1-ви ден – 24 юни 2024

Ателие В света на билките, красота и здраве – Етъра и Габрово

Ще се върнем назад във времето. Ще отидем „на гости на смеха“. Ще разберем защо габровските котки  са без опашки. А ти знаеше ли това? Ще разбереш, но почакай – първо ще ти разкажем за красивото българско минало в Етъра.

Отиваме на място, пазещо възрожденските бит и култура. Разхождайки се по тесните калдаръмени улички, ще се запознаем от близо с поминака и занаятите на местните хора. Ще разберем повече за воденичарството, грънчарството и дърворезбата. Ще влезем в занаятчийското училище, ще видим как със своя майсторлък, хората там успяват да запазят традициите. Ще видим как и до ден днешен се използва водата за задвижване съоръжения, а накрая ще можем да се наградим с едни от най-вкусните целувки и ореховки.

След това ще се потопим в света на билките. Ще ни разкажат колко са полезни и как лечебните треви могат да се превърнат лековит мехлем, или ароматен сапун.

За финал – отиваме на гости. „На гости“ на смеха. Габрово е „столицата на хумора“ и там – хуморът и сатирата си имат собствен дом. Ще разберем защо габровските котки са без опашки и ще се забавляваме с местните шеги, изложени в различни експозиции.

Бъди част от нашия незабравим ден!

ПРОГРАМА:

07:30  – Сборен пункт спирката на Чипика

09:30  – Обиколка на АЕК Етъра

12:00  – Обяд

13:00  – Ателие: Билки, Красота и Здраве

15:00  – Посещение на Дом на хумора и саирата

17:00  – Връщане в Ловеч – край на програмата.

2-ри ден – 25 юни 2024

По стъпките на древните римляни – Каньонът на река Чернялка

Готов ли си да преминеш по стъпките на древните римляни? Там, където митове и легенди оживяват. Там, където силата на вятъра и водата, са изваяли чудни скални форми. Там, където имаш усещането, че времето е спряло и се е превърнало в дом на безброй обитатели…

Точно там отиваме! Идваш ли?

Включи се в нашето еднодневно приключение сред природата? Ден, изпълнен с адреналин, пленяващи гледки… и разбира се, много забавни и образователни игри. Ще се любуваме на скалните феномени, които водата и вятърът са създали в продължение на милиони години. Ще научим повече за митичния герой Крали Марко и неговите подвизи покрай река Чернелка. Ще изследваме природата и ще предизвикаме фантазията си. Ще се движим по поречието на реката. Ще я пресичаме многократно по малките дървени мостчета. Ще бъдем смели, ще се промъкваме под скалните мостове, издълбани в скалите. Ще имаме време за почивка, много шеги и много нови игри. Ще учим заедно, докато се наслаждаваме на природата. Ако имаме и късмет, ще срещнем някои от най-редките, защитени животински и растителни видове. Онези, които досега сме виждали само в „Червената книга“.

Как ти звучи? Ние тръгваме, а ти?

ПРОГРАМА:

07:30  – Сборен пункт спирката на Чипика

08:30  – Слагаме раниците на гръб и влизаме в каньона на река Чернялка

12:00  – Обяд сред природата

16:00  – Пристиане в село Къртожабене и отпътуване към Ловеч

17:00  – Връщане в Ловеч – край на програмата.

3-ти ден – 26 юни 2024

Открий твореца в себе си – Деветашко плато и Крушунски водопади

Толкова близо и толкова далеч.

Толкова обширно, а толкова необятно. Деветашко плато ще ни разкрие тайните си.

Приключението ни ще започне от едно от малките, но много привклекателни  селца – Кърпачево. Там ще предизвикаме нашите творчески умения и ще проведем курс по декорация на свещи. Петя ще ни покаже, а всеки един от нас ще си избере мотив , който да декупира върху свещта. В края на заниманието всяко дете собственоръчно е изработило своя шедьовър – красива свещ. Декупажът е един занимателен начин за развиване на творческия потенциал в ранна детска възраст.

От там ще се отправим към дебрите на Деветашкото платото. Ще преминем през красиви поляни и прохладни гори, любувайки се на чудатите релефни форми. Ще достигнем до прохладните сенки на местността Маарата и Крушунските водопади.

Деветашкото плато е богато на пещери. За финал на нашето приключение ще продължим към една от най-големите в страната – Деветашката. Пещерата е едно от най-важни убежища на прилепи в България.

ПРОГРАМА:

07:30  – Сборен пункт спирката на Чипика

09:00  –  Ателие: Декорация на свещи

12:30  –  Обяд сред природата

13:30  – Отправяме се по пътеката към село Крушуна и Крушунски водопади

15:30  – Отпътуване към Деветашка пещера и разходка в пещерата

17:00  – Връщане в Ловеч – край на програмата.

4-ти ден – 27 юни 2024

Петрахиля и Опасният зъб  – Водопад Скока

Знаете ли какво означава Петрахиля? А къде се събират боговете на мълниите? Колко е остър връх Острич и защо носи името си връх Червен.

Ще разберем заедно.

Това са върховете, заобикалящи китното старопланинско градче Тетевен. Потопете се с нас под пръските на водопад „Скока“ и се насладете на зашеметяващите гледки на долината на река бели Вит. Ще се изкачим по скалите на връх Петрахиля, достигайки до заслон „Опасния зъб“. Мястото ще ви стане любимо, а ние ще видим красивия Тетевен от високо.

Ще се изморим, но ще сме доволни. Ще се скрием под сенките в прохладната долина на река Козница. И най- сетне ще достигнем до водопад „Скока“. Ще си направим чуден обяд… сред природата. А може и пикник точно като по филмите. Вкусната храна ще е придружена с много забавни игри и усмивки.

Хайде… Тръгваме…

ПРОГРАМА:

07:30  – Сборен пункт спирката на Чипика.

09:00  – Слагаме раниците на гръб тръгваме към заслон „Опасния зъб“ и обратно

12:00  – Пътуване към водопад „Скока“ – обяд на място

17:00  – Връщане в Ловеч – край на програмата.

5-ти ден – 28 юни 2024

Ателие по грънчарство  – Зелениковски манастир

Правили ли сте физзарядка досега?

Дори и да не сте, сега ще започнем деня със сутрешна гимнастика. Но не в училищния двор, а още по-хубаво – сред природата.

Време е да тръгваме. Навлизаме в дебрите на Нациоанален парк „Централен Балкан“ и резерват „Стенето“. Под сенките на вековните букови гори, пазещи хайдушки тайни от Априлското въстание, покрай буйните води на река Крайовица – ще играем, ще се забавляваме и ще се наслаждаваме на тишината. Достигаме до местността „Зелениковец“, където измежду дърветата се е сгушил Заленовският манастир. Любуваме се на гледките, откриващи се към Балкана, а при хубаво време ще видим върховете Амбарица и Купените.

Ако имаме щастието да не се натъкнем на големите хищници, обитаващи тези гори, се отправяме обратно, за да ги видим, като посетим и разгледаме многообразието на животинските видове в Средна стара плана, в природо-научния музей в село Черни осъм.

След като сме разходили из гората, разгледали сме нейните обитатели в музея, е време да отправим към света на грънците. Ще научим как се правят керамичните съдове. Един от много добре развитите занаяти в Троян и околността, който е запазен през годините. Ще се запознаем е грънчарското колело, ще научим как от глина става чиния и как да я изрисуваме.

Ние тръгваме, а ТИ?

ПРОГРАМА:

07:30  –  Сборен пункт спирката на Чипика

08:30  –  Отправяме се по пътеката към Зелениковкия манастир и обратно

12:00  –  Отпътуваме към село Черни осъм

12:30  –  Обяд

13:30  –  Ателие: Керамика

15:00  –  Посещение на Природо-научен музей

17:00  –  Връщане в Ловеч – край на програмата.

Цени и Общи условия:

Цена за 1 ден: 88 лв. на дете

Пакетна цена за 5 дни: 396 лв. на дете

10% намаление/ на ден са вече включени в пакетната цена

5% намаление/ на второ дете от семейството

*Цените са валидни при група от 10 до 16 деца.

Цената включва: Входни такси за музеи и ателиета, транспорт, застраховка, занимания по програма с планински водачи и инструктори.

Цената НЕ включва: обяд и лични разходи

Срок за записване и заплащане  – 14 Юни 2024г.

Заплащането се прави в размер на 100 % по банков път или офис на ОББ на сметка:

КАРИС ТУР ЕООД, Банка ОББ

IBAN BG41RZBB91551010389843, BIC RZBBBGSF

Необходимо е предварително изпратищане на имейл на info@karistour.com или да ни се обадите по телефон на 0890 16 16 00 с информация за записаното дете. Като основание за плащане посочете името на детето и избрания пакет с дати.

• При анулации от страна на участник до 7 дни преди началната дата, се възстановяват 100% от стойността на услугата.
• При анулации в срок, по-кратък от 7 дни преди началната дата, се възстановяват 70% от стойността на услугата.
• При анулации след началната дата се възстановяват 50 % от стойността на услугата.

Необходима екипировка:

Обувки с грайфер, висок чорап, слънцезащитни пособия – шапки, слънчеви очила, кремове, козирки и др., малка раничка или чантичка с презрамка или за кръста, така, че ръцете да могат да бъдат свободни, дъждобран.

Участниците трябва да са клинично здрави и екипирани с подходящи за сезона дрехи.

Програмата е подходяща за деца на възраст от 6 години.

Заниманията се водят от опитни специалисти и са съобразени с възрастовите особености и възможности на децата. Програмата е добре балансирана комбинация от творчески ателиета, преходи, комбинирани игри и тренинги за изграждане и затвърждаване на умения и навици за самостоятелно решаване на проблемни ситуации и работа в екип в природна среда.

Планинските водачи и ръководители могат да променят маршрута и заниманията в зависимост от обстоятелствата или метереологичните условия.

One of the most picturesque old villages in Bulgaria was founded in the 14th century, when Bulgaria fell under Ottoman rule. It is an architectural ensemble of 250 decorated houses, dating from the period of the Bulgarian Renaissance. Artistic renaissance, but also political. It was here that in April 1876 the insurrection against the Ottomans was declared which then led to the liberation of Bulgaria.

Koprivshtitsa, this village with a name so difficult to pronounce, is nevertheless lined with cobbled alleys and magnificent trees. Its National Awakening-style house-museums are colored in blue, orange and red, with interior courtyards immersed in greenery and tall stone walls.

You can walk around the village to admire the architecture of the beautiful houses, the cobbled streets, the fountains and meet the locals, for a trip back in time.

Or visit the homes of famous Bulgarians, who played an important role in the history of Bulgaria.

Another option that we recommend is to take a hike around the city to enjoy the mountainous landscape.

Koprivshtitsa is shrouded in myths and legends related to the origins of the city:

The first legend says that where the roads between three villages crossed were fairy meadows. A family with their herds called “jupa” decides to settle here. Thus was born the colony, which later became Koprivshtitsa. Over the years, the number of inhabitants increases and to this day one of the districts of the city is called Jupata.

The second legend says that the lush meadows of the region attract the attention of a boyar woman, who decides it is an excellent place for herding. She asks for a decree from the sultan, by which she becomes the ruler of the village, and the sultan gives her the first name Avratalan (meaning “lawn of the Lady”). The village enjoys great privileges thanks to its sovereign. Here, a Turk with a shod horse did not set foot and the inhabitants were allowed to bear arms. Due to her great merit, the boyar woman was called The Sultan.

Another legend has it that the city was founded by refugees who are the descendants of great Bulgarian merchant families (which would to some extent explain why so many famous people were born here). Among the refugees were three pastors named Lambo, Toroman and Arnautin. They created families that have grown over the years and today neighborhoods bear their names: Toroman Mahala, Lambovska and Arnaut Mahala.

Check out our tours with visit to Koprivshtitsa or ask us to organize your tailor-made trip:

• Tour CULTURE & TRADITIONS / 8 days

http://karistour.com/packages/culture-traditions/

• Tour The Greater Balkan / 6 Days

http://karistour.com/packages/the-greater-balkan-6-days/

The historic summit of Buzludzha (1,441 m above sea level) is located in the Great Balkan mountain range. The region has been the epicenter of some of the most important historical events of the past 150 years in Bulgaria. The final battle between Hadji Dimitar’s rebels and the Turks in 1868, the battle for the Shipka Pass in 1877-1878 and the founding of the Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers’ Party in 1891 are among them. This is what aroused great interest in the region at the end of the 19th century.

Taking into account the historical past of the summit, it was decided to build a new monumental complex there. Thus, in 1962, a state order was placed with a competition. It was won by architect Georgi Stoilov, but the project was not completed until 1974. Twelve years after the competition, Georgi Stoilov was again called in to carry out the project. His idea is to create a sustainable design. The style is largely influenced by the growing popularity of brutalism across Europe.

The architectural appearance of the monument is extreme minimalist. It consists of clean shapes and smooth surfaces, the selected materials are concrete, steel and glass. More than 70,000 t of concrete, 3,000 t of steel and 40 t of glass were invested in the implementation of the project. Project, financed mainly by voluntary funds, raised through compulsory contributions from the entire population, from students to retirees.

Almost 500 soldiers from the military make up three quarters of the work force at the site, as well as 60 Bulgarian artists, who have collaborated on the design of murals at the site. Construction, which took almost seven years, due to its structural complexity and the very harsh weather during winter in Bulgaria.

The main volume is a domed structure, resembling a saucer according to many. The building is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. It rises to a height of 107 m. At the same time, a 68.5-meter python rises at one end of the “plate”, and its 16-meter bases provide additional rigidity to the supporting structure. At the top of the pylon is a panoramic site, which reveals an incredible view of the Balkans.

Two huge stars, symbols of socialist power, in ruby ​​glass were installed at the top of the pylon. They would be 3 times larger than the famous red stars of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin. They were also lit by powerful searchlights, with speculative claims that on a clear day could be seen from the Romanian banks of the Danube and northern Greece.

Communist “slogans”:

The first verse of the International inscribed at the entrance is a song of revolutionary struggle used by all communist countries. “Workers of all countries, unite! “, This sentence supplemented by” You have nothing to lose, except your chains “concludes the Manifesto of the Communist Party published in 1948 by Karl Marx. Added to this are the designs of the mosaics, telling of the communist era in Bulgaria.

After the fall of communism in the late 1980s, the monument, like many buildings linked to the regime of the previous fifty years, was abandoned. Bouzloudja has been abandoned, looted and forgotten because it is a part of the past that many people prefer to forget.

In 2020, the vulnerable mosaics of Buzludzha were stabilized thanks to a second funding from the Getty Foundation. $ 60,000 has been allocated to the preservation of one of the largest mosaics in Europe.

The first step is to clean the main spaces. Document and collect all mosaic stones and valuable soil features. Thus, the building is prepared for the next activities – strengthening of mosaics and temporary protective coating on them.

BEFORE – AFTER

Photos: Facebook Проект Бузлуджа / Buzludzha project

Photos: Facebook Проект Бузлуджа / Buzludzha project

How to reach Buzludzha on your own

The fastest and most convenient way to reach Buzludzha is by car. There isn’t public transportation to Buzludzha monument. It is possible also to take a train to the small town of Kazanlak, which is located approximately 20 km away from the monument. From Kazanlak you can take a taxi or hike up to the peak of Buzludzha. Please note that it is currently not possible for visitors to go inside the Buzludzha monument.

If you need a private transfer or a guide you can contact us, we are available to assist you.

We travel back in time between the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire.

The Thracians founded the city of Melsambria in the 12th century BC. AD – a small rocky island. At first it was a small fishing village with two ports where the remains of old ships are still found. The Thracians called it that, which means the city of Melsas – the name of its founder. The Greeks took over from 510 BC. AD then the Romans and the Byzantines, who made it a crossing point between Constantinople and the Danube for merchant ships. It is this period bequeathed to it its breathtaking heritage and these ocher and white churches which make its characteristic.

Nowadays, the city is much larger and extends beyond the island part of old Nessebar. The old island is today a peninsula connected to the mainland by a 400-meter isthmus, in the middle of which rises the symbol of the city – the old windmill. The mill is one of two preserved buildings from the time of Turkish slavery. The mill body has massive walls, built of crushed stone, excavated on site, and a massive oak log ladder leads to the second floor, which was once a living space.

The old town of Nessebar gives many opportunities for a pleasant leisure time. In days of bad weather, and not only, visiting museums are an ideal option.

 It is not difficult to understand why Balchik was chosen during the 20s of the last century by the Romanian queen for her summer residence, a real palace surrounded by a wonderful park. Laid out on a terrace, the garden is home to a multitude of Mediterranean plant species, exotic and sometimes rare. It is also dotted with pavilions, watermills, and a charming Venetian-style culvert.

A unique collection attracts the attention of visitors from all over the world – on an area of 800 square meters there is a permanent exhibition of cacti and succulents. It is the second largest in Europe after Monaco. Here you can see unique plants, some of which bloom once every 100 years, as well as winter hardy cacti, which are also an interesting sight, given that we are used to seeing them in the desert. . Over 400 of the species in this section are protected globally, and some are unique, such as the Galapagos cactus.

Queen Mary’s Summer Palace is a picturesque seaside villa in Baltchik.

Open hours:
Every day: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
April, September – until 7 p.m.
May, August – until 8 p.m.

Tickets:
Adults – BGN 14 for both sites (BGN 8 for the gardens and BGN 6 for the palace)
Children up to 7 years old – Free
Children from 7 to 18 years old, students and retirees – BGN 5 for both sites
Guided tour – 18 BGN.

It is located in the northeast of Bulgaria on the Black Sea and 60 km from Varna.

This unique cliff retains the traces of several civilizations, a chapel and a fortification. In the first century of our era, the Romans conquered the lands of the Thracians and gave Kaliakra the name of Akros Castellum. The outskirts of the land were protected by three rows of fortress walls. By creating their state, the Slavs and Proto-Bulgarians included Kaliakra in it. At the end of the 14th century, after fierce battles, the fortress was taken by the Turks.

Then was born the legend of the 40 Bulgarian girls, who preferred death to dishonor and jumped into the abyss with braided hair. In their memory, at the beginning of Cape Kaliakra, there is an obelisk called “The Gate of the 40 Virgins”.

Today you can go under the arch at the entrance to the fortress and get to know its history in more detail. One of the caves has been turned into a museum, which houses an archaeological exhibit and contains finds found during excavations.

Besides archeology, Kaliakra is also a nature reserve with an area of ​​nearly 700 decarres. The flora here is represented by more than 400 species of plants, and more than 300 birds have been found in its territory. Of these, 106 are of European conservation importance and 100 require special measures to protect their habitats. The area is part of the second largest migration route in Europe – Via Pontica, which passes tens of thousands of birds each year, including storks, cranes, golden eagles, hawks and more. The permanent inhabitants of the place are the Aristotelian cormorant, and from the rocks you can watch the dolphins.

The Kaliakra Archaeological Reserve is one of the 100 national tourist sites.

The slight reddish tint of the rocky slopes gives a unique charm and character. The bizarre shape of the nose has sparked the imagination of the people who created the legend of Saint Nicholas. He was fleeing the Turks and getting closer to the sea. God saw that he was in danger and began to expand the land to help him. This is how the nose was formed. Today, where the saint was captured and beheaded, a chapel is erected in his honor.

Another legend is associated with Lysimachus – one of the generals of Alexander the Great, who seizes the royal treasure and fled to Cape Kaliakra. He perishes in a great storm, or the whole fleet also sinks in Kaliakra. Ships from Russia and Turkey also sunk in this area during the Russo-Turkish War.

You can take a break in the on-site restaurant, which offers a magnificent view of the sea.

Hours:

April 1 – October 31:

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. without a day off.

The rest of the year the museum is closed.

Tickets:

Adults – 3 BGN

Children – 1.50 BGN.

Guided tour – 10 BGN.

We will immerse ourselves in the romance of the well-preserved historical and natural sights on the northern Black Sea coast with the Yaylata National Archaeological Reserve.

Yaylata, a walk haunted by the spirit of ancient history could recharge your energy. The site was declared a National Archaeological Reserve in 1989. It covers a large area, starting north of the village of Kamen Bryag and extending south to the Rusalka holiday resort. The reserve is located on a picturesque height above the sea with 60 meters of massive rocks.

The Yaylata site is surrounded by a lot of history. Legend has it that the Roman poet Ovid, exiled to the city of Tomis (now Constanţa) by Emperor Augustus, spent his last days on Yayla. His friends took him out of the town of Tomis by boat. Ovid took refuge in Yailata Bay and was hidden from the locals.

NATURE

“Yaylata” not only preserves cultural and historical monuments, but is also a unique natural resource. The flora and fauna are diverse. The migratory route of birds via Pontica also passes here. Many tourists who are interested in biology come here. Others just want to enjoy the beautiful view of the flowers. The place is very pretty towards the end of April, when it is colored by the flowers which grow there en masse. During the summer in the sea you can see a lot of dolphins because it is a place where they are not worried by anyone.

THE CAVES

On the territory of the reserve, there are a large number of caves carved by hand or grouped into complexes. Only in Golyama Yaila there are 101. The caves are located on several levels in the steep slopes. They have been used for millennia as dwellings, some as tombs or churches. At the beginning of the Byzantine period – V – VI century, they served as a monastery.

VIA PONTICA

Almost 70% of the birds inhabiting the European continent can be observed in Bulgaria due to the ornithological routes of transcontinental migration that cross our country – Via Pontica and Via Aristotelis, the wetlands along the Bulgarian Black Sea and Danube coast. , as well as the various natural conditions in the interior. The most suitable places for viewing are along the Danube coast and along the northern Black Sea coast (including Yailata, Cape Kaliakra).

The Via Pontica is the second busiest migration route in Europe. After Gibraltar (Spain), most of the birds of Europe and Asia pass through this migration corridor. The Via Pontica runs along the Black Sea coast.

At the very beginning of the reserve there is a parking lot and an information center where, in addition to buying a ticket, you can receive detailed information about the site.

The Thracians are tribes that settled in the region under the name Thrace, south of the Balkan Mountains, since the Bronze Age. Over the centuries, they have been absorbed by the most powerful cultures of Greece, Persia, and the Roman Empire. The earliest mention of the Thracian tribe was in Homer’s famous Iliad, where the Thracians were an ally of the Trojans in the Trojan War against the ancient Greeks.

Today, the presence of Thracians can still be felt through the numerous shrines, tombs, and settlement remnants found in Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey.

THRACIAN TOMB OF KAZANLAK

We start with the first Bulgarian monument included in the UNESCO World Treasury. Discovered by chance in 1944, it is a true masterpiece of Thracian architecture and painting, dating from the 3rd century BC. You can easily see it; it is located in a small park city of Kazanluk. It is important to mention that the visit is authorized only in the nearby museum that represents a copy of the architecture of the tomb and its decoration of frescoes.

The tholos has a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber, both decorated with murals representing Thracian burial rituals and culture. These paintings are Bulgaria’s best-preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period.

This monument is the only one of its kind in the whole world. The exceptionally well-preserved frescoes and the original condition of the structure reveal the remarkable evolution and high degree of perfection of the culture and pictorial art of Hellenistic Thrace.

Helvetia and Griffons’ mounds (just east of Shipka) with perfectly preserved chambers and antechambers, dated to 4th century BC and open for visitors in 2017, with a preservation shelter build on each as well as a modern mini-museum near the entrance.

TOMB OF SEUTHES III

This funeral complex is among the most imposing in Thrace. It includes a rectangular monolithic burial chamber built like a sarcophagus, and two anterooms built in cut stone, one circular, the other quadrangular and preceded by a monumental facade. A long access corridor (dromos) also preceded by a monumental facade was added at a later stage.

At the entrance we find a bronze statue head representing a man with an aquiline nose, harmonious features, thick curly hair, long beard and mustaches. The exceptional mastery of the work places this head among the masterpieces of Hellenistic monumental sculpture. This is the most amazing finding here and it is believed to be done in order to recreate the myth of Orpheus. According to the legend, after his death, Orpheus’ head could tell what the future holds. The symbolic decapitation of the bronze statue could be done with the legend in mind – to initiate Seuthes the 3rd into the Thracian Orphism – a mystic teaching which promises eternal bliss in the afterlife.

OSTROUCHA TOMB

Another Thracian tomb with frescoes is the Ostrusha tomb, a few kilometres south-east of Shipka town. Due to ancient and modern tomb raiders, there is only a fresco of a woman left preserved. The tomb is from the 4th century BC and is hewn of a monolith, with another monolith on top as a roof.

The construction under the tumulus was discovered in 1993 and represents a complex of tomb-worship extended on a ground of 100 m². It consists of six rooms, one of which is the sarcophagus room. In front of the complex many broken pottery are revealed.

The coffered ceiling of the central burial chamber is very impressive. It includes exquisite murals – human portraits, compositions of people and animals. The tomb was looted in Antiquity, only the southwest part remains intact. A horse with rich horse ammunition, a gold plated collar and two silver vessels were found.

CHOUCHMANETZ TOMB

Just east of Shipka is the Shoushmanets tomb, an astonishing representation of the Thracian architecture. Excavated in 1996, this tomb begins with a wide corridor leading to a semi-cylindrical vault with a round dome covered in shine white plaster.

The ritual complex dates back to the 4th century BC and was used as a tomb. Its uniqueness is due to its architectural solution – the only Thracian temple with columns both in the vestibule and in the round chamber. The surfaces are covered with fine, white, glossy plaster. The plastic decoration of semi-columns and pilasters reflects the religious and philosophical conceptions of the Thracians for the construction of the world.

The tombs are in the direction of the town of Shipka, about ten kilometers north of Kazanlak and 15 minutes by car. It takes about 20 minutes per site. The tombs can be visited from 9:00 – 17:00 (local time) every day of the week.

In Google Maps, the places are easily located. Signs on the main road also give directions – Thracian tomb Shushmanets, Tomb of Seuthes III, Thracian tomb Griffins, Thracian tomb Ostrusha.

Do not hesitate to contact us for dates and to organize your stay in Bulgaria. Your program can be combined with visiting the lavender or rose fields in Bulgaria, the city of Kazanlak and the history of the Bulgarian rose or seeing an abandoned Soviet treasure in Bulgaria.

There are packages with a visit to the lavender / rose fields, meeting the owner of the garden, demonstrating lavender oil extraction and tasting lavender tea. See more here. 

Discover our suggestions for trips to Kazanlak and the valley of the Thracian kings:

The Greater Balkan, Self-drive tour 6 Days – here

Culture & Traditions, Self-drive tour 8 Days – here

Highlights of Bulgaria, Self-drive tour 10 Days – here

Group tour, Highlights of Bulgaria – here

The first information on the treatment of lavender in Bulgaria dates back to 1905. To obtain 1 kg of lavender oil, at least 100 kg of flowers are necessary. Its extraction lasts about 2 hours. For the quality of the oil, in addition to the technology, it is important that the flowers have flowered and harvested in sunny weather at noon and that the distillation is carried out as soon as possible after harvest. It is therefore that the distillery is close to the plantations.

Near the town of Karlovo are the most purple fields in Bulgaria with the fragrant plant. The flower has conquered the whole region and covers more than 5,000 hectares. One of the greatest Bulgarian traditions takes place here – the lavender festival. Each year the date is set in advance according to the weather.

We offer you a little virtual walk to share with you the beauty of this aromatic plant and make you travel despite the current circumstances.

The lavender festival in Karlovo begins early in the morning in the lavender fields. Girls in traditional costumes welcome guests with bread and salt and give a sprig of lavender. Kukeri (costumed Bulgarian men who perform traditional rituals to scare away evil spirits) and groups of Bulgarian singers, dressed in their traditional outfits, delight in their rhythms. The ancient ritual “Lavender harvest” is reproduced there. This ritual marks the beginning of the harvest of the aromatic herb. It has deep roots associated with beliefs in the miraculous healing and loving power of herbs, in the vital power of water, and in the ordinances of sun worship.

From the lavender fields, the party continues in one of the old houses of the city with demonstrations to see how to boil the lavender flower and then obtain lavender oil. The “Pateva House” is thus called the house of flowers and herbs, it is part of the architectural tourist complex “Old Karlovo”. The lavender fairy welcomes guests there. Throughout the festival, Bulgarian manufacturers will exhibit their products. A rich program of folk songs and dances is organized. Groups of amateurs, in national costumes, present different rites of country life.

Do not hesitate to contact us to find out the dates and organize your stay in Bulgaria. There are packages with a visit to the lavender fields, meeting with the owner of the garden, demonstration of the extraction of lavender oil, and tasting of lavender tea.

The program can be combined with a visit to the Thracian tombs in the region, the city of Kazanlak and the history of the Bulgarian rose, or even see an abandoned Soviet treasure in Bulgaria.

Discover our suggestions for trips to Kazanlak and the valley of the Thracian kings:

The Greater Balkan, Self-drive tour 6 Days – here

Culture & Traditions, Self-drive tour 8 Days – here

Highlights of Bulgaria, Self-drive tour 10 Days – here

Group tour, Highlights of Bulgaria – here

is used exclusively for dress decoration. It is geographically differentiated depending on decoration, execution, color and composition. Typical features of embroidery, however, are plant and geometric patterns and their skillful technical fashioning. The artistic effect is achieved mainly through the interplay of colors. As in the case of folk songs, the rhythmic wealth is the result of arrangement and combination of hues: ranging from the soft shades of autumn gold, to the dark infusion of walnut leaves, from the pale shades to vivid color contrasts. Still, the red always prevails.

City of Lovech

We will visit an authentic Bulgarian house from 1821 with the status of a cultural monument. In the old town of Lovech, in the Varosha architectural and historical reserve.

In the midst of the privacy, the calm and authentic atmosphere of the Renaissance, we will be welcomed by Stefka and Stanimir. Art teachers, they devote themselves to traditional Bulgarian crafts.

WOOL PROCESSING

‘’Plusti’’

The creation of ‘’ ’plusti’ ’objects from non-woven fabrics is a traditional Bulgarian craft. ‘’ ’Plusti’ ’is a non-woven fabric produced by matting, condensing and pressing wool fibers. Stefka will explain to us the needs of crafts, its evolution over the centuries, the materials and skills needed, as well as its application today.

Practical activity: Demonstration and making of a bracelet, brooch or earrings with “plusti”. The lesson can be individual or in a team.

BULGARIAN EMBROIDERY 

‘’Shevitsa’’

Stefka will explain the importance and application of ’Shevitsa’ in everyday Bulgarian life, followed by a more detailed explanation of its symbolism. The ’Shevitsa’ was an integral part of the Bulgarian national dress and lifestyle. Colorful and fascinatingly beautiful, it is a national value that preserves the memory of the people and tells their story through symbols and colors.

Practical activity:

Draw a ’Shevitsa’ ’on a wooden or ceramic tile with the appropriate tools.

The lesson can be individual or in a team.

Traditional Bulgarian costumes

Dance School “Byala Anasta”

Until about sixty years ago, the Bulgarian folk costume was a kind of identity document. Its distinctive characteristics clearly indicate from which region a person comes or even if he is married or not. The dots on the clothes were not only patterns, but ancient patterns passed down from generation to generation. Few people know how old this tradition is and Chris Kostov of “Byala Anasta” dance school will tell you about it.

Team game: Collect the folk costume sets from several regions correctly

Photos: Andrey Andreev Photography