Dear World Travelers:

Come with us to the Valley of Roses as the sweet scent at the peak of blossoms welcomes you to Bulgaria. Ever loyal to our commitment to make you part of magnificent cultures and help you befriend open-minded people, we have included in our program an in-depth cultural tour of Bulgaria. Always part of the cradle of European Civilization, Bulgaria has nonetheless remained relatively unknown to Americans. Our discovery trip through the charming towns and millennia-old cities of Bulgaria will introduce you to interesting people excited to share the secrets of their country.

Since you may only make one trip to Bulgaria, we want to make it as memorable as possible. Therefore we have a full program with many extras. Enjoy excellent accommodations including the Arbanassi Palace, formerly the Bulgarian president’s home. Also stay at the Euxinograd Residence, formerly the summer palace of the Bulgarian kings. Our private coach and driver will be at your disposal and you’ll have your luggage handled without a care.

Some of the special features that distinguish this exciting cultural program are a private choir concert in an Orthodox Church where you can almost see the music swirl in the vaulted ceilings; a spectacular private folklore performance of music and dance; and performances of musicians to accompany some of the meals. Oh yes, the meals! Dine sumptuously at the Hunting Lodge of Euxinograd Palace and at Efrosina’s 250-year old mansion, a private residence visited by invitation only to diplomats, nobility and distinguished guests such as you! We’ll savor great food and wine. Whether it is a beef and vegetable stew, slow-cooked in a traditional ceramic pot, or an elegant fish entrée, all our meals will be accompanied by award-winning Bulgarian wines and pure spring water for which Bulgaria is famous.

Bulgaria’s past, present and future are forever marked by the country’s strategic location at the crossroads of major civilizations: between Classical Greek, Imperial Rome and majestic Byzantium. Lesser-known societies also flourished and became centers of admiration for historians, archeologists and the general public interested in the origins of European culture. Bulgaria proudly preserves the remnants of the Thracian, Macedonian and Celtic civilizations.

Together we’ll discover the enchanting land of Orpheus (the magical musician of antiquity), Dionysus (the God of Wine), and the rebellious Spartacus. With this trip, we’ll have the pleasure of immersing ourselves in these well- and lesser-known cultures. Forget the myth that former communist states are gray and drab. The country fairly bursts with color. In Varna we’ll see the world’s first gold treasures and the Gold Treasures of the Thracian Kings. We’ll discover how the majestic faces of the Bulgarian Emperors on the frescos in the Boyana Church were predecessors of the Renaissance. We’ll marvel at the artistic wealth of the Eastern Orthodox churches and monasteries. The visual backdrops of our journey will be the majestic castles in Veliko Turnovo, a Roman amphitheater in Plovdiv, and Greek colonnades. They break forth from an idyllic landscape and modern cityscapes. The Bulgarians invariably find a friendly way to share their culture with us. We can always learn something new and exciting from one another.

We’ll gladly assist with air arrangements from your home city and provide extensive preparation material including a study packet. Please join our small group of no more than 15 travelers led by our wonderful guide, Rumi, and enjoy the charm of the Seven Wonders of Bulgaria!

Gwen Erwood

President, Travel Concepts International