Odysseia-In was a visionary project for its time, founded 28 years ago by Lubomir Popiordanov.
This trip shows you a different down-to-earth Bulgaria: colourful, tasty, filled with the sound of bagpipes and the aroma of wood smoke! For a week you will be transported to another simpler world, far away from everyday stresses and strains, where you are immersed in the creation of something of real beauty. You learn to make pottery, paint icons, carve wood and dance ‘horo’. You will also taste the best home-made food -banitsa, sarmichki, yogurt.
Arts and Crafts Bulgaria tour starts from Sofia with transfer to Apriltsi village hidden in the Northern footsteps of the Balkan Range. On our way we visit the beautiful Troyan monastery from XVI century.
The day starts with a fresh home-made breakfast. Later you will enter into the crafty world of the pottery. The region of Troyan and Apriltsi is famous for its pottery. Works from the Troyan pottery masters is recognised internationally. One of these masters will be our teacher who will show us the main techniques of pottery art. At the end of our workshop we will have the opportunity to take home our pottery. A full day workshop. Read more
In the morning a half day workshop on Bulgarian folk dances. One of the best ways to discover the real Bulgarian spirit and traditions is through Bulgarian Folklore. By learning Bulgarian folk dances, you will get in touch with the Bulgarian everyday life from the last centuries. You will be introduced to the world of Bulgarian folk dancing by a personal tutor, who will show you the steps of the most common Horo. With a few steps of Bulgarian Horo you can easily enjoy taking part in local celebrations and festivities. It is fun and easy! This workshop is ideal for beginners. Read more
In the morning a half day workshop on Icon – painting. Iconography as a form of religious art is special. It uses the beauty of the image to reach the spiritual dimension within us. It is more than just an artistic process, it is a spiritual journey for the artist. And a beautiful icon carries a message that is sublime. We will start the workshop with presentation of Ortodox traditions: iconography, praying, holidays. Later on, we will try to create an icon by using only wood, color and faith! For the afternoon do not forget your swimming suite as you will go to the village of Chiflik in order to visit a mineral water pool. The village is located in a mountainous region, so you will be surrounded by the peaks of the Central Balkan mouintain. Read more
Today we will leave our workshop activities for a while to make a short visit to the Old Capital of Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo. The town is famous for its medieval castle-fortress called “Tzarevetz” and its craftsman’s street “Samovodska charshia”. There we will observe the craftsman in action. Veliko Tarnovo will encharm you with its steep cobbled streets and its dynamic art life. In the afternoon, we will visit Arbanassi village, situated on a nearby hill. The village is declared architectural reserve with houses representing the Bulgarian Renaissance from 17-18th century. The most outstanding house-museum in the village is Konstantzaliev’s house-museum. At the end of our tour we will visit the “Nativity of the Virgin” church with its beautiful frescoes. Read more
For today you can choose between two options. First option would be: Outdoor photography workshop with a professional photographer. Your second option would be: Herb workshop: Hike in the region of the Central Balkan for exploring the herb variety. Bulgaria is among the best places on earth in terms of environmental conditions for growing natural herbs. In the afternoon you go back to the house in order to cook a traditional Bulgarian meal with what you have collected from the woods. Read more
In the morning a half day workshop on woodcarving. Woodcarving is one of the best guarded Bulgarian traditions. In the past it was a major craft, especially in the mountain villages along the Balkan Range. The piece of art that will come upon your hands will be a life time present and a good memory from Bulgaria! In the afternoon visit the National Crafts Museum of Troyan. Read more
Transfer to Sofia city/airport. Arts and Crafts Bulgaria tour ends.
Lubomir Popiordanov, CEO of Odysseia-In, has a huge background: master of law, mountaineer, passionate traveler, photographer, painter, author of a book, producer of films, publisher and philanthropist, freelance journalist…!
Momchil is a mountain guide, who has turned his hobby – trekking and climbing in the mountains – into a profession. He prefers working in the high mountains, but also likes going to all places with beautiful and well preserved nature. He speaks French.
Denitsa leads many of our Spanish and English groups in summer. She is an active ecologist and in the front lines of the Bulgarian organizations for nature protection. She loves flowers and all little creatures on earth.
Simeon is passionate about travel and takes every opportunity to hit the road. It could be the dirt road on his bike, or the 1300steps to reach Machu Picchu, or the fresh snow up in the Mountains…He speaks English and Spanish.
Zornitsa or just "Zori" is really passionate about being in the mountains and exploring the world by hiking. She is qualified mountain guide in English and German language and works as an interpreter too.
Biliana is an experienced mountain guide. Her favorite mountain ranges are the alpine Rila and Pirin. She also has a passion for medieval art and music. Bilyana speaks German, English and Italian.
Martin is a very experienced mountain guide. Apart from that he is also a team-building instructor. Martin is a big fan of free riding and off piste skiing. Martin speaks Spanish, French and English.
Ivaylo is our wine expert - WSET® CERTIFIED Level 2 Wines & Spirits by the London Wine & Spirit School, also a certified tour guide. He speaks fluently English and German, regularly visits wine events in Bulgaria and also adores travelling.
Mihail or just Misho is a licensed mountain leader and in the summer is usually “outdoors”. He loves working in the field of responsible tourism and education of mountain guides. Mihail speaks German and English.
Mitko is a mountain guide with a lot of knowlidge about nature and wildlife. He has graduated the University of Forestry and leads summer and winter snowshoeing groups. Mitko speaks English and Spanish.
Stela is is a passionate traveler, nature enthusiast and active mother. She has graduated as Bachelor in Geology and International Travel and Tourism. Her interests are: hiking, ski-touring, folklore dances and children education.
Ivan has climbed 18 peaks in the Alps including Montblanc and Dufourspitze. Travelling a lot across the whole Balkan Peninsula, he has climbed almost each mountain in Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Romania and Montenegro.
Odysseia-In was a visionary project for its time, founded 28 years ago by Lubomir Popiordanov.
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