This trip to the Rose Festival Bulgaria combines the celebrations held in the Rose Valley at the end of May, a tour to visit traditional villages and major cities in the country that bring a touch of authenticity and originality to Bulgaria and make it special in this part of Eastern Europe.

Fresh roses freshly picked

Architecture, culture, gastronomy and customs are an exotic mix of Slavic influences, Turkish, Greek, Russian, etc… because Bulgaria has always been an important crossroads between East and West. Find out before it becomes fashionable among the masses of tourists, there's still time…

Itinerary 8 days / 7 nights (half-end May 2019):

Day 1: Sofia.

Arrival in Sofia, capital de Bulgaria, cultural and political center of the country. Pick up at Sofia airport and transfer to hotel in our vehicle. Hotel accommodation 3***.

Day 2: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv.

Breakfast. Departure to Rila Monastery, located within the National Park Rila, surrounded by woods in the heart of the mountain. Since its inception has been the center driver of Bulgarian national culture and is now a spectacular architectural gem. Visit the museum, the medieval tower 1343, the old kitchens of the monastery and church. Departure to Plovdiv. Hotel accommodation 3*** de Plovdiv.

Patio Orthodox monastery of Rila

Rila Monastery Frescoes, protected by UNESCO

Day 3: Plovdiv.

Breakfast. Plovdiv – with its old center is a veritable outdoor museum of classical Bulgarian Renaissance architecture and decor. The old streets, Wooden houses rich colors, mansions with flower gardens, craft bazaars and the ruins of ancient fortifications offer a set of deserved renown tourist. Indeed Plovdiv is declared European City of Culture 2019. Visit the old town, the house Kyumdjiuglu (Ethnographic Museum), Konstantin and Elena Church, the ancient Roman theater…. Learn more about Plovdiv here. Hotel accommodation 3*** de Plovdiv.

Old door wall “Elevators” en Plovdiv

Plovdiv, Ethnographic Museum

You can pick yourself fresh roses

Day 4: Plovdiv - Karlovo - Plovdiv.

Early departure to the Valley of the Roses to participate in the activities of Rose Festival Karlovo, where we see crops and for a short time travelers themselves may participate in the collection of rose petals, a unique experience surrounded by the scent of pink that permeates the air around the Valley.

After we attend the opening of the Festival, with parades through the streets of Karlovo folk and musical groups accompanying the young city that will have been chosen “Queen of Roses” this year. Touring a distillery, where we see the process of production of rose oil and rose tasted liquor and other products from Bulgarian rose. Hotel accommodation 3***. You can watch a video example of the activities during the Festival at the end of this page.

Fair products rose directly from local producers

Home rose oil extraction

Day 5: Karlovo - Kazanlak - Etara - Veliko Tarnovo.

Breakfast. Departure to Kazanlak where we can visit the Museo de la Rosa about the history and details of the production of roses in Bulgaria (optional).

Then exit to the Orthodox Church of Shipka Russian style. After the tour of the same, exit into the village Ethnographic Museum Etara outdoor, where there are craft workshops of 26 Bulgarian crafts practiced for centuries in the region. Departure to Veliko Tarnovo. Hotel accommodation 3*** en Veliko Tarnovo.

Russian church in Shipka in Bulgaria

Village artisans “Pm”

Day 6: Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanasi - Veliko Tarnovo.

Breakfast and tour of Veliko Tarnovo - one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria, which it was capital of the country between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. Visit Tsarevets Hill and its stronghold: the small door, on the muralla, Balduin Tower and the Patriarch's Palace. Departure to Arbanasi – summer residence of the ancient Bulgarian kings with houses belonging to rich families courtesans. Visit the Church of the Nativity. Hotel accommodation 3*** en Veliko Tarnovo.

Fortaleza Tsaravets in Veliko Tarnovo

Museum-Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi

Day 7: Veliko Tarnovo - Troyan Monastery - Sofia.

Orthodox Monastery of Troyan

Departure to Troyan Monastery, the third largest in Bulgaria, located on the slopes of the mountain. It was built in the late fifteenth century. Has 2 beautiful patios where accommodations are located monks, a belfry free access, the church and museum, Outside there are souvenir shops. We can taste the famous trout river in the area, directly caught in the rivers of the surrounding mountains and cooked over coals in restaurants around the Monastery of Troyan. Transfer to Sofia. Hotel accommodation 3*** Sofia.

Day 8: Sofia.

Catedral ortodoxa Alexander Nevsky

Breakfast and half-day tour through the center of the capital if the departure time of the flight permits: Sveta Nedelya Square, Rotunda of St. George, National Theatre, Russian Church St. Nicolas, Alexander Nevski Cathedral, etc. and finally transfer to the airport and farewell.

Travel video highlights of the Festival of the Rose of Bulgaria:

Prices and conditions.

For more than 4 people or other distribution of rooms please consult price.

What includes:

• Reception at Sofia airport on arrival. • chauffeur service throughout the Spanish speaking program. • Transfers as per itinerary in air-conditioned car with driver throughout the program. • 7 nights bed and breakfast hotels minimum 3*** stars. • share in Day activities 4 within the Rose Festival Karlovo (It is an event that requires prior reservation). • Transfer to Sofia airport on day of departure. • Administration fees.

What is not included:

• Plane tickets (Today direct flights to Sofia low cost from several Spanish cities). • Travel Assistance Insurance, doctors, repatriation, or rescue. • Tips and personal expenses. • fuel costs, or parking. • Tickets to tourist sites: museums, monasteries, iglesias, strengths, caves,… • Optional excursions. • Supplement double room for single occupancy: 145,00 €. • Functions tour guide by the driver, In principle the driver does not accompany travelers on walking tours unless you pay a fee for this service. However the driver is Spanish speaking and during transfers will gladly give tourist information and details on culture, traditions and cuisine of the country.