Odysseia-In was a visionary project for its time, founded 28 years ago by Lubomir Popiordanov.
Welcome to Bulgaria - the secret pearl in south-eastern Europe keeping evidences that wine has been produced in this area for more than 5000 years! Travelling on the trails of our tour we would like to present you excellent Bulgarian wines and meals and enjoy them together. Tour highlights: Rose collection and workshop of making home-made rose jam; Picturesque Bulgarian Villages and Painted Monasteries; Delicious Balkan cuisine and wines.
Food & Wine tour begins in arrival at Sofia Airport, Bulgaria. Meet and assist by the Tour Leader. Free time at your leisure. Night stop: Sofia Capital
The day starts with an early morning Sofia Walking City Tour: we will visit the famous Rotunda Sveti Georgi, built in the 4th Century as a Roman temple; Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral – the symbol of the capital; St. Sofia Church; the National Theatre and the Russian Church. We can stroll along the yellow-paved central boulevard, marveling at the architectural mix of this compact modern city. Afterwards we will head to Sopot winery in the Rose Valley wine region for exquisite excellent wines. Next: afternoon walk through the cobbled streets of Koprivshtitsa Revivial Village-Museum. Welcome dinner with renowned traditional home-made Bulgarian dishes and local wines! Night stop: Koprivshtitsa Wine-tasting: Sopot Winery Read more
Morning walking and sightseeing tour: Koprivshtitsa is an Ottoman-times village, famous for its painted houses, cobbled streets and stone bridges, all with historical importance. We will also visit a few houses-museums from 18-19th century, presenting the traditional way of life during the Bulgarian Renaissance times. Later, we will head to Panagyurishte, where we will see the Panagiurishte golden treasure – a Thracian treasure with a total of 6kg of 24 – karat gold dating back to 4th – 3rd century BC. In the afternoon: winery tour in Rumelia Winery and a traditional cooking lesson! Night stop: Panagyurishte Winery tour: in Rumelia Winery Read more
In the morning, we will have a transfer to Plovdiv, the second biggest city in the country and its cultural capital. Today we will visit the Old Town of Plovdiv: the Roman Amphitheatre, Djumaya Mosque, Orthodox Church “St Konstantin and Elena” and will enjoy the unique architecture of the Bulgarian Revival-times Houses. Special visit: we will also visit a small pottery craft shop where the craft lady will show us some traditional pottery techniques and patterns. Later we will head to Villa Yustina, located in a small village at the edge of the Rhodopi Mountains. The energy and enthusiasm of the people working at Villa Yustina provide haunting and memorable tasting experience accompanied by delicious meals. At the end of the day, we will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Rhodopean villages. We will spend 1 overnight in “Kosovski kashti” 19th-century Restored Authentic Houses, honored with ‘Authentic Bulgaria’ label and famous for its delicious cuisine and superb wine list. We will have a traditional Rhodopean dinner prepared by our lady host and supported by all the participants in the group. Roll up your sleeves and get ready for action! Night stop: Kosovo Village Wine-tasting: Villa Yustina Winery Read more
Today we will visit Shiroka Laka Ottoman-time village, famous for its architecture and Ethnographic Museum! Next we will get on top of the canyon with one of the most stunning Rhodopean views to the gorge. From there we will hike up to the Muslim village of Yagodina. On the way we will stop for a picnic-lunch on the meadows above the village. Later we will descend to Yagodina Cave “The Strawberry” – one of the longest and most beautiful caves in Bulgaria. Home-made lunch in Borino Village, accompanied with a folklore performance of the local Turkish ethnicity. On the way we stop at Uva Nestum winery for a wine-tasting break of the long daily transfer. In the afternoon we will arrive in Kovachevitsa village. Kovachevitsa village is another fine example of Bulgarian Revival-times village, set on a bench above the gorge of the Kanina River. The village has been named an architectural and historical reserve by the Bulgarian government. Night stop: Kovachevitsa Wine-tasting: Uva Nestum Winery Read more
Today we head to Melnik, one of the iconic Bulgarian cities. The area is also known as one of the top wine regions of Bulgaria and as the legend says, Melnik wine was a favorite of Winston Churchill who used to order it by the barrel! So let’s try some exciting wines, made also from indigenous grape varieties! Villa Melnik Winery (our wine sampling destination) is a family-owned company that continues a tradition of vine-growing and wine-producing with over two centuries of documented history. Melnik is also famous for its Byzantine architecture and Mediterranean food, and even more, for its beautiful surroundings of sandstone pyramids. On top of the little town is perched a small and coquet Wine Museum. Night stop: Melnik Town Wine-tasting: Villa Melnik Winery & Orbelus Winery Read more
We start the day with a transfer to the biggest monastery in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery. The sanctuary was founded in the 10th c. by the saint hermit Ivan Rilski. Nowadays the monastery is UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of church of the Holy Virgin, monastery museum, medieval kitchen, and medieval tower. After lunch, an easy pilgrimage walk will bring us to St. Ivan Rilski’s hermitage cave, situated in the deep forests of Rila Monastery Nature Reserve. In the afternoon, transfer to Sofia: 1.30 hours Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant. Night stop: Sofia Capital Wine-tasting: “Medi Valley” Winery Read more
Transfer to Sofia airport. Food & Wine 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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