Bulgaria Rose Festival 2024 – 6 Day Tour - 6 Days

Arrive at the Sofia airport.
Meet and greet by your professional guide. Transfer to the hotel. Check in and short time for refreshment.
Take a walking sightseeing tour of Sofia – visit the Saint Nedelya Church, the Statue of St Sofia – the symbol of the city, the Parliament square, the Presidency, the National Theater, the Ruins of Serdica and the Rotunda St George, the Saint Sophia early Christian basilica, which has given the city its name, the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – the biggest and the most beautiful on the Balkan Peninsula, the Monument of Alexander II – Tzar Liberator, the Parliament.
Reminder of the day – time at leisure. Overnight.
Accommodation in Sofia at Rosslyn Thracia Hotel **** (centrally located)
https://thracia.rosslyn-hotels.com/

Departure to the Rila Monastery – the richest historical and architectural monument of the Orthodox enclave, founded in 10th century and transformed to the most important spiritual and cultural center of Bulgaria. The monastery has unique architecture and is included in the list of UNESCO for its important role of preserving the Bulgarian language and spirituality.
Continue to Plovdiv – the European Capital of Culture 2019. Take a walking sightseeing tour of Plovdiv. Visit the Old Town, declared architectural and historical reserve with over 150 monuments of culture. Included is visit to the ancient Roman theater, 2nd century and the Roman stadium. Enjoy a beautiful view towards the city from the “Nebet Tepe” hill. Accommodation. Overnight.
Accommodation in Plovdiv at the “At the Renaissance Square” family hotel

Departure to Kazanlak. Experience rose picking in one of the villages in the vicinity of Kazanlak. Attend the exhibition of Bulgarian traditional breads and taste different types and flavors. In the afternoon take photo with the Queen Rose – elected on the previous day in a glamorous ceremony.
Visit the Museum of the Rose where you will see authentic artifacts dating to the 18th century when the first producers, local families from Kazanlak started to extract oil from the rose petals.
Another exciting site is the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak – the monument dates back to the 4th century BC (UNESCO).
In the evening – join the International Folklore festival.
Accommodation in Kazanlak in hotel Diamant (or similar) ***

Two main events mark the celebrations – harvesting ritual in the rose gardens and the parade along the streets of the town. After breakfast take one of the off-roads around Kazanlak where is organized a big folklore concert. The highlight of the day is the carnival parade on the main pedestrian street starting at noon followed by official lunch with traditional folklore program.
In the afternoon – visit one of the rose distilleries where you will be given interesting facts about the rose industry in Bulgaria. Before your eyes the rose petals will turn into rose oil. In the evening attend the closing festivities on the main square.
Accommodation in Kazanlak in hotel Diamant (or similar) ***

Departure to Veliko Tarnovo. On our way we will visit “Etara” – an open air museum. It is the first museum presenting the historic past, economic development and the way of living of the population in 18 – 19th century. The shopping street represents 22 crafts, the way they were practiced locally in the mid-19th century. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo – capital city of The Second Bulgarian Kingdom. 
Visit the Tsarevets Fortress – a mediaeval stronghold located on a hill with the same name. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire’s primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces. 47 churches and 400 residential houses have been discovered in the whole complex. Fortified walls and defensive towers surround the city. The tower of Baldwin is the most famous and is an evidence for the power of the Bulgarian Kingdom. Stroll on the old Marketplace Samovodska Tcharshia and visit some of the local work shops. Only 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo is Arbanassi, a charming village with an eventful history and fascinating architecture. 36 of its 80 houses and the five local churches have been declared for national monuments of culture. 
Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo in hotel Gurko *** 

Departure to Sofia. Drop off at the airport. Say good bye to your guide and Bulgaria.
End of the Rose Festival Tour.