Travel to Bulgaria

Bulgaria: Festival of Roses

7 days/6 nights

2010 Tour Dates:
Depart on June 2 or 3

Prepare to immerse yourself in the Valley of Roses and the folklore of Bulgaria...

Some say that to visit Bulgaria and not go to the Valley of Roses is to go to Egypt and not see the pyramids. For a period of more than 330 years, Bulgaria won recognition as the country of roses and the rose flower has rightfully become one of its symbols. Statistics show that once about 75% of the world rose oil was produced in Bulgaria. Today a kilo costs almost two kilos of gold on the world markets.

Highlights: Sofia, Rila Monastery UNESCO site, Old Plovdiv Architectural Reserve, The Valley of Roses, Shipka Memorial Church, the Central Balkan Range, Veliko Turnovo, and Arbanassi museum village.

DAY 1 (June 2 or 3):
Arrival in Sofia. Dinner and overnight at 4* hotel.

DAY 2:
Departure from Sofia to Rila Monastery UNESCO site. Tour. Lunch. Departure to Plovdiv via mountain picturesque roads. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Plovdiv.

DAY 3:
Morning tour of the Old Plovdiv architectural reserve - visit Hindlian House, the Ancient Amphitheatre, St. Constantine and Helena Church, and the workshop of a local potter. Lunch. Proceed to Kazanluk. Gala dinner with folklore performance. Official opening of the Festival of Roses (if the arrival in Kazanluk is on June 4).

DAY 4:
Early breakfast. Departure to the Rose fields. Rose gathering, tasting of Bulgarian homemade yoghurt, pastry with cheese, rose jam, and rose liquor. Visit of the history museum of Kazanluk and Kazanluk Thracian tomb (UNESCO site). Lunch barbeque with folklore performance from all folklore regions of Bulgaria. Departure to Shipka memorial church. Visit. Via Shipka mountain pass to Drianovo Monastery. Visit. Proceed to Veliko Turnovo. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5:
Full-day tour of Veliko Turnovo, the Mediaeval Capital city of Bulgaria, located on 4 hills above Yantra River. Visit Samovodska Charshia Street of Crafts with some workshops, antique shops, and souvenir shops. Visit Tsarevets Royal Hill with the fortress. Lunch in Arbanassi museum village. Visit of the area and the nearby Petropavlovski Monastery. Late afternoon departure from Veliko Turnovo to Sofia. Dinner and check in at the hotel.

DAY 6:
Sofia. Half-day panorama walking tour to visit Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia 6th Basilica, the National Theatre, the former Royal Palace, the National Theatre, the Presidency, St. George 4th century Rotunda, and the ruins of Ancient Serdica. Lunch. Free afternoon for own discoveries and shopping. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 7:
Transfer and departure from Sofia.

TOUR PRICE:

Land Cost Per Person:
(double occupancy)

12 travelers: $1153
10 travelers: $1234
8 travelers: $1304
6 travelers: $1439
4 travelers: $1666
2 travelers: $1985

Single supplement: $160

Kutrubes Travel has SPECIAL AIRFARES - Contact us for details.

Price Includes:

4* hotel accommodation in Sofia and 3* hotels in Plovdiv
Kazanluk and Veliko Turnovo
FB basis (starts with dinner and finishes with breakfast on day 7)
English-speaking tour guide
deluxe car/ minibus
entrance tickets
parking

Price Does Not Include:

Airfare (unless otherwise arranged)
Departure and custom fees
Gratuities and individual daily expenses
Additional beverages
Travel insurance
Trip cancellation
Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against all unforeseen circumstances

Payment and Refund Policies

If you have any questions or you'd like to book this trip, please contact us.

Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.

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