This tour takes you to a wine region that numerous wine specialists believe is the region that can make Bulgarian wine famous worldwide. Some even call the Sakar and Eastern Rhodopes wine region – the Bulgarian Napa Valley because of the landscape dominated by vineyards and the multiple wineries situated close to each other. On this tour, you will visit the ancient Plovdiv – Europe’s oldest city. Next, you will go deep into the Sakar and Eastern Rhodopes wine region and visit the family-run Bratanov Winery and Villa Bassarea and the wineries situated in or around Kolarovo village – Malkata Zvezda and Chateau Kolarovo. You will enjoy the hospitality of a rural guesthouse, where you will try some traditional Bulgarian meals and feel like you are at your own home. The tour continues south almost all the way to the Greek border where you will experience the one-man-enterprise that is the Mezek winery, visit the largest Thracian tomb from the IV century BC and taste the splendid wines of the Katarzyna Estate. The tour introduces you to different facility sizes – micro-scale, family-run, medium-sized and larger wineries. In addition, you will experience the rich cultural heritage and pristine nature of the Sakar and Eastern Rhodopes mountains – the region with the highest number of endagered bird species in Europe. This tour provides a mix of emotions and experiences but in the end will create lasting memories of Bulgaria’s re-emerging wine regions.
Sakar & Eastern Rhodopes Tours
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival to Sofia. Your Tour Leader will pick you up at latest 2 pm. Transfer (3h) to Zaara Estate. Check-in to your rooms and make yourself comfortable. Enjoy a tour of the winery and a tasting of a selection of their wines. Your evening is free to dine in the restaurant.
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Zaara Estate (boutique wine hotel)
Day 2: Exploring South Sakar
Start the day with a visit to the urban family winery – Bratanov Family Winery – and enjoy a special tasting with a member of the family in the cellar room. Continue to the nearby winery – Villa Bassarea – for a tour and talk with the winemaker and owner – Kamen Koev. Just next to the winery, the Sakar Regional Tasting Room is where you will enjoy a tasting of a selection of wines and a delicious lunch. Option to drive up to a hill with a chapel on the hill top and enjoy the view of the South Sakar and Eastern Rhodopes. The view from this vantage point gives you a good idea of the terrain and micro-regions in the area. Return to hotel. Free evening to enjoy the spa facilities and have dinner in the restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Zaara Estate (boutique wine hotel)
Day 3: Exploring Eastern Rhodopes
First thing in the morning is a transfer to the village of Mezek located at the foot of the Eastern Rhodopes and not too far from the Greek border. We start the day with a little culture and visit the Thracian Tomb of Mezek for some insight into Thracian culture and their burial rituals. Visit to the impressive Katarzyna Estate for a guided private tour of the estate and a memorable wine tasting in the tasting room surrounded by beautiful art and a stunning vineyard landscape. Short drive to the town of Svilengrad for lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Maritza river and the old Mustafa Pasha bridge from the 16th century. Return to Zaara Estate for some relaxation. Free evening for dinner in the restaurant or option to dine outside of the hotel with a complimentary transfer from your Tour Leader. Ask your Tour Leader for restaurant suggestions.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Zaara Estate (boutique wine hotel)
Day 4: Perperikon and Modern Wines from Sakar
Today, we head towards Perperikon – an ancient megalithic Thracian sanctuary – and take a walk around this historic site. Enjoy a rural lunch in the region. Visit the charming little winery – Chateau Kolarovo – for a tasting with the winemaker. Return to hotel for a relaxing last evening at Zaara Estate.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Zaara Estate (boutique wine hotel)
Day 5: Departure
Check-out of Zaara Estate and transfer to Sofia (3h).
Meals included: Breakfast
Included in the tour price
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Airport Transfer on Day 1 (latest 2 pm) and Day 5. Possible to arrange pick-up & drop-off from/to any location in Sofia.
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All ground transportation with a minivan/car included in the tour’s itinerary
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4 nights in Zaara Estate (standard double rooms)
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Tours and tastings at Zaara Estate, Bratanov Family Winery, Villa Bassarea, Katarzyna Estate, and Chateau Kolarovo
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Visit to the Thracian Tomb of Mezek incl. entrance fee
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Visit to Perperikon incl. entrance fee
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Meals as per itinerary (4 x breakfast, 3 x lunch)
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English-speaking Tour leader from Bulgaria Wine Tours
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Tour operator insurance in case of non-provision of services
Not included in the tour price
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Flight tickets
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Private transfers
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Meals and beverages not mentioned in the tour description
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Travel and medical insurance (please, consult your insurance provider)
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Visa fees, if applicable
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Extras and incidentals
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Tips
Price of the Sakar & Eastern Rhodopes
€ 620 per person for a group of 6 persons
€ 720 per person for a group of 4-5 persons
€ 760 per person for a group of 2-3 persons
Contact us for a quotation for groups larger than 6 persons.
* The BGN/EUR exchange rate is fixed at 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN (http://www.bnb.bg/?toLang=_EN)
** Price per person is based on double occupancy e.g. two persons sharing a room
Payment:
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A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required to be paid within 7 days of the invoice issue date.
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The balance of the amount due to the Company must be paid no later than 45 days before departure.
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In the event that the Client makes a booking within 45 days of departure of the tour, the full tour price must be paid up-front.
Payment method:
Payments are made in Euros or Bulgarian Leva.
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Bank transfer to:
Bulgaria Wine Tours Ltd.
Bank name: Raiffeisen Bank
Bank address: 1 Knyaginya Mariya Luiza Str., Plovdiv 4000
BIC: RZBBBGSF
IBAN: BG09RZBB91551005461558
We will provide confirmation once the payment is received
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Credit or debit card
We accept credit/debit card payment. Information will be provided along with your booking.
Please, refer to the Booking Terms & Conditions for detailed information about payment.
Transportation (pick-up/drop-off)
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Pick-up on Day 1 is from Sofia Airport or any other location in Sofia at latest 2 pm. Please advise of pick-up location upon booking.
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Drop-off on Day 5 at Sofia Airport or any other location in Sofia. Earliest drop-off time in Sofia is 12 pm.
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Transfer time to/from Zaara Estate is 3 hours.
Visa
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In general, EU citizens do not require visas to travel to Bulgaria. Citizens of some other countries also do not need visas to travel to Bulgaria. For visa requirements to enter Bulgaria, please consult the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at: http://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/109/index.html or the respective institutions in your country of residence.
Medical/Travel Insurance
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You are encouraged to purchase travel and medical insurance at your own judgement. Please contact your own insurance provider.
Difficulty Level
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The tour does not require any special medical condition or fitness level. The tour does not involve intensive walking, hiking, or other physical effort apart from the normal efforts for sightseeing.
Minimum age
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Persons under 18 are not allowed on the tours unless accompanied by a parent or a family member. Persons under 18 cannot participate in the wine tastings during the tour. The price for such persons will be adjusted according to our Booking Policy.
Additional services or surcharges
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Single supplement: €30
Tour the Bulgarian Napa Valley
Create a memoryWhy Choose Us
✓ Because we are the original tour operator in Bulgaria specializing in wine tours.
✓ Because we have visited each and every winery, hotel and place we offer on this tour in order to ensure the highest possible quality of the offered services.
✓ Because we work closely with the wineries and the hotels offered on this tour and we are flexible to accommodate your wishes.
✓ Because we have made academic research on the potential of wine tourism in Bulgaria: https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/search/publication/4091904.
✓ Because we are promoting alternative tourism and helping the development of rural regions in Bulgaria.
✓ Because you will be supporting a young start-up.
✓ Because we will make sure you have fun and enjoy the tour!
Tour Map
