Celebrate Bulgaria’s world-famous Rose Festival with this unforgettable 8-day cultural journey. From Sofia’s bustling streets and Rila Monastery’s spiritual beauty to rose-picking rituals in the Valley of Roses and charming villages full of tradition, immerse yourself in Bulgaria’s colors, flavors, and scents.
Arrive at Sofia airport and meet your local guide. Begin with a sightseeing tour of Bulgaria’s capital, visiting the impressive Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Theatre, the Central Baths, and the charming “St. Nikolai” Russian Church. Walk down Vitosha Boulevard, a lively pedestrian street ideal for shopping and people-watching.
If time allows, join an optional food tour and taste Bulgarian specialties such as chicken soup, banitsa (pastry), yogurt drinks, rose tea, and jam.
Dinner and overnight in Sofia.
After breakfast, travel to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, dramatically set in the Rila Mountains. Admire its colorful frescoes, arcaded courtyards, and masterful wood carvings.
Enjoy lunch at a local fish farm restaurant before continuing to Pirin Mountain. In Gorno Draglishte village, join a warm-hearted family for a hands-on cooking class. Prepare and share traditional Bulgarian dishes while local village women sing folk songs, offering a truly authentic experience.
Overnight in Bansko or in a local guesthouse in Gorno Draglishte.
Begin the day in Dobarsko village, famous for its church “St. St. Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratelates,” featuring remarkable medieval frescoes—including a unique depiction of Christ in what looks like a spaceship.
Next, board the charming narrow-gauge Rhodopi railway. This scenic ride winds through mountain tunnels and dramatic landscapes, passing the highest train station in the Balkans, Avramovo.
Stop at Jundola’s open-air market where local women sell homemade honey, jams, herbs, and dairy products. Continue to Kostandovo to visit a prestigious carpet factory, producing hand-made carpets for royalty and international celebrities.
Arrive in Plovdiv in the evening.
Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.
Explore Plovdiv, a vibrant mix of Roman, Ottoman, and Bulgarian Revival heritage. Visit the ancient theatre, Roman basilicas, and cobbled Old Town streets lined with colorful 19th-century houses.
For lunch, head to a countryside restaurant combined with a boutique winery for wine tasting. Later, visit Bachkovo Monastery (11th century), renowned for its stunning frescoes and tranquil mountain setting. Stroll through local market stalls offering herbs, dairy products, and woolen crafts.
Return to Plovdiv.
Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.
Travel to Staro Zhelezare, an extraordinary village turned into an open-air art gallery, where murals feature villagers alongside global icons such as Einstein and Queen Elizabeth.
Visit a nearby winery for a guided tour and tasting in a hall inspired by ancient Thracian temples, celebrating the region’s millennia-old wine culture.
Continue into the Valley of Roses to visit a botanical garden in the village of Tazha. With over 500 plant species, this oasis is a feast for the senses. Enjoy homemade dessert and coffee in the peaceful garden.
Arrive in Kazanlak, where you’ll explore the replica of the UNESCO-listed Thracian Tomb.
Festive dinner and overnight in Kazanlak.
Start the day with the highlight of the journey: a traditional rose-picking ritual accompanied by folklore music and dances. Visit a rose distillery to observe the production of the world-famous Bulgarian rose oil, and sample rose-based products in their garden.
Return to Kazanlak to watch the vibrant Queen of Roses parade, where performers in traditional costumes celebrate the region’s heritage.
In the afternoon, cross the Balkan Mountains via the scenic Shipka Pass and visit Etara, an open-air ethnographic museum showcasing traditional crafts like woodcarving, pottery, and cutlery.
Arrive in Veliko Tarnovo.
Dinner and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Explore Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital, including Tsarevets Fortress and the charming Street of Crafts. Enjoy a drink at a historic inn, a masterpiece of 19th-century Bulgarian architecture.
Head to the nearby village of Arbanassi to visit museum-houses and the Nativity Church, famous for its 17th-century frescoes.
On the way back to Sofia, stop at Saeva Dupka Cave, one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful natural formations.
Dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Depending on your flight, enjoy some free time in Sofia before your transfer to the airport.
