That program could be organized in the period between 20.05.2020–20.06.2020, because that is the time when rose buds are picked and it is possible for the tourists to visit the rose fields, to observe the whole process and even take part in it.

The program includes 2 nights on FB basis in Sofia, 1 night on FB basis in Kazanlak or surroundings; transfers with an air-conditioned car or minivan; English speaking guide throughout the trip.

PROGRAM

DAY 1 FRIDAY: Arrival at Sofia airport. Transfer. Accommodation at the hotel. Panoramic tour of Sofia – Sofia University, National Library, Vasil Levski’s Monument, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Russian Church of St. Nicolas, Royal Palace, St. Nedelya Cathedral. Dinner. Overnight stay in Sofia.

DAY 2 SATURDAY: Breakfast. Departure to Kazanlak – the capital of the Rose Valley. Arrival and visit to the Rose Museum, which has unique exhibits relevant to the production of rose oil from the year 1660 until today. Lunch. Visit to Iskra Museum of History (the most recently discovered gold, silver and bronze findings from the Thracian mounds are on display in the new treasury) and to the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak. The tomb is part of a great Thracian necropolis that dates back to the 4th century BC. It has been part of the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage since 1979. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay in Kazanlak.

DAY 3 SUNDAY: Breakfast. Visit to the rose fields where rose picking rituals take place. Departure to the village of Skobelevo. Arrival at the parking lot in front of the Rose gardens in the village of Skobelevo. All tourists will be welcomed from – by young girls wearing typical national costumes and live folklore music. The girls will then accompany tourists into the rose gardens showing them personally how the rose buds are picked. For that purpose each one of them is caring a wicker basket. Baskets will be distributed among tourists too so they can pick some rose buds by themselves. 15-20 min free time in the gardens is provided for that purpose. A visit to the rose-distillery. Tourists will be welcomed at the entrance with homemade bread and salt which is a typical Bulgarian tradition. A specialist will introduce visitors to the old way to extract oil from roses, the modern way of extracting oil in the rose-distillery, the ethereal oil testing, the examination of a wide collection of decorative roses. After the visit of the rose-distillery, tourists will be offered to try rose liqueur, rose jam and mineral water. The whole tour will end-up with a short folklore program (about 15-20 min). Lunch. Departure to Sofia. Arrival. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.

DAY 4 MONDAY: Breakfast. Transfer to Sofia airport. Departure.

The accommodation in Kazanlak is at Grand Hotel Kazanlak 3*

Price per pax in EUR according to the accommodation in Sofia:

Hotel	Price pp in DBL	3rd pax in DBL	Price in SGL.1	Price in SGL.2	CHD
Park hotel Moskva 3*	419	385	455	659	369
Hotel Hemus 3*	409	373	429	639	359
Sofia Princess Hotel 4*	419	385	455	659	369
Best Western City Hotel 4*	414	369	463	674	352
Central Park Hotel 4*	455	399	509	709	399
Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan 5*	509	459	629	879	409
Hotel Hilton 5*	519	469	629	839	409
Hotel Anel 5*	495	395	539	769	389
Grand Hotel Sofia 5*	495	409	589	809	390
Radisson Blu Grand Hotel 5*	569	459	639	879	429

Price pp in DBL: Price per person in DBL or TWIN room
3rd pax in DBL: Price per 3rd pax in DBL, TWIN or TPL room
Price in SGL.1: Price per person in SGL room accommodation
Price in SGL.2: Price per person in SGL for tourists travelling alone
CHD: Price for child up to 11 years accommodated with 2 adults

NB: The prices above are calculated on the basis of 1, 2 or 3 tourists. RUAL TRAVEL can provide prices on request for the same program calculated on the basis of more than 3 tourists.

Price includes:

• 2 nights on FB basis in Sofia and 1 night on FB basis in Kazanlak;

• transfers airport – hotel – airport;

• transfer Sofia – Kazanlak – Sofia;

• full day sightseeing tour of Kazanlak as per above mentioned program with English speaking guide;

• visit to the rose fields - half day program in the rose fields of the village of Skobelevo with English speaking guide;

• panoramic tour of Sofia with English speaking guide;

• entrance fees for Rose Museum, Iskra Museum of History and Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak;

• porterage in the hotels.

*15% commission for Tour Operators and Travel Agencies

RUAL TRAVEL can provide tickets for performances of the National Opera Theatre in Sofia. The program of the Opera can be found here.