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This tour introduces you to Bulgaria’s capital and two of its finest cities. Plovdiv, ancient Philippopolis, has many elegant 19th Century houses, and Veliko Turnovo, itself a former capital, is picturesquely situated on the steep banks of the River Yantra. Your drive will take you through some spectacular mountain scenery, including the historic Shipka Pass. There will be opportunities to taste red wines from the Mavrud and Gamza grapes, varieties which thrive only in their areas of origin in Bulgaria, as well as wines from the well-known Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. You will also have the chance to sample one of the country’s few sparkling wines, and many of its delicious foods. Itinerary Day 1 - Scheduled flight to Sofia. Dinner and overnight stay. Day 2 - Morning sightseeing tour of Sofia. Depart mid-morning for Brezovo winery for a winetasting accompanied by a cold buffet lunch. Drive to Plovdiv for first of two overnights. Time at leisure until dinner in the Trimontium Hotel’s Courtyard Restaurant.(Sofia-Brezovo x kms. Brezovo-Plovdiv x kms.) Day 3 - Morning sightseeing tour of the Old Town, included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, followed by lunch. Afternoon drive to Bachkovo Monastery, with its stunning internal and external frescoes. Visit Assenovgrad winery for a tasting of its Mavrud and other red wines, before returning to Plovdiv for dinner in the Old Town. (Plovdiv-Bachkovo x kms. Bachkovo-Assenovgrad x kms. Assenovgrad-Plovdiv x kms.) Day 4 - Morning drive to Kazanluk across the Thracian plain (home of the original winemakers on Bulgarian soil), and through the Valley of the Roses, renowned for its beauty in May and June. Here you visit the exact replica of the famous Thracian tomb, and then drive on towards Veliko Turnovo, crossing the Balkan Mountains by the Shipka Pass. Lunch will be at one of the traditional style village restaurants at the Etura Ethnographic Museum. Arrive late afternoon in Veliko Turnovo where you stay for two nights. (Plovdiv-Kazanluk 140kms. Kazanluk-Etura 40 kms. Etura-Veliko Turnovo 65kms.) Day 5 - Morning sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo. Lunch (today’s main meal) in Arbanassi village, followed by a walk round the village and visits to the church and museum houses. Late afternoon visit to Lyaskovets winery, where high quality sparkling wine is produced. Wine tasting and buffet supper at the winery. (Veliko Turnovo-Arbanassi-Veliko Turnovo x kms. Veliko Turnovo-Lyaskovets-Veliko Turnovo x kms.) Day 6 - Drive through Bulgaria’s rural heartland to Pavlikeni, part of the successful Suhindol co-operative. (Visit/tasting?)Continue to Suhindol, the first private winery, for a winetasting and lunch at the co-operative’s village restaurant. In the afternoon continue to Lovech and visit the Old Quarter (Varosha) and the famous covered bridge. Dinner in a Varosha restaurant, and a chance to sample local plum and grape brandies. (Veliko Turnovo-Pavlikeni x kms. Pavlikeni-Suhindol x kms. Suhindol-Lovech x kms.)Day 7 - Leisurely drive to Sofia through the Valley of the Roses, an unforgettable sight in May and June, calling for lunch at Pravets on the way. Late afternoon free in Sofia. Farewell dinner at a restaurant in the foothills of Mount Vitosha. Day 8 - Return to London by scheduled flight. Produced by Dr. M.A. Kay of
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