VBG 0009               

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Departure dates 2015: every day / Group size: 2-16

Route: Sofia - Sandanski - Melnik - Plovdiv - Assenovgrad - Starosel - Brestovica - Haskovo - Sliven - Sofia

Price: 2-3 pers. - 890 Euro/pers.; 4 pers. - 720 Euro/pers.; 5 pers. - 639 Euro/pers.; 6 pers. - 584 Euro/pers.; 7 pers - 545 Euro/pers.; 8 pers. - 516 Euro/pers.; Please, enquire for larger groups.

From the West to the East, the world lives under the magic of red wine.

Our wine tour aims to bring pleasure and experience together. We will introduce you to curious stories about wine production and wine history in Bulgaria. We drive to the southern Bulgarian regions known for heavy, mellow Melnik wine and continue further to the Thracian Valley – the land of God of wine – Dionysus where we find the rich dark Mavrud. This tour is a wonderful combination of wine tastings, visits to historical and architectural landmarks and the beautiful background of majestic mountains.

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival

Arrival to Sofia/Plovdiv airport. Overnight stay in Sofia.

Day 2. Sofa – Rila monastery – Melnik - Sandanski
Today we depart to the Southwest wine region of Bulgaria. En-route we visit the Rila monastery – Bulgaria`s largest and most famous monastery. After a visit of monastery`s church with its magnificent Revival wall paintings we travel further along the Struma valley. Next stop is the town of Melnik known for its specific aromatic wine. Here we taste some splendid local wines. Check in at hotel in the town of Sandanski. Overnight stay in Sandanski.

Day 3. Sandanski – Rojen monastery – Damyanitsa winery – Plovdiv
Our 3^rd day starts with visit of Rojen monastery. Sightseeing of the monastery where we enjoy the stunning view of Pirin mountain. After the visit of Rojen monastery we head to Damianitsa winery and have a guided tour of its wine cellars. Wine tasting followed by lunch and depart to Plovdiv. Check in at hotel in Plovdiv and time at leisure.

Day 4. Plovdiv sightseeing – Bachkovo monastery – Assenovgrad winery
Today we start with sightseeing in the old town of Plovdiv with its beautiful old houses from the Revival period, the ancient Roman theatre and the Roman stadium. After lunch we head to Assenovgrad winery – a place too see for every wine tour in South Bulgaria. After a tour in the winery we finish the day with a visit to Bachkovo monastery – one of the oldest monasteries in Bulgaria. Overnight stay in Plovdiv.

Day 5. Plovdiv – Starosel – Brestovitsa
Breakfast and departure to the winery complex Starosel which is situated next to one an old Thracian thomb which amazes every visitor with its well preserved structure. Starosel winery is a “wine temple” built in Bulgarian national revival style. Here we enjoy a wine tasting. Next stop is the small picturesque village of Brestovitsa well known in the region for wine production. Time for lunch and another wine tasting. Overnight stay in Plovdiv.

Day 6. Plovdiv – Haskovo – Sliven

After breakfast we leave Plovdiv and our wine tour takes us to the town of Harmanli where we visit another famous winery with its wine cellars. We enjoy a delicious lunch and proceed to the region of Sliven. Overnight stay in Sliven.

Day 7. Sliven
Situated near the “Valley of the Thracian kings” Sliven is well known for its vineyards. Some of the biggest wineries in Bulgaria are situated in the region of this town. Today we visit two of them – “Vini”Sliven and Edoardo Miroglio Winery.

Day 8. Departure
Breakfast and transfer to the airport

What`s included:

Accommodation in double room at 3*** hotels

Visit to local wineries

Wine tastings

Half board – breakfast and lunch (no meals included on day 1 – day of arrival)

Transport throughout

Entrances to sightseeings mentioned in the itinerary

English speaking local guide

What`s not included:

Tips and meals not mentioned above

Flight tickets

Health insurances

Optional expenses:

Single room supplement

Optional tours not mentioned in the itinerary – to be arranged and paid on spot