Pure nature, pure food - 8 Days

Global processes of the planet affected the ecology all over the world. Bulgaria is not an exception in this regard, but our country managed to preserve much of its natural wealth, to renew the tradition in nutrition and therefore to offer opportunities for active recreation in clean environment with fresh bio-products. The aim of this new tour is to reveal the natural purity and the pure food, to take you to the most prosperous bio-farms and eco-hotels in Bulgaria.

Highlights:

Most important sights and attractions:

1 Day – Sofia (D)

Arrival in Sofia. Airport transfer and accommodation in a SPA hotel in Bankya resort/situated in the outskirts of Sofia/, famous for its extremely healthy air, healing mineral water and the possibilities for effective treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Dinner and overnight.

2 Day – Sofia – Kostandovo carpets factory – Dorkovo (B, D)

After breakfast – half-day panoramic tour around the Bulgarian capital (an 8500 years old city!) – Sofia, called “My Rome” by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. 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.

After lunch – set off to the Rhodope mountains. We will visit the unique Kostandovo carpet factory, producing giant carpets of more than 100 m². The clients of this small family run factory are world celebrities as Queen Elizabeth II, Mick Jagger, along with castles and huge properties’ owners from North America and Europe. Accommodation at “Ruminika” eco-village, settled at the beautiful shores of several lakes full of fish. Number of fossils of prehistoric animals in Europe are found in the vicinities, and a paleontological museum with a replica of a mastodon in its natural size is located in the area.

Opportunity to visit the museum, dinner and overnight.

3 Day – Dorkovo – Dospat lake – Trigrad (B, D)

Breakfast. Departure to the Dospat lake, which is the largest freshwater fish farm on the Balkan Peninsula. The lake attracts many fishermen and families wishing to relax amidst beautiful scenery. The tour continues to the Rhodope village of Trigrad, known for his awesome Devil’s Throat cave with the legend of the mythical Thracian singer and musician Orpheus, the symbol of the Rhodopes. Opportunity to visit the cave and the nearby Bears’ museum. In Trigrad – visit and meeting with the owners of the largest farm for cultivation of the famous local mountain “Mursalski” tea, known for its healing properties, antioxidant, anti-atherosclerosis, lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack. Not least, also known as … “Rhodope viagra”. Accommodation at an eco-hotel with an equestrian center and very good cuisine. Dinner and overnight.

4 Day – Trigrad – Shiroka Luka – Smilyan – Zlatograd (B, D)

Breakfast. Visit of Shiroka Luka village – ethnographic, folklore and architectural reserve, famous for its school of folk singers and instrumentalists. Stop in Smilyan village and visit the manufacture of dairy products, where the kind hosts will present its environment-friendly production: yoghurt – the world-famous Bulgarian symbol, different cheeses and etc. Possibility for tasting. The day ends in ethnographic complex in the town of Zlatograd, not far from the border with Greece, where various local handicrafts are presented. Accommodation at hotel-houses built in the style of old Rhodope architecture. Dinner with local specialties and overnight.

5 Day – Zlatograd – Tatul – Gorno pole village (B, D)

After breakfast – getting acquainted with the heritage of the Thracians – the oldest civilization on Bulgarian lands. Departure for one of the most remarkable ancient megalithic monuments in Bulgaria – Thracian sanctuary of Orpheus near the village of Tatul, dated to the end of Vth and the beginning of IVth millennium BC. According to historians the Thracian king Rhesus who participated in the legendary Trojan War, was buried here. Accommodation at the family farm in the village of Gorno pole, specialized in organic farming. The family is growing in a sustainable way a flock of 450 Rhodope Shorthorn cattles, sheep and horses. The farm produces bio-certificated veal and one of his most famous culinary specialties is stewed beef in pumpkin. The farm offers horseback riding, boating, picnics in the forest, searching for honey from wild bees, searching for gold and many other entertainment possibilities. Dinner and overnight at the farm.

6 Day – Gorno pole village – Popovets village – Rabovo village – Plovdiv – Zdravets (B, D)

After breakfast – visit the organic farm in the neighboring village Popovets where the owners will offer a tour round their vineyards, will tell how to make wine at home, followed by wine-tasting. Visit of an organic farm for grain production. Here you will see how bread from bio-grain, including spelt, is produced. Departure to Plovdiv, the second largest city in the country, announced Cultural Capital of Europe for 2019. Visit of the old city, fortified by the father of Alexander the Great, King Philip II: the fortress wall, the Roman amphitheater, one of the most beautiful Renaissance houses of the XIX century, the oldest church “St. Constantine and Elena”, and the main street with the Roman stadium, the mosque and the ancient Forum. Accommodation at an eco-hotel in the vicinities of Plovdiv, at the foothills of Rhodope mountains, which offers eco-food from its private farm. The complex has a swimming pool and SPA, and offers various possibilities for active eco-tourism –bike rental, extreme sports, hunting and fishing. Dinner and overnight.

7 Day – Zdravets – Vassil Levski village – Kalofer – Sofia (B, D)

Breakfast. Departure for Vassil Levski village and visit the family-run organic farm that raises 500 sheep and over 140 buffaloes from rare breeds. The family produces buffalo and sheep yoghurt and cheese, sold by means of mobile refrigerators on the principle of mobile dairy as practice in countries like Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Austria, Italy. Visit also of the organic farm for honey in the town of Kalofer. The owner is a certified bio-apiarist since 2003, and has 200 hives in the mountain part of the region of Kalofer producing up to 3500 kg bio-honey by year!

Departure for Sofia and accommodation in the resort town of Bankya. Dinner and overnight.

8 Day – Flight back home (B)

After breakfast – free time. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.

Tour prices include:

Tour prices don't include:

Optional:

• Supplement for lunch - 12 EUR per person