Bulgarian Wine.... Or How To Resist Old Age

Tour Highlights: Wine tasting sessions in the region of Melnik, Plovdiv, along with some cultural and historic sightseeing.

Day 1    SOFIA

We will meet you at the airport and assists for a transfer to your downtown hotel. Brief presentation of Sofia and of the tour on route to your hotel. Check in. Free time until the evening. Later enjoy a welcome dinner with tasting of wines from the region of Northern Bulgaria.Overnight in Sofia at the 4* Downtown hotel.

Day 2    SOFIA

Following breakfast, enjoy the sightseeing tour of Sofia, a pleasant city of boulevards and open spaces and see the city’s most important places of worship – Alexander Nevski Memorial Church and St. George Rotunda. Walk along the main streets and see the most important landmarks in the city centre. You will have enough time to feel the atmosphere of this city which history dates back to the ancient times.  Tour proceeds with panoramic sightseeing of the National Library, Sofia University, Borissova Garden, and the National Palace of Culture. In the afternoon visit the national History museum and the 900 years old Boyana Church (UNESCO List of Cultural Heritage). Enjoy the remarkable murals, painted by an unknown artist in the 13th century. Dinner with folklore show and wine. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 3    SOFIA - Rila Monastery - Melnik - SANDANSKI

After breakfast drive to Rila monastery (UNESCO’s List of Cultural Heritage). It is located some 120 km to the south of Sofia, in the heart of the Rila Mountain. Founded in the 10th century, it has been the biggest spiritual and cultural centre in Bulgaria for hundreds of years. The visitor’s first sight of Rila monastery huge towering walls gives the impression of a fortress. However, a step through the archway produces a wonderful surprise. The Rila monastery is the largest in the Balkans and included in the List of World Cultural Heritage. Tour of the monastery includes a visit to the Monastery Church, which is of particular artistic value, for it was adorned by the foremost 19-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving. Lunch in a local restaurant.
En route to Sandanski, stop for a wine-tasting session at Damyanitza winery. Drive to the museum town of Melnik and see the mystery of the sandstone pyramids. Sandstone is the best environment for the production and maturing of the world-famous Melnik red wine. Dinner in a local tavern, featuring homemade cuisine from the Pirin Region. Overnight at the 4* hotel in Sandanski.

Day 4    SANDANSKI  - Velingrad  - Brestovitza - PLOVDIV

After breakfast depart to Velingrad; drive through a beautiful mountainous region, where you will see the Pirin and Rila Mountains to the north, and the Rhodope Mountain to the east. Visit Brestovitza winery in the region of Plovdiv and enjoy a wine tasting session, including the famous local wine Mavroud. Proceed to Plovdiv. Check in the 4* Hebros hotel, one of the best authentic Bulgarian hotels, located in the heart of the Old city. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5    PLOVDIV – airport SOFIA

Morning city sightseeing of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city and one of the oldest in Europe. City tour includes the Old City with its typical National Revival atmosphere and the Roman theatre. Departure to Sofia airport.
End of services.

2009/2010 TOUR PRICE:

820 EUR for a party of 4 people. Single room supplement – 85 EUR.
910 EUR for a party of 2 to 3.

RATES INCLUDE:

Accommodation at:

  • 2 overnights at the 4-star Downtown hotel,
  • 1 overnight  at the 4-star hotel Sandanski in Sandanski, or similar,
  • 1 overnight at the 4-star Hebros hotel in Plovdiv
  • 1 lunch,
  • 1 dinner with folklore show in Sofia,
  • 3 dinners,
  • 3 wine tasting sessions,
  • transfers upon arrival and departure,
  • transportation by car or minibus, according to above programme,
  • entrance fees to museums and sites,
  • English - speaking guide-escort throughout the tour;

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:

*air fare, additional meals, items not specially mentioned above and/or in the itinerary, Insurance, porterage at airport and hotels; tips.