JUNE 11 - 22, 2009

WOMEN’S ODYSSEY

Bulgarian nature, archeology, and roses are breathtaking. This woman only program examines Bulgaria from women’s perspectives. In our journey we explore Bulgaria as the most ancient civilization in Europe and visit fascinating Thracian, Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman sites. By experiencing an enticing mix of cultures and history 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 the exquisite Bulgarian rose oil, also known as “attar of roses,” 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, variety 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 have folk dancing lesson as exercise and fun, we 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 traditional natural Bulgarian yogurt and ‘shopska’ salad. This ‘Women Only’ program experiences the best of Bulgaria through talks and a variety of activities.  

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

June 11 - Overnight International Travel

June 12 - (D) -- Arrive Sofia.  Met by your local guide and minibus and transfer to your hotel (3 nights)
Dinner: Welcome cocktail and dinner at the hotel.

June 13 - ( B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. 

Morning: We take a field trip to the National Museum of History where magnificent world-famous Thracian treasures of ancient gold are on display. We also visit The famous Boyana Church, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site with fascinating frescoes from 13th centuries, reflecting both Byzantine and local Christian art traditions. 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 at a local restaurant in town

Afternoon:  We embark on a walking field trip through the downtown area to some of the most characteristic historical, architectural and cultural landmarks of the city. During a walking excursion we explore the Roman Serdica Fortification /3rd -5th century/ and St. George’s Rotunda / 4th century /, famous for its original structure and unique frescoes, the magnificent Alexander Nevski Memorial church, a masterpiece of 20th century architecture and splendidly decorated. We meet a local woman in town for informal talk .

Evening: Dinner in a national style restaurant in town with traditional folk music


June 14 - (B, L)
Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: We depart 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 /18-19th centuries/. We enjoy breathtaking landscape.

Lunch at a local restaurant in the mountains.

Afternoon: Drive back to Sofia.

Dinner: On your own to explore local restaurants in town.

June 15 - (B, L, D)    
Breakfast at the hotel
All day transfer from Sofia to Veliko Turnovo by bus (190 miles drive).
En route: Visit Koprivshtitsa, a town-museum.
Lunch at a local restaurant en route
Arrival in Veliko Turnovo and check-in at your hotel (2 nights)
Dinner at the hotel.


June 16 - (B, L, D)   
Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: We immerse in 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.
Afternoon: We also take an excursion through the narrow cobblestone street of the old “Samovodene market”, leading into small, sunny squares. Free at town. Before dinner we have a meeting  with a local woman for informal talk.

Dinner in a national style restaurant in town


June 17 - (B,  L, D)     
Breakfast at the hotel.

All day transfer from Veliko Turnovo to Hissarya, a spa resort (100 miles drive). 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, also known as “attar of roses”, 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: Visit the Museum of Rose and  the World famous 4th century BC: Thracian Tomb at Kazanluk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Arrival at Hissarya - spa and wellness resort and check-in at your hotel (2 nights)

Dinner at the hotel

June 18 - (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.

All day in Hissarya.
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

June 19 - (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Free time at the hotel to enjoy swimming in the thermal pool, personal SPA treatment, massages, etc.

Lunch at local restaurant in town Depart Hissarya for Plovdiv.
En route: Visit the Thracian Temple at the village of Starossel
Arrive in Plovdiv and check-in at your hotel (3 nights).

Dinner at the hotel


June 20 - (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel.

All day in Plovdiv.
Plovdiv is cradled between seven hills, the river Maritza and the Rhodope Mountain. The ancient and picturesque town of Plovdiv has a history that goes back two thousands years ago, traces of which survived to the present day.

Morning: Field trips involve walking on cobblestone streets while exploring a 2nd century Roman forum and stadium as well as the fabulous Roman amphitheater, which was built during the time of Emperor Trajan (98-117). Particularly beautiful is the Old quarter built in 18th- 19th century as the center of the Bulgarian National revival architecture.

Lunch at a local restaurant in the Old Town.

Afternoon: During our walk on the cobblestones street of the Old town we enjoy the harmony of architecture and landscape.  

Evening: Depart for a visit to a village in the vicinity of town. Enjoy folk dance lesson with local residents in the community center of the village. Visit a local woman at her house for informal meeting and enjoy tasting a traditional natural Bulgarian yogurt and homemade cooking for dinner.

June 21 - (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Excursion to Georgian Bachkovo monastery 11th c. (20 miles north of Plovdiv), situated in the foothills of the Rhodope Mountains. We enjoy the murals in the monastery dining room (built in 1604 and decorated in 1643) that are considered masterpiece of European Renaissance Art.

Lunch on your own to explore local restaurants in town

Afternoon:  Free time in town

Evening: Farewell Dinner at a restaurant  at the  hotel or in town.  

June 22 - (B)
Breakfast at the hotel

Transfer to Sofia Airport. Check-in for your departure flights. End of the program.
Group size:  -- Limited to 10 women
Price per person --- $ 3930  based on double occupancy (land only program ($2730)
Single Supplement  $ 350
Registration Deadline:  February 15, 2009

Tour Cost Inclusions:
      1. Airfare from New York (JFK) to Sofia  (Land Only Program also available)     
      2. Accommodation at comfortable, centrally located 3-4* 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. Entertainment and Events   
                -- dinner at a national style restaurant with folk music  
                -- experience a folk dance lesson with local residents in a Bulgarian village  
                -- a number of informal meetings with local Bulgarian women as per itinerary  
      8. Full time bi-lingual English speaking tour guide escort with a personal attitude.

Registration Form