COOKING TOUR IN BULGARIA
7 nights/ 8 days

Tour Cost, 2012:
1700 euro per party of 2 pax.
850 EURO per person for 2 guests (double room sharing)  
 

Bulgaria is undiscovered jewel of Europe. It is the melting pot of people and cultures, the cross-point where the cultures of north, south, east and west meet. With breathtaking and majestic Thracian, Byzantium, Roman and Slav cultures blended with European and Asian influence Bulgaria is Europe’s most ancient civilization. In our culinary tour in Bulgaria  we learn about the culinary culture, everyday life and the history of Bulgaria.

Bulgaria has been isolated for many years; it was a country behind the Iron Curtain. Nowadays Bulgaria is on the move and changes are happening every day. Through visits and stays at Bulgarian villages homes together with Bulgarian families and having cooking lessons we have the unique chance  to  learn about everyday life and culture of a fascinating Balkan  country. This is a joyful cooking  tour in Bulgaria, aimed at acquainting you with traditional Bulgarian hospitality, unspoiled countryside, delicious national cuisine and famous Bulgarian wines. Enjoy the Bulgaria cooking vacation.Travel Bulgaria! Have  a fascinating culinary  tour in Bulgaria. Explore Bulgaria, visit Bulgaria with us. Tailor-made holidays Bulgaria. Bespoke tour of Bulgaria.

Sample Itinerary:
Sofia (1 night) – Koprivshtitza ( 2 nights ) – Kalofer ( 2 nights) – Arbannasy (2 nights)

D1 Arrive Sofia. Our guide will meet you at Sofia Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Sofia. If time allows sightseeing of Sofia. Dinner in a national style restaurant with live folk music.
Overnight Sofia. 3 star Hotel . (D)

D2 Breakfast  
Morning: Sofia – visit The Central Hali (Tzentralni Hali) covered market for food. It’s a wonderful place for shopping delicious food, or just sitting in the café, watching the people or talk with friends. Visit the open air market  Zhenski Pazar ( Women’s market ) where you can buy fresh foodstuffs, vegetables, fruits, flowers, cheap clothes, household goods.
On our way to Central Hali and Zhensky Pazar we will see from outside  the impressive Sephardic Synagogue, which is the third largest in Europe (next to the synagogues in Budapest and Amsterdam). The building was completed in 1912 and was designed by the Austrian architect Friedrich Gruenanger in a Spanish-Moresque and Byzantine style, while the temple resembles the Vienna synagogue. This country has a truly amazing story about the saving of the entire Jewish population in Bulgaria, amounting to 50,000 people, during World War II. The Bulgarian people, led by their Orthodox Church Metropolitans Kiril and Stefan, stood in the way of the Nazi machine and ultimately not a single Bulgarian Jew was deported to Nazi death camps. Close to the Synagogue in Sofia is situated the beautiful Banya Bashi Mosque built in 1566 by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The mosque takes its name by the neighboring Central baths (in the Turkish language ‘banya bashi’ means ‘a lot of baths’). Also we see the mineral water spring in the heart of Sofia- excellent drinking water with a pleasant taste.

12: 00 depart Sofia for Koprivshtitza. (2 hours drive).Arrive Koprivshtitza at 2: 00 pm.

3 pm starts the cooking lesson.

1. We make the fantastic dish Lozovi Sarmi (Stuffed Grape Leaves) – a traditional meal in Bulgaria. Usually it is served with the superb Bulgarian yogurt.
 2. We will prepare the famous and healthy Bulgarian yogurt (which we will have for breakfast next day). Bulgarian Yogurt/ Kiselo Mlyako  is unique, worldwide famous fermented milk product. Since the antiquity it has been considered a food that sustains the human health , beauty and  life longevity. Bulgarian yogurt is described as ‘Elixir of health and longevity’, ‘the most natural genuine food’.
Bulgaria is credited with producing the healthiest yogurt in the world due to the  presence of two  micro organisms, one of them is known under the name  of  lactobacillus bulgaricus. Lactobacillus bulgaricus can exist and be sustained only in Bulgaria, because of its climate. When added to milk, it changes  the taste of the milk and turns it into a unique milk specialty with a taste and aroma of its own.
Some information regarding Bulgarian Yogurt.
People  in Bulgaria are proud of our exclusive invention- the Bulgarian Yogurt- known in Bulgaria as Kiselo Mlyako. The Bulgarian Yogurt/ Kiselo Mlyako acquired legendary status as a means of longevity. There are no exact data for the origin of Bulgarian yogurt but it is widely accepted that it has been derived from the Thracians 4000 years B.C. Even the word ‘yogurt’ is said to derive from the words for ‘thick’ and ‘milk’ in ancient Thracian  /  “yog” – thick and “urt” – milk, i.e. thick milk / Bulgarian Yogurt/ Kiselo Mlyako is the oldest probiotic known to man. Since ancient times it has been used as food which favors human health and longevity. Its nutritive value and health beneficial properties ware veiled by legends and myths. But being credited as the inventor is not Bulgaria’s only source of yogurt pride:  Bulgarian and Japanese researchers have found that Bulgarian Yogurt/ Kiselo Mlyako  strengthens the immune system and helps prevent tumor growth,  producing cancer-suppressing compounds.  The Bulgarian Yogurt/ Kiselo Mlyako has been credited with having a number of healthy effects on the human body, including: reducing cholesterol, reducing unhealthy bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract, increasing calcium levels  thus helping against osteoporosis.
Dinner. Overnight Koprivshtitza. (B D)

D3. Breakfast
Morning: sightseeing tour of Koprivshtitza. The delightful ethnographic village of Koprivshtitsa is huddled in the mountain folds and is famous for its National Revival architecture (18th – 19th century). There is no other Bulgarian town that boasts such a large number of museum houses and monuments, nearly 400 in number, most of which have been restored to their original appearance. The Koprivshtitsa style house is characterised by exquisite painted facades and sunny verandas, with carved ceilings and stylish European furnishings. In our 3 hours walking tour of Koprivshtitza we visit 5 National Revival  houses and one church and get acquainted with the history of that village and the fascinating National Revival architecture.  

At 3 pm starts our cooking lesson.

Slow Food Day:

The Bulgarians knew all about slow food long before it became trendy. That day we will make slow food 3 course menu:

1. Kyopolou- roasted ambergines and peppers relish. Kyopolou can be consumed as a bread spread, a condiment, or as a salad. (perfect for late summer and fall ).
 
2. We will make  Gyuvetch. This is without a doubt one of the most popular Bulgarian dishes. It is delicious and healthy. Gyuvech  is slow cooked in a pottery dish that is called gyuvech too. Gyuvech is a dish rich of vegatebles in combination with meat.

3. Balklava-  (Walnut Pie)- Baklava is a classic dessert in the  Balkan countries. Baklava is a pastry made from layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and soaked through with syrup.  

Dinner. Overnight Koprivshtitza. (B D)

D4  Breakfast.
Depart Koprivshtitza for Kalofer. En route visit a wine cellar. Wine Testing of 5 wines.  Arrive Kalofer.

3 pm stars our cooking lesson.

Most of the local people in Kalofer  grow the world’s famous oil-yielding rose. Only in that part of Bulgaria you can try the fabulous  Rose Rakiya and Jam of Roses.  
 
1. We make Traditional Bulgaria salad of Roasted peppers. We try Rose Rakiya (rakiya is a kind of Bulgarian national brandy), typical of the Rose valley villages.

2. We cook Moussaka. The Bulgarian Moussaka  is pretty similar to the Greek Moussaka. It is a delicious meal with typical Balkan flavor. It is cooked with fresh ingredients.

For dessert we have the unique  for Kalofer  Jam of Roses.

Dinner. Overnight  Kalofer. (B D + wine testing )

D5. Breakfast.
The beautiful village Kalofer is situated at the footsteps of Central Balkan National Park. You will be stunned by its beauty – surrounded by vivid mountain forests and peaks and gorgeous river valleys. Kalofer is famous for its beautiful monastery and churches, for its typical crafts making.

In Kalofer we will hike along an eco path  in Central Balkan, examining local flowers and herbs. This specialist walk- The White Eco Path – received the Conde Nast Traveller Award for best eco-destination in the world in 2005 and is a highlight to this beautiful area.
We make picnick lunch in the Balkan mountain. The guests participate at making the picknic lunch –  kebapche (minced meat rolled and grilled ) and kyouftentze (meat ball). We make  mekitzi (mekitzi is a traditional Bulgarian deep fried dish made of kneaded dough ).

Overnight  Kalofer. (B L)

D6. Breakfast.
Morning:  Depart Kalofer for Arbannasy village. En route we stop at Kazanlak, that is situated at the Valley of Roses. The Valley of Roses  is the home of the exquisite / and rare /  Bulgarian rose oil, also known as “attar of roses”, a well renowned world center for rose oil production and the source of many of the world’s finest perfumes. Kazanlak is also known as the Valley of Thracian Kings due to the numerous amazing archaeological excavations of the Thracian epoch. We visit the breathtaking Thracian Tomb at Kazanlak, UNESCO Site. We cross the Balkan mountain via the historical Shipka Pass. We arrive at the Medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo with fabulous houses, sites and museums. We transfer to the nearby village museum Arbanassy famous for its traditional architecture.
 
3 pm starts our cooking lesson.
1. We make Tarator – superb summer first course made of Bulgarian yogurt, cucumber and garlic. It is simple and delicious, absolutely refreshing in summer days.

2. We make Stuffed Peppers – Pulnena chuska. This   is a delicious dish consisting of peppers filled with minced meat and rice.  The meat is mixed with herbs, spices and rice. In Bulgaria, stuffed peppers are usually eaten with yogurt.

3. For dessert we make Baked apples.

Dinner Overnight  at Arbanassy. (B D)

D7.
Breakfast
Perched on steep hills overlooking the Yantra River, Veliko Turnovo’s narrow, lantern-lit streets wind past ancient ruins and unique architecture. During the period 1185-1396 Veliko Turnovo became the capital city of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, where workshops in the city and in remote monasteries created starkly images.

Morning visit  Veliko Tarnovo. We stroll along the old Samovodene market place, walk through its narrow cobblestone street  leading into small, sunny squares with numerous    crafts shops. The 19th century Samovodene market street is famous also for the best noodles for kadaif. We buy from    Samovodene market the shredded pastry for kadaif.  We visit also the open air market of Veliko Tarnovo and buy the vegetables for the fantastic shopska salad. We come back to Arbanassy and  visit the Nativity Church, 15th c., with its breathtaking frescos and icons.

3 pm starts our cooking lesson.

1. We make the beautiful Shopska Salad – it is tasty, juicy, piquant, and flavoury. The delicious Bulgarian feta White Cheese is especially popular as a topping for the Shopska salad.

2. We make Kavarma – one of the most delicious Bulgarian meat dishes, one of the country’s “emblematic” meals. Almost every part of Bulgaria has its own Kavarma recipe. In general, the meal consists of marinated cooked meat and vegetables. It could be mild or spicy depending on the region and the likings.

3. We make for dessert the spectacular Kadaif. It is made from shredded pastry. It is sometimes known as `shredded phyllo poured with syrup.

Dinner.Overnight at Arbannasy. (B D)

D8. Breakfast. Depart  Arbannasy village for Sofia Airport. (3 hours drive).
 

End of the Bulgarian cooking vacation.
 

Tour Cost includes:
-7 nights accommodation, in double room sharing. (1 night at Sofia Hotel, 6 nights at country’s guest houses with families, living in the guest houses.)
-private transfers as per itinerary:
Transfer upon arrival from Sofia Airport to the hotel. Private transfer: Sofia- Koprivshtitza
Koprivshtitza- Kalofer; Kalofer- Arbannasy; Arbannasy – Sofia Airport.
- 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners, 1 picnic lunch, 1 wine testing session.
- 6 cooking lessons
-Sightseeing and visits as per itinerary:
Sightseeing of Sofia, visit Central Hali and Women’s Market;
Sightseeing tour of Koprivshtitza with visits of several national Revival houses and one church;
Hiking at Kalofer – at Central Balkan mountain;
Visit The Thracian Tomb at Kazanlak, UNESCO Site
Walking tour in the Old Samovodene Market and Open air Market at Veliko Tarnovo
Visit  Nativity Church at Arbanassy village.


Please note that the Rose Rakya and Jam of Roses are typical only for Kalofer. If the guests do not visit Kalofer we cannot include Rose Rakya and Jam of Roses.