Brief itinerary:
Day 1 – June 6 - Sofia - Plovdiv - Kazanlak
Day 2 – June 7 – Kazanlak festivities
Day 3 – June 8 - Kazanlak - Sofia

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1 – June 6 – Friday – Sofia – Plovdiv - Kazanlak
At 8:30am meet your guide at the St Aleksander Nevski Cathedral. Departure to Plovdiv. Tour of Plovdiv - the second largest town of Bulgaria, an area since the time of Philip, King of Macedonia, father of Alexander The Great. Its unique location on these ancient crossroads has stimulated cultural and political influences from East and West civilisations and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. The
most impressive building of Roman time that has come to us rising above the city is the Antique Amphitheatre by Emperor Marcus Aurelius during the 2nd c. A.D. Its magnificent arcade adorned with marble statues is simply breath-taking. The Roman Stadium is also constructed during the II century and reproduces the layout in Delphi, Greece. Within the centre of the ancient major town of the Roman province of Thrace remains of stone paved streets, foundations of buildings and columns and ancient fortress walls and gates reside. Proceed to Kazanlak. Arrive in your hotel.

B Accommodation in Kazanlak in hotel Parisi or hotel Magnolia (two nights)

Day 2 – June 7 – Saturday - Kazanlak
In the morning departure to the Damascena rose distillery. Enjoy rose picking accompanied by folklore dances. Walk around the distillery and admire hundreds of verities of roses. Have lunch in the distillery. Leave back to Kazanlak at 2 pm. Arrive in Kazanlak. Visit the Museum of Roses.

From 3pm to 5pm you can join the cultural programme provided by your guide.

Departure to the Buzludzha monument perched on one of the peaks dominating the town of Kazanlak. This is one of the largest communist monuments in Europe.
On the way back visit the Golyamata Kosmatka Thracian tomb dating to the 4th century BC. You will get acquainted with the Thracian civilisation and will get a lot of information about these ancient tribes populating the area of the present-day town of Kazanlak. In the evening enjoy the festive ambience on the main square and the concert on the main stage.

Day 3 – June 8 - Sunday - Kazanlak rose festival - Sofia
Day of festivities: Two main events mark the celebrations – harvesting ritual in the rose gardens and the parade along the streets of the town.
At 8:30am departure to Enio Bonchev distillery for rose picking OR attend the rose picking organised by the Kazanlak Municipality. Subject of further confirmation until we get the programme launched by the Municipality. Enjoy rose picking for two hours. At 11am leave to Kazanlak. At 11:30 – 11:40am take your seats for the parade. At noon follow the Carnival parade and the procession which will close the festivities. End of the parade at 1:30pm. Free time for lunch. At 3pm departure to Sofia. Arrive in Sofia at 6pm. Drop off in your hotel. End of service.