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Date | 31 May - 8 June, 2026
Join our exclusive 9-day Bulgaria Rose Festival Tour and immerse yourself in the intoxicating world of the oldest Rose Festival traditions, where blooming valleys burst with over 3,000 tons of Damask roses. Discover the lost mysteries of Dionysus, the ancient wine god, at sacred sites like Perperikon—his 3,000-year-old Thracian sanctuary in the Rhodope Mountains, where recent excavations reveal rituals of ecstasy and viticulture that echo in today's rose-infused elixirs.
Trace the threads of antiquity through fire-dancing Nestinari ceremonies in Strandzha's Ice Age forests, megalithic Begliktash aligned with the stars, and Cape Kaliakra's clifftop legacy of Queen Arsinoe II. Wine tasting at the award winning Queen's cellar. Unearth the world's oldest gold and medicinal herb gardens bridging folk magic to modern botany.
The heart of the adventure? Hands-on rose immersion: dawn picking rituals in dew-kissed fields, witnessing traditional copper-still distillation—the alchemical art passed down since Ottoman times—tasting pure rose otto (the "liquid gold" of perfumery), and joining the vibrant parade of pickers in folk costumes. Private picnic amid aromatic rose fields with local farmer sharing production secrets, explore private gardens of 500+ species, and unwind in the famous healing hot springs.
From Plovdiv's labyrinthine Old Town (home to 19th-century rose oil barons) to Sofia's golden cathedrals, this private-van-guided odyssey blends history, botany, and sensory delight. Perfect for enthusiasts of myths, plants, and timeless crafts—spaces limited! Book now and let the scent of roses lead you home.
Special Features
- Small private group: 8 to 15 people
- 4 nights at beach side hotels
- 1 night at healing hot spring spa hotel
- Private picnic at rose field, DIY rose jam.
- Explore the ancient mystical traditions of the ancient Bulgaria
IItinerary
Day 1: Sofia
- Pick up at Sofia airport
- Overnight at Sofia
Day 2: Perperikon Thracian Sanctuary
- Visit the ancient Thracian sanctuary city of Perperikon, located in the East Rhodope mountains of Bulgaria. The 3000 years old ancient Thracian sanctuary dedicated to the wine god Dionysus.
- Overnight at Black Sea coast beach side hotel.
More information:
New findings from Perperikon, an ancient center of Dionysus veneration: https://wildhunt.org/2024/09/new-findings-from-perperikon-an-ancient-center-of-dionysus-veneration.html
Day 3: Balgari village, Strandzha mountain
- Participate in the fireside rituals (preparation of firedance) of moving the icons and consecrating them, a unique mixture of an ancient tradition and Orthodox Christianity.
- Trekking in Strandzha mountain - Eco-trail "In the kingdom of the Rhododendron ponticum”. Walk into an ancient mysterious forest survived since the ice age. You will discover an abundance of wild flora and medicinal plants with the mountain guide, some are unique to this area.
- In the evening - Nestinari fire dancing in the village of Bulgari, part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
- Overnight at Black Sea coast beach side hotel.
More information:
Fire Dancing Festival (Nestinarstvo). The Mystical Bulgarian Firewalking Ritual Where Flame and Faith Intertwine: https://todaysfestival.net/en/festival/Bulgaria/Fire_Dancing_Festival%EF%BC%88Nestinarstvo%EF%BC%89
Day 4: Brashlyan village, Begliktash, Sozopol, Sunny Beach
- Walking tour in the ancient village and architectural reserve Brashlyan and presentation of a traditional folk ritual.
- Visit to the mysterious Thracian cult megalithic complex Begliktash, built in alignment with astronomical events, where sacred rituals to the Mother Earth goddess and Father Sun god were performed 3500 years ago.
- Overnight at Varna beach side Hotel
More information:
Begliktash – one of the largest ancient Thracian sanctuaries in Bulgaria: https://bnr.bg/en/post/101393454/begliktash-one-of-the-largest-ancient-thracian-sanctuaries-in-bulgaria
Day 5: Varna, Balchik, Cape Kaliakra
- Visit the Varna Archeological Museum, where the oldest gold artifacts of the world crafted by a mysterious ancient civilization is displayed (4600 - 4200BC).
- Visit Museum of Medical History in Varna. Discover the medicinal herbs garden, from ancient folk magic to modern medicine, and the mysterious ancient human adult skulls with frontal lobe fissure and elongated skulls from early bronze age (3000BC).
- Visit the Botanical Garden of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (former Summer Palace of a Romanian Queen), and put your plant identification skills to the test.
- Wine tasting section at the award winning Queen's winery, a taste of Bulgarian wine making, the ancient gift of Dionysus.
- Visit Cape Kaliakra, capital of Thracian King Lysimachus, successor of Alexander the Great, husband of Queen Arsinoe II. Enjoy the stunning sunset overlooking the Black Sea.
- Overnight at Varna beach side Hotel
Day 6: Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv
- Visit Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of the medieval Bulgarian Empire. Walk back through time to the ancient craft street of Samovodsa bazaar and Renaissance village, the Arbanasi architectural reserve.
- Visit the Buzludzha Shipka Monument, a stunning Soviet-era relic. Built in 1981 as a grand UFO-like dome to honor communist history, it's now a haunting, graffiti-covered ruin symbolizing Bulgaria's turbulent past. Visitors can explore its echoing halls, soaking in panoramic views of misty mountains and rose fields below.
- City tour of Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe: walk through the labyrinth of the Old Town, step into the luxurious villa of the richest rose oil trader from 1800s, visit the ancient Roman amphitheater and stadium, Kapana art district.
Day 7: Rose Valley, Kazanlak
- Transfer to Rose Valley. "Rose picking" ritual in a village near Kazanlak, and see the demonstration of the traditional distillation of rose oil. You will be able to try some fresh rose water and drinks.
- Visit the Rose Museum in Kazanlak, where you will learn the history of rose oil trading and various types of roses.
- Festive parade of the rose queen.
- Overnight at a 5-star SPA hotel to enjoy the famous Bulgarian natural healing springs and unique treatments.
Day 8: Karlovo
- Visit to the Rose Oil Museum and Distillery - the only one in Bulgaria where part of the produced oil is made using the oldest technology known in Bulgaria.
- Transfer to Karlovo - visit to The Old Town, visit an old house of the Rose Oil producers family, tasting rose liqueur and rose jam.
- Private picnic at a rose field, enjoy a glass of refreshing rose drink and traditional bulgarian pastry, listen to the rose production story from a local farmer.
- Visit a private botanical garden with over 500 species of plants at the foot of Stara planina mountain.
Day 9: Sofia
- Walking tour of Sofia - the Church of St. Sophia, the monument of St. Sophia, the Basilica of St. George, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, The Palace National Art Gallery, Presidential building, time for gift shopping on Vitosha Street.
- Free time to explore the different museums or free guided tours in the capital city.
** Departure or join extended tour
Optional Extended Tour (can be taken before or after the main tour)
Day 10: Prokhodna Cave
Visit to an ancient cave church - Prokhodna cave (The God's eyes cave).
Day 11: Boyana Church, Rila Monastery
Visit to the Boyana Church in Sofia, built in the 10th century AD, part of the UNESCO heritage.
Visit to the Rila Monastery, the largest monastery and most important historical monument in Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century dedicated to the Patron Saint of Bulgaria, the hermit St. John of Rila, Rila Monastery's prefectly preserved architecture is now part of the UNESCO heritage.
Overnight at a SPA hotel in Sapareva Banya. In the city springs the hottest geyser in Europe of 103 degrees.
Day 12: Sofia
Transfer to Sofia (appx time to airport: 1.5 hr)
**Departure
Terms and Conditions
9-day Bulgaria Rose Festival Tour
Standard Double Room: $1990 EUR/person
Single Room Surcharge: $80 EUR/night
Price includes:
Hotel accommodation (9 overnights in 4 or 5-star hotels with breakfast), transportations, 8 lunches and 8 dinners, English-speaking driver, English-speaking tour guide, Cantonese translation, all museums, sites entrance and special speakers.
Price excludes:
International airfare, meals not included in the price; personal expenses, tips
2 Days Extended Tour:
Standard Double Room: $250 EUR/person
Single Room Surcharge: $80 EUR/night
Price includes: Hotel accommodation (2 overnights in 4-star hotels or up with breakfast), transportations, English-speaking driver, English-speaking tour guide, Cantonese translation if needed, entrance to all museums and sites visited
Price excludes:
International airfare, meals not included in the price; personal expenses, tips
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