2 spaces available
$2000 per person
Journey to Thrace May 29-June 5 for the celebrated Rose Kazanlak Festival! Nestled in the picturesque Stara Zagora landscape, in the city known to the Greeks as Seuthopolis, you are invited to meet the delicate and enchantingly fragrant Rosa Damascena. Some of the most precious rose perfume in the world comes from this valley. As the festival unfolds over several days, you'll have the opportunity to explore aromatic rose fields and witness the traditional rose-picking ceremonies. We will savor the vibrant cultural traditions of song and perfumery, soak in the atmosphere, enjoy local cuisine, and revel in the celebrations that showcase the country's connection to the timeless allure of the rose. After the Festival, we will venture onward to Starosel, where we will visit a modern Pagan Temple, explore archeological ruins, and connect with the arts of textile, song, and gardening. Let's create unforgettable memories together in Bulgaria!
Do you hear the call to join us?
Arrive Sofia
May 29: When you arrive at the Sofia Airport, you will meet the group, and we will make the drive to our home in Kazanlak, where we can rest and unwind from our journey. We will turn in early on our first night to get a good rest so we can be fresh for the next day.
Museum & Tomb
May 30: The day before the Rose Festival begins, we will visit the Iskra Museum, which contains numerous treasures from Bulgarian history, including gold royal regalia, grave goods, and ceremonial objects. The oldest settlement in the area of the modern-day city dates back to the Neolithic era (6th-5th millennium BCE). Nearby, we will visit the Thracian Tomb, a recreation of a burial site from the 4th century BCE. This monument is the only one of its kind anywhere in the world, with remarkable frescoes representing a marriage of Thracian and Hellenistic themes.
To the Sun Gate
May 31: We will begin our day in Buzovgrad with a visit to the Sun Gate shrine. "The door of the goddess" or "sun door" is one of the most ancient Thracian sanctuaries in Bulgaria. Perched above the village at the end of a well-worn footpath, the complex was used for rituals, but also as an astronomical calendar which has a Summer Solstice peak. After our morning hike to see the site and make an offering to the Earth Goddess of Bulgaria, we will enjoy the festive environment of the village, sample local cuisine, and end our day at the evening concert that heralds the opening of the Rose Festival.
Rose Festival
June 1-2: On June 1 and 2, we will tour Kazanlak and other local villages to enjoy various activities that are part of the Rose Festival, including rose-picking rituals, musical performances, cultural demonstrations, and the annual Rose Parade. During these two days we will immerse ourselves in the beauty, fragrance, and traditional celebration of one of the world’s most beloved flowers.
Starosel
June 3-5: After the lively celebrations in Kazanlak, we will spend two days relaxing in Starosel as the guests of Priest and scholar Georgi Mishev, author of the book Washing Rituals from Bulgaria with Avalonia Press. He will give us a tour of his Temple and teach us about the ancestral purification and healing rites in his book. We will spend time with his glorious herb and edible garden studying the plants of the season. Every participant of the trip will receive a signed copy of Georgi’s book and the privilege of studying with him in his sacred space.
Georgi Mishev
Our teacher Georgi Mishev, PhD is a Bulgarian author and researcher in ancient culture and religion of the Mediterranean world and especially in magic practices, rituals and ancient relics in the folklore of the Balkan people. He has a bachelor's degree in Russian and German language, master's degree in Preservation of the cultural-historical heritage in the Republic of Bulgaria (master's thesis on the Thracian cultural-historical heritage in Starosel) and doctoral degree in cultural-historical heritage (PhD thesis on Bulgarian traditional culture as a resource about the magic in ancient Southeastern Europe).
Fly Away Home
June 5: Our time in Bulgaria will end on June 5, when you are dropped off at the Sofia Airport to depart for home or onward journeys.
Special Pricing for 2 or more trips!
If, in addition to the Rose of Thrace Bulgaria Tour, you also book the Mt Shasta Goddess Temple’s Magdalene Pilgrimage to France from May 22-29, you will receive a discount on your trip fee. Make the magic last a little longer by extending your tour with us!
Lodging
Prices for this trip are based on single occupancy for each room, with a total of 3 guests plus Priestess Yeshe.
Meals
Your trip fee includes breakfast daily. Every day, breakfast options will be provided including cereal, milk, yogurt, vegan options, eggs, toast, coffee, tea, and fruit.
Lunch and dinner will typically occur while we are out sightseeing, with each person taking responsibility for paying for two group meals.
If you have special needs related to food, such as gluten intolerance or allergies, please let us know so that we can support you in preparing for a happy, healthy journey.
Price Details
The price for this trip is $2000 per person. If you'd like to book, please see below.
Inclusions
pick-up at Sofia Airport on May 29, drop off on June 5
breakfast each day
lodging in a personal or shared room (please inquire about shared room option)
ground transportation to all sites and activities
Copy of Washing Ritual of Bulgaria by Georgi Mishev
Rose Festival Concert Ticket, Rose Ceremony Ticket, and Museum Admission
Rituals and ceremonies
goodie bag with items to support your journey
pre-trip planning assistance
Exclusions
flights to and from Plovdiv
lunch and dinner expenses (estimate $100)
admission to any additional sites or events
spending money
Personal expenses- laundry, toiletries, offerings at sacred sites.
If you are interested in booking your space on this journey, an application and a $500 non-refundable deposit are required. Please use the button below to apply for this trip and schedule your deposit meeting with Priestess Yeshe.