Gabrovo - Bulgaria - Experiences Triplab

BULGARIA CREATIVE Experiences Trip 28th February to 5th March

Contact person & Responsible Fam trip Yonka Agalova Head of department of tourism Gabrovo +359 889 661 633 +359 878 860 432 agalova@gabrovo.bg Municipality of Gabrovo

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 - Arrival in Sofia – the capital of

Bulgaria Accommodation in Hotel Dinner in the Hotel

2 nd

day / 1st of March Sofía -Troyan – Veliko Tarnovo 165 km Breakfast. 08:30 Transfer to Sofia city center and meeting our local guide.

Starting the guided tour of Sofia.

You will have the opportunity to visit the Alexander Nevsky GoldenDomed Cathedral, the Basilica St Sofia, the 4th century Rotunda St. George – the earliest and best reserved building in inner old Serdica.

You will pass the most important political buildings of the parliament and the presidency, the National Theatre in renaissance style with its lovely fountains and garden. You will enter the 4th century Rotunda of St. George –the earliest and best reserved building in inner old Serdica and pass the remains from the roman period – the Ancient Complex of Serdica. More information for Sofia - www.visitsofia.bg

The Basilica St Sofia is the symbol of Bulgaria’s capital. St. Sophia is a three-nave, early Byzantine, crossdome basilica. It is devoted to God’s wisdom. The church was erected in the VI century over the foundations of several older churches from the time of the Roman city of Serdica.

During the middle Ages it was a cathedral metropolitan church. It gave the contemporary name of the city and that is why it has its place in the coat arms of Sofia. Sophia means the God’s wisdom. A one-ofa-kind underground museum lies beneath St. Sophia Basilica, which exhibits burial works from the Eastern necropolis of the ancient city of Serdica and remains of three earlier churches.

Visit the hotel Arena di Serdica. Аn the basement of the hotel you will visit the Ancient Serdica – amphitheatre. It was built at the end of the 3rd-early 4th century AD on the ruins of the ancient Roman theatre type building, dating from the 2nd century AD.

Departure to Troyan. Lunch with a plum brandy testing and Talks about the interesting possibilities of the Troyan region.

Presentation of the activities that can be done with groups: / tasting, knowing the process, participating in the plum brandy 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. We will see a great Spectacle: Sound and Light in Tsarevets Fortress. Accommodation and dinner in Arbanassi.

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 19TH-CENTURY 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 and creative activities, also for conferences, events, thematic tours, etc. In the program also we have visit to some hotels in Veliko Tarnovo *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.

14:00 -17:00 h Forum on Creative tourism: The Creativity is the way!

The event is organized by Gabrovo, recognized as the first Creative Friendly Destination® of Bulgaria by Creative Tourism Network. Is an public event in presence of representatives of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Mayor of Gabrovo Municipality, as well as stakeholders in cultural and tourism policy

PROGRAM

1.

Creative Tourism: how to convert the intangible heritage into innovation CAROLINE COURET Director of Creative Tourism Network

2.

Industrial tourism and marine tourism as a motor for local development ALEXANDRA TOUZA Director, I’m a local and of the Association of industrial tourism in Spain

3.

Creative Tourism Experience in Thailand….through the eyes of Tour Operators NEERACHA WONGMASA President of TEATA, THAI ECOTOURISM AND ADVENTURE TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

4.

Promotion of Creative/Cultural Tourism Worldwide MICHAEL BLACK Founder and director of New Destination network for tourism and business 5. Creative Tourism : Destination Management / Development & unlocking the potential of digital marketing strategies / influencer relations ELENA PASHINGER – blogger and writer, expert Creative tourism

6.

Posibilities for creative tourism in Open Air Ethnographic Museum "Etar" SVETLA DIMITROV A – Director of Open Air Ethnographic Museum "Etar"

7.

Creativity and humour MARGARITA DOROVSKA Director of Museum: House of Humour and Satire, Gabrovo

8.

SUMMER SCRIPTWRITING BASE : Creativity and inspiration from around the world DIMITAR UZUNOV – Director of SUMMER SCRIPTWRITING BASE

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.

Presentations 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.

-Plovdiv 2019 European Capital of culture: What about?

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 This day is for transfers to Sofia Airport.

For participants with flights In the afternoon 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 !

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

WELCOME AND ENJOY!