NINE DAYS IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES - Trigrad, Dolen, Melnik

NINE DAYS IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES - NINE DAYS IN THREE EPOCHS

Our guests can enjoy one of our special programs "Nine days in three different places or nine days in
three different epochs", spending three days in each of the following three places:

Village of Trigrad; Village of Dolen; Town of Melnik

Day 1 - We meet in Sofia and enjoy a
walking tour around some interesting places and the folk program at dinner.

Day 2-4 - Trigrad

Over the next three days we will find ourselves in the "kingdom of neolith and legends" amidst the mighty beauty of a nature miracle - the Trigrad’s gorge.

In the roaring depths of the cave "The Devil’s Gorge" we will remember the dramatic love of Orpheus and Eurydice as the legend talks. Another cave - Haramiyska - is the world of the Neolithic people. Among the remains of their everyday life, we can see two wax replicas of "primitive" people.

We will visit a whole Neolithic dwelling at the entrance of another cave - Yagodina to which we travel on foot, riding a horse or by car. The cave is a real wonder with halls, lakes, rock formations and cave pearls. Magic of the ages meets the magic of nature. All who are skilled in horse riding can exercise it for 3 hours and the others can have their first lesson.

Day 5-7 - Dolen

Encountering history and the magic of the Rhodopes will go on in the ancient village of Dolen. Here in the authentic atmosphere of the 260 - years old house and the collection of ethno - antiques we can get to know some local crafts. Then we will return to history and visit some of the Thracian sanctuaries near the village. This part of the mountains was the kingdom of Thracian tribes and traces of their life and rituals can be found literally on every step.

A very interesting place to visit is the megalith Thracian sanctuary and observatory "Kozi kamuk" (Goat’s Stone). The village church (1834) is also a remarkable monument impressive with its architecture, murals and icons. And still, the most interesting in this village are the old stone roofed houses, impressive like fortresses.

Day 8-10 - Melnik

The beginning of the tiny museum-town Melnik is connected with the times of the Thracians. Then the Romans and the Slavs came. So the Melnik’s fame is not from yesterday. High dignitaries of the Byzantium Empire used to send their wives and daughters among the healing power of the sand pyramids. Some other sources insist that the Byzantine emperors sent to exile the unsuitable and disgraced dignitaries. There is also some talk of "the exiled" nobles not to be unhappy from their stay in this paradise spot, famous for its wines.

We will taste that famous Melnik wine as well - this irresistible temptation for everybody who has tasted it. And if we are there during grapes picking time will have the chance to assist in producing the wine elixir. Enjoying the coziness of the Lumparov’s House, where we will be accommodated will know more about the history of wine and will take part in some wine rituals from the times of the Thracians.

The magnificent Rozhen Monastery - a real pearl of the Bulgarian Renaissance from 17-18 century is only 6 km away from Melnik.

Day 11 - departure from Melnik and the country

The package includes: 10 full boards, all drinks during meals are included, pick nick food and drinks, local people as guides and all other activities included in the itinerary.

SEASON FESTIVITY TOURS

LEARN TO PAINT ICONS

THE ART
OF THE BULGARIAN EMBROIDERY

NINE DAYS IN THREE
DIFFERENT PLACES

Tour operator and Tour agent license number 05272