Bulgaria Crafts and Traditions

“ODYSSEIA-IN” AND “ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS” TRAVEL TEAM SOFIA 1000, 20-V “А L. STAMBOLIISKI ”, (ENTRANCE FROM “L AVELE ” STR .) ТЕL: +359 2 989 05 38, FAX : +359 2 980 32 00 www.hiking-bulgaria.com E-mail: [email protected]

BULGARIA CRAFTS AND TRADITIONS

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS • Accommodation in Green Lodge Guesthouse • Traditional crafts and workshops by locals • Walks in the Balkan Range Pan Park • Veliko Tarnovo Castle and the Crafts Street • Troyan Orthodox Monastery – third biggest in Bulgaria

TRIP SUMMARY

Bulgaria is a land of crafts and traditions. Art exists in our everyday life by paintings and icons on the walls, wood carved doors and spoons, ceramic pots for cooking the traditional dishes: gyuveche and kavurma. This trip will show you a different Bulgaria: colorful, tasty, filled with bagpipe sounds and aroma of wood! For a week of art you will take your mind off worries and immerse yourself into the creations of something beautiful. You will learn to make pottery, to paint icons, to carve woods and to dance “horo”. You will also taste the best home- made food: banitsa, sarmichki, yogurt…and will stay in a century old traditional house built by natural materials: wood and stones. You will get in touch with locals who have dedicated their lives to keeping the crafts and traditions of Bulgaria alive. Hopefully, at the end of this trip you will be another one of these messengers of the Balkan Arts.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Troyan Orthodox Monastery Our trip will start from Sofia Capital. From there we will have a direct transfer to Apriltsi village hidden in the Northern footsteps of the Balkan Range. On our way we will visit the third biggest Ortodox Sanctuary in Bulgaria – Troyan Monastery. The monastery guards a miraculous 17 th c. icon of the Three-handed Virgin. Later, we will enjoy the colorful collection in the unique for Bulgaria National Crafts Museum of Troyan. The museum is situated in a 19 th c. old house with traditional Revival Architecture. Each hall reveals us a new craft: pottery, woodcarving, traditional folk dresses, and icon painting. Night stop: Apriltsi village Accommodation: Family-run hotel Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Pottery Workshop We start the day with a fresh home- made breakfast. Later we will enter into the crafty world of the pottery. The region of Troyan and Apriltsi is famous for its pottery. Works from the Troyan pottery masters is recognised internationally. One of these masters will be our teacher who will show us the main techniques of pottery art. At the end of our workshop we will have the opportunity to take home our pottery. Night stop: Apriltsi village Accommodation: Family-run hotel Included Meals: Breakfast, Home- made Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Bulgarian Folk Dances One of the best ways to discover the real Bulgarian spirit and traditions is through Bulgarian Folklore. By learning Bulgarian folk dances, you will get in touch with the Bulgarian everyday life from the last centuries. You will be introduced to the world of Bulgarian folk dancing by a personal tutor, who will show you the steps of the most common Horo. With a few steps of Bulgarian Horo you can easily enjoy taking part in local celebrations and festivities. It is fun and easy! This workshop is ideal for beginners. Night stop: Apriltsi village “ODYSSEIA-IN” AND “ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS” TRAVEL TEAM SOFIA 1000, 20-V “А L. STAMBOLIISKI ”, (ENTRANCE FROM “L AVELE ” STR .) ТЕL: +359 2 989 05 38, FAX : +359 2 980 32 00 www.hiking-bulgaria.com E-mail: [email protected]

Accommodation: Family-run hotel Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4 Iconpainting Workshop Iconography as a form of religious art is special. It uses the beauty of the image to reach the spiritual dimension within us. It is more than just an artistic process, it is a spiritual journey for the artist. And a beautiful icon carries a message that is sublime. We will start the workshop with presentation of Ortodox traditions: iconography, praying, holidays. Later on, we will try to create an icon by using only wood, color and faith! Night stop: Apriltsi village Accommodation: Family-run hotel Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5 Veliko Tarnovo – Crafts Capital of Bulgaria Today we will leave our workshop activities for a while to make a short visit to the Old Capital of Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo. The town is famous for its medieval castle-fortress called “Tzarevetz” and its craftsman’s street “Samovodska charshia”. There we will observe the craftsman in action. Veliko Tarnovo will encharm you with its steep cobbled streets and its dynamic art life. In the afternoon, we will visit Arbanassi village, situated on a nearby hill. The village is declared architectural reserve with houses representing the Bulgarian Renaissance from 17-18 th century. The most outstanding house-museum in the village is Konstantzaliev’s house-museum. At the end of our tour we will visit the “Nativity of the Virgin” church with its beautiful frescoes. Later in the afternoon: transfer back to Apriltsi village. Night stop: Apriltsi village Accommodation: Family-run hotel Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 Northern Djendem Nature Reserve

After breakfast we will have a short transfer to the starting point of our hike. The path will lead us to the picturesque Pleven Hut, from where we will be revealed one of the most stunning views to Peak Botev (2376m – the highest in the Balkan Range). During our walk we will enjoy one of the best preserved beech forests in Europe. The trail is part of “Northern Hell” Nature “ODYSSEIA-IN” AND “ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS” TRAVEL TEAM SOFIA 1000, 20-V “А L. STAMBOLIISKI ”, (ENTRANCE FROM “L AVELE ” STR .) ТЕL: +359 2 989 05 38, FAX : +359 2 980 32 00 www.hiking-bulgaria.com E-mail: [email protected]

Reserve – with steep slopes and jugged rocks. Once we arrive at the hut we will have picnic lunch and descend back to the bus for a relaxing afternoon. Night stop: Apriltsi village Accommodation: Family-run hotel Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 Woodcarving Workshop Woodcarving is one of the best guarded Bulgarian traditions. In the past it was a major craft, especially in the mountain villages along the Balkan Range. This workshop will reveal you the beauty of the small details and the aroma of wood. The piece of art that will come upon your hands will be a life time present and a good memory from Bulgaria! Night stop: Apriltsi village Accommodation: Family-run hotel Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 Sofia

Transfer to Sofia Airport. *If time available before flight: short walking city tour of Sofia. Flight back home.

Prices: 599 EUR (valid for a group of 6 people)

*All prices indicated are per person in a double room *Supplement for Single Room – 55 EUR

Prices Include Accommodation in double room in a family-run hotel in Apriltsi village; 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners; 4 home-made lunches during workshops and 1 picnic lunch during hike 4 workshops: pottery, icon painting, woodcarving, folklore dances English-speaking guide during the whole trip; Transfers and drives according to itinerary. Museum entry fees: Troyan Museum, Tsarevets Fortress, Konstantsalieva House- Museum, Arbanassi Church

Prices Exclude Flight and taxes; Failing meals; Alcoholic and soft drinks;

Essential Info Accommodation 7 nights in a family-run hotel. Double or twin rooms with ensuite WC/shower. Transport Depending on group size – either a mini van or mini bus. Meals 7 breakfasts; 7 dinners; 4 lunches; 1 picnic lunch Staff English-speaking guide and driver are included Age Restriction This trip is suitable for children and adults, without restriction in age.

Group Size 1 person and above Operator Remarks This tour can be easily tailored depending on your preferences. If you would like to make a longer or shorter trip this can be easily arranged.