Recommended Timing, because of the organized annual festival: middle of May – middle of June2013 (exact dates will be issued around February). During this month every city in the Rose valley or- ganizes contests for choosing the queen of Rose. And then a final contest is organized to choose a Queen of the Rose Valley.
Day 1 - Meeting at Sofia airport. Accommodation in 5 * hotel, located in central part of the city.
Depending on the time of arrival we can arrange a walking tour with visit some of the most interesting attractions in the city. Dinner in traditional restaurant with folklore music, where you can enjoy delicious dishes from the Bulgarian cuisine and a wide selection of wines and beverages.
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 2 – Panoramic tour around the Bulgarian capital and visit to the most interesting historical sights: the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the St. Sofia Church, which had given the name of the city and the historical and cultural center of the capital. Departure to Plovdiv- the southern capital of Bulgaria, located on the banks of the Maritsa River. City rich in history, architecture and culture.
The city of museums, the city of artists, the city of art.
Accommodation in a centrally located hotel. Free time to walk along the main pedestrian street. Dinner in a typical local restaurant.
Day 3 - After breakfast will be a city tour to the Old town built in IV century B.C. from King Philip of Macedonia, with the Ethnographical museum, the oldest churche”Constantine and Elena”, the Antique Theatre and the Roman Stadium, the Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv, Djumaya Mosque, Lamartin's House Museum of Bulgarian Revival, Roman Stadium etc. Overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 4 – THE ROSE FESTIVAL IN THE VALLEY OF ROSES
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. Usually, every year the festival begins with the Queen Rose beauty contest and continues with the coronation ceremony in her honour. The chosen beautiful girl must reward later the most skillful rose-pickers in the rose-harvesting ritual held in the yard of the Institute of Kazanlak.
Early in the morning we depart to Karlovo city. We will join the local people in the rose-picking in the rose plantations near Karlovo. Visit of authentic operating rose-distillery and introduction to the technology of production of rose oil (a highly esteemed component in the perfume and cosmetics industry), tasting of rose products. Visit of the traditional for this festival town carnival - a big attraction for the tourists. Lunch at open-air barbecue with folklore program.
Transfer to Hisarya – A small Spa town in the mountainSredna Gora. Overnight in Hisarya.
Day 5 – Again join the celebration and the carnival parade inKazanlak –the capital of Rose valley. View the annual beauty contest for choosing the Queen of Roses, and her coronation.
In the afternoon we will visit a factory for rose distillation and rose oil production. A factory shop available for shopping. Tourists can buy rose oil, peppermint oil and lavender oil; various products of the oil-bearing rose, rose liqueur, roserakiya and other souvenirs.
In the afternoon also will be visit of The Thracian Kazanlak Tomb, dating back to the 4th C. BC (listed in the world natural and historical heritage of UNESCO) and the unique Rose museum.
Transfer back to Sofia.
Day 6 – Depends on the timing of your flight free time for shopping and sightseeing can be organized.
The tour includes:
- Transfer from and to airport
- Transport with a luxury bus
- Professional Chinese speaking guide all the time
- Accommodation for 5 nights in 4*/5 * hotels
- All meals covered – breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Entertainment program in Kazanlak and Karlovo cities
- All entrances fees include. Insurance.
Tours
Hotels
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Cruises
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