Wine producing in Bulgaria goes back to ancient times. The first producers were Thracians – the oldest local inhabitants of these lands. Most of Thracian world famous golden treasures consist predominantly of wine vessels. Thracian wines were thick and very strong, later the Greeks and Romans diluted them with water as they themselves learned the technics of wine making.
Today Bulgaria is one of the leading wine-producing countries, giving about 2 percent per year of world wine production. Every year Wine Fair is held in Plovdiv and perhaps one of the most interesting holidays, wine related traditions come from ancient times "Trifon Zarezan" was celebrated on February 14. In the tour you will taste Bulgarian brands predominantly, made of grapes typical to Bulgaria only. We will walk through Bulgaria from south to north and will take you to some of the best wine cellars. We will show you at the same time one of the most famous cultural landmarks of the country.
We will bring you in the Kingdom of Bulgarian wines.
The Struma River valley
The valley of Struma includes southwestern parts of the country. The size is not a big, but has specific climatic characteristics, approaching it to the Mediterranean areas. In the area are grown local variety “Wide Melnik Vine ‘‘,’’ Cabernet Sauvignon ‘’ and ‘’ Merlot’’. The wines are characterized by warm southern tones in the flavor, with a fullness and richness of the general impressions. Special interests are the wines of the sort "Wide Melnik Vine", who are rich and sufficiently large and aging become exotic and very pleasant nuances in flavor.
The Thracian Valley
The Southern Bulgarian region includes the central part of the Thracian lowland parts of Sakar Mountain. In this region, are concentrated red grape varieties "Mavrud", "Merlot", "Cabernet Sauvignon", "Red Muscat", "Pamid". The climatic conditions of the area favor the obtaining of rich and memorable wines of "Cabernet Sauvignon" and "Mavrud". The good local wines "Mavrud" are highly appreciated as its combines the fragrance and flavor of red berries, spices and herbs.
The Rose Valley
Located south of the old Mountains/Stara planina/. Here are the main varieties -"Red Muscat", "Riesling", "Rkatsiteli" “Cabernet Sauvignon” and “Merlot’’. The region produces mainly dry and semi-dry white wine, a little red wine and flavored wines. The wines are characterized by pleasant fruity aroma, fresh and harmonious taste. That local variety "Red Muscat" is one of the best representatives of the white wines in the country and feature rich aroma, delicate and elegant body, lingering aftertaste.
The Danube River Valley
The northern Bulgarian region is characterized by a temperate continental climate with hot summers and a large number of sunny days. Covers the central and western part of the Danube Plain, the southern part of the Danube River and the areas around it. Here are the varieties "Muscat Ottonel", "Gamza", "Cabernet Sauvignon", "Merlot", "Chardonnay", "Aligote", "Pamid" and others. The region produces dry white wines, sparkling wines classical technology and quality red wines with rich fruit aroma and fresh taste.
Day 1 - SOFIA
Arrival at Sofia airport. Panoramic tour around the 8500 years old city and visit to the most interesting historical sights: “Alexander Nevski” cathedral, “St. Sofia” church, which had given the name of the city, “St. George” Rotunda and the historical and cultural center of the capital. Accommodation in a 4* hotel in the centre of the city.
Dinner in a traditional restaurant with folklore music, where you can enjoy delicious Bulgarian dishes and a wide selection of wines and drinks. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 2 – STRUMA VALLEY REGION
A trip to Rila Monastery. Located in 120 km south wards from Sofia, in the heart of Rila Mountain, this is the largest Bulgarian monastery, founded in 10th century AD. A visit to the monastery and possibility to have lunch in a very good restaurant nearby, famous with its dishes of fresh trout.
In the afternoon departure to Melnik – the town of the sand pyramids, the smallest one in Bulgaria. This is a unique place you will never forget. Melnik is famous for its red wines, you will be able to taste in a castle-winery in Hotovo village, situated nearby, where you will taste a wine made from “Shiroka Melnishka Loza” grape sorts. The young wines are characterized by their dense cherry color,
fragrance dominated by cherry, enough density and characteristic astringency it and spicy.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight in a 4* SPA hotel in Sandanski – one of the largest SPA centers in Bulgaria, famous for healing mineral water.
Day 3 – THRACIAN LOWLANDS REGION
A short trip to Bansko – the most prospering mountain resort in Bulgaria. A charming resort town, home to hospitable in Pirin Mountain, which offers a unique combination of excellent conditions for winter sports, preserved Bulgarian traditions, rich folk traditions and unmatched heritage.
Set off for the “Thracian Winery Cellar – Pamidovo”. Visit to the winery and tasting of wines made from “Pamid” grape sorts. Favored for fresh consumption. They are red, light table wines for mass consumption. They have low acidity and low extract, therefore not appropriate for maturing and should be consumed young, immediately after fermentation and clarification.
Late in the afternoon, arrival in Plovdiv. Accommodation in a 4* hotel in the centre of the city.
Dinner at a good local restaurant. Overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 4 – PLOVDIV
Walking tour of Plovdiv – the city of the seven hills, built in IV century before Christ from the King Philip of Macedonia. Visit of the Old Plovdiv with the two most remarkable museum-houses:
the Balabanova’s house and the house of Hindlian. Also visit of the Antique theatre, the Roman stadium, and the oldest church “St. Constantine and Elena”. In the afternoon departure to Bachkovo monastery – the second largest monastery in Bulgaria. Guided tour around monastery. Next comes tasting of wines, made from “Mavrud” grape sorts in “Todoroff wine cellar” at village of Brestovitsa. The wines produced from the variety are ruby color, enough tannins and acidity, specific and pleasant fragrance, dominated wild berries and spices. The wines develop an excellent contact with oak wood, complex flavor, soft, dense and harmonious taste. This is one of the most famous wine regions in Bulgaria, producer of red wines of high quality.
Return to Plovdiv. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 5 – ROSE VALLEY REGION
Morning drive to the Banya village, which is located in Karlovo district for tasting of wines made from “Karlovski Misket” grape sorts. The tasting is in the “Rose Valley” Royal Winery famous with its high quality wines. In the Rose Valley growing from: white and red grape varieties Muscat, Chardonnay, Muscat Blanc Sovinion, Merlot and red varieties, Cabernet, Merlot and Pamid.
Next is Kazanlak – the capital of the Rose valley and the Thracian Kings. In Kazanlak the tourists will visit the Rose museum, where they can see how the famous Bulgarian rose oil (used in the perfumery) is made and the Thracian Kazanlak tomb dating back to the 4th c. B.C. You will be able to learn about the traditions of rose production and to buy rose, mint, lavender oil, other products of oil rose, rose brandy, and other souvenirs. Overnight in Kazanlak.
Day 6 – DANUBIAN PLAIN REGION
Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo. Wine tasting of sparking wine and “Pelin” in Liaskovets winery.
You will have the opportunity to taste the natural sparkling wines, herbal sparkling wine, sparkling grape must, and pelin, dry red and white still wines from different vintages, collectible wines from the best Bulgarian brandy. In the afternoon – a visit to the village of Arbanassi /4 km. from Veliko Tarnovo/. It is famous for its ancient rich decorated churches.
In the evening walking tour of Veliko Tarnovo: the historical hill Tsarevets with the Fortress,
the Patriarchal church and the Emperor Baldwin’s Tower. Panoramic tour of the town, stroll along the old Trade Street – “Samovodska charshia”. Dinner at a typical Bulgarian Tavern in the city center with live music performance. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 7 - SUHINDOL SOFIA
A drive to Suhindol for tasting local “Gamza” grape sorts of wine, one of the most popular red varieties. From him received high table and dessert wines, champagne and wine materials.
The wine from a variety Gamza resembles French Burgundy wines.
Departure to Sofia, accommodation, dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 8 - DEPARTURE TO CHINA
Depending on the timing of your flight free time and possibility for shopping. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.
The tour includes:
- Transfers from and to airport
- Transport with luxury bus and all the time the group will be accompanied by a Chinese speaking representative from Demi Travel agency
- Accommodation for 7 nights in 4*/5 * hotels
- All meals covered – breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Visit of 6 wineries with wine tasting (according to the program)
- All entrance fees for the museums and churches . Insurance.
Tours
Hotels
Rent-a-car/Transfer
Cruises
Flights
Gallery
