English
EspañolKazanlak Rose Festival 2012
Did you know that:
- One of the world's most beautiful rose oil today comes from Bulgaria,
- One of the highest per cent of the world's attar of roses is obtained in the Valley of Roses,
- 3,5 tons of rose petals go into the making of one kilogram of rose oil, which has the price of gold.
- The Bulgarian “attar” of roses is an important component in the perfumery business
throughout the world.
- Bulgarian rose oil is used in space industry, as a greasing component in space equipment, due to its resistance to any temperature changes.
Rosa Damascena is the name of the oil-yielding rose, which made Bulgaria famous for production of the best rose oil in the world. “Born” in Syria, Damascus, Rosa Damascena mill was brought to Bulgarian lands during the 17the century –Bulgaria then was part of the Ottoman Empire. This full of aroma rose found a second home in Bulgaria. It gave its name to a whole region – The Rose valley of Bulgaria. Extending more than 130 km along the Balkan mountain range, the Rose valley is surrounded by two mountains, which stop the cold winds in the wintertime and help create a specific climate. The combination of several factors makes this region a unique place for growing this sort of rose. The oil extracted from it is the best quality in the world. So the Valley of Roses became a centre of rose oil production and export for centuries. The Rose Valley includes Karlovo and Kazanlak fields, as well as some parts of the Nova Zagora fields. The Total area is about 3,300 square kilometers.
The rose bushes flower for about 25 days a year from mid-May to mid-June. The blooms are picked by hand early in the morning when the aroma is strongest, and transported in small quantities to the distillery. Seedlings come from the Rose Research Institute at Kazanluk, which has developed several Damascena rose varieties suited to conditions in the valley. International buyers pay for the Bulgarian product prices reaching Euro 4,000 a kilo.
Every year, during the first weekend of June, local community in Kazanlak organizes the annual Rose Festival. The first festival took place 108 years ago, in 1903. Celebrations were held annually, at the beginning of the rose- harvesting period. Karlovo and Pavel Banya- also known for their rose production, started organizing local rose festivals, too. Manufacturers from the whole valley gather dressed up in rose flowers. Mummers, called “koukeri” take part in the street parade. People sing and dance in the streets during the whole fest.
Three main events are worth a visit – early morning harvesting ritual in the rose fields, the electing of Queen Rose and the parade along the streets of each town. The processions and the celebrations last for two days. The climax of the festival in on Sunday when Queen Rose is being elected and festival parade takes place along the main streets of each village. There are other interesting events, taking place during the festival weekend – choir a cappella and folklore concerts, art shows, exhibitions, wine-tasting, gourmet-shows, etc. The Rose Festival and the fame of the Bulgarian oil-yielding rose attract numerous visitors from all parts of the world, the most numerous are visitors from Japan, Taiwan and France.
Rose Festival Tour 2012
5 day/4 nights tour - 31 May - 04 June,2012
1 day SOFIA
31.05. Arrival at Sofia airport. Our guide will meet you and assist for a transfer to hotel.Check in. After a short break for refreshment at hotel - sightseeing tour of Sofia, a city with 7000-year long history, including a visit to the impressive Alexander Nevski memorial Cathedral. Tour proceeds with panoramic sightseeing of the University, the National Assembly, the Banya Bashi Mosque, the Rotunda of St. George, Roman ruins, National Palace of Culture. Evening at leisure, to overcome the jet lag.
Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Niky, or similar as centrally located ***
2 day SOFIA - Rila monastery – PLOVDIV
01.06. After breakfast drive to Rila Monastery - the largest in the Balkans, included in the List of World Cultural Heritage, which will captivate you with its unrivalled architecture and murals. Tour of the monastery. Lunch in a local restaurant with fresh trout menu. Drive to Plovdiv via Borovets mountain resort. Time at leisure and wandering in the Old Town.
B,L Accommodation in Plovdiv at Leipzig Hotel***
3 day PLOVDIV – Batchkovo monastery – PLOVDIV
02.06. Bulgaria’s second ranking town, Plovdiv, is a worthy rival to Sofia. Its location astride the river Maritsa, and its six hills, which are prominent features on the Thracian plane, indicates the strategic significance of the city. It is one of the oldest and most colourful towns in Bulgaria. No one can tell exactly when the foundation stone was laid here, although it must have been over 5000 years ago. Old Plovdiv on Trimontium hill is the centre of Bulgarian national revival architecture at its height. You will enjoy a tour including a visit to the Old Town, the 2000yrs old Roman Theatre; the Byzantine and medieval fortifications, the 15th century mosque. Walk along the narrow cobbled streets and admire the silence and tranquillity of this historic town. In the afternoon drive to Batchkovo Monastery – tour of the monastery, founded in the 11th century. Backhovo Monastery is valuable primarily for its ossuary and its church, in which 11th to 14th century frescoes are preserved. Late afternoon drive back to Plovdiv.
B, Accommodation in Plovdiv at Leipzig Hotel***
4 day - PLOVDIV-THE ROSE FESTIVAL IN THE VALLEY OF ROSES -Kazanlak - VELIKO TARNOVO
03.06. Breakfast. Early departure to Kazanlak - the capital of the Valley of Roses. Visit the rose fields, where rose picking ritual takes place. Sightseeing of Kazanlak, visit to the Ethnographic museum complex where tourists will be treated with rose jam or rose liquor. Attend the street parade in Kazanlak before driving to the Picnic place in an open-air restaurant with folklore music, show and wine.
Late afternoon drive to Veliko Tarnovo. Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s mediaeval capital city. Picturesquely situated on the three hills circled by the Yantra River, Veliko Tarnovo still preserves the typical 19th century architecture with its houses perched one above the other along the sloping hills. Overnight at hotel.
B,L Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo at hotel Allegro*** , or similar.
5 day - VELIKO TARNOVO - Arbanassi – SOFIA
04.06. Sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo(partly on foot), including stops at the historical Tsarevets Hill with the remains of the Royal Palace, the Patriarchate and the fortress gates. Stroll through the Samovodene Market Place, where you’ll be taken in as pastry cooks, master goldsmiths, potters, and carvers still pursue their crafts as they did in centuries past. Next, to the medieval village of Arbanassi This charming village is rich with 17th century architecture. The 300 years old houses from the period of the Bulgarian Renaissance together with magnificent churches dating back to the XVII century, decorated with unique paintings and wood carving are of great interest. Drive back to Sofia to catch connecting flight home. End of services.
2012 TOUR PRICE:
630 EUR per person for a party of four people.
805 EUR per person for a group of two to three people. Price based on double occupancy. Single supplement is 70 EUR.
INCLUDED:
- 1 overnight at a 3-star hotel in Sofia -Hill, Niky of similar;
- 2 overnights at a 3-star hotel in Plovdiv - Leipzig, or similar;
- 1 overnight at a 3-star hotel Allegro in Veliko Tarnovo,
- 6 meals, 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches ( 1 picnic lunch with folklore show & wine)
- participation in the Rose Festival in Kazanlak on June 3, 2012);
- transfers upon arrival and departure,
- transportation by a/c car or van, according to above programme,
- English- speaking guide throughout the tour,
- entrance fees according to above programme
EXCLUDED:
* air fare, - airport tax,- additional meals,- tips for guide, driver, - items not specially mentioned above and / or in the itinerary, insurance, porterage at airport & hotels.
