Performance Tour of BULGARIA
MAY 28 - JUNE 5, 2025
Perform in Bulgaria with your choir!
Embark on a captivating springtime journey to the Balkan and Strandja mountains, where rose blossoms are at their peak. Participate in the world-renowned Rose Festival, the largest and most significant flowering event, held in the picturesque Valley of Roses at the foot of the Balkan Mountains. This region is famed for producing most of the world's rose oil, with the unique Damascus rose, known for its precious essential oil found in it's petals. These pink and white roses bloom for only three weeks each year, with skilled workers meticulously harvesting up to 40 kg of petals each day before the heat sets in. The freshly picked petals are distilled the same day to extract the valuable oil, which is worth more than gold. During the festival, the valley blossoms with vibrant folklore events, offering a rich cultural experience through traditional music, dance, and celebrations.
In addition to the Rose Festival, your Bulgarian journey will take you to the Thracian Valley of the Kings, where ancient history comes to life amidst stunning landscapes. We'll explore the beautiful mountains, dense forests, and the serene Black Sea seashore, all while discovering the fascinating history of Bulgaria through its rich folklore, poetry, music, and dance. Witness spectacular performances that showcase the heart and soul of Bulgarian culture and share your music with locals in picturesque venues. Join us on tour for an unforgettable blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage!
PROPOSED TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 | Wednesday, May 28
Depart the Boston Airport on Austrian Air Flight #92 at 5:10pm, an overnight flight bound for Sofia, Bulgaria!
Select meals, snacks, and refreshments will be served on board the flight.
Be sure to read through the great tips and travel information in your Music Contact International handbook!
DAY 2 | Thursday, May 29
Land in Vienna at 7:10am and change planes. Depart Vienna on Austrian Air Flight #795 at 9:10am.
Upon arrival at the Sofia airport at 11:40am, your Music Contact International tour manager & full time local guide will greet your group in the arrivals hall. Together, board your waiting motor coach and gather your first impressions of bustling Sofia, the capitol city of Bulgaria. Take time for lunch prior to embarking on your tour of the capitol city.
Your Bulgarian adventure begins at the Museum of National History, near Mount Vitosha, where ancient artifacts and modern exhibits provide an excellent introduction to Bulgaria's captivating history.
Next. unearth the secrets of ancient Sofia by exploring the fascinating Ancient Roman complex of Serdica. Spanning 9,000 square meters, the site is the only other restored-Roman city in a European capitol apart from Rome. Explore centuries-old ruins and relics that reveal the city's storied past, and gain a unique glimpse into the lives of those who once walked these paths. Walk the ancient Decamanus Maximus, the main road of the Roman city, which prospered between the 1st and 6th centuries AD.
Later on, check in to your hotel and refresh from today's long journey. Tonight, a festive welcome dinner of local fare is planned for your group at a nearby restaurant or your hotel.
Following dinner, enjoy an evening concert of Bulgarian and Balkan folk music, featuring the the acclaimed musical group, Asen and Milena.
DAY 3 | Friday, May 30
Begin each day of your tour with a delicious breakfast served in your hotel.
This morning, check out of your hotel and make your way to the beautiful town of Hisarya, driving along the majestic Balkan mountain range that stretches across the heart of the Balkan Peninsula.
En route, visit a reconstructed Neolithic village dating back thousands of years. Home to some of the most ancient houses in the world, you'll get a glimpse into the lives of one of Europe's earliest agriculture communities.
Next, make a stop in the picturesque and historic village of Koprivshtitsa. Nestled in the Sredna Gora mountain range and lying along the Topolnitsa River, Koprivshtitsa is a charming town known for its authentic Bulgarian architecture from the Revival Period, traditional folk music, and its pivotal role in fighting for the country's independence from Ottoman rule. Every five years, musicians, artists, and craftsmen from across the country gather for the National Festival of Bulgarian Folklore, which has been held in the village since 1965.
Continue on, making stops at the Thracian Temple at Starosel and a nearby underground wine temple, renown for its superb acoustics. Voices in Harmony will perform an afternoon concert* for guests in this beautiful setting.
Upon arriving in Hisarya, check in to your hotel, a beautiful spa resort close to the Rose Valley.
Dinner is served at a local restaurant or the hotel.
DAY 4 | Saturday, May 31
Everything's coming up roses! Once a year. the beautiful Damascus roses bloom in the Rose Valley, or Valley of the Roses, region of Bulgaria, dotting the landscape with vibrant colors and filling the air with enchanting aromas.
Celebrate the harvest with locals and travelers alike at the annual Rose Festival! Enjoy this age-old tradition and experience all that Bulgarian culture and history has to offer. Visit the harvesting rose fields, learn about the distillation process, enjoy folk dances, food, live music, dancing, crafts, and more!
Throughout the day, travel to small towns and festival sites within the western part of the Valley of the Roses, that sits at the foot of the Balkan Mountains. You'll even have the opportunity to visit a local production house of various rose products.
Voices in Harmony will perform as part of the day's festivities*, featuring local artists and ensembles.
This evening, dinner is served at a nearby restaurant, followed by a folklore performance by the Shushita village performing group - a perfect ending to this uniquely Bulgarian folk celebration!
Return to your hotel in Hisarya for a good nights' rest.
DAY 5 | Sunday, June 1
Welcome to the second day of the Rose Festival!
After breakfast, depart for the eastern part of the Rose Valley, also known as the Valley of the Thracian Kings, named for the ancient Thracian tribe who settled in this region of the Balkan mountains dating back to the Bronze age.
Your day begins with a visit to a local rose distillery, where you'll get an up close look at the production process behind Bulgaria's famous "liquid gold" or rose oil.
After your visit, Voices in Harmony will perform as part of the day's festivities*, featuring local artists and ensembles.
Take some time for lunch and exploring after your performance, before transferring to the town of Kazanlak, the capitol city of the valley. Here you will visit the Museum of the Rose, which houses a rich collection of artifacts and exhibits relating to the cultivation of roses and the history of rose distillation in Bulgaria.
Visit the Kosmatka Tumuli and Thracian Tombs Park where you'll explore the Thracian Thomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 4th century BC.
Your journey continues at the Shipka Memorial Church, also known as the Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ or the Shipka Monastery. Built in 1885-1902 in the style of 17th-century Russian architecture, the Bulgarian Orthodox church and complex is dedicated to the Russian and Bulgarian soldiers that died for the liberation of Bulgaria in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78. Tucked away in the densely forested slopes of the Balkan mountains, its shimmering golden onion domes and orthodox crosses glisten from miles away.
Take time exploring this beautiful structure and the surrounding Shipka Pass, the historic mountain pass in the Balkan mountains famous for the Battle of Shipka Pass, where the Bulgarian and Russian forces successfully defended against the Ottoman Empire.
After an adventurous day, return to the hotel to relax and refresh. Tonight, dinner is served at a nearby restaurant in Hisarya.
DAY 6 | Monday, June 2
After breakfast this morning, meet in the hotel lobby to check out. Load your waiting coach and depart for the Black Sea coast (approx. 4 hour drive without stops) to the ancient coastal town of Sozopol, historically known as Apollonia.
Upon arrival in Sozopol, stretch your legs and take a stroll through the medieval cobbled streets and grab a bite to eat for lunch.
After lunch, continue to one of Bulgaria's most fascinating sites: Beglik Tash, a stone labyrinth dating back to the prehistoric era. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient Thracian culture, with its impressive megalithic structures and mystical atmosphere nestled amidst lush forest.
This afternoon, Voices in Harmony will perform a friendship concert*, where you'll present selections from your own repertoire in turn with another ensemble, enjoying a beautiful musical exchange!
Continue towards the sea to your resort hotel in nearby Primosko. Check in and refresh before dinner at a nearby restaurant this evening.
After dinner, enjoy an evening show featuring local singers and musicians.
DAY 7 | Tuesday, June 3
Enjoy breakfast served at the hotel. This morning, attend a special performance by local Anastenaria healers. Witness the rites of the Anasternaria, an ancient ritual of fire-walking and ecstatic dancing, traditionally celebrated by communities in the Strandzha mountains. The fascinating ritual is held in honor of Saints Constantine and Helen, and includes music, prayers, and the handling of sacred icons.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the mysterious sites in the wonderous Standja Mountains, including the circle of stones at Nishkabo Niva, and the rock-engraved face of the Goddess Bastet, which was discovered by the prophetess, Baba Vanga. Discover majestic waterfalls, sacred forests, and more in this magical setting.
In the evening, travel to the village where the Anastenaria rituals are traditionally held.
Enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant before retuning to your hotel in Primorsko.
DAY 8 | Wednesday, June 4
After breakfast, meet in the hotel lobby with luggage packed. Check out of the hotel and transfer to Plovdiv (approx. 3 hour drive with no stops), the cultural capitol of Bulgaria and the country's second-largest city.
Spend the day exploring the Old Town, a living museum of Ottoman and Roman sites, historic streets, churches, and the charming house museums that embody the National Revival architecture that emerged in the region in the 1800s. Visit the Bishop's Basilica of Philippolis, and known as The Great Basilica. The Basilica is a significant archeological site dating back to the 4th-6th centuries, showcasing the grandeur of early Christian architecture. Its magnificent floor mosaics have been excavated over many years and is now preserved in a newly established museum on site, offering an immersive experience of Plovdiv's historical and artistic value and ancient heritage.
Tonight, a festive farewell dinner accompanied by a live folklore show is served.
Afterwards, return to your hotel to pack before tomorrow's journey home.
DAY 9 | Thursday, June 5
Start the day, by checking out of your hotel and departing for the Sofia Airport.
At 2:05 pm today, board Lufthansa flight #1427 bound for Frankfurt Germany. Arrive a t 3:35pm and change planes. Depart on Lufthansa flight #420 bound for Boston at 5:40pm. Land at Boston Logan Airport at 8:15pm.
*All performance opportunities and venues proposed in this itinerary are pending final confirmation and availability at time of booking. Your group's final program will be determined by confirmed times and locations for concerts, workshops, entrances and other activities. Although your ensemble's exact itinerary will vary to accommodate performance schedules, the same type of singing experiences, activities and caliber of venue will be included in your final concert tour program.
Your Tour INCLUDES:
FLIGHTS - professionally managed with group airfare
ACCOMMODATIONS - thoughtfully selected to match group needs
MEALS - varied, flavorful, and highlighting local cuisine
PERFORMANCES, WORKSHOPS, and EXCHANGES that are customized, unique, and inspiring
ACTIVITIES + TOURS + ENTRANCES - handpicked for your travelers
TOUR MANAGER to handle on-the-road logistics
TRANSPORTATION in a private, modern, climate-controlled motor coach with a professional driver
GRATUITIES included
INSURANCE that covers our commitment to you
TOUR ENHANCEMENT MATERIALS to help plan, promote, and prepare for your tour
MUSIC CONTACT INTERNATIONAL SERVICES go beyond logistics
CONVENIENT ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM - tour accounting has never been easier!
TOUR PACKAGE PRICES you can rely on
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