Your itinerary

To help you have the travel experience that will be most meaningful to you, we’ve aimed to strike a balance between organized activities and free time to explore. If you want alone time, you’ll have your space. If you want to be with people, Zlatina and I will be out exploring and dining with you :) All our accomodation will be in three- or four-star hotels. You may choose to stay in your own room or with whomever you’re traveling with. 

May 15 We’ll pick up you and the other guests at Sofia airport (aim to arrive in the morning if possible). This is a day to get to know one another as we casually explore Sofia before heading to Plovdiv, where we will stay our first few nights. We'll enjoy coffee and lunch in Sofia and share dinner together in Plovdiv.  

May 16 Don’t eat too much at breakfast because from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. we'll be in food ecstasy on a guided, gourmet tour of local cuisine! You may have the afternoon free to continue exploring, or join us as we visit the merchant houses from the Bulgarian National Revival period, including the Klianti House. These wealthy homes-turned-museums in the Old Town are famous for their colorful exteriors, ornate decorations, and unique architecture. Wandering the cobblestone streets in this area is like stepping back in time. You'll fall in love with the ambiance: historic buildings, art galleries, and artisan shops. We’ll eat a delicious dinner together at 7 p.m. 

May 17 Get excited history lovers! At 10:30 a.m., we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of the city's historic sites, including one of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters. We can chat about everything we learn at lunch together on top of one of the seven hills. After that, you’ll have free time for sightseeing, shopping, or spa-going in Plovdiv. Knyaz Alexander I is Plovdiv's main pedestrian street and one of the longest pedestrian zones in Europe. Lined with beautiful 19th-century architecture, the street is bustling with a mix of fashionable stores, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. We'll come together for an evening stroll through the creative quarter, Kapana, to soak up the arty vibe and live music. 

May 18 We’re day tripping to the Valley of Roses. Stroll through beautifully maintained gardens of roses in full bloom. You'll see firsthand the traditional process of distilling rose oil, a product Bulgaria is world-famous for. Learn about various essential oils produced in the region, including rose, lavender, and mint, and even taste rose-based products like honey and jam. We'll enjoy lunch here together and make a few surprise stops along the way.

May 19 We check out of Plovdiv and head to our spa hotel for two nights in Panagyurishte. The Thracians used the natural springs here for healing and ritual purposes, and modern spa facilities tap into these same waters. On our way, to the village we'll stop at an ancient Thracian temple and the most ancient spa complex in the country. Once we get to our hotel, you have the rest of the day to relax in the spa, which includes two pools, steam baths, saunas, and more. You can also privately book any additional treatments you'd like. 

May 20 Break out the sunglasses, because you haven't seen gold shine like this. We're visiting the ancient Panagyurishte Treasure, dating back to the 4th century BC! This gorgeous gold hoard is usually on a world tour, but it will be at the history museum the day we visit. But the Thracians weren't just carving gold – they were making wine. Thracian wine production goes back at least 4,000 to 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. In the afternoon, we'll sample the country's best wine in modern times at an award-winning winery. 

May 21 We leave in the morning for Sofia, where we will explore the city’s history with a professional guide. Travel through time as you walk past sites like the Banya Bashi Mosque, built during the time of the Ottoman Empire, and the Rotunda of St. George, the oldest building in Sofia, dating back to Roman times. You’ll have time in the afternoon to visit one of the capital city’s many museums. We suggest you book an evening flight to make the most of your day, after 7 p.m. if possible. Or simply continue your journey in Bulgaria!

What's included

6 nights accommodation

airport transfer 

transport around Bulgaria

all entry fees to places we go as a group

local guides

food tour 

wine tasting 

spa access

6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners 

piece of mind — you don’t have to figure out anything on your own 🙌

Not included

flights (see FAQs for top tip)

travel insurance (you need this)

some meals

individual spa treatments, like massage

Your travel buddies

(left) Sarah Mikutel. Hi, it's me! Your travel buddy for this Bulgarian adventure. I'm an American living in England and have been traveling Europe for 20 years. Listen to the Live Without Borders podcast to hear my interviews with other women who've done the same. I love Bulgaria and can't wait to experience more of it with you.

(right) Zlatina Ervenlieva, a fellow expat, Bulgarian native, professional tour guide, and all around amazing woman. Listen to my podcast episode with her for her best advice on what to eat, drink, and do in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She'll be guiding us during our trip around her home country.