9-day/8-night tour

Covered are vine growing and wine making regions in Southwest, Central and North Bulgaria

This programme aims at acquainting with the centuries-old tradition of winemaking in these lands and with famous Bulgarian wines that are produced nowadays.

We’ll visit some of the best wine cellars in Bulgaria located in the southwest, central and northern wine-producing regions, and will sample typical Bulgarian high-quality brands like Mavrud, Melnik and Gamza, along with the more popular Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Traminer and Chardonnay.

Also, during this trip we’ll visit quite a bit of Bulgaria's Thracian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Slavic and Ottoman heritage, including the Rila Monastery, a World Heritage Site, the historic sites of Veliko Turnovo and Plovdiv, the spa resort of Sandanski and the capital city of Sofia.

For variety we may go to a 'Son et Lumière' laser show in Veliko Turnovo, and might have a chance to enjoy an opera concert in Sofia or Plovdiv, where in June takes place the annual Verdi Festival, usually staged on the 2nd century Roman amphitheatre.

Itinerary: Sofia (2 nights) – Sandanski (2 nights) – Plovdiv (2 nights) –
Veliko Turnovo (2 nights) - drive to/depart Sofia

Day 1
Arrive at Sofia airport. Transfer to your hotel in central area and check-in for 2 nights.
Orientation walking sightseeing tour in downtown area; St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and the adjoining renowned Orthodox Icons Museum in the he crypt of the cathedral.

Day 2
All day in Sofia.
The National Museum of History; the Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Possible walk in Mt. Vitosha.

Day 3
Transfer Day: depart for the spa resort of Sandanski, located in the southern part of the country, just 20 km away from Greece. 220 km drive.
En route: visit to the gorgeous Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the majestic Rila Mountains. Arrive Sandanski and check-in at your hotel for the next 2 nights.

Day 4
All day in the area.
Explore in the picturesque village of Melnik, situated in the unique natural surroundings of 'sandy pyramids'. The whole region is famous for its long lasting traditions in winemaking. Visit one of the many local cellars for a guided tour and wine-tasting session

Melnik and the 'sandy pyramids'

Day 5
Transfer Day: depart Sandanski for Plovdiv. 250 km drive.
En route: visit Bansko, another typical Bulgarian town-museum, famous for its National Revival (18-19 century) architecture, a renowned winter ski resort, situated on the foot of the impressive Mt. Pirin National Park. Arrive the ancient city of Plovdiv and check-in for two nights in your hotel in down town area.

Children from Bansko

Day 6
All day in Plovdiv and surrounding area.
Explore in the ancient city of Plovdiv: Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks, beautiful 18-19 century National Revival houses, located in the architectural reserve of the Old Town, with plenty of nice art galleries and artisan shops.
Plovdiv is also famous as centre of important winemaking region in the vast Thracian lowlands. Visit Brestrovitsa wine cellar in the area for a guided tour and wine tasting session.

Day 7
Transfer Day: depart Plovdiv for the medieval capital city of Veliko Turnovo. 250km drive. En route: Visit to another famous grape growing and wine producing region in the Thracian lowlands, in the area of the city of Stara Zagora, ancient Roman Augusta Trajana.
Later on during the day we’ll cross the Balkan Mountains and will head on to North Bulgaria.
Arrive in the historical town of Veliko Turnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria (1185 - 1396), and check in at your hotel for the last two nights.

Day 8
Full day in Veliko Turnovo and the surrounding area.
Sightseeing in Veliko Turnovo and in the nearby historical village of Arbanassi: 12-14 century beautiful churches and monasteries, fortresses and museums; National Revival architecture and a nice 19 century Market Place Street with lots of artisan shops, and with plenty of opportunities for taking pictures.
Visit to the nearby small town of Lyaskovets for visiting the wine cellar, where wine tasting is performed in a most artistic and amusing way.

Day 9
Transfer Day: direct transfer to Sofia Airport. 240 km drive. Check-in for departure flights. End of programme

Mussaka

The famous Shopska Salad