Wine and Culture Tour in Bulgaria

Enjoy a 7-day wine tour in the undiscovered wine country of Bulgaria. Taste unique local wines such as Mavrud and Rubin, and discover the stories behind the wines. Learn more about the wines, terroir, winemaking and history of Bulgaria in the traditional wine region surrounding Plovdiv – the Thracian Valley Region. The Thracian Valley is Bulgaria’s largest wine region. It is an under-the-radar wine region that was selected as Best Wine Travel Destination of 2017 by Wine Enthusiast.

Explore Plovdiv and its many layers of history from the Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Plovdiv is the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Enjoy the city and discover its magical atmosphere. Sample local Balkan foods. Discover cultural gems. Have an unforgettable experience!

Winemaking in Bulgaria dates to Thracian times more than 5 000 years ago. In the 1970s, Bulgaria became one of the largest wine exporters in the world. However, demand for Bulgarian wine declined after the fall of the Soviet Union. Since 2007, numerous small and medium-sized wineries have been established, focusing on quality rather than on quantity. They have consistently won awards at prestigious international competitions. These wineries continue the centuries-old tradition of winemaking on these lands and tell the stories of the skillful Thracians in a modern and unique way. Discover Bulgaria’s many local grape varieties. Grab the chance to try many interesting wines from old and modern wineries. Discover the rich tradition of winemaking in Bulgaria.

Included in the Wine Tour:

• All ground transportation mentioned in itinerary in comfortable passenger bus
• Transfer from/to Sofia Airport on Day 1 and 7
• Accommodation in 4-star hotel (standard double/twin rooms)
• Meals as per itinerary
• Tours and tastings at 7 wineries
• Visits to Bachkovo Monastery, Red Church of Perushtitsa, Starosel Thracian Tomb, Panagyurishte Museum and Old Plovdiv (incl. entrance fees)
• English-Speaking Private Tour Leader
• Tour operator insurance from Armeec Insurance

Not included in the tour:

• Flight tickets
• Private transfers
• Meals and beverages not mentioned in the tour description
• Alcoholic beverages not mentioned in the tour description
• Travel and medical insurance (please, consult your insurance provider)
• Visa fees, if applicable
• Extras and incidentals
• Single room supplement
• Tips

Recommended Packing List:

• Cash (BGN - Bulgarian Lev)
• Camera, mobile phone, chargers
• Sun lotion, sun hat, sun glasses
• Insect repellent
• Notebook for tasting notes
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Jacket for chilly evenings
• Passport and other important documents

Quick Travel Tips:

• In Bulgaria, nodding one’s head means “No” and shaking it means “Yes”
• Most young people in Bulgaria speak some English. People of 40+ years of age usually do not speak English, but might speak Russian, German or French. If you need to ask something in English, it is better to approach a young person
• Tipping in restaurants is not mandatory but usually people leave a tip of around 10% of the total bill
• Most places in the big cities take debit and credit cards, but it is advisable to take some cash with you, especially if you are traveling outside of bigger cities
• Most places do not take American Express credit cards. The most widely used debit/credit cards are Visa and Mastercard
• The exchange rate to Euro is fixed at: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN (Nov 2019)
• Some international banks such as: Unicredit, Raiffeisen, Societe Generale, Allianz Bank, TBI Bank, Procredit Bank, ING Bank, BNB Paribas have branches or are present in Bulgaria
• There are foreign exchange bureaus in all airports and larger towns
• Wi-Fi coverage is good in Bulgaria and almost any café, hotel or a restaurant (especially in big cities) will have free Wi-Fi
• EU citizens do not require a visa for Bulgaria. Schengen Area visa holders do not require visas for Bulgaria for a stay of up to 90 days. For more information on visas, visit http://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/109/index.html or contact the respective institutions in your country

Minimum 2 people (private tour) 900 EUR p.p. (shared room)

• Group of 3-6 people: EUR 790 per person
• Group of 7-10 people: EUR 750 per person
• Group of 10+ people: EUR 685 per person
• Single room supplement: EUR 120

Ask us about your travel dates - this tour may be a private one to suit you

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