WINE TOUR OF SOUTH BULGARIA
This tour presents the perky side of the Bulgarian nation.
During the trip you explore some of Bulgaria's traditional and
some of its modern wine regions.
Best period: May 15 – October 15
Tour type: group tours – there is a guide accompanying
you throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon
arrival and leaving you at the airport again for departure.
We use well-trained and experienced local people with good knowledge
of English. The group size is normally 8 – 12 people, if not
specially mentioned.
Difficulty grade: To prepare yourself for the
best of your vacation we recommend that you start planning it
in an advance. You should be in good health condition and not
too bad physical condition.
Day 1
The tour begins with a transfer from the Airport to the 3* hotel
in Sofia, free time, dinner and overnight.
Day 2
Breakfast. Till lunch time – sightseeing tour of Sofia (walking
and with bus), lunch in the capital. Departure for Melnik /the
smallest town in Bulgaria-360 km./. On the way – visit of Rislki
monastery (one of Europe's largets monasteries and located in
some of Bulgaria's most beautiful terrain. It is situated at
the end of a winding road through high rock walls in a soft,
green wood). Afternoon wine-tasting in the Damyanitza winery
before the accomodation in the town of Melnik. Evening wine-tasting
of Melnik wines and folklore program in the winery of the 3*
hotel with typical local architecture, dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Breakfast. Observation of the Rock pyramides in the town of
Melnik, visit of Rozhen monastery /10 km. from Melnik/. Departure
for the town of Plovdiv (the second largest city in Bulgaria).
On the way – travel by the Bansko mountain resort, sightseeinng
of the center, lunch in the Molerova house. In Plovdiv – accomodation
at a 3* hotel, sightseeing tour of the Old town. Dinner, wine-tasting
of local wines and folklore program in the House of wine „Villa
Vinifera“ in the village of Brestovitza. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
Breakfast. Departure for the town of Kardzhali (110 km, 275
m a.s.l.) in the Eastern Rhodopi mountain. It is the main town
in Kardzhali province and most important administrative, industrial
and commercial center of the Eastern Rhodopi region. The town
is spreat on both sides of ancient Arda river, between two dams:
„Kardzhali“ and „Studen Kladenetz“ (Cold well). Visit of the
archaeological and religious complex Perperikon (470 m a.s.l.),
lunch in an authentic restaurant, visit of „The Assumption of
Holy Mother“ monastery. Accomodation at a 2* hotel on the board
of Kardzhali dam, 1 hour boat walk on the lake. Dinner in swimming
tavern. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5
Breakfast. Drive east to the town of Ivaylovgrad (100 km, 104
m a.s.l.). On the way – visit of the Sanctuary of Orpheus near
the village of Tatul /25 km from the town of Kardzhali/, lunch
time in the village of Avren, proceed on for visiting the National
revival tombs, the Ethnographical exposition arranged in the
authentic Paskalev's house and the authentic Mutafchiev's house
in the town of Ivaylovgrad. Dinner with folklore performance
and wine tasting in the Yamantiev's winery. Accomodation and
overnight at a family hotel.
Day 6
Breakfast. Travel north to the village of Stambolovo /90 km/.
On the way visit of the site „Deaf stones“ for its impressive
rock forms. Lunch time with wine-tasting in the Stambolovo winery.
Proceed on to the town of Banya – accomodation in a 3 * SPA
hotel. Dinner with wine-tasting of wines from the royal selection
in the Royal house of the town. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 7
Breakfast. Travel west to Sofia. On the way – visit of the thracian
archaeological complex of Starosel, walking tour of Koprivshtitza
architectural reserve with lunch in local tavern. Accomodation
in a 3* hotel in Sofia. Evening wine-tasting in the luxury „Todoroff“
winery with dinner and folklore program. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8
Breakfast. Free time, shopping. Lunch. Transfer to Sofia airport.
Return flight.
