CLASSICAL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND On our way to Ivaylograd, we had a tough climb up Perperikon, a strange jumble of massive boulders. It is claimed that Alexander came here seeking to know what the future held for him. We were now working our way towards the Black Sea. On the way, we stopped at the wonderful Roman Villa Armira where we were lucky to have an outstanding guide. On then to Nesebar, beautifully situated on a promontory on the Black Sea and once called Mesembria. Nesebar has many fine Orthodox churches. Over the next few days, we encountered some fascinating examples of Thracian burial mounds. The one at Pomerie is quite extraordinary and gave rise to lively discussion. Later, we met other tombs at Kazanluk and Shipka.
July 2016 Although not often available in Ireland, Bulgaria produces lots of wine, some of it very good and very reasonably priced. We had a number of visits to wine producers, large and small, built into the programme. On then to Varna with its museum and Roman baths. Not far from Varna, we had a very pleasant meal on the shore of the Black Sea; two of our party even took the plunge! Our route now took us westward towards Velik Tarnovo but on the way we stopped for a picnic below the Madara horseman, a stone carving high up on the rock face. In the same area were the lovely mosaics at Devnya from Martianopolis, the complex Trajan built for his sister. On then to Nikopolis ad Istrum and a steep climb up the imposing Tsarevets fortress. Later in the evening we enjoyed a sound and light show.
Top, from left: Liam O Broin at a Thracian tomb; Ann Monaghan, Sylvia Baker and Isabella Bolger wine-tasting at Katarzyna Estate; Damhlaic mag Shamhráin at Nicopolis ad Istrum. Centre: Brian Farley Left: Stara Zagora Right: Nicopolis ad Istrum
The end of our tour was not far off but there were still some treats in store. First was Stara Zagora with its museum, Roman theatre and mosaic. Another surprise was the importance of rosewater to the Bulgarian economy. Bulgaria is the largest producer of rosewater in the world. We had seen on our travels acres and acres of roses and were given an interesting tour of a rosewater distillery in Karlovo. This was followed by our last hotel in Hisaria (a town built by the emperor 6
Diocletian) and our last meal all together, enlivened by local musicians playing traditional instruments. We have been fortunate enough to have experienced Bulgaria, past and present. It is a fascinating country with a wealth of treasures, many of them waiting to be discovered. It remains to record our thanks to Joan and Andrew for all they did both before and during the tour to make it so memorable. Brian Farley