Karlovo Rose Festival
Karlovo Rose Festival
Sofia – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv –Bachkovo monastery– Karlovo– Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Sofia
7 days/6 nights tour
Join-a-group tour with fixed departure 2020:
24 June – 29 June
Highlights:
- Escorted tour with fixed departure dates
- Dedicated to the annual Rose festival in Karlovo which attracts thousands of people from all over the world.
- Accommodation in first class hotels
Most important sights and attractions:
- Join the local people for the rose-picking in the rose fields
- Take part in the colorful carnival procession in Karlovo
- BBQ lunch at open air with folklore show
- Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia – one of the oldest cities in Europe
- Replica of UNESCO-listed Thracian Tomb in Kazanlak
- Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture for 2019
- UNESCO-listed Rila monastery – the biggest Bulgarian spiritual centre
Day 1 – 14.05 – Sofia (D)
Arrival to Sofia airport. Transfer and accommodation at the hotel. Welcome dinner and overnight.
Day 2 – 15.05 – Sofia – Boyana Church (B)
After breakfast we embark on a walking tour around the Bulgarian capital and visit the most interesting historical sights: Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. Sofia Church, which had given the name of the city and the historical and cultural center of the capital. In the afternoon – visit to the famous Boyana church (UNESCO Heritage list) impressive with its history upon its walls and the continuity of the religion there. Also on our agenda for the day is visit to the National History museum, full with Ancient treasures showing part of the Bulgarian history.
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 3 – 16.05 – Sofia – Rila monastery – Plovdiv (B, D)
After breakfast we set off to Rila monastery (X c.)- the biggest Bulgarian spiritual center since the Middle Ages included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located in a picturesque mountain area. The Monastery has rich collection of icons and wall-paintings. Its museum keeps a real treasure: a wooden cross of just 81 cm height, carved with 104 religious scenes and 650 figures.
Departure to Plovdiv – the “City of the seven hills’’. Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe still existing today. It was called Philippopolis in the IV century B.C. in honor of King Philip II of Macedonia. Today Plovdiv is a cultural center of Bulgaria and selected as European Capital of Culture for 2019. Walking tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv impressive with the houses-museums of the Revival period like the Ethnographical museum; the Ancient Theater, the Fortress walls, the oldest church in the city – “St. St. Constantine and Helena”, etc. We will see the Muslim temple Dzhoumaya Mosque and the Roman Stadium on the main street of Plovdiv.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 4 – 17.05 – Plovdiv – Bachkovo monastery (B)
After breakfast we can visit Bachkovo monastery – one of many beautiful places in Rhodopy Mountain. We are going to visit the monastery, see the church and have a relaxed day. The afternoon we are coming back to Plovdiv. Free time at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 – 18.05 – Plovdiv – ROSE FESTIVAL – Veliko Tarnovo (B, L)
Early in the morning we will take breakfast boxes from the hotel and depart to where we will enjoy the Rose Festival. We will join the local people in the rose-picking in the rose plantations near Karlovo. We will witness the procession with Queen Rose to the main square where there will be folklore show with dancers. We can join local people and guests and learn how to dance horo. 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. Departure to Veliko Tarnovo.
Accommodation and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 6 – 19.05 – Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanasi – Sofia (B, D)
After breakfast – city tour of the old capital of Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo. Visit the Wax museum, the historical hill Tsarevets with the Fortress, the Patriarchal church and the Emperor Baldwin’s Tower. You will walk along the old Trade Street – “Samovodska charshia”.
Next is visit of Arbanassi village, famous for its ancient rich decorated churches and magnificent architecture. It used to be a residence of the Bulgarian kings.
Departure to Sofia. Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Day 7 – 20.05 – Sofia
After breakfast – free time. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.
Prices per person in DBL/twin share:
PAX | Price |
From 2 participants | EUR 1050,00 / pax |
From 4 participants | EUR 785,00 / pax |
From 6 participant | EUR 649,00 / pax |
From 10 participants | EUR 670,00 / pax |
SGL-room supplement | EUR 135,00 / pax |
Hotels in the program (or similar):
- Sofia – Rosslyn Thracia hotel 4*
- Plovdiv – Alliance hotel 4*
- Veliko Tarnovo – family hotel Gurko 3*
Guaranteed departures for min 2 passengers arriving together
Start date | End date | Double / Twin share | Single supplement |
14 May 2019 | 20 May 2019 | 999,00 € | 155,00 € |
Group rate 2019:
From 4 participants | EUR 765,00 / pax |
From 6 participant | EUR 627,00 / pax |
From 10 participants | EUR 650,00 / pax |
SGL-room supplement | EUR 155,00 / pax |
Tour prices include:
Tour prices don’t include: