AMAZING KAZANLAK - HEART OF THE ROSE VALLEY

Arrival at Sofia airport. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. Walking tour in the city center of Sofia – St. George Rotunda, the Administration of the President, National Archeological Museum, 16th century Banya Bashi Mosque, St. Nedelya Church, former Royal Palace, Alexander Nevski Cathedral – the biggest one in Bulgaria and according to many – the most spectacular building in Sofia. Tasting of rose tea and rose cake at a local café. Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Drive to Plovdiv – European capital of culture 2019. Sightseeing tour of the Old Town, including the Roman Ancient Theatre, which was built in the 1st century AD, Ethnographic Museum, Roman Stadium, St. Constantine and Helena Church, etc. Free time in the main shopping street, Kapana creative district and city garden. Accommodation. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Breakfast. Visit to Bachkovo Monastery – second largest monastic complex in Bulgaria, it has been established in 11th century and keeps the treasures of a millennial tradition. Tour of the monastery complex – Church of the Nativity, Old Refectory, Monastery Panorama. Departure for Stara Zagora, one of the most ancient settlements in Europe. Walking tour in the city center with visit to the Ancient Roman Theater and the local historical museum. Overnight in Stara Zagora area.

Early breakfast. Departure for the Rose Valley. On the way stop at the rose massifs near Kazanlak for a photo break and observation of rose picking. Sightseeing of Kazanlak – walk around the historic area of the town and the Ethnographic Complex with demonstration of rose oil distillation, visit of Kazanlak Thracian Tomb, which dates back to the 4th century BC and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its murals and paintings are Bulgaria’s best preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period. In the afternoon – visit to the local history museum with the most important artifacts discovered in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers. Visit to one of the royal Thracian tombs in Kazanlak Valley. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Stara Zagora area.

Breakfast. Visit to the unique Museum of Roses in Kazanlak. In the afternoon – visit to the Festival Parade Carnival, famous procession taking place on the streets of Kazanlak with traditional dancers and singers. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Stara Zagora area.

Breakfast. Visit to one of the rose distilleries in the Rose Valley. Sightseeing tour in the architectural reserve of Old Karlovo where you will witness demonstrations of traditional crafts and have the chance to taste rose brandy, rose liquor, rose syrup and home-made lemonade. Drive to Sofia. Accommodation. Optional dinner at a traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Drive to Rila Monastery - the most exquisite example of monastery art and architecture in Bulgaria, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. The church of the Nativity of the Virgin with its miraculous icon of the Virgin and splendid gilded iconostasis, the Monastery kitchen, Rila Monastery Museum keeping the long and heroic history of the monastery, the beautiful wood-carved cross, created for a period of twelve years by a monk called Rafael, Hrelyu’s Tower and many spectacular views from the mountain and the surrounding nature are the highlights of this tour. Return to Sofia. Overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and departure.