A Soul-Stirring Journey Through the Land of Roses and Legends
The scent hits you first. It’s not a single note, but a symphony carried on the Balkan breeze—a heady blend of sun-warmed earth, ancient stone, the delicate perfume of millions of damask roses in the Valley of Kings, and somewhere, faintly, the smoky promise of slow-roasted peppers and sizzling kebapche.
This is Bulgaria. It doesn’t merely greet you; it enters you, a visceral invitation to a land where history is not in museums but in the very soil, where mountains hold secrets and monasteries cradle miracles, and where warmth radiates not just from the sun but from the profound, welcoming smiles of its people.
At PTOUCH Retreats, we don’t just organize trips; we craft profound, sensory experiences. We believe travel should touch the soul, and Bulgaria, in its raw, authentic beauty, is a master of connection. Forget what you think you know. Let us guide you beyond the map, into the heartbeat of a destination that will captivate your senses and rewrite your definition of adventure.
Sofia : Une Capitale où l’Est Rencontre l’Ouest sous un Regard Bienveillant
Your journey begins in Sofia, a city where epochs coexist in a dynamic, lived-in harmony. You’ll stroll past Roman ruins exposed beneath the modern street, walk on Byzantine mosaics, and gaze upon Ottoman mosques, all under the serene gaze of the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
The ambiance here is one of resilient grace. In the shadow of the cathedral, the air is crisp, tinged with incense from the church and the rich aroma of banitsa : flaky pastry filled with cheese and eggs, wafting from a nearby bakery.
In summer, our favorite typical Bulgarian menu includes a plate of tarator (a refreshing cold soup with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill) and a shopska salad, a vibrant medley of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and a dusting of salty mermaid cheese. A pure and unadulterated taste of freshness.
As the sun sets, let’s enjoy a walk in Borisova Gradina Park. The light turns honey and gold, filtering through the leaves. It illuminates groups of laughing friends, couples strolling, and the majestic Vitosha mountain rising in the distance, a silent promise of unspoiled nature.
Into the Spiritual Heart: The Rila and Bachkovo Monasteries
A journey south into the Rila Mountains feels like a pilgrimage. The road winds through pine forests until you see it: the Rila Monastery, a fortress of faith nestled like a jeweled treasure box in the mountain’s embrace. The smell changes to woodsmoke and old beeswax candles. Inside the courtyard, the famed frescoes on the Church of the Nativity are not just paintings; they are a bible in vivid color, stories of damnation and salvation staring down with piercing eyes. The silence is profound, broken only by the chant of a monk and the flutter of a bird against the cerulean sky. This is a place that commands reflection, a UNESCO site that is vibrantly, devoutly alive.
Not far, the Bachkovo Monastery offers a different intimacy. Its ossuary chapel hides 11th-century Byzantine murals of haunting beauty, and the courtyard, shaded by ancient trees, feels like a secret garden. Here, we often arrange a silent moment with our PTOUCH guests—a chance to simply be, absorbing centuries of prayer and perseverance.
The City That Breathes Through Seven Hills
Travel east to Plovdiv, and you’ll feel the artistic pulse of the nation. This is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city. In its magnificent Old Town, you’ll wander cobblestone streets so charismatic they seem to lean in to tell their stories. The houses of the Bulgarian National Revival period are architectural masterpieces—their overhanging second stories, colorful facades, and intricate woodwork speak of a time of proud cultural reawakening.
A particularly enjoyable activity is getting lost in the creative Kapana district. The air buzzes with indie music drifting from open cafes, the clinking of wine glasses from the Valley of the Kings, and the hum of artists at work. The aroma of strong coffee mingles with the damp clay of pottery studios. Every corner is an Instagram moment, but more importantly, a moment of pure creative energy.
In a traditional mehana (tavern) nestled in the hills, feast on the famous patatnik of Plovdiv. Slow-cooked with mint and chubritsa (savory), or a tender kavarma (pork or chicken stew cooked in an earthenware pot).
The Majesty of Mountains: Pirin, Rila & the Rhodopes
In Pirin National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, you’ll hike through valleys of emerald where the only sound is the crunch of your boots on glacial moraine and the distant chime of cowbells. The air is so sharp and clean it feels like drinking ice water. You’ll stand before the glassy surface of the Kremenski Lakes, their perfect reflection of the jagged peaks creating a symmetry that stills the mind.
But for pure magic, we guide you into the Rhodope Mountains, the mythical realm of Orpheus. This is a landscape of soft, rolling green, of deep gorges and mysterious caves like Yagodina. In villages like Shiroka Laka, the architecture changes to slate-roofed stone houses. The smell is of wild herbs and wood fires. Here, you’ll be invited for a tasting of “milky” cheese by the hearth, and if you’re lucky, hear the haunting, polyphonic singing of the locals—a sound that seems to rise from the earth itself.
Imagine a sunset relaxation session organized by PTouch Retreats on a Rhodope meadow, a walk with a local guide who teaches you the secrets of wild thyme and mountain tea.
The Black Sea Coast: Beyond the Sunny Beach
Yes, Bulgaria has a coast, but we show you its dual nature. The north, around Balchik and Kaliakra Cape, is dramatic and windswept. At the Balchik Palace and Botanical Gardens, the scent of salt air mingles with thousands of exotic plants. The white cliffs of Kaliakra, plunging into turquoise waters, tell tales of ancient wars and legendary maidens. Further south, Nessebar is a UNESCO open-air museum—a peninsula city of Byzantine churches and timber-framed houses rising from the sea, where the day’s catch of mussels and bonito grills on street-side stalls.
The Valley of Roses & the Thracian Legacy
In early June, the Rose Valley around Kazanlak becomes the most fragrant place on earth. Participating in the rose harvest at dawn is a PTOUCH highlight. The delicate pink petals are cool with dew, and their perfume is intoxicatingly sweet—a scent bottled as the world’s finest rose oil. This is a celebration of a centuries-old tradition, your hands stained with scent and history.
This region is also the heart of ancient Thrace. In a field outside a nondescript village, we’ll take you to the Kazanlak Tomb, its frescoes miraculously preserved. But more thrilling are the recent discoveries: the unexcavated mounds that dot the landscape, guarding secrets of warrior kings. We connect you with archaeologists who share stories of gold-filled tombs, making you feel the thrill of history being written.
his is wine country. In a family-owned cellar, you’ll taste the robust Mavrud and deep Melnik wines, paired with local cheeses and loukanka (spiced salami). The vintner’s passion is as rich as the wine.
The Culinary Symphony: A Feast for the Soul
Bulgarian cuisine is a love letter to the land. It’s the crunch of a Shopska salad, the communal joy of a sach (a sizzling pan of meat and vegetables brought to your table), the comfort of gyuvech (a clay pot stew). It’s the ritual of sharing a bottle of rakia (fruit brandy) with new friends, toasting with a hearty “Nazdrave!”
Don’t be surprised! According to our habits and traditions, we Bulgarians start the meal with strong alcohols, rakia (about 40 degrees), mastika, accompanied by a small salad.
We arrange meals in village homes, baking bread in outdoor ovens, and workshops on making kiselo mlyako—the famed Bulgarian yogurt, whose unique bacillus Bulgaricus is said to grant longevity.
Your trip to Bulgaria deserves more than just a to-do list
