Duration: | 5 Day(s) - 4 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Wine Tours |
The taste of wine and delicious food in Bulgaria
Sample itinerary: Sofia – Rozhen – Melnik – Sofia
All year round (4 nights / 5 days)
Group of 10 or 20 person
Remark: The package price is valid for a group of a minimum of 10 pax
Preliminary Program:
Day 1st: Sofia – Arrival
Blended Wines and classic grape varieties from the Eastern region of Bulgaria
Arrive at Sofia International Airport, and meet and greet with MIEL`s representative. Transfer to the hotel.
After accommodation, start a sightseeing tour of Sofia on foot.
(The capital city was originally a Thracian settlement called Serdica (possibly named after the Celtic tribe Serdi). For a short period, the city was ruled by Philip of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great and afterward, it became part of the Roman Empire. A lot of remains from that time are cultivated in the very heart of the city)
Dinner with wine tasting of 3 types of Bulgarian wines from Eastern Bulgaria. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 2nd: Sofia – Melnik Region (Rozhen)
Regional Wines from Melnik and Struma River Valley
Breakfast.
Transfer to Melnik region.
The city of Melnik is an architectural reserve and 96 of its buildings are cultural monuments. According to archaeological evidence, the first to settle in the area were the Thracian tribe Medi to which the famous rebel Spartacus belonged. Centuries later, the presence of the Romans left the town one of its landmarks — the Ancient Roman bridge, which is still preserved.
The Slavs who later came to these parts named the settlement Melnik after the sand formations surrounding it on all sides and even today you can enjoy the so-called “sandstone pyramids” and submerge into a village from another era.
Accommodation in Hotel 3* Golden Rozhen or similar.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Visit Villa Melnik winery with wine tasting of 5 types of wines.
Dinner
Оvernight in Golden Rozhen hotel.
Day 3rd: Melnik Region (Rozhen)
Regional Wines from Melnik and Struma River Valley presented by Strymon Winery, Villa Melnik, and Orbelus (organic wines)
Breakfast.
Visit of Rozhen monastery – 13 A.D.
Visit 2 consecutive wineries with wine tasting of 3 to 5 regional wines of each producer.
The area is known as one of the best for wine production and the most charming Bulgarian lands with vineyards. Here you will taste wines produced from typical Bulgarian grape varieties such as Shiroka Melnishka Loza, Melnik 55, and Ruen.
Shiroka Melnishka Loza (also called Broadleaved Melnik) is a red Bulgarian wine grape variety. It is planted only in this region - near the Greek border. As a varietal, Shiroka Melnishka Loza has an affinity for oak which can produce pronounced tobacco notes.
The wines are often compared to Châteauneuf-du-Pape with its similar profile of spice and power. This wine was a particular favorite of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Melnik 55 (also called early Melnik Vine) is a cross between Shiroka Melnishka Loza and Valdige. Ruen is a cross between Shiroka Melnishka Loza and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lunch in a local restaurant
A short walk in the city.
Dinner in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant with a live folklore show;
Transfer to the hotel and overnight in Golden Rozhen Hotel.
Day 4th: Melnik Region - Sofia
Breakfast.
Transfer back to Sofia and accommodation in the hotel.
Оptional: On the way to Sofia visit Rila Monastery ( UNESCO World Heritage) – at 10 A.D.
Accommodation in a Hotel ;
Free time for relaxing or shopping
Dinner in a local restaurant;
Overnight in Sofia.
Day 5th: Sofia - Departure
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the departure flight.
End of Services