Excursions with guaranted departures in Bulgaria

ROSE FESTIVAL

NEW 2020 - GURANTED DEPARTURE 3-9.06.2020
JOIN-IN GROUP

7 Days/6 Nights

Route: SOFIA-RILA MONASTERY-PLOVDIV-KAZANLAK-STARA-ZAGORA-VELIKO TARNOVO-ARBANASI-ETARA-SOFIA

Bulgaria is a precious gem in the corona of Europe with its rich millenary history and preserved nature. Bulgaria is also the country of the famous rose oil. This tour gives you the opportunity to visit the Rose Valley, to smell the rose oil perfume, to take part in rose pickings in small villages, to visit a traditional rose distillery and get acquainted with the enigmatic Thracian civilization and the eternal Bulgarian folklore. And last but not least – to visit Bulgarian capital Sofia, the secon largest city Plovdiv - one of the most ancient cities in Europe , the Bulgarian medieval capital Veliko Tarnovo, Rila Monastery – the largest monastery in Bulgaria with dramatic 11 centuries history, the unique village of Arbanasi, the open air museum Etar.

The Rose Festival in Pictures


Day 1. Sofia – arrival

Arrival at Sofia airport. Our Rozzi Travel representative will meet and greet you at the airport and will accompany you to your hotel in Sofia. Accommodation.
Dinner. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 2. Sofia – Rila Monastery – Sofia (232 km)

Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Sofia. We will visit – St. Nedelya Cathedral, St. George Rotunda, Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue – the largest Sephardic synagogue in Europe, the Presidency and the seat of the Government, Ivan Vazov National Theater, the former Royal Palace, the Russian Church of St. Nicolas, St. Sophia Basiliqe that has given its name to the city in 14th century, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchy), apart from being one of the largest eastern orthodox cathedrals in the world and one of Sofia’s emblematic symbols), National Assembly Square with the monument of the Russian Tsar Alexander II named “King Liberator”, Sofia University and National Library.

By noon departure to Rila Monastery. Lunch on the road. Rila Monastery is the largest monastery in Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. It is UNESCO site. You will admire the golden iconostasis of the monastery church, the frescoes on its walls, the notorious Hrelyo tower.
We will return to Sofia.
Dinner. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 3. Sofia - Plovdiv (156 km)

Departure to Plovdiv. Guided tour of Plovdiv – one of the oldest cities in Europe and European capital of culture for 2019. The guided tour of the historic quarter “the Old Town” will introduce you to millennia of history – ancient fortress walls, the Roman Forum and Stadium, the Ancient Theatre, magnificent churches, museum-houses and colorful 19th-century mansions. Old Plovdiv Architectural Reserve is a well-preserved complex where on a relatively small area visitors can take walks through different historical ages, see ancient buildings adapted to the modern way of life and feel the spirit of the town from the Bulgarian Revival Period.
You can make a short journey in the time and take memories of it with you with a retro photoshooting session (optional, additional service) – retro pictures in costumes of different times – from Antiquity to 19-th century. Time for explore the town and for shopping.
Dinner. Overnight.

Day 4. Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Stara Zagora (158 km)

In the morning departure from the hotel to discover the Valley of the Roses and the secrets of the rose oil. The Rosa Damascena, known as the Damask or Castile rose, is the greatest treasure in the region of Kazanlak and it is one of the nation’s symbols of Bulgaria. Under the influence of the country’s unique climate and soil, this rose gradually developed into a Bulgarian strain distinct from Damask roses elsewhere. That is why at the beginning of the 19th century this rose was named the Kazanlak Damask rose and the valley to the south of the Central Balkans came to be known as the Valley of the Roses. Here is produced 80% of the world production of rose oil, which is in the base of the highest quality perfumes. For centuries, roses have been the basis for the livelihood of this region.

On the road to Kazanlak you will visit the oldest rose oil distillery still in activity – a real history of the rose oil production in Bulgaria. You will visit its museum, you will participate in rose- picking. Everyone will have the possibility to try and pick some rose blossoms. After that you will discover the processes of distillation of the “liquid gold “as the essential rose oil is known because of its very high price. You will have tasting of rose oil, rose water and lavender oil (by smelling).

Arrival in Kazanlak by noon. Kazanlak is the center of the Valley of the Roses, the home of the Thracian kings, and an attractive tourist destination. The country’s largest and best preserved Thracian aged tombs 2000 – 3000 years old are found here, and they are included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After free lunch we will visit the unique museum in the world, dedicated to the oil-yielding plant – rose. The rose is one of the symbols of Bulgaria.The Rose Museum stores more than 15 000 exponents related to rose cultivation and rose oil-production in Bulgaria. After that you will attend the International Folklore Festival to enjoy some Bulgarian traditional folklore dances.

In the evening we will depart to Stara Zagora. Walking visit of the center of the city with the Roman Forum. We will cross the main street of the Roman city Augusta Trayana, built by the Roman Emperor Trayan (98-117 AD). We will see the antic forum of this city with the remains of the amphiteater, the thermal baths, the city walls and the western gate. Checking-in in the hotel in Stara Zagora (or in the resort Stara Zagora Mineral Baths).
Dinner. Overnight.

Day 5. Stara Zagora – Kazanlak – Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanasi (246 km)

Another day dedicated to the Rose Valley. We will head to a village nearby Kazanlak* to participate in another rose-picking. We will attend a demonstration of Bulgarian folklore costumes and a live folklore music show. Then we walk together to the rose fields and take part in the traditional rose-picking.

By noon we will enjoy the Rose Festival Parade in the center of Kazanlak (with reserved places). Picnic lunch. After the parade we will visit one of the Thracian tombs – witnesses to ancient times and examples of the Thracian culture. Few kilometers from Kazanlak are situated the most interesting Thracian tombs – Goliamata Kosmatka Tomb, Ostrusha Tomb, Svetitsata Tomb, Helvetia Tomb.We will visit Goliamata Kosmatka Tomb.

We will continue our road towards Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi.
Dinner. Overnight in Arbanasi.

Day 6. Arbanasi – Veliko Tarnovo – Etara – Sofia (280 km)

Arbanassiis a village in the vicinity of the medieval capital, turned into an architectural museum. It is famous for its massive houses that resemble minor fortresses on the outside and boutique mansions from the inside. There are breath-taking panoramas from Arbanassi towards Veliko Tarnovo. We will make a short visit before continuing to Veliko Tarnovo.

Veliko Tаrnovo was the capital of the medieval Bulgarian state and today is considered the most picturesque town in Bulgaria. Located in the meander turns of the Yantra river, the town features remains of the medieval fortifications, churches and a palace, museums, galleries and craftsmen pavilions. A guided tour will introduce you to all major historical sites. To name a few - the Tsarevets fortress, Samovodska charshia street, The medieval church of Saints Peter and Paul etc.

Our road continue towards Gabrovo and Etara in its vicinity. Etara is the unique open-air museum on the Balkans. The museum territory covers an area of 7 ha and comprises 50 sites - water technical equipment, houses with fully operational craftsman's workshops, places with social importance. The aim of the museum display is showing the architecture, the life style and the economic past of Gabrovo region during the second half of 18 and the 19 centuries. More than 26 main crafts were developed in the town and the goods were sold in different parts of the country and abroad - Bucharest, Vienna, Marseille, Anatolia and other.
In the afternoon we will head to Sofia.

Day 7. Sofia – departure

Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out. End of the program.

Important: The final program in Kazanlak will be confirmed by end of January 2020 when the official Rose Festival's program will be ready.

Prices in euro per person sharing double room:

Group size	Early bird prices for reservations until 15th of January, 2020	Standard prices
4-7 pax	792	825
8 – 16 pax	603	624
17 – 24 pax	509	532
25 – 35 pax	458	479

Single supplement: total 136 euro for the 6 overnights

The prices include:

• 6 overnights in 4* hotels with good location (3 overnights in Sofia, 1 overnight in Plovdiv, 1 overnight in Stara Zagora/Stara Zagora Baths Resort, 1 overnight in Arbanasi)
• 6 breakfasts
• 6 dinners without beverages
• 2 lunches without beverages (one of them is picnic lunch)
• Guided sightseeing tours of all visited cities and sights
• Escorted services of an experienced guide in English for the whole tour (except the days of arrival and departure)
• Participation in the Rose Festival in Kazanlak on June 6 and June 7, 2020 attending the Rose parade with reserved places
• 2 Rose-pickings
• Visit of rose-oil distilery
• Entrance fees as per the program
• Transportation with comfortable air-conditioned minibus/coach as per the program (from Day 2 to Day 6 including)
• Entrance fees as per the program
• The transfer on Day1
• All local taxes

The prices don’t include:

• Air fare
• Other meals than stated
• Transfer on Day 7 (we can arrange it with supplement)
• Photo/video fees at sites and museums
• All that is not mentioned in section “Price includes”
• Tips
• Insurance
• Bank and pay pal fees
• Additional private expenses of a client
• Porterage at airport and hotels





Confirmation of the reservation:

The tour with the above tourist program will be officially booked once we have received a 40% deposit payment. After that you will receive a booking confirmation via e-mail. We kindly ask you to pay the balance not later than 30 days prior to your arrival. If your booking is made less than 30 days prior to your arrival the total amount is due on reservation.
Once we have received the payment, we will send the following to your e-mail address: the invoice, the voucher, and all the other necessary travel-related documents and information.

Our cancellation policy for the Rose festival tours has the following special conditions :

Upon booking we require 40% of the price which is non refundable. This is because of the fact that the hotels in this period request 100% non-refundable prepayment upon booking.
The balance is due 21 days before arrival

Cancellations :

30 to 14 days prior to departure – 50 % of the balance
14 to 7 days prior to departure – 70 % of the balance
7 to 3 days prior to departure – 80 % of the balance
3 to 0 days prior to departure – 100 % of the balance
After the departure or no-show – 100 % of the balance

In cases of extraordinary circumstances, Rozzi Travel LTD reserves the right to change itineraries.

Rozzi Travel LTD wishes you a very pleasant stay in Bulgaria and will be extremely happy to be your host and to show you the beauty of our country!