Night 1-5
Hotels along the Bulgarian Culture and Cuisine route
A suitable hotel will be chosen each night along the route. Expect hospitality and great meals.
Culture and cuisine are on offer on this Bulgarian adventure
Take a break from regular life and immerse yourself into the simple, happy farm life of Bulgaria on the Bulgarian Culture and Cuisine Tour. During this culture and cuisine tour, you will taste some of the best local meals and wines straight from the source, learn how to prepare them, and have a great time exploring the old traditions of the region. Combine all that with the marvelous scenery of Rila and Pirin mountains, the crystal clear air and the healthy lifestyle here, and you won’t be able to help but relax.
Visits to farms, cooking with the locals, wine tastings–it’s all about the best this region can produce on the Bulgarian Culture and Cuisine Tour!
Arrive at Sofia airport, where your guide will meet you. Pay a visit to the biggest and most important monastery in Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will be able to taste some of the best Mekitsi, which are traditional Bulgarian pastry sweets.
Next is a transfer to a small village deep in the forests, where you will be welcomed in a nice family hotel.
After breakfast it is time for a transfer to the town of Bansko, an old-style settlement now developing as a big ski resort. Short tour of Bansko and lunch in a traditional tavern. Here you will visit the local beekeepers.
Return back to your lovely accommodation as the hosts have some great activities for their guests – you can either be shown typical Bulgarian dishes and how to prepare them or shown the process of making wine and rakia and how the farm is maintained.
Begin with breakfast and transfer to a nearby eco farm, situated beautifully in the forests. Here you will have the opportunity to observe how the farm works and taste all the food produced here – fruits and vegetables, herbs and juices. Later you will prepare your own lunch and the hosts will guide you through the preparation of traditional Bulgarian cold soups (tarator), barbecue, and salads.
In the afternoon, transfer to the nearby village of Dobarsko to visit a “mandra,” a small local factory for Bulgarian yellow and white cheese and also the masters of Bulgarian salamies to taste their products. Return to the family hotel.
Transfer to the picturesque town of Melnik, the Bulgarian wine capital. Tour the magnificent old town of Melnik and the Rojen monastery. Eat lunch in a traditional folklore restaurant.
In the afternoon, it is once again time for tasting. Melnik is the home of world-famous Bulgarian wine cellars. Here you will have the opportunity to try some of the amazing local red wines.
Today you will have a picnic in the woods. A short, pleasant walk will take you to a stunning location in the forests, where you will make your own campfire and prepare lunch. Your guide will tell you more about the wildlife in the Rila Mountains and how to recognize the bird songs.
In the afternoon, return to your nice family hotel.
After breakfast, you’ll head back to Sofia and the airport. Safe travels.
This guided gastro tour in Bulgaria is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price per person depends on the size of your group.
Prices below are per person:
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip will be booked once your reservation has been confirmed.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible (please enquire for the pricing). Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
A suitable hotel will be chosen each night along the route. Expect hospitality and great meals.
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners are included.
Accommodations for 5 nights are included.
All personal and luggage transfers, including airport pick up and drop off, are included.
How hard is the Bulgarian Culture and Cuisine Tour?
We rate this tour as a 1/5. This is a relaxed cuisine and culture tour with no notable physical demands.
Do I need a visa to travel to Bulgaria?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Bulgarian Culture and Cuisine Tour?
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your travel insurance.
How do I get to Sofia to start this tour?
Fly into the Sofia Airport (SOF) where you will be picked up and transferred to your accommodation.
Is the Bulgarian Culture and Cuisine Tour in English?
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
When is the best time to travel to Bulgaria for this tour?
The best time to travel to Bulgaria for this tour is between May and the end of September when the weather is at its warmest.
Where does the Bulgarian Culture and Cuisine Tour end?
The tour ends in Sofia, where you will be taken to the airport.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Bulgaria?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Bulgaria?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.
Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.
Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.
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15 total ratings, 0 with reviewsStephen L.
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We rate this tour as a 1/5. This is a relaxed cuisine and culture tour with no notable physical demands.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Sofia, Bulgaria
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