Bulgaria:  Rose Festival Tour  11 days 8 nights

Prepare to immerse yourself in the Valley of Roses and the Folklore of Bulgaria…..

Some say that to visit Bulgaria and not go to the Valley of Roses is to go to Egypt and not see the pyramids. For a period of more than 330 years, Bulgaria won recognition as the country of roses and the rose flower has rightfully become one of its symbols. Statistics show that once about 75% of the world rose oil was produced in Bulgaria. Today a kilo costs almost two kilos of gold by hosts�022 ""> on the world markets. 

Highlights: Sofia, Rila Monastery UNESCO site, Old Plovdiv Architectural Reserve by hosts�022 "">, The Valley of Roses, Shipka Memorial Church, the Central Balkan Range, Veliko Turnovo, and Arbanassi museum village and more…

In 2016 Bulgaria is celebrating 113 years of Rose Festival at Kazanlak.

DAY 1. 31.05.2016 THUSDAY DEPARTURE from Cape Town to Sofia- Bulgaria

DAY  2. 01.06.2016 WEDNESDAY Arrival to SOFIA Airport. Transfer to 3* hotel for 1 night. After a short break for refreshment at hotel - sightseeing  tour of Sofia, a city with 7000-year long history, including a visit to the impressive Alexander Nevski  memorial Cathedral. Tour proceeds with panoramic sightseeing of the University, the National Assembly, the Banya Bashi  Mosque, the Rotunda of St. George, Roman  ruins, National Palace of Culture. Evening at leisure, to overcome the jet lag.

Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel centrally located *** Welcome dinner. Sleep in Sofia city.

Welcome Dinner

DAY 3. 02.06.2016. THURSDAY  Breakfast in the hotel. Check out and after breakfast drive to Rila Monastery - the largest in the Balkans, included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage. It will captivate you with its unrivalled architecture and murals.  Enjoy a tour of the monastery, including the 14th century Hrelyo Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church you will enjoy a morning sightseeing tour, including a visit to the Old Town, the 2000yrs old Roman Theatre; the Byzantine and mediaeval fortifications, the 15th century mosque. Walk along the narrow cobbled streets and admire the silence and tranquility of this historic town. And the original monastery kitchen from the 19th century. Departure to  Plovdiv.  Arrival afternoon. Check in 3* hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation in Plovdiv city hotel 3* centrally located

DAY 4.03.06.2016 FRIDAY Breakfast at the hotel.  City tour to the old town, built in 4th century BC from King Philip Macedonia, with the Ethnographical museum, the oldest church “St. Constantine and Helena” , the Antique Theatre and the Roman Stadium . Afternoon visit Bachkovo Monastery. Return to the hotel. Plovdiv, is a worthy rival to Sofia. Its location astride the river Maritsa, and its six hills, which are prominent features on the Thracian plane, indicates the strategic significance of the city. It is one of the oldest and most colorful towns in Bulgaria. No one can tell exactly when the foundation stone was laid here, although it must have been over 5000 years ago. Old Plovdiv on Trimontium hill is the centre of Bulgarian national revival architecture at its height. Free time at leisure. Overnight  in Plovdiv city.

DAY 5.04.06.2016 SATURDAY Following breakfast, you will drive east, to the Rose Valley. The Rose Valley includes Karlovo and Kazanlak fields, as well as some parts of the Nova Zagora fields. The Total area is about 3,300 square kilometers.

Drive via Karlovo to the village of Tarnicheni, close to Kalofer. Visit the local distillery and attend a lecture on rose water and rose oil distillation. Meet the local producers and taste the aroma of natural oils, produced here: rose oil, lavender oil, etc.

Drive to Kazanlak and visit the Rose museum. This small museum will tell you the story of rose production and the industry standards, set by the Bulgarian producers centuries ago.

Dinner and overnight in Stara Zagora, located only 30 min drive from Kazanlak.

B,D, Accommodation in Stara Zagora at the 3* hotel La Roca, or similar

DAY 6.05.06.2016- SUNDAY  Early morning: Visit the rose fields - you will participate in a rose picking in the rose fields of Kazanlak. Proceed to the village of Skobelevo and visit the Ethnographic complex “Damascena”with its rose gardens and distillery.  At noon proceed to Kazanlak to attend the street parade in Kazanlak, before driving to the Picnic place in an open-air restaurant with music, folklore dance show and wine.

 Visit of history museum of Kazanlak and Kazanlak Thrasian tomb( UNESKO site).

Departure to Shipka memorial church  via Shipka mountain pass. Visit  Etara- a unique open air museum, reproducing the way of life of the Bulgarians in the 19thcentury. Proceed to Veliko Turnovo. Dinner and overnight at the hotel 3* in Veliko Turnovo.

DAY 7.06.06.2016 MONDAY Breakfast at hotel. City tour visit to the historical hill Tsarevets with the fortress, The Pathriarchal church, The Emperor Badwin's Tower  and walking through the old street “Samovodska Tcharchia”. Afternoon visit Arbanasi ( The Nativity church, St. Archangels Michael and Gavril, Konstancilieva house, Nikopolis, Istrum and Ivanovo Rock Monastery. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Veliko Turnovo.

DAY 8.07.06.2016.THUESDAY Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and departure to Sofia.  Visit Troyan Monastery, Koprivstitsa . Arrival in Sofia afternoon. Check in at 3* hotel for 2 nights on a base B&B. Overnight in Sofia.

DAY 9 08.06.2016 WEDNESDAY Breakfast at the hotel.  Half day Walking tour to the Presidency, St. Sofia 6th Basilica, The National Theatre, The former Royal Palace, St. George 4th century. Free afternoon for own discoveries and shopping. Gala dinner with Nestinarki dances and Bulgarian Folklore . Return to the hotel. Overnight. In  Sofia.

 DAY 10. 09.06.2016. THURSDAY breakfast at the hotel.  Check out after 10.00 and last free time for shopping before departure home.

DAY.11. 10.06.2016 FRIDAY. Arrival in Cape Town.

Tour Price join a small group:

R 15,295.00 - p.p. sharing double/twin room, for ground tour in Bulgaria

R 3,650.00 p.p. single room supplement

            R 14,605.00 for air ticket if is arrange with us.

Price includes:

8 nights Hotel accommodation in Sofia, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Veliko Turnovo on a base B&B

1 welcome dinner, 1 gala dinner, 2 dinners and 1 picnic lunch and tasting at the festival

English speaking tour guide

Deluxe car/minibus

Entrance tickets according to the program

Parking and all local Taxes           

Price Does not include:

• Airfare (unless otherwise arranged)
• Departure and custom fees- visa
• Gratuities and individual daily expenses
• Travel insurance
• Trip cancelation
• Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against unforeseen circumstances.
  Deposit and Payment Policy
  A deposit of Euro 300 per person is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight weeks prior to departure. Reservations made less than eight weeks in advance require full payment upon confirmation of booking. 
• Deposit can be made after issued an Invoice and paid into our bank account: FNB; Account name: Rozigal Alternative Tourism; Account No:62481830505; Branch code: 204709
• Account holder: Vassilka T. Ivanova
• NOTICE: NO CASH PAYMENT!
  
  Cancellation and Refund Policy
  Tour operator requires written notice. To cover administrative costs, the following cancellation and refund scale applies: Over 60 days prior - $50 non-refundable ; 60 to 30 days prior -50 % non-refundable ; Less than 30 days - No Refund.

Please note: Tour operator reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary when necessary. Prices valid at time of printing are subject to change in light of recent fluctuations and variations in the EURO. The final tour prices may be adjusted to reflect exchange rate. In some cases it is necessary to adjust prices to reflect group size. Tour operator will notify participants at least 30 days in advance of price adjustments. Tour operator reserves the right to cancel tours with insufficient sign ups. 

Responsibility
Rozigal Tours Inc. its affiliates, agents, contractors and related persons (Rozigal Tours and staff) acts only as agent for passengers in all matters pertaining to travel whether by plane, rail, bus, steamer or other means of conveyance. Rozigal Tours shall not be liable for any injury, damage, or loss occasioned by neglect or organization or other person engaged in conveying the tour, or any hotel proprietor or car rentalorganization or other persons supplying services or material in connection with the tour. 

Rozigal Tours  is not responsible for any losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air schedule, airline companies or other services: not for sickness or health related issues, weather, strikes, war, quarantine, terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be the sole responsibility of the tour member. The rates provided are only for the arrangements stated at the time so stated on the date of the contract. Prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication of the brochure, and are subject to reconfirmation/adjustment when final payment is made. Rozigal Tours  is not responsible for any acts beyond its control, nor is it responsible for additional costs resulting from late arrival, and tour members are not entitled for any refund for unused hotel accommodations. 

Rozigal Tours  reserves the right to withdraw or cancel any tour or make changes to the published itinerary, whenever in its sole judgment conditions so warrant, including that which is deemed to be necessary for customer comfort, convenience, or safety of the passengers. 

Rozigal Tours  is not responsible for the behavior or personality of any tour member, not is it responsible for group dynamics, group interaction, or incompatibility of tour members. Rozigal Tours  shall not be responsible for the removal of any individual from the tour under any circumstances. 

Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended, no refunds other than those expressly provided for in writing, shall be made for any trip cancellation for any reason, including health related reasons. Due to security reasons, under no circumstances can a trip be sold, transferred, or assigned to another person. There can be no name changes for tour members or any substitution by or for a tour member. 

In addition to the matters contained herein, all trips are also subject to the terms and conditions of the trip flyer. The issuance or acceptance of tickets and travel documents shall be deemed to be an acceptance of all terms of this document. The above terms also apply to individual, custom trips.

Reg.2006/140309/23                   Tel; +27 021 551 7223; ;Cell: 082 320 1302

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