Horseriding Through the Land of the Thracians

About

A beautiful new ride with a dream trail designed especially for those who love a lot of canter, great comfort and amazing nature teeming with history and culture.

Hightlights

• Smooth and picturesque terrain allowing faster pace of riding

• Visiting the biggest mound-temple on the Balkan peninsula dating back to the VI – IV century B.C.

• Culinary delights consisting of only fresh products

• Visiting the Old town and the Ethnographic Museum of Plovdiv

 Description

DAY 1 SATURDAY - ARRIVAL

Reception and transfer by minibus to Belashtitsa village located only a few kilometers from Plovdiv, considered cultural capital of Bulgaria. Here you will find traces of civilizations older than even that of the Romans. We will visit the historic city, dating back more than 8000 years, as well the Ethnographic Museum and the Ancient theater - one of the best preserved still existing. Dinner and overnight stay in a very comfortable hotel with pool and spa.

DAY 2 SUNDAY – TSARATSOVO – HISAR

After breakfast, transfer to Tsaratsovo village, approximately 30 min from where we start our journey - one of the biggest and most famous horse sport facilities in Bulgaria.

Today’s destination is the thermal center of Hisarya. The most famous SPA center in Bulgaria, unique with its 22 healing mineral springs. Not only is it a famous health resort, but also a well-known historical place, full of archaeological finds from the times of the Thracians and the Roman Empire, so you walk in the middle of Roman baths, aqueducts, bastions and fortified walls. The day holds five and a half hours of high-paced riding along smooth fields and a riverside picnic with wine and BBQ. You will stay the night at a spa hotel with a mineral water swimming pool, sauna, massage centre and jacuzi.

DAY 3 MONDAY – HISAR – STAROSEL

Today’s terrain is flat and hilly with the trail passing by fields filled with vineyards, meadows and oak forests. The day's destination is a wine cellar, where besides great wine tasting and superb cuisine you can also indulge yourself with a number of relaxing SPA treatments.

On our way we will visit the Thracian king complex with a temple-mausoleum, the largest preserved of its kind in Southeast Europe. You will have the opportunity to visit this recently found Thracian complex, still in excavation. Learn about the mysterious Thracians, their amazing cultural heritage and historic significance. Enjoy four hours of riding and lunch from the saddlebags while resting in the beautiful meadows.

DAY 4 TUESDAY – STAROSEL – KOPRIVSHTITSA

Today, the five-hour long hike takes you to the historic city of Koprivshtitsa, dating back to the Renaissance. It is located in a picturesque valley along the Topolnitsa River, in the heart of Sashtinska Sredna Gora. You'll have a guided tour along its cobblestone streets, filled to the brim with authentic atmosphere, that will take you back in time.

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY – KOPRIVSHTITSA – STRELCHA

After breakfast, you'll be able to guide your horse along the ridge of the mountain, with magnificent views of the prolific "Valley of the Rose". The seaside resort of Strelcha awaits you at the foot of the mountain. Tonight's spa-hotel once again offers massages and mineral water treatments. Enjoy a hearty dinner at the hotel after the day's 5hrs 30 min long ride.

DAY 6 THURSDAY – STRELCHA – BELOVITSA VILLAGE

After breakfast you will visit the Thracian ritual temples around the city, from the IV to the VI century BC. Lunch is on the shores of Lake Belovitsa, before leaving for an afternoon in the saddle. Your hotel has a large spa and swimming pool for a well deserved rest after the 5 hour ride.

DAY 7 FRIDAY BELOVITSA –TSARATSOVO

Another day of riding along the smooth vineyards and rose fields towards a famous riding center. On our way we will cross a beautiful river and a rose oil factory, where you can enjoy the sweet smell of the famous Bulgarian rose one last time. After 4hrs 30min of riding enjoy your last overnight stay in a 4+* hotel with a big spa and swimming pool.

DAY 8 SATURDAY

After breakfast follows a transfer to Sofia, by minibus.