MAY 20 = MAY 30, 2010

WOMEN’S ODYSSEY

Bulgaria is an unspoiled pearl in the Balkan mountains of Eastern Europe.  With a  lush countryside and the world's most exquisite roses, Bulgaria has 8,000 years of history.  With majestic Thracian, Byzantine, Roman, Jewish, Ottoman  and Slav cultures blended with European and Asian influences, Bulgaria is Europe's most ancient civilization.  The Balkan landscape ranges from the vast plains of the Danube River to the rugged Balkans and Rhodope Mountains, the mythical homeland of legendary Orpheus.  By experiencing an enticing mix of cultures and history, on this women only trip,  we learn how Bulgarian women are changing their roles in modern times while still preserving centuries old history, traditions and culture.  We visit the Valley of Roses that is the home of Bulgarian rose oil,  a well renowned world center for rose oil production. We talk about roses and nature as a resource for healing, creativity, balance, peace and beauty. We visit small towns of well-preserved nature, varieties of landscape, fauna and flora. We have excursions through narrow cobblestone streets of old towns examining the harmony of architecture and landscape.  Activities include spa and swimming in a thermal pool and relaxing massage. We will  visit local women at their homes and talk about everyday life of the Bulgarian woman. We absorb Bulgarian culture as we enjoy traditional cuisine such as the natural Bulgarian yogurt and ‘shopska’ salad.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1 - Thursday, May 20 - Overnight International Travel

Day 2 - Friday, May 21 (D) -- Arrive Sofia.  You will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in Sofia (3 nights).  Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 3, Saturday, May 22 (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. We will have a brief orientation for the tour and start our program with a full day exploring in the Bulgarian capital.  We will visit the National History Museum where magnificent world-famous Thracian treasures of ancient gold are on display. We will drive and walk in Mt. Vitosha. We visit the famous Boyana Church, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site with fascinating frescoes from 13th century. We focus on the woman’s portrait of Dessislava, 1259. This genuine masterpiece of 13th century painting, created 200 years before the European Renaissance, marks a remarkable peak in the European Medieval Art.

Lunch on your own.   In the afternoon, we will continue exploring historical, architectural, and cultural landmarks.
Dinner in a national style restaurant in town.

Day 4, Sunday, May 23 (B, L)Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: We depart by bus for our full-day excursion to Rila Monastery, the most impressive of all Bulgarian monasteries - an original national museum with a century old history. This renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site is located 90 miles south of Sofia in gorgeous natural scenery of the Rila Mountains and is considered one of the highest achievements of Bulgarian monumental architecture of the National Revival period of the 18-19th centuries. We enjoy breathtaking landscapes.  Lunch at a local restaurant in the mountains.

Afternoon: Drive back to Sofia.  Free time in town.  Dinner is on your own to explore local restaurants in town.

Day 5, Monday, May 24 (B,  D)    
Breakfast at the hotel
All day transfer from Sofia to our second site, Veliko Turnovo by bus (190 miles drive).
En route we will visit Koprivshtitsa,  a delightful ethnographic village famous for its National Revival architecture and for its legendary heroic role in Bulgarian history.  We will then stop in the town of Troyan, famous for its centuries-long folk crafts traditions. and we will visit the Museum of Traditional Crafts and Applied Arts.

Arrival in Veliko Turnovo and check-in at your hotel (2 nights).  Lunch on your own.  Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6, Tuesday, May 25 (B, L)   
Breakfast at the hotel.  Full day to explore in Veliko Turnovo and in the nearby village of Arbanassi.  We immerse ourselves in the history and culture of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12th -14th centuries) with a walking field trip on an even and cobblestone terrain to:
- The medieval Fortress of Tsarevetz Hill where the Royal Palace and the Patriarch Church were located.
- The Museum of the National Revival, where the first constitution was adopted in 1979.
Activities include walk in the village of Arbanassi, famous for the traditional architecture and visit the beautifully decorated Nativity Church, dating back to 16th-17th centuries.

Lunch at a local restaurant.  We also take an excursion through the narrow cobblestone street of the old “Samovodene market” leading into small, sunny squares. Free at town. Dinner on your own to explore local restaurants in town.

Day 7, Wednesday, May 26 (B,  L, D)     
Breakfast at the hotel.  Transfer from Veliko Turnovo to our third site, the spa resort of Hissarya.  Drive through historical Shipka Pass on the Balkan Mountains and through the famous Valley of Roses that is the home of the exquisite Bulgarian rose oil,  a world center for rose oil production. The Bulgarian rose oil is considered as the best oil- becoming renowned worldwide. The Valley of Roses is also known as The Valley of The Thracian Kings.

En route we will visit the Museum of Rose and  the World famous 4th century BC: Thracian Tomb at Kazanluk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Lunch on your own.  Arrival at Hissarya - spa and wellness resort and check-in at your hotel (2 nights)
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 8, Thursday, May 27 (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.

All day in Hissarya.  Most of this day is at leisure for your individual activities.  You can enjoy the swimming pool, take some spa and therapeutic massages and treatments. 

The Thracians first settled around the hot mineral springs of Hissar. During Roman times  Hissar developed into a large town and resort, called Diocletianopolis, after the Roman emperor Diocletian, 284 - 305 AD. The town was built according to all requirements of Roman town planning - with wide, straight streets, decorated with statues of gods and goddesses, with marble baths, beautiful palaces and villas for Roman aristocracy. The town is surrounded by splendid Roman Fortress. Hissar has 22 mineral springs - ranging from 98.6 F- 123.8 F. (37 C to 51 degrees C). Hissar is famous for its parks with over 300 plant species, some of them listed in the Bulgarian Red Book of endangered species.  For this purpose along some of the park lanes there are tracks for physical and breathing exercise.

Morning: Swimming in Thermal Pool, personal SPA, Therapeutic Massage.

Afternoon:  Sightseeing walk along the Roman Fortress of Hissarya. After the walk  we visit a local woman at her house and talk about everyday life of  a country woman.

Lunch and dinner on your own at local restaurants in town or at the hotel

Day 9, Friday, May 28 (B, L )
Breakfast at the hotel. We will depart for our final site, the ancient city of Plovdiv( 30 miles) which is cradled between seven hills, the river Maritsa and the Rhodolpe mountains.   The ancient and picturesque town of Plovdiv has a history that goes back two thousands years ago, traces of which survived to the present da

Dinner  on your own.

Day 10, Saturday, May 22  (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
All day excursion in the Rhodope Mountains. We will visit the Pamporovo mountain resort and walk in the area of the Snezhankapeak to enjoy spectacular scenic beauties and to learn about legendary Orpheus.  According to legends, the Rhodopes was the home of Orpheus, and his spirit still seems to live on in the music and culture of the local people.  For thousands of years, the Rhodope has been called the Sacred Mountain and the Pelages, Celts, Skits, Goths came to venerate them. 

We will visit a Bulgarian family for an informal meeting and delicious home made lunch at their guesthouse. 

We will have our farewell dinner at a restaurant in the Old Town.  

Day 11, Sunday, May 23  (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.  Direct transfer to Sofia International Airport (90 miles) for departure flights.

Group size:  -- Minimum 6 - Maximum 10 women.

Price per person --- $3835  based on double occupancy.  Land only program $2490.   Single Supplement  $270

Registration Deadline:  January 10, 2010

Tour Cost Inclusions:
      1. Airfare from New York (JFK) to Sofia  (Land Only Program also available)     
      2. Accommodation at comfortable, centrally located 3-star centrally located  hotels as per itinerary      
      3. Transportation and transfers by comfortable private A/C minibus as per itinerary.  
      4. Meals included as per itinerary: buffet style breakfast; lunches and dinners at local restaurants and at the hotels,  
      5. Mineral water at  meals and on transfer days & excursions.
      6. Entrance fees at sites and museums as per program itinerary
      7. A number of informal meetings with local Bulgarian women as per itinerary  
      8. Full time bi-lingual English speaking tour guide escort.

Registration Form