ODYSSEIA-IN AND ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS TRAVEL TEAM

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1 ODYSSEIA-IN AND ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS TRAVEL TEAM 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

2 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 homemade 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.

3 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. Included Meals: Dinner Day 2 Pottery Workshop We start the day with a fresh homemade 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. Included Meals: Breakfast, Homemade 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.

4 ODYSSEIA-IN AND ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS TRAVEL TEAM 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! 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 17-18th 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. 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

5 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. 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! Day 8 Sofia Transfer to Sofia Airport. *If time available before flight: short walking city tour of Sofia. Flight back home.

6 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.