Day 1 Departure and arrival in Bulgaria
To Bulgaria we fly with Turkish Airlines, from Helsinki to Istanbul at 13.25 – 16.50, with a connecting flight to Sofia at 19.25 – 20.45. On arrival in Sofia we will be met by a driver who will take us to our hotel. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant or in the nearest restaurant for an extra charge.
Day 2 Sofia is one of the oldest capitals in Europe (A)
After breakfast, we meet our local guide in the lobby of our hotel. The capital of 1.5 million inhabitants has a cosy and friendly atmosphere and a history dating back 7000 years.
The sightseeing tour includes the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and a walk along the romantic main streets to see the most famous landmarks. From the bus you will enjoy stunning panoramic views of squares and parks, administrative and cultural buildings.
Free time.
Day 3 Sofia – ancient yet modern Plovdiv (A, L)
After breakfast, we head to Bulgaria’s second largest city, Plovdiv. After about two hours in the countryside, we arrive in the city on the banks of the Maritsa River. After lunch, a short walk through the old centre of Plovdiv. Plovdiv has been chosen as the 2019 City of Culture and it is easy to understand why. The ancient six thousand year old city is built like Rome, on seven hills.
The city is surrounded by majestic hills and in its old centre we see the legacy of many empires.Even if you’re not a history buff, Plovdiv’s historical sights are sure to impress.
The rest of the day is free.
Day 4 From Plovdiv through the rose fields to Stara Zagora (A, L, I)
After breakfast, we drive north towards the famous Valley of the Roses. On the way, we stop in the village of Tarnicheni, where we visit a working rose oil distillery. We will meet local producers, learn about the manufacturing process, and hear about the many beneficial properties of the product. The rose is the national flower of Bulgaria and the country is one of the world’s leading producers of rose oil. neon oil producers. For lunch we arrive in Kazanlak. After visiting the Rose Museum, you will have free time to explore the local bazaar, the Rose Wine Festival, or take part in the colourful festival celebrations. At around 18.30 we drive to Stara Zagora.
Day 5 Rose Festival in Kazanlak – Sofia (A, L)
After breakfast, early in the morning, we will drive to the village of Skobelevo and take part in a rose collection. We will visit the Ethnographic Museum of Damascene. For lunch, we return to Kazanlak, where we take part in a parade. We will enjoy Bulgarian delicacies in an open-air restaurant. In the evening we return to Sofia.
Day 6 Back home!
