home. If you have enough time to your flight, you can participate in our Optional tour (not included):

Typical Bulgarian bread cooking class* 

Spend your last hours in Bulgaria, revealing one of its most delicious secrets. The Bread was, is and will always be the most important part of the Bulgarian folk culture. The sourdough - a natural yeast used by our grandparents, is also symbolic and has many customs associated with it. During this experience led by a professional bread maker, you will first understand the different types of grains and will compare the old and new milling technology. Feel the whole grain flour, grinded on stone, learn more about the secrets of growing a sourdough and of course, prepare with your own hands this so valued Bulgarian food. Enjoy some farm cheese, homemade “kyopolu” (aubergine puree) and traditional mixed salt together with freshly baked bread, while you savour this unique experience!

*The optional cooking class can be organized on day 1 if the flight schedule allows. 

Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes (including also swim suite, hat) for the beach stay. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.