- 14 Days
- Sofia | Veliko Tarnovo | Stara Zagora | Plovdiv | Smolyan | Kovachevitsa | Melnik
“Travel through time with the many aspects of Bulgarian history, from traditional art to religious buildings and ruins“
Tour Highlights
The Valley of the Roses
Traditional Folklore Dancing
Pottery Workshop
Bulgarian Wines of Melnik
Bulgarian Cooking Classes
10th-Century Monasteries Tour
Roman Amphitheaters
about this tour
about this tour
This tour introduces you to the varied landscapes, cultural traditions and historical sites that shape Bulgaria. You visit authentic villages, ancient monasteries and characterful towns, each offering insight into regional customs. Highlights include the UNESCO listed Rila Monastery and the Rock Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, along with visits to the medieval streets of Veliko Tarnovo and the heritage filled quarters of Plovdiv, where layers of history appear through their architecture and atmosphere. Throughout the journey you experience local life through encounters with residents who share long established traditions. You take part in a pottery workshop in Drashkova Poliana, learn regional recipes in Gorno Draglishte and enjoy traditional music during visits to Rhodope villages including Kosovo and Gela. Wine tastings at estates in the Melnik region and opportunities to try local dishes further connect you with Bulgaria’s flavours, farming practices and regional identity. The itinerary balances cultural visits with time to relax, offering scenic walks, peaceful village settings and calm surroundings across the countryside. Comfortable accommodations and knowledgeable guides support your journey, ensuring each visit is informative and well paced. With a blend of monasteries, folklore, crafts, food experiences and time in historic towns, this tour offers a considered introduction to Bulgaria’s heritage and traditions at a steady and engaging pace.
Deshka and the "grannies" from Gorno Draglishte sure know how to make your experience unforgettable. In their local village, you will learn how to make the most typical Bulgarian dish for breakfast, "Banitsa", and you will enjoy having lunch with local people from the village. Deshka will be there to guide you with every step of making this delicious traditional breakfast, with techniques and methods handed down from generations.
Why Book With Us?
FAQs
1. What religious sites do we visit in Bulgaria?
You visit key religious places including 10th-century monasteries, UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, and the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo. On guided visits you hear how they were built, how people used them in the past, and why they still matter in Bulgaria today.
2. What do we do in the pottery workshop in Drashkova Poliana?
In Drashkova Poliana you join a pottery workshop led by local craftspeople. They show how pieces are shaped and decorated, then help you make a simple item yourself, giving you a hands-on way to understand a long-standing craft.
3. How are Bulgarian cooking classes and village traditions included?
In Gorno Draglishte you learn regional recipes in a Bulgarian cooking class, preparing dishes with local hosts. In Rhodope villages such as Kosovo and Gela you also hear traditional music, meet residents, and see how village life and customs are kept up today.
4. How do we taste Melnik’s Bulgarian wines?
In the Melnik region you visit local wine estates for tastings. Hosts introduce Bulgarian wines from the area and explain how the local landscape and farming practices shape their style, often alongside regional food.
5. When do we see the Valley of the Roses and Roman amphitheatres?
You spend time in the Valley of the Roses as part of your journey through the countryside, adding one of Bulgaria’s best-known cultural landscapes to the trip. In historic towns such as Plovdiv, guided walks include the Roman amphitheatre and old quarters, showing how different periods of history sit side by side.
Our in-country expert
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