From Sofia: Rose Festival Full-Day Tour

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Duration

12 hours

Join the most popular and visited festival in Bulgaria. Well-known for its production of rose oil essence, the Thracian valley hosts people from all over the world to celebrate the rose petals picking every late May and early June.

Highlights

Visit the beautiful Rose Valley and participate in the Rose Festival
Learn about the Bulgarian traditions
Enjoy rose picking rituals

Full description

Begin your tour early with rose-picking in the rose gardens around Karlovo or Kazanlak. This beautiful ritual has been celebrated for over a century and includes local singing and dancing performances.

Move on for a distillery tour with detailed explanations of the local rose traditions, distillation process, and the importance of roses for the development of the area. Sit down for a lunch in a warm and welcoming traditional restaurant in a nearby village.

Visit the Thracian Tomb and Shipka monument in the afternoon depending on the official program of the festival. Head to Karlovo main square, the scene for many local dances and performances in traditional costumes. Have a chance to learn a little bit about the Bulgarian traditional customs with a tasting and presentation known as The Bread of the Bulgarians: Ritual, Customs and Faith. Finally, return to Sofia at around 7:00 PM.