BULGARIA & TURKEY – A tour with many interesting farm visits and cultural highlights

BULGARIA & TURKEY – a tour with many interesting farm visits and cultural highlights (Bulgarian part, 23.04.-28.04.2018 and 01.10.-06.10.2018)

Day 1 :    Arrival in Sofia, 50 km (D)
Arrival at Sofia airport. Warm welcome from our English-speaking Bulgarian guide. Transfer to the hotel and city tour of Sofia, which includes visits to the largest Orthodox Church on the Balkan Peninsula – Alexander Nevski cathedral and other places of interest in the historic centre of Sofia such as the “Ivan Vazov” National Theatre, The National Assembly, and The Central Baths, the “Kliment Ohridski” University of Sofia, the “St. Nikolai” Russian Church, the “St. Nedelya” Church and others. Visit to an open-air market for local products, if time allows. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.

Day 2 :    Sofia – Zemen – Rila Monastery – Bansko, 300 km (B,D)
Morning drive to Zemen. Here we will visit an animal-breeding farm that runs a closed cycle of production. The ambitious owner has built up a dairy farm with about 80 cows of the Simental breed applying a mixed breeding (in boxes and in open-air) and with an interesting setup. We will see the sheep farm (about 800 sheep) and get acquainted with the relevant farm sections – sheds, dairy centre and the slaughterhouse. In Zemen we will see the milk production. The complex has also set up a self-owned network of shops to sell its products. Enjoy a tasting of delicious pastry, milk products and yogurt drinks of this nature-friendly production. Continue to the Rila monastery (UNESCO world heritage) built in the 10^th century.

It is situated high up in the Rila Mountains and is impressive with its imposing architecture, arcade entrances, numerous staircases and bay-windows, beautiful frescoes, mural paintings and wood-carvings, awesome mountain wings that surround it. The area is also well-known for its delicious trouts. Continue on to Bansko, a famous winter resort in Bulgaria. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 :    Bansko – Plovdiv, 165 km (B,D)
Short morning tour of Bansko with its emblem, the St. Trinity Church. Within a short while we will arrive at Belitsa to take a ride on the magnificent Rhodopi narrow-gauge railway, passing through marvelous mountain views, tunnels and curves and arriving at the highest railway station on the Balkan Peninsula – Avramovo, 1267 m above sea level. Our route takes us further through the mountains. Enjoy a magnificent view from the Yundola pass. The name comes from an old Bulgarian word “yundul”, meaning wool market. Today the site has turned to a small local marketplace for different kinds of home-made honey, jams, marmalades, herbs, spices and milk-products.  In Kostandovo we will visit a carpet factory. It provides work for a number of women in the region. Hand-made carpets of extremely high quality from organic materials and dyes, using the largest loom in Europe are woven here. The British Royal Family, Tony Blair, “Albert” museum in Vienna, the Dutch Queen Beatrix, Mick Jagger are just a few of their customers. Dinner and overnight at Plovdiv.

Day 4 :    Around Plovdiv (B,D)
City tour of the Old Town in the morning. Plovdiv is one of the most ancient towns in Europe being almost a contemporary of Troy. The town you see today is built upon layers of older settlements. It is a place where Thracian, Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian Revival art meet. You we will see the Ethnographical museum, the ancient theatre, the Roman stadium, the old city walls and the well-preserved houses from the Revival period.

In the afternoon we will drive into the vine region of Plovdiv for a couple of technical visits:

A newly-built goat farm that is largest in Europe for Boer breed. At the moment the farm has about 200 goats and its capacity is for 300. The roof of the central shed is equipped with solar panels, completely meeting the needs of the farm for electricity.
Continue to see a modern boutique winery with wine-tasting. It processes grapes from its own vineyards (40 ha) – which we will also see,  into terroir wines. The capacity is about 300 tons of grapes. It has an underground cellar for wine aging and can hold up to 600 barrels.

Day 5 :    Plovdiv – Hissarya – Kazanlak – Stara Zagora, 150 km  (B, L)
In the morning we will visit a family-owned company for the production, processing and packaging of organic and conventional dried fruits and vegetables. A significant part of the raw material comes from their own orchards and agricultural fields. It enables to ensure fully-rounded traceability of the ready-to-eat product. In the afternoon we will drive to the heart of the Valley of Roses with a visit to a rose-distillery farm, where we will be introduced into the cultivation of oil roses and processing them to the so-called rose attar. A few other countries produce such attar. The oil rose grows in Bulgaria only in this region – the Thracian Valley. We will observe the process of distilling of the rose attar, followed by a tasting of rose honey amidst the garden of the distillery.  Being in the region of Kazanlak we would not miss a visit to another UNESCO site  – the famous Thracian Tomb (IV – III century BC). We will see the copy of the tomb and see the frescoes that present the way of living of the ancient Thracians. Transfer to the town of Stara Zagora for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 :    Departure to Turkey, 100 km (B)
Time to say farewell to your Bulgarian guide and driver. Meet your local (English speaking) guide after crossing the border and continue to Çanakkale (see below).

Price:
Per person in Double or Twin room                               EUR    865,–
Single room                                                                          EUR    970,–

**Please fill the form on the right for current prices.

Including:
5 overnights in excellent 4-5* hotels (3star in Bansko) incl.breakfast
5 dinners in the hotels or local restaurants
All transfers (group transfers, for private transfer surcharge may apply)
All sightseeing, entrance fees according to the itinerary
Tasting of milk products in Zemen
Winery visit and tasting near Plovdiv
Technical visits and tastings according to the itinerary
Rose distillery visit with tasting
Ride on the regular Rhodopi narrow-gauge
English speaking, licensed guide
Transport by a/c car, minivan or bus (depending on the group size)

The tours will be operated with a minimum of 6 persons.

Supplement for extra overnight in Sofia at arrival, if needed:

40.00 Euro per person in DBL
65.00 Euro in SGL

The package price does NOT include:

• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratitude
• Air fare
• Anything else, which is not mention in “The package price includes”
• Travel insurance

Other information:
The technical visits may change in case of unforeseen situation (alternatives will be provided)

BULGARIA & TURKEY – a tour with many interesting farm visits and cultural highlights (Turkish part, 28.04.-03.05.2018 and 06.10.-11.10.2018)

Day 1 :    Kapikule – Edirne – Canakkale, 270 km (D)
Your local guide will meet you at at the Bulgarian/Turkish border. Our route takes us towards the Dardanelles, a strait between the European and Asian continent. Throughout history this important geographical spot has played an important rule. Alexander the Great entered Anatolia from here to conquer not only Asia Minor – he spread Hellenism and forwarded all the way to India. During the 1st World War, this place – the main connection to the Black Sea and to Istanbul, former Constantinople, was a scene of big battles and sacrifices, which finally gave birth to modern Turkey, today it is visited yearly by the ancestors of the ANZACs, the Australian and New Zealand Forces fighting bravely for the Allied Forces.  Today, Canakkale is famous for its tomatoes and fruits, but also one of the main areas for honey production. On our visit we will visit learn a lot about that topic before reaching our hotel.

Day 2:     Canakkale – Troy – Ayvalik, 180 km (B,D)
The ancient city of Troy is known to all of us not only by the famous tales of Homeros, who made heroes as Achilles, Hector and Paris immortal. After this visit we will continue our journey through the Ida Mountains, where according to the legend Paris gave the Golden Apple to Aphrodite in order to gain the heart of the most beautiful women of those times – Helen. It is said to have been the catalyst of the Trojan War. We will visit one of the most impressive goat farms. The area is at the same time one of the most important places for the production of medical herbs such as sage, thyme, etc. We will also get to know one of the oldest agricultural products of mankind – olives – at the plant of one of the largest producers. Dinner and overnight in Ayvalık on the Aegean Coast.

Day 3:     Ayvalik – Pergamum – Kusadasi, 240 km (B,D)
Ancient Pergamum was one of the main cultural and political centers of its time. After the innovation of parchment, the largest library of the ancient world was established here. It was at the same time one of the most important centers for medicine and all other branches of science. We will visit the Acropolis with the steepest theater from ancient history that could host 15.000 spectators. Thereafter, you will see one of the most modern dairy farms of the area. Continue to the main producer of vegetables in the area (greenhouses), mainly working for export. Continue to Kusadasi – one of the top holiday resorts on the Aegean Coast, via Izmir, the biblical Smyrna for dinner and overnight.

Day 4:     Day tour to UNESCO heritage Pamukkale, 350 km (B,D)
Our day excursion will take us through the fertile Valley of the Maeandros River, an area that has been exporting agricultural products such as cotton, figs, purple, grapes and wine, but also sculptures since ancient times. We will visit a large production plant of agricultural machines before reaching the unique travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Hot thermal springs cascading downhill have formed a landscape resembling a frozen waterfall. This natural miracle is unique on our globe. The ancient spa town of Hierapolis, which we will also visit, was not only a place to cure various illnesses, but also one of the first Christian centers. On our way back to Kusadasi, we will see fig, citrus fruit and cotton production and visit an organic farm. Before reaching our hotel, another highlight is awaiting you: we will visit the train museum, featuring almost all steam models used in the past.

Day 5:     Day tour to Ephesus and agricultural highlights of the area, 100 km (B,D)
Without doubt, Ephesus was one of the main cultural, political, religious and scientific centers of the ancient world. At the same time, it is one of the best excavated cities of archaeology. You will take a journey through the past walking along the harbour road, once illuminated, seeing the magnificent theatre, the unique Celsus Library, the Agora – the former market, the Marble Road seamed with luxurious houses and impressive temples, the Odeon and many other monuments that remind us of how history was effected by this great city. At the same time, Ephesus was one of the most important centers for early Christianity. St. John wrote his Gospel here, Holy Mary spent her days after Jesus’ crucification, the 3rd council was held here. One of the Seven Wonders of antiquity – the Temple of Artemis is also located nearby. We will not only experience local wine production (including tasting), but also leather production – one of the most important  and traditional products of Anatolia today.

Day 6:  Departure (B)
Depending on the time of departure, you might have some more time for sightseeing (as the ancient cities of Miletus or Priene) in or around Kusadasi. Transfer to the airport. Homebound flight (or extension in Istanbul)

Price:
Per person in Double or Twin room                               EUR 740,–
Single room                                                                         EUR 825,–

Including:
5 overnights in 4-5* hotels
Meals as mentioned
All transfers (group transfers, for private transfer surcharge may apply)
All sightseeing, entrance fees according to the itinerary
Technical visits
English speaking, licensed guide
Transport by A/C car, minivan or bus (depending on the group size)

The tours will be operated with a minimum of 6 persons.

General information:

• Citizens of many countries are exempted from visa, most of the others can obtain an e-visa via e-visa.gov.tr
• The LOCAL CURRENCY is Turkish Lira. Current exchange rate is approx. 1€= 4,3 TRL, 1 USD = 3.65 TRL
• CREDIT CARDS are widely accepted
• VOLTAGE: is 220V, plug system European standard
• CLIMATE: Mediterranean climate in the coastal areas, drier and cooler inland, average temperature 15-20°C in spring and autumn.
• INFRASTRUCTURE: all routes in our itinerary feature a good road infrastructure.
• The POPULATION of Turkey is approx. 80 mi, the country being a REPUBLIC
• RELIGION: Mostly Muslim, but also large Christian and Jewish communities

Food and drinks:

• Due to its rich historical past, the Turkish cuisine is very rich, not only featuring its own dishes of pastry, fresh sea-food, vegetable and fruits, it is the only ancestor of the former Byzantine (Roman) cuisine enriched by elements of Asian tribes
• Turkey produces excellent beers and wine – you will be enjoying the local “Raki”, cognacs, liquors, herbal teas and fresh fruit juices

Not included:

• International flights
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tipping of drivers and guides
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance

We reserve the right to increase the price in case of changes in taxes, entrance fees, domestic flights etc that we cannot control. The program may be altered but all sights will be covered. The farms will be reconfirmed a couple of weeks before arrival and might be changed against similar farms.