8-day wine tour Bulgaria and Greece, including city trip Thessaloniki
Most important features
- 8 DAYS – 7 NIGHTS
- Visited countries: Bulgaria, Greece
Short introduction
During this 8-day wine tour you will travel through post-communist Bulgaria and the beautiful, little-visited province of Macedonia in the north of Greece. Visit two wine countries with an old (wine) history and long (wine) traditions. During this wine tour you will not only taste delicious wines, you will also visit beautifully situated wineries, you will see ever-changing landscapes from the high Bulgarian mountains to the beautiful coastline of the Aegean Sea and many more beautiful things such as the little visited Thessaloniki.
Highlights
- Glass of wine as a welcome drink in a rooftop bar in Sofia
- 7 wine tastings and 6 wine cellar visits
- Learn about the winemaking process in these two beautiful wine countries
- Explore the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia
- Visit the beautiful, little visited and second largest city of Greece, Thessaloniki
- Visit the royal tombs of King Phillip II and the young Prince Alexander IV in Vergina, one of the most impressive museums in Europe
- The archaeological site of Pella
- The UNESCO archaeological site of Aigai near the city of Vergina
Program
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL BULGARIA, SOFIA (20 KM) (D)
Today you arrive in the largest city in Bulgaria, Sofia. The Bulgarian capital is a city with a very long history, a city full of Orthodox churches, Ottoman mosques, Roman ruins and old communist monuments, museums, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. After arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. Check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on a friendly group walking tour of the central part of the city and see Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the ancient ruins of Serdica (the old name of the city), St. Nedela Church. Then you are expected in one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in the city with a view of the centre. Afterwards there is a welcome dinner in a wine restaurant.
Overnight in Sofia.
DAY 2 – SOFIA – MELNIK – MARIKOSTINOVO (195 KM) (B, L)
In the morning, after breakfast, you will depart from Sofia to the town of Melnik. Here you will visit a wine workshop and museum, and you will be offered a wine tasting with an explanation of the winery. Then you will leave for the village of Kolarovo to visit the second wine cellar of today, a winery at the foot of the Belasitsa Mountains. This winery preserves the local wine-making traditions and reflects the authentic charm of Bulgarian culture. After tasting five specially selected Orbelia wines, including the unique Melnik 55 and Sandanski Misket, the afternoon ends with some delightful free time at the famous Marikostinovo thermal centre, at the Mantar SPA Hotel.
Overnight.
DAY 3 – MARIKOSTINOVO – NAOUSSA (198 KM) (B, L)
This morning, after breakfast and on your way to Greece, you will first stop in the village of Dolno Spanchevo to visit the last winery in Bulgaria before crossing the border into Greece. The winemakers of this winery present five of their best wines, including the famous Tamyanka and the special rosé with the beautiful name Anita. After this, cross the border and visit today’s second winery in Naoussa, the most important wine region of Northern Greece. This charming winery prepares its wines according to the local wine tradition. Whether in the cool tavern or in the pretty garden with a view of the vineyards, during the wine tasting you will taste eight different of their beautiful wines which will satisfy even the most exquisite senses.
Overnight in Naoussa.
DAY 4 – NAOUSSA (B, L)
After breakfast, the first stop today is an impressive winery that processes grapes from more than 250 local winegrowers. For the wine tasting, the hosts choose five of their best wines with quality label. In the afternoon you will visit another winery with impressive views of the surrounding mountains to the west and north, and the Aegean Sea to the southeast. The full potential of local Greek grape varieties is unleashed in the wines of this winery, balancing the 100-year-old family tradition with the latest winemaking techniques. Relaxing evening in Naoussa!
Overnight.
DAY 5 – NAOUSSA – THESSALONIKI (B, L) (101 KM)
After breakfast and a delicious coffee, today you travel through north-eastern Greece towards the beautiful village of Gumensa. Here you will visit a winery with traditions and modern technologies in wine production and where quality is guaranteed by the constant control of the ripening of the grapes, the fertility of the land on which it is grown and the organic cultivation methods. Out of the 120 hectares of private vineyards produces fine wines including local Xinomavro, Negoska, Roditis and Assyrtiko. Then you drive to Thessaloniki with beautiful views along the way. Free evening in Thessaloniki.
Overnight.
DAY 6 – THESSALONIKI – PELLA – VERGINA – THESSALONIKI (200 KM) (B, D, L)
After breakfast, travel to Pella, today’s first stop, known as the birthplace of Alexander the Great, who died here in 356 BC. was born. Today, Pella’s main draw is the coloured mosaic-covered atrium with mythological scenes. Next, head to Vergina, the modern name for the ancient city of Aigai, also the ancient capital of the Macedonian kings, which was only discovered in 1977. During your visit you will visit the spectacular royal tombs of King Phillip II and the young Prince Alexander IV. Then you travel back to Thessaloniki. During the last evening of this trip, enjoy a farewell dinner with traditional Greek music in the main square of Aristotle in Thessaloniki.
Overnight.
DAY 7 – THESSALONIKI (B)
Optional
Today, after breakfast, you have all day to visit the little visited but beautiful city of Thessaloniki on your own. If desired, you can book a guide. We are happy to make recommendations for sights, restaurants with local cuisine, the best wine bars and nice cafes.
Overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 8 – THESSALONIKI – THESSALONIKI AIRPORT (21 KM) (B)
After breakfast, and depending on your flight times, you will get a transfer to the airport for your flight back home… or an extension of your trip to one of the other beautiful wine regions and islands of Greece such as the Peloponnese, Limnos, or why not Kos, Rhodes, Santorini or Crete. Ask us about the possibilities for a non-binding customized quote.
Included / Excluded
What’s included / not included in this wine tour ?
Included
- 7 wine tastings and 6 wine cellar visits
- International flights
- Transfer airport – hotel – airport
- 7 nights in a standard double room in good quality hotels according to local standards
- Meals where indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Transport as described in the program
Excluded
- Specialized wine guide
- Single room surcharge
- Experienced English-speaking guide unless otherwise stated, other languages on request
- Personal expenses
- Entrance fees to the listed sights
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks unless explicitly stated
- Meals other than stated in the program (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Tips
- Cancellation and travel insurance (we can arrange this for you if desired)
- Taxes to be paid locally, such as the tourist tax
- Everything that is not reported under the heading including
Request a quote for this wine tour and we can work with you to determine what will and will not be included. The choice is yours.
All flights (international and domestic), hotels and rental car are always subject to availability until the time of final booking with signing the sales file. The booking is made and recorded after receipt of the deposit on our bank account.
Prices are always subject to change and are signed up to the sales file without prior notice and / or evidence. The reasons, which are not exhaustive, can be seasonality and availability.
