FAMTRIP - PRESSTRIP Creative Tourism Bulgaria - Gabrovo

BULGARIA CREATIVE Experiences Trip 28th February to 5th March

Contact person & Responsible Fam trip Yonka Agalova Head of department of tourism Product manager VB Gabrovo +359 889 661 633 +359 878 860 432

BULGARIA A LA CARTE! IS A GREAT IDEA!....

1st

THIS IS A TRIP IN THE HEART OF THE BALKANS. YOU CAN DISCOVER THE INCREDIBLE POSSIBILITY OF TRAVELING WHILE EXPERIENCING BULGARIA: INTERESTING LOCAL PRODUCTS, ALONG WITH ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THEM, LOVELY LANDSCAPES, CULTURE AND RICH HERITAGE. ENJOY EXCELENT CUISINE AND WINE, MEET INTERESTING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE TRIP, DISCOVER DIFFERENT TOURS AND A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TOURIST PRODUCT IN BULGARIA. FIND YOUR PARTNER IN BULGARIA!

day / 28 of February - Flight to Sofía.

Transfer from the Airport . According to arrival time - arrange a programme with proposals, Dinner.

2nd

day / 1st of March Sofía -Troyan – Veliko Tarnovo 165 km Breakfast. Meeting with representatives of the tourism department in Sofia. Brief presentation of tourism resources in Sofia. Guided tour of the central area of the city and technical visits to some hotels Departure to Troyan. Lunch and Travel Talks about the interesting possibilities of the Troyan region.

Visit of the Slivovitsa factory in Troyan (VinProm) and presentation of the activities that can be done with groups: / tasting, knowing the process, participating in the fair, etc /.

Discover why Troyan pottery has its fame and is the most popular in Bulgaria and other neighbouring countries? Also we can see the possibilities of a ceramic workshop.

THE “SLIVOVITSA” IS AN ALCOHOLIC, DISTILLED AND FERMENTED DRINK OF PLUM. OFTEN, IT IS COLORLESS. IT IS SIMILAR TO THE IRISH POETINE AND THE HOME VERSION IS MADE BY DIFFERENT TYPES OF INGREDIENTS, AMONG THEM AROMATIC HERBS. IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO BRANDY AND SOMETIMES IT IS DENOMINED PLUM BRANDY. THE CONTENT OF ALCOHOL CAN VARY IN A RANGE THAT GOES FROM 2570% BY VOLUME, BUT THE MOST LIKELY MAY ROCK FROM 40-45%. IT IS THE NATIONAL DRINK OF BULGARIA AND SERBIA (NEARLY 70% OF WORLD PRODUCTION IS PRODUCED IN THIS AREA OF EASTERN EUROPE). IT IS ALSO VERY POPULAR IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, SLOVAKIA, CROATIA, SLOVENIA, MONTENEGRO, MACEDONIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

Visit a market-exhibition of ceramics, located inside the Ceramic Museum.

Why Troyan pottery has its fame and is the most popular in Bulgaria and other neighbouring countries. Also discover the possibilities of a ceramic workshop. The decorative ceramic is another Star of thje Troyan region.

Visit the famous Troyan Monastery, which is located in a beautiful mountain setting.

In the same town (Oreshak) we will visit a Boutique hotel CasaArt, one of the hotels of our creative trips http:// arthotel.bg/en/ In continuation arriving in Veliko Tarnovo. The Medieval Capital of Bulgaria. Accommodation and dinner.

VELIKO TARNOVO IS ROMANTIC AMBIANCE AND OLD CRAFTS MEDIEVAL HISTORY EMANATES FROM VELIKO TÂRNOVO’S FORTIFIED WALLS AND COBBLED LANES. ONE OF BULGARIA’S OLDEST TOWNS, VELIKO TÂRNOVO HAS AS ITS CENTREPIECE THE MAGNIFICENT RESTORED TSAREVETS FORTRESS, CITADEL OF THE SECOND BULGARIAN EMPIRE. HISTORIC TÂRNOVO IS TUCKED INTO THE DRAMATIC BENDS OF THE YANTRA RIVER, CLASPED BY AN AMPHITHEATRE OF FORESTED HILLS. BULGARIA’S 19THCENTURY NATIONAL REVIVAL SPLENDOUR IS EASY TO RELIVE ALONG HISTORIC LANES SUCH AS UL GURKO; SIMILARLY EVOCATIVE IS HANDICRAFT MARKET SAMOVODSKA CHARSHIYA, WHICH RETAINS MUCH THE SAME ATMOSPHERE IT HAD TWO CENTURIES AGO. THE MODERN TOWN HAS BURST THESE TIDY SEAMS, SPLAYING WEST FROM BUSY BUL BULGARIA.

3rd

day / Veliko TarnovoGabrovo

In the morning we have a programme with visits in Veliko Tarnovo.

Accents : Medieval history, the Tsarevets Fortress, the shop & crafts street Samovodska , the residence village Arbanasi. etc. The city offer good opportunity for cultural activities, also for conferences, events, thematic tours, etc. In the program also we have visit to some hotels in Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi. *Arbanassi is a neighboring village-residence, it is also considered as a neighborhood of the town with great possibilities for accommodation and events.

Departure to Gabrovo. Lunch.

Conference: Gabrovo - officially designated as Creative Friendly Destination and member of Creative Tourism Network® With Representative of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Mayor of Gabrovo Municipality , stakeholders in cultural and tourism policy

With the special participation of

CAROLINE COURET Presentation: Creative Tourism: how to convert the intangible heritage into innovation?

CAROLINE COURET IS AN EXPERT IN CREATIVE TOURISM. SHE FOUNDED AND CURRENTLY MANAGES THE CREATIVE TOURISM NETWORK® AND THE BARCELONA CREATIVE TOURISM PROGRAM. SHE IS REGULARLY INVITED TO SPEAK IN CONFERENCES AS WELL AS TO TEACH IN UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE WORLD. SHE IS ALSO AN EXTERNAL EXPERT FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION AND REGULARLY COLLABORATES WITH THE UNWTO. SINCE 2001 SHE HAS BEEN MANAGING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROJECTS FROM HER FOUNDATION IN BARCELONA. BEFORE THAT, SHE WORKED ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS IN FRANCE, LOUISIANA, MEXICO AND MOROCCO. SHE WAS BORN IN FRANCE WHERE SHE GRADUATED IN MANAGEMENT OF CULTURE AND POSTGRADUATE IN CULTURAL POLICIES

In the afternoon - arrival and accommodation in Gabrovo. Presentation of the tourism in Gabrovo. Visit of the Interactive Museum of Industry.

4th

day / 3rd of March Gabrovo - Valley of roses - Plovdiv

150 km

YOGURT, ROSES AND CRAFTS IN THE BALKAN MOUNTAINS Gabrovo was the industrial capital in Bulgaria in the past, known as the Bulgarian Manchester, today offers different ways to make industrial tourism routes. Even, the possibility of sleeping in a hotel made from a factory. In our programme we have a visit to the Interactive Museum of industry. Also, visit to the House of the Humour and Satire.

Gabrovo's specific humour is a brand for identity and a unique local creative tourist product. Let’s see how we can offer the humour as great tourist product?

In the morning we will visit a yogurt and cheese factory and learn more about the characteristics of Bulgarian yogurt, know why the people say that the best yogurt in the world is Bulgarian?

Visit to the authentic old village and architectural reserve – Bozhentsi.

Presentation of creative activities, possibilities for creative holidays and accommodation. Green , art and delicious experiences in the village.

THE BULGARIAN YOGURT ONE OF THE STARS OF BULGARIA IS THE NATURAL BACTERIA THAT PRODUCES THE YOGURT - LACTOBACILLUS BULGARICUS. DISCOVERED BY THE BULGARIAN DR. STAMEN GRIGOROV IN 1905 (1878 -1945).

BACTERIA LACTOBACILLUS BULGARICUS AND STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUS, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FERMENTATION OF MILK, WERE KNOWN BY THE OLD TRAICES THAT LIVED IN THE TERRITORY OF THE MODERN BULGARIA SINCE 60007000 BC THEY USED TO INDUCE THE FERMENTATION OF SHEEP MILK TO OBTAIN YOGURT, CHEESE, ETC., AND THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST PROBIOTIC FOODS IN THE WORLD.

Leaving Gabrovo we visit ETARAwhich is an amazing Ethnographic complex where you can see the typical trades, workshops and events. In the local bakery we will see the production of Pestil - a typical sweet of plums. There are possibilities of workshops, plus different activities in Etara.

THE VALLEY OF THE ROSES

From Gabrovo, crossing the beautiful Balkan Mountains, we go directly into the famous Valley of Roses. * March 3rd - is the Bulgarian National Holiday and celebrations are held on Mount Shipka.

Undoubtedly, the rose is one of the most important local products for the country. Bulgaria is a world leader in the production of rose oil. Of all the varieties of roses, the most precious is undoubtedly the Rosa Damascena. Visit a Rose Distillery and learn a lot about the properties and benefits of this rose. Presentations of activities that are carried out with groups in the distilleries and in the rose-fields of the Kazanlak region.

Among them: tastings of rose products, the possibility of participating in the rose picker, see the distillation process, etc. In addition, the same distilleries produce lavender oil, so another possibility of an activity.

BULGARIA IS A LEADER IN THE PRODUCTION OF ROSE ESSENTIAL OILS, WITH A WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION AFTER CENTURIES OF PROVIDING INDISPENSABLE PRODUCT FOR LUXURY PERFUMES. BULGARIA AS A PRODUCER IS AHEAD OF IRAN, MOROCCO, INDIA AND CHINA. THE EXTRACTION TECHNIQUE HAS BEEN PRACTICED IN BULGARIA FOR MORE THAN 350 YEARS. THE ROSE PETALS, COLLECTED IN THE EARLY MORNING, STILL COVERED IN DEW ... ..

We will be among fields of roses and Thracian tombs. This valley is known as the valley of the Thracian kings and there are numerous tombs and Thracian sanctuaries.

Arrival in Plovdiv. Accommodation in Downtown hotel. There may be time for a walk and tour or free time and then dinner.

5th

day / 4th of March. Plovdiv and area .

PLOVDIV: THE MOST ANCIENT POPULATED CITY OF EUROPE (contemporary of Troy), EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE FOR 2019 AND THE MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL CENTER OF THE COUNTRY

Presentation of the large variety of possibilities for creative and industrial activities in Plovdiv. There are numerous options. Plovdiv on its own could be a 2,3,4 day destination, so we will see only the main parts of the city. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, so there are many aspects of culture and heritage and other activities to experience.

Visits in Plovdiv: - The cosmetics factory, which is famous for its high quality and natural products. It produces a very large series of cosmetics and aroma candles.

-Route of wine. Presentation of wine cellars in the Plovdiv region. Visit of the Yustina winery, near Plovdiv.

- Guided tour of the old town of Plovdiv, the “Kapana” creative industries district, the craft street and other points of interest.

Map of wine cellars in the Plovdiv region

Factory for natural cosmetics

CORNERS, STREETS, NOOKS ...

THE DISTRICT OF CREATIVE INDUSTRIES: IT IS A DISTRICT OF FASHION, WITH STREETS FULL OF LIFE, WORKSHOPS WITH HAND MADE PRODUCTS, CREATIVE INDUSTRIES. THE PERFECT PLACE TO TAKE A LEMONADE FOR HOME, GRAB PANCAKES WITH FRIENDS, OR HAVE A NIGHTCAP.

THE OLD TOWN OF PLOVDIV: LOCATED ON ONE OF THE HILLS OF PLOVDIV, EXISTED FROM THE ANTIQUITY. ENCHANTES WITH ITS ANMOSPHERE,18TH AND 19TH CENTURY HOUSES, FOOTPRINTS OF DIFFERENT TIMES, ANTIQUES, STORES AND CHARMING PREMISES. HERE WE WILL VISIT THE ROMAN THEATER, AN ANCIENT PHARMACY AND OTHER HOUSES WITH CHARM. LOWERING THE ALTUTIDE WE FIND THE ROMAN STADIUM, THE DZUMAYA MOSQUE, THE ODEON ETC. THE STREET OF CRAFTS: ONE OF THE HILLS OF THE HULL IS ESPESIALISED AS ARTISANAL. THERE ARE MANY INTERESTING OPPORTUNITIES - FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE BAKERY YOU CAN LEARN TO MAKE TRADITIONAL, HEALTHY BREAD. THE PARK AND THE COMMERCIAL AREA: THERE ARE VERY PLEASANT PLACES FOR FREE TIME. EVENTS: PLOVDIV IS THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE FOR 2019 THEREFORE THE CITY HAS VERY DYNAMIC CULTURAL LIFE. TROUGHTOUT THE YEAR, THERE ARE CONCERTS, PARFORMANCES, FESTIVALS ..

Old town:

Kapana district

Inspection Visit of some of the hotels.

6th

day / 5th of March Plovdiv-Sofia Airport 145 km

In the morning we continue with the planned visits in Plovdiv. To have a sweet end to our trip we visit the GALLO chocolate factory in one of the neighbourhoods of Plovdiv. It has boutique chocolate of high quality and therefore is a sweet and tasty experiences.

In the afternoon - transfer to Sofia Airport.

DID YOU LIKE IT? You can participate in our experience trip , just complete the registration form here!

For professionals: (travel agencies, journalist, bloggers) the participation in the Fam trip is free.

Included in this Fam Trip is: Accommodation with breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trip.

Transport for all internal routes in the country. *For second participant in individual room there are some supplement: please consult us !

REGISTRATION FORM

If you want to stay for more days in Bulgaria, we can arrange that too.

CLICK HERE

WELCOME AND ENJOY!