Plovdiv & Bachkovo Monastery Tour with Todoroff Wine Tasting

One of the highlights of this tour is Bachkovo Monastery. It is the second largest Bulgarian monastery, and lies in the valley of the Chepelare River (also known by the locals as Chaya), about 10 km to the south of the town of Assenovgrad. It was founded in 1083 by the Byzantine military commander of Georgian origin, Grigorii Bakuriani - and his brother Abazii.

Only the two storey bone vault, which lies about 300m to the east of the present day complex, is still in tact from that time. The bone vault is a must see, due to its unique wall paintings, which rank among the most valuable works of Orthodox art from the 11th-12th centuries. During the times of the Second Bulgarian State, the monastery was patronised by Tsar Ivan Alexander, a portrait of whom can be still seen in the arcs of the bone vault's narthex, due to his renovation of this building. On all sides, the monastery is surrounded by the hills of Rhodopi Mountain, which together with its size and ancient spirit make is one of the most visited monasteries in Bulgaria. 

After breakfast at 9am, the driver and the guide will pick you up from the hotel reception for a 1.5 hour pleasant drive to the city of Plovdiv and the Old Town. During the 2 hour tour you will see the museum city of Plovdiv and its remarkable landmarks.

After this we will continue for another 1 hour drive to the Bachkovo Monastery, erected in a magnificent locality along the reaches of the Assenitsa River (29 km South of Plovdiv). The Bachkovo Monastery ranks second after the Rila Monastery both in size; and in architectural, artistic and literary significance.

After the visit to the Bachkovo Monastery, we will go to the village of Brestovitsa, situated in the heart of Thracia - one of the symbolic villages for Bulgarian wine production. There you will have a wine tasting of 5 types of local wines at Todoroff wine cellar - one of the famous Bulgarian boutique brands, with folklore program provided (if group is 20 or more people) - and a tasty lunch of national Bulgarian cuisine. During this tour you will have a guide speaking your language. As the tour finishes you will depart for Sofia (two hours drive).