Tour Overview
Karlovo Rose Festival
Sofia – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv –Bachkovo monastery– Karlovo– Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Sofia
Join-a-group tour with fixed departure 2021:
25 – 31 May
Highlights:
- Escorted tour
- Dedicated to the annual Rose festival in Karlovo which attracts many people from all over the world.
- Accommodation in first class hotels
Most important sights and attractions:
- Join the local people for the rose-picking in the rose fields
- Take part in the colorful carnival procession in Karlovo
- BBQ lunch at open air with folklore show
- Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia – one of the oldest cities in Europe
- National festivities celebrating Bulgarian alphabet
- Famous Belogradchik Rocks
- Old town of Plovdiv – 19th century houses and Roman ruins, including a Roman Theater in use today
- Unique Magura cave with one of the earliest solar calendars painted on one of the walls
Day 1 – Sofia (D)
Arrival to Sofia airport. Transfer and accommodation at the hotel. Welcome dinner and overnight.
Day 2 – Sofia – Boyana church (B)
After breakfast we embark on a walking tour around the Bulgarian capital and visit the most interesting historical sights: Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. Sofia Church, which had given the name of the city and the historical and cultural center of the capital. In the afternoon – visit to the famous Boyana church (UNESCO Heritage list) impressive with its history upon its walls and the continuity of the religion there. Also on our agenda for the day is visit to the National History museum, full with Ancient treasures showcasing Bulgarian history.
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 3 – Sofia – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv (B, D)
After breakfast we set off to Rila monastery (X c.)- the biggest Bulgarian spiritual center since the Middle Ages included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located in a picturesque mountain area. The Monastery has a rich collection of icons and wall-paintings. Its museum keeps a real treasure: a wooden cross of just 81 cm height, carved with 104 religious scenes and 650 figures.
Departure to Plovdiv – the “City of the seven hills’’. Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe still existing today. It was called Philippopolis in the IV century B.C. in honor of King Philip II of Macedonia. Today Plovdiv is a cultural center of Bulgaria and selected as European Capital of Culture for 2019. Walking tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv impressive with the houses-museums of from the Revival period like the Ethnographical museum; the Ancient Theater, the Fortress walls, the oldest church in the city – “St. St. Constantine and Helena”, etc. We will see the Muslim temple Dzhoumaya Mosque and the Roman Stadium on the main street of Plovdiv.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 4 – Plovdiv – Bachkovo monastery (B)
After breakfast we can visit Bachkovo monastery – one of many beautiful places in Rhodopy Mountain. We are going to visit the monastery, see the church and have a relaxed day. The afternoon we are coming back to Plovdiv. Free time at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 – Plovdiv – ROSE FESTIVAL – Veliko Tarnovo (B, L)
Early in the morning we will take breakfast boxes from the hotel and depart towards the main reason for our journey – the Rose Festival. We will join the locals for the rose-picking in the rose plantations near Karlovo. We will witness the procession with the elected Queen Rose to the main square where there will be a folklore show with dancers. We can join local people and guests and learn how to dance horo. Visit of authentic operating rose-distillery and introduction to the technology of production of rose oil (a highly esteemed component in the perfume and cosmetics industry), tasting of rose products. Visit of the traditional for this festival town carnival – a big attraction for the tourists. Lunch at open-air barbecue with folklore program. Departure to Veliko Tarnovo.
Accommodation and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 6 – Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Sofia (B, D)
After breakfast – city tour of the old capital of Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo. Visit the Wax museum, the historical hill Tsarevets with the Fortress, the Patriarchal church and the Emperor Baldwin’s Tower. You will walk along the old Trade Street – “Samovodska charshia”.
Next is visit of Arbanassi village, famous for its ancient rich decorated churches and magnificent architecture. It used to be a residence of the Bulgarian kings.
Departure to Sofia. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Day 7 – Sofia (B)
After breakfast – free time. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.
