concept
After years of being mostly known among the European East Block for its affordable Black Sea coast there is a new influence to be observed in the local tourism fields in the last decades. More and more people are now aiming to the alternative tourism. Quality, intellectual delights and sustainability are starting to be seen as key factors and in the development of the hospitality sector. There are well-educated locals ready to share their knowledge and expertise and as a bonus the guest becomes the flame of the beginner’s enthusiasm. You will meet the most charismatic and passionate guides on a special interest tour. These anti-mass-production idealists are well prepared and strive to share their world.
The Rose Valley (cultural and walking tour)
Duration: 8 DAYS
Area: BALKAN MOUNTAIN AND THE ROSE VALLEY Activity level: EASY With this tour we invite you to the core of the Balkans. We are heading to the geographical and the historical heart of the Balkan Mountain, from where the name of the peninsula originates from. The tour is featuring the famous Bulgarian Rose Valley in its beauty, cultural contrasts and long history. The famous rose oil production is centered in the city of Kazanlak and the nearby villages, exporting about 85% of the rose oil in the world. In the same city, the still operational military factory Arsenal used to prepare the widely known machine gun Kalashnikov during the communist era. We are going to explore the history and present of both phenomena. The rose and gunpowder scent are deeply integrated in the culture of this region and the people living there. A 19th century Ottoman person from this region, regardless Greek, Bulgarian or Turkish, will always carry a gun – the artifact of destruction. In the same time he, and surprisingly often she, will have a piece of beauty in his/hers pocket – a flask with couple of drops from the Damascena rose oil (Damascena = rose from Damaskus). Those are the Balkan stories about struggles for independence, rebellious spirit, about the never-ending Balkan Mountains and the wonderful Rose valley. HIGHLIGHTS - Historic Koprivshtitsa and Karlovo - Bulgarian National Revival architecture - Ancient Thracian tombs, vineyards, and wine tasting in Starosel - Buzludzha – UFO monument, representing communist ideology - Dryanovo region - breathtaking eco path and “Bacho Kiro” cave - Sokolski Monastery and the prettiest Russian Church in Bulgaria - Arsenal – the Kalashnikov producer from the communist era - The Thracian tomb of Kazanlak – UNESCO World heritage site - Rosarium, Museum of Roses and authentic Rose distillery - Koprinka Reservoir– Monumental dam construction - Bozhentsi - architectural reserve - Unexpected pleasant surprises Download a detailed ITINERARY
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