Tour “Valley of Roses“
Route: Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo – Kazanlak – Sofia
6 days / 5 nights
The end of May and early June is the time when the ‘Rose valley’ is filled with aroma of blossoming roses. Early in the morning the first rays of the sun open up their tender buds, the brilliant dew drops evaporate from their leaves and their scent quickly fills the air. The rose-pickers are here with their wicker baskets long before sunrise. The flowers should be picked at a precise moment otherwise the unique aroma disappears. The patience of the pickers is endless. Only one gram of attar of roses is produces from 2000 rose petals. One kilogram of this product has the value of 1 kg. of gold. At present Bulgaria produces over 70 % of all the attar of roses offered on the world market. No well-known cosmetic company can do without attar of roses in its most expensive products.
The oil-baring rose has been cultivated in the region of Kazanlak for more then 3 centuries and has become one of the symbols of Bulgaria. It is here in the Kingdom of roses, that the Rose festival is celebrated. It begins with a solemn ritual connected with the beginning of rose-picking season. Young men and girls, dressed in picturesque national costumes, pick the petals full of fragrance. They sing and perform ritual dances, while small children present the visitors with wreaths …
Day 1: Sofia – Veliko Turnovo, 230 km. /D/ Arrival at Sofia airport. Departure for Veliko Tyrnovo. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Veliko Turnovo.
Day 2: Veliko Turnovo/Arbanassi – Kazanlak, 95 km. /B,L/ Morning sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo – the Tzarevetz Hill, Samovodene Marketplace, Historical Museum. Lunch. Journey to the village of Arbanassi – 4 km. away from Veliko Turnovo. Wine tasting in Liaskovets winery. Departure to Kazanlak. Overnight in Kazanlak/Stara Zagora.
Day 3: Kazanlak /B, L, D/ Early morning visit of a rose plantation and participation in the opening ceremony of the rose-picking season. Visit to the museum of Roses. Lunch. Afternoon visit of the Thracian tomb in Kazanlak. Time at leisure. Watching the Rose festival. Dinner at a folk-style restaurant. Overnight in Kazanlak/Stara Zagora.
Day 4: Kazanlak – Sofia, 195 km. /B,L/ Morning departure for Sofia. Arrival about midday and lunch. Visit the Boyana Church – one of Bulgaria’s most significant historical treasures dating back to the 13thc., included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Walking tour of Sofia – visit to “St.Alexander Nevsky” Memorial Church, the Rotunda “St. George” … Time at leisure. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 5: Sofia – Rila – Sofia, 190 km. /B,L/ Full day excursion to the Rila Monastery. Lunch. Late afternoon return to Sofia. Optional: Farewell dinner a folk-style restaurant. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 6: Sofia /B,D/ Departure transfer to the airport.
B – breakfast L – lunch D – dinner
Prices on request.
The Inclusions:
- 5 nights as per the program, including breakfast and taxes
- accommodation at 3*/4* hotels
- arrival and departure transfers from/to Sofia airport
- meet and assist at the airport
- car/minibus/coach for the entire tour
- English speaking guide-tour leader for the entire tour /other languages – on request/
- admission fees to the tourists sights visited within the program
- wine tasting
- visit to a rose plantation and the museum of Roses
- watching the Rose festival
- lunches and dinners as described in the program
- drinks during lunches and dinners /50 ml. rakia, ¼ wine or 1 beer, 0.500 ml. table water, 1 soft drink
The Extras/additional cost/:
- tips for the driver and guide
- porterage
- optional tours and dinners
